CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX and the Intel Core 3 304 represent two opposite extremes of the processor spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD part leading by just 0.3%. This creates a fascinating paradox: a 32-core, 280W desktop workstation monster and a 5-core, 15W mobile chip land in the same performance percentile, yet their actual workloads and benchmark profiles could not be more different. The data reveals that while the Threadripper dominates every shared benchmark, the Intel chip wins in areas where no direct comparison exists, making this a study in how average scores can mask entirely different performance identities.

FAQ

Q: How close are the two processors in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX has an average benchmark score of 13786, while the Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745. This puts the AMD chip ahead by a mere 0.3%, placing both in the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor wins in the head-to-head Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD chip scores 52895 against the Intel's 5263, a 905% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 have a single-core advantage?

A: No. Despite having a higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz compared to the AMD's 4.20 GHz, the Intel chip loses every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 7467 versus the Intel's 1765, a 323.1% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Intel chip does not support hyper-threading, matching its core count with its thread count.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth specifications compare?

A: The AMD processor features an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel processor uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD chip supports DDR4, whereas the Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX has a TDP of 280 watts, while the Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 watts. This reflects their intended market segments: desktop versus mobile.

Architecture Differences

The foundational architectures of these two processors could hardly be more distinct. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, and manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It is a multi-chip module design, with a die size of 4x 74 mm² and a total of 15,200 million transistors, reflecting its origins as a high-core-count server-derived part.

In contrast, the Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundries. The data does not list a transistor count or die size for the Intel chip, but the process node advantage is clear. The AMD processor uses a larger, more power-hungry design to achieve its 32 cores, while the Intel chip uses a more advanced node to deliver a modest 5 cores in a 15-watt package.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has a flat 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD's L3 cache is over 21 times larger, a critical factor for its multi-threaded workloads. The Intel chip compensates with its single-core boost clock of 4.30 GHz, which is slightly higher than the AMD's 4.20 GHz, though the benchmark data shows this does not translate into a single-core win.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD processor uses DDR4 memory with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not. PCIe lanes differ as well, with the AMD offering Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only) versus the Intel's Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six shared benchmarks paint a one-sided picture, with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX winning every test. The smallest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD scores 752 against the Intel's 264, a 184.8% advantage. This is notable because single-core performance is often considered a strength of lower-core-count, higher-clock parts, yet the AMD's older architecture still dominates.

The multi-core results are where the gap becomes extreme. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 5331 versus the Intel's 849, a 527.9% difference. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where the AMD scores 22215 against 4160 (434% delta), and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD's 52895 dwarfs the Intel's 5263 by 905%. The single-core R20 and R23 tests show deltas of 434.2% and 323.1%, respectively, with scores of 3136 vs 587 and 7467 vs 1765.

The data indicates that the AMD processor's 32 cores and 64 threads are overwhelmingly effective in multi-threaded rendering workloads, but the Intel chip's deficit in single-core tests is equally clear. The Intel's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz does not help it overcome the AMD's architectural efficiency in these tests. The average benchmark score delta of 0.3% is misleading, as it is driven by the Intel's extensive PassMark benchmark suite, which includes tests not shared by the AMD chip.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the AMD and 1.50 GHz for the Intel, while boost clocks are 4.20 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively. TDP is dramatically different at 280 watts versus 15 watts.

The socket types are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket WRX8, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The process node favors Intel at 3 nm versus AMD's 7 nm. Cache configurations differ completely, with the AMD offering per-core L1 and L2 caches plus 128 MB L3, versus the Intel's flat L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support diverges on type (DDR4 for AMD, DDR5/LPDDR5X for Intel), bus width (eight-channel versus single-channel), bandwidth (204.8 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s), and ECC support (true for AMD, false for Intel). PCIe lanes also differ, with 128 lanes on the AMD versus 6 on the Intel. The Intel chip has integrated graphics, which the AMD lacks. The market segments are desktop for AMD and mobile for Intel, with release dates of July 2020 for the AMD and April 2026 for the Intel. The AMD's launch MSRP is $2749, while the Intel's is $309.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the unequivocal choice for any workload that leverages multi-core performance. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 52895 is 905% higher than the Intel's 5263, and it wins every shared benchmark by at least 184.8%. The 32 cores, 64 threads, and 128 MB of L3 cache make it a powerhouse for rendering, compilation, and other parallel tasks.

The Intel Core 3 304, conversely, offers no head-to-head benchmark wins, but its low 15-watt TDP and mobile socket suggest it is designed for efficiency and portability rather than raw performance. Its PassMark results, which include data compression at 114775 and single-thread performance at 3614, are not compared directly to the AMD, but they indicate a different performance profile. The Intel chip's 3 nm process and DDR5 support point to modern efficiency, while the AMD's 7 nm design and DDR4 support are older but more robust for high-throughput tasks.

Benchmark results indicate that a user seeking maximum multi-core throughput should choose the AMD, while a user prioritizing a mobile form factor and integrated graphics, with significantly lower power draw, should consider the Intel. The 0.3% average score difference is statistically negligible, but the workload-specific differences are not.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins in every directly compared benchmark category. It excels in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, with multi-core deltas ranging from 434% to 905%. This makes it the clear winner for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any CPU-bound multi-threaded application. Its 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and 128 MB L3 cache further support large dataset processing.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins in categories not directly compared. Its PassMark suite shows strengths in data compression (114775), data encryption (8501), and extended instructions (9686), though these scores have no AMD counterpart in the data. Its single-thread PassMark score of 3614 is notable, but it loses the shared Cinebench single-core tests. The Intel chip's wins are in efficiency and portability: a 15-watt TDP, integrated graphics, and a mobile socket make it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and low heat are priorities.

The data also shows that the Intel chip's 5 threads are all it has, with no hyper-threading, which limits its multi-core potential. The AMD's 64 threads are a decisive advantage in any parallel workload. For a desktop workstation, the AMD is the only logical choice based on benchmark results; for a mobile device, the Intel's specification set, including DDR5/LPDDR5X support and a 3 nm process, makes it a modern, efficient option. The choice depends entirely on whether the user prioritizes raw compute power or a low-power mobile platform.