AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and the Intel Core 3 304 are fundamentally different processors, and the recorded data shows a clear split between multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The AMD chip, a desktop part with six cores and twelve threads, dominates the majority of the benchmark suite, while the Intel chip, a low-power mobile part, claims a significant victory in single-thread performance. The data indicates the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is the stronger overall processor for most compute-intensive tasks, but the Core 3 304 has a specific advantage in lightly-threaded applications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is lopsided in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, which wins 9 of the 11 recorded tests. The most dramatic victory for the AMD processor comes in the Passmark physics test, where it scores 2282 against the Intel Core 3 304's 868, a massive 162.9% advantage. This result, along with an equally decisive 150% lead in the find prime numbers test (170 vs. 68), indicates that the Ryzen 5 5500X3D's processing architecture is exceptionally well-suited for complex, multi-step calculations.

The AMD processor also demonstrates a substantial lead in integer math, scoring 60033 versus 24640, a 143.6% difference. This workload, which often reflects general application performance, shows the Ryzen 5 5500X3D delivering more than double the throughput of the Intel part. Similarly, in data compression, the AMD chip scores 230392 against 114775, a 100.7% advantage, effectively doubling the Intel processor's output. The multithreaded Passmark score, a key indicator of overall parallel performance, shows the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 20363, which is 75.2% ahead of the Intel Core 3 304's 11625.

In other multi-threaded workloads, the lead persists but is narrower. The AMD processor is 73.3% ahead in random string sorting (23675 vs. 13659), 64.4% ahead in extended instructions (15925 vs. 9686), and 64.3% ahead in data encryption (13967 vs. 8501). Even in floating-point math, a workload where the Intel chip is relatively competitive, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D still wins by a solid 16.1%, scoring 34511 versus 29722.

The Intel Core 3 304's only victories come in the single-threaded tests. In the Passmark single-thread benchmark, the Intel chip scores 3614 against the AMD chip's 2941, a 18.6% advantage. This result is recorded twice in the dataset, confirming the Intel processor's superiority in workloads that rely on a single core. This is a significant margin, but it is the only area where the Intel part wins.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of two distinct use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is the definitive winner for any workload that can utilize multiple cores. The data shows it excels in physics simulations, integer math, data compression, encryption, and random string sorting. These are tasks common in video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and scientific computing. The processor's 75.2% lead in the multithreaded Passmark score confirms that it is the superior choice for parallel processing.

The Intel Core 3 304, conversely, wins in single-threaded applications. Its 18.6% lead in the single-thread benchmark indicates an advantage in tasks like legacy software, certain web browsing scenarios, and applications that are not optimized for multi-threading. This is also a mobile processor, which suggests its primary role is in power-sensitive environments, but the recorded data does not include power consumption metrics to directly support that claim. Based strictly on the benchmarks, the Intel chip is the pick when the workload is serial and depends on a single fast core.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D's overall average benchmark score of 37018 places it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 304's average of 13745 puts it in the 68th percentile. This substantial gap in overall performance, combined with the per-test results, shows that the AMD processor is in a different performance class entirely.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, and is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, a configuration that allows for simultaneous multithreading. In contrast, the Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, is fabricated on a 3 nm process at Intel, and has 5 cores and 5 threads, indicating no hyperthreading.

The memory architecture is also a major differentiator. The AMD processor supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory but over a single-channel bus, with a higher recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Despite the higher theoretical bandwidth for the Intel chip, the AMD chip's dual-channel configuration and larger cache appear to give it the edge in most tests.

The cache hierarchy is starkly different. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has a large 96 MB shared L3 cache, a defining feature of the X3D series. The Intel Core 3 304, by contrast, has only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. This difference in cache size is likely a major factor in the AMD processor's dominance in data-heavy workloads. The AMD chip also has per-core L1 and L2 caches of 64 KB and 512 KB, respectively, while the Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2.

Other differences include the integrated graphics. The Intel Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD chip has 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel chip has only 6.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has an average benchmark score of 37018, while the Intel Core 3 304 has an average score of 13745.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D in the multithreaded Passmark test?

A: The AMD processor scores 20363 in the Passmark multithread test, which is 75.2% higher than the Intel Core 3 304's score of 11625.

Q: In which test does the Intel Core 3 304 beat the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 wins the Passmark single-thread test, scoring 3614 against the AMD processor's 2941, a difference of 18.6%.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core 3 304 has Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), but the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D does not have any integrated graphics.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D | Intel Core 3 304 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 6 | 5 |

| Threads | 12 | 5 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Not specified |

| Codename | Vermeer | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 96 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Part Number | 100-000001504 | SAE3K |

The Verdict

The data directs a clear verdict. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is the superior processor for almost all compute-intensive tasks. Its wins in 9 of 11 benchmarks, including massive leads in physics, integer math, and multithreaded tests, make it the definitive choice for workloads that leverage multiple cores. The 96 MB L3 cache and 12 threads provide a significant advantage in data-heavy and parallel applications.

The Intel Core 3 304 has a single, specific strength: single-thread performance. Its 18.6% lead in that test is notable and makes it the better option for serial workloads that depend on one fast core. However, this is a narrow advantage. The Intel chip is also a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, compared to the AMD chip's 105 W TDP, which points to different intended environments, but the benchmark data itself does not measure power consumption.

For users running multi-threaded applications, the choice is clear. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, with its 75.2% lead in multithread score and 85th percentile ranking, delivers far superior performance. The Intel Core 3 304 is only preferable in the specific scenario where single-thread speed is the sole priority and multi-core performance is irrelevant. Based on the recorded measurements, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is the stronger processor overall.