AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Core 3 304 occupy opposite ends of the processing spectrum. The database records a 15-0 sweep in benchmark wins for the AMD part, with an average benchmark score of 58386 for the Ryzen versus 13745 for the Intel. This comparison is not about close competition; it is about defining the boundaries of desktop and mobile performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins every recorded benchmark. There is no test in the database where the Intel Core 3 304 takes the lead. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivers a 333.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 22807 against 5263. It also leads by 318.3% in Cinebench R15 multicore with 3551 versus 849. In single-threaded workloads, the AMD part wins by 26.2% in Cinebench R23 singlecore (2228 vs 1765) and by 30.2% in PassMark single thread (4704 vs 3614).

The Intel Core 3 304 shows no workload category where it outperforms. The closest margin in the entire head-to-head dataset is the 26.2% gap in Cinebench R23 singlecore, which is still a decisive AMD victory. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the largest gap at 539.7% (435 vs 68). The data indicates the AMD processor is the clear winner for any compute task, while the Intel chip is suited only for scenarios where its lower power envelope is the primary consideration, not performance.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 5 cores and 5 threads. The AMD part has a base clock of 4.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of total L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip carries 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD processor uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while the Intel uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel one does not. The AMD chip integrates Radeon Graphics, the Intel chip integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD processor is a desktop part on Socket AM5, while the Intel is a mobile part on BGA 1516.

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward choice. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the superior processor for any application that benefits from raw compute throughput, multithreading, or single-core speed. Its 92nd percentile ranking against all CPUs, compared to the Intel's 68th, confirms this. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D sits near the Intel Core i9-14900 in average score, at 58386 versus 58115, a 0.5% difference. It also trades blows with the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504, a 0.2% gap in the Xeon's favor.

The Intel Core 3 304 competes with a different class of hardware. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (0.9% higher), the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13786 (0.3% higher), and the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (1.1% lower). The Intel Core 3 304 is positioned among older or lower-power processors, not alongside desktop flagships.

For a desktop build requiring maximum performance, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the only choice in this comparison. For a low-power mobile system where the 15 W TDP is a hard constraint, the Intel Core 3 304 exists in a different performance tier entirely. The 120 W TDP of the AMD part versus the 15 W TDP of the Intel part explains much of the performance gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 22807 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 333.3% ahead of the Intel Core 3 304's 5263.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR5, but the Intel Core 3 304 also supports LPDDR5X. The AMD part uses dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel uses single-channel with 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 304 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a TDP of 120 W. The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest single margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD chip scores 435 versus 68, a 539.7% advantage. This test highlights the throughput difference between an 8-core, 16-thread desktop processor and a 5-core, 5-thread mobile chip.

PassMark integer math shows a 399.8% gap, with the AMD part scoring 123140 against 24640. PassMark physics shows a 380.5% gap (4171 vs 868). PassMark multithread shows a 255.4% gap (41318 vs 11625). PassMark data compression shows a 313.4% gap (474501 vs 114775). PassMark extended instructions shows a 305.5% gap (39272 vs 9686). PassMark random string sorting shows a 264.3% gap (49764 vs 13659). PassMark floating point math shows a 175.9% gap (81998 vs 29722). PassMark data encryption shows a 168.9% gap (22856 vs 8501).

Single-core results are closer but still favor AMD. Cinebench R23 singlecore has the AMD part at 2228 versus 1765, a 26.2% lead. Cinebench R15 singlecore has 343 versus 264, a 29.9% lead. PassMark single thread shows 4704 versus 3614, a 30.2% lead. The consistency across both synthetic and real-world style workloads confirms the AMD processor holds a decisive edge in every measured category.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a desktop processor on AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel Core 3 304 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516. The AMD part uses the Zen 5 architecture with Granite Ridge codename; the Intel part uses Wildcat Lake with no architecture field recorded.

Clock speeds differ sharply. The AMD chip runs at 4.70 GHz base and 5.60 GHz boost. The Intel chip runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads; the Intel has 5 cores and 5 threads. The AMD part has 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die; no die size or transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

Cache layouts are distinct. The AMD chip uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. The Intel chip uses 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support shows the AMD part with dual-channel DDR5 at 89.6 GB/s and ECC support, versus the Intel part with single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X at 59.7 GB/s and no ECC. PCIe connectivity differs: Gen 5 with 24 lanes on AMD, Gen 4 with 6 lanes on Intel. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel processor does not. The AMD part has a TDP of 120 W; the Intel part has a TDP of 15 W. Both have integrated graphics, but the AMD uses Radeon Graphics while the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a launch MSRP of $499, and the Intel Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309. The AMD part released on 2026-01-28, while the Intel part released on 2026-04-15. Both are active in production.