AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and the Intel Core 3 304 is overwhelmingly one-sided. The AMD part wins 9 of the 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel part wins only 2. The AMD processor dominates every heavily multithreaded or memory-throughput-sensitive workload, while the Intel processor takes the single-thread crown by a narrow margin.

For desktop compute, content creation, and any workload that can use more than one core, the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the clear winner. Its multithread score of 25,047 versus 11,625 for the Core 3 304 represents a 115.5% advantage. In integer math, the AMD part scores 70,774 against 24,640, a 187.2% lead. The physics test shows a 220.2% delta (2,779 versus 868), and prime number finding shows a 225% delta (221 versus 68). These are not marginal differences; they indicate that the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is in a completely different performance class for parallel workloads.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins only the single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3,614 versus 3,494 for the Ryzen, a 3.3% advantage. This is a small but real edge for lightly threaded tasks such as legacy applications or certain interactive workloads. However, the Intel part's wins end there. Data compression goes to AMD by 136.7% (271,649 versus 114,775), encryption by 85.8% (15,797 versus 8,501), extended instructions by 111.2% (20,455 versus 9,686), floating-point math by 46.7% (43,594 versus 29,722), and random string sorting by 141.6% (32,999 versus 13,659).

The average benchmark score reinforces the split: the Ryzen 5 7500X3D averages 44,573 across all recorded tests, while the Core 3 304 averages 13,745. The AMD part sits at the 89th percentile of all CPUs in the database, the Intel part at the 68th percentile. In short, the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is a desktop-class performer with a massive throughput advantage, while the Core 3 304 is a mobile-class chip that can only claim a slight single-thread edge.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 7500X3D uses the Raphael codename and belongs to the Zen 4 generation, fabricated on TSMC's 5 nm process. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The chip contains 11,270 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy is notable: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 96 MB shared L3 cache. This large L3 is the defining feature, giving the chip a massive capacity for reused data across threads.

The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, a 3 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It has 5 cores and 5 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The cache structure is different: 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. The core count is lower (5 versus 6), and the thread count is dramatically lower: 5 threads versus 12. This explains why the Intel part falls so far behind in multithreaded benchmarks despite a comparable boost clock.

The memory and I/O subsystems also diverge. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes; the Intel part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The AMD chip integrates Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe). The AMD part targets the desktop market with an active production status, while the Intel part targets mobile with the same active status.

The release dates differ: the Ryzen 5 7500X3D launched on 2025-11-11, the Core 3 304 on 2026-04-15. Both have locked multipliers. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5; the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516, a soldered mobile socket. The process node advantage goes to Intel (3 nm versus 5 nm), but that does not translate into performance leadership in this comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D comes in prime number finding, where it scores 221 versus 68 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 225% delta. The physics test is nearly as lopsided: 2,779 versus 868, a 220.2% delta. Integer math shows a 187.2% lead (70,774 versus 24,640), and random string sorting shows 141.6% (32,999 versus 13,659). Data compression is 136.7% ahead (271,649 versus 114,775), and multithread is 115.5% ahead (25,047 versus 11,625). Extended instructions go to AMD by 111.2% (20,455 versus 9,686), encryption by 85.8% (15,797 versus 8,501), and floating-point math by 46.7% (43,594 versus 29,722).

The Intel Core 3 304 wins only the single-thread PassMark tests, with scores of 3,614 versus 3,494, a 3.3% margin. This appears twice in the data because two separate test entries record the same result. The single-thread win is real but narrow. The AMD chip's single-thread score of 3,494 is still strong, and the gap is small enough that real-world single-thread performance would be nearly indistinguishable in most applications.

The average benchmark scores place the Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44,573, which is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (44,466), 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13950HX (44,342), and 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 (44,309). It trails the Intel Core i5-14600 (44,889) by 0.7%. The Core 3 304, by contrast, averages 13,745, which is 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13,786), 0.9% behind the Intel Core i7-8750H (13,868), and 1.4% behind the AMD EPYC 7443 (13,936). It is 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594). The nearest rivals show that the Ryzen 5 7500X3D competes with high-end desktop and mobile HX-class chips, while the Core 3 304 sits alongside older H-series and workstation parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multithread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D scores 25,047 in PassMark multithread, versus 11,625 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 115.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the single-thread PassMark tests, scoring 3,614 against 3,494 for the AMD chip, a 3.3% margin.

Q: What is the cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 4.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each support?

A: The AMD chip supports 83.2 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5. The Intel chip supports 59.7 GB/s over single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D | Intel Core 3 304 |

|----------------|---------------------|------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 5 |

| Threads | 12 | 5 |

| Base clock | 4.00 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

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

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

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

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes | Gen 4, 6 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2025-11-11 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $269 | $309 |

| Transistors | 11,270 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 71 mm² | Not recorded |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D wins 9 of 11 head-to-head comparisons and leads by massive margins in every multithreaded workload. It has double the thread count (12 versus 5), more than double the L3 cache (96 MB versus 6 MB), higher base and boost clocks, dual-channel memory with higher bandwidth, and ECC support. The average benchmark score of 44,573 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, alongside high-end desktop parts like the Intel Core i9-13950HX and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins only the single-thread tests, by 3.3%. It has a lower TDP (15 W versus 65 W), a smaller process node (3 nm versus 5 nm), and support for LPDDR5X memory, which makes it suitable for mobile designs where power efficiency matters. Its average score of 13,745 places it in the 68th percentile, near older workstation parts like the AMD EPYC 7443 and the Intel Core i7-8750H.

For users who prioritize multithreaded performance, data processing, encryption, or physics simulation, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the only choice based on recorded results. For users who need a low-power mobile chip with a slight edge in single-thread tasks, the Intel Core 3 304 holds a narrow advantage. The benchmark record does not support any other conclusion: the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the significantly faster processor overall, while the Core 3 304 is a niche single-thread leader with a much lower power envelope.