AMD Ryzen 5 5600F vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and Intel Core 3 304 occupy different corners of the processor market, with the data showing a clear split between multi-core throughput and single-thread agility. The Ryzen 5 5600F wins 9 of the 11 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core 3 304 takes the remaining 2. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 36945, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Intel part averages 13745 and sits in the 68th percentile. These are not equivalent products, and the benchmark results reflect fundamental differences in design goals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F in PassMark integer math, where it scores 59339 against 24640 for the Intel Core 3 304, a delta of 140.8%. This result indicates a massive advantage in arithmetic-heavy workloads that do not rely on highly optimized single-thread bursts. Data compression follows a similar pattern: the AMD chip delivers 232836 points versus 114775, a 102.9% lead. The Ryzen 5 5600F also excels in random string sorting, posting 23422 points against 13659, a 71.5% advantage, and in prime number finding, where it scores 120 versus 68, a 76.5% lead.

The gap narrows considerably in floating-point math. Here the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F scores 34548 against 29722 for the Intel part, a 16.2% win. Physics simulation shows a comparable margin, with the AMD chip at 1043 points and the Intel chip at 868, a 20.2% difference. Extended instructions favor AMD by 67.9% (16266 versus 9686), and data encryption favors AMD by 62.8% (13839 versus 8501). The multi-thread PassMark score for the Ryzen 5 5600F is 19236, which is 65.5% higher than the Intel Core 3 304's 11625. This multi-thread gap is consistent with the core and thread counts, but the single-thread results tell a different story.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins both single-thread benchmarks decisively. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3614 points against 2872 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, a delta of -20.5% from the AMD perspective, meaning the Intel part is 20.5% faster. The same result appears under the singlethread test name, with identical scores. This is the only category where the Intel chip shows clear superiority, and the margin is substantial. The AMD part's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 at 36938 average score (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 37018 (-0.2% delta), which places the Ryzen 5 5600F in a tight cluster of comparable desktop processors. The Intel Core 3 304, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13786, -0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i7-8750H (13868, -0.9% delta), showing that its average score aligns with older high-end mobile parts.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, and is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 5 cores and 5 threads. Its base clock is 1.50 GHz, but the boost clock reaches 4.30 GHz, which explains its single-thread advantage despite the lower base frequency. The process node difference is significant: 7 nm for AMD versus 3 nm for Intel. The AMD chip contains 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the Intel part does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 304 has 192 KB of total L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's 32 MB L3 is a major contributor to its multi-thread performance, as it reduces the need to access system memory. The Intel part's smaller cache pool is paired with a single-channel memory bus, while the AMD part uses dual-channel memory. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Despite the higher bandwidth figure, the Intel part's single-channel bus limits effective throughput in multi-threaded scenarios.

PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked. Integrated graphics are absent on the AMD chip, but the Intel Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD part supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. The market segments reflect this: AMD targets desktop with Socket AM4, while Intel targets mobile with BGA 1516. The release dates differ as well, with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F appearing in September 2025 and the Intel Core 3 304 in April 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 scores 3614 in PassMark single-thread, which is 20.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F's 2872.

Q: How large is the multi-thread performance gap?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F scores 19236 in PassMark multi-thread, which is 65.5% higher than the Intel Core 3 304's 11625.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory type support for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory, while the Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has an average benchmark score of 36945, placing it in the 85th percentile, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745 and sits in the 68th percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear division of roles. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is the superior choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its 65.5% lead in multi-thread PassMark, combined with 102.9% advantages in data compression and 140.8% in integer math, makes it the stronger option for rendering, compilation, and heavily parallel tasks. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with 32 MB of shared L3 cache provides the resources necessary for sustained throughput, and the dual-channel DDR4 support reinforces this. Users with desktop systems on Socket AM4 who prioritize parallel performance should favor the AMD part.

The Intel Core 3 304 is the better option for single-thread responsiveness. Its 20.5% lead in PassMark single-thread, paired with a 4.30 GHz boost clock, delivers faster reaction times in lightly threaded applications such as basic office work or web browsing. The integrated Xe3 Graphics and 15 W TDP also make it suitable for compact mobile systems where discrete graphics are absent and power draw is a constraint. The 3 nm process node and support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X indicate a modern design, but the single-channel memory bus and 5-core, 5-thread layout limit its multi-thread ceiling. The data does not support the Intel part for heavy parallel workloads; it is a single-thread specialist with integrated graphics, while the AMD part is a multi-thread workhorse without graphics.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show distinct differences in nearly every category. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 4.00 GHz for AMD and 4.30 GHz for Intel. The TDP values are 65 W for AMD and 15 W for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516. The process node is 7 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel, with the AMD foundry being TSMC and the Intel foundry being Intel. The AMD chip has 4,150 million transistors and a die size of 74 mm², while the Intel chip has no recorded transistor or die size data.

Cache layouts differ: AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3, while Intel uses 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for AMD and DDR5 plus LPDDR5X for Intel. The memory bus is dual-channel for AMD and single-channel for Intel, with bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s for AMD and 59.7 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory support is true for AMD and false for Intel. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes for AMD and Gen 4 with 6 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are absent on AMD and present as Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core on Intel. The market segment is Desktop for AMD and Mobile for Intel. The multiplier is unlocked for AMD and locked for Intel. The AMD part number is 100-000001903, and the Intel part number is SAE3K. The Intel Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309.