AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep in favor of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D across all 15 shared benchmark tests, with zero wins for the Intel Core 3 305. The margins are substantial in nearly every category, reflecting the fundamental performance gap between a desktop flagship and a mobile-focused processor.

The largest single delta appears in PassMark's integer math test, where the AMD part scores 123,140 against Intel's 32,295, a 281.3% advantage. Prime number finding follows closely, with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivering 435 versus 115, a 278.3% delta. These results indicate the AMD processor sustains far higher per-core throughput in heavily arithmetic workloads, which aligns with its much higher base and boost clock configuration.

Data compression shows a 223.1% delta, with the AMD processor recording 474,501 against Intel's 146,857. Physics simulation follows at 238.3% (4,171 vs 1,233), and random string sorting shows 182.4% (49,764 vs 17,623). Extended instruction workloads deliver a 190% advantage (39,272 vs 13,543), while multithread performance sits at 167.6% (41,318 vs 15,439). The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 168.6% delta (3,551 vs 1,322), and data encryption produces a 107.4% gap (22,856 vs 11,019).

Floating point math shows a 93.9% delta (81,998 vs 42,284), which is the narrowest of the multi-threaded workloads but still a near-double result. Single-threaded tests are comparatively closer. Cinebench R23 single core shows a 20.3% advantage (2,228 vs 1,852), and PassMark single thread shows 18.3% (4,704 vs 3,977). The Cinebench R15 single core test records an 84.4% delta (343 vs 186), though this older benchmark tends to compress scores at the top end.

The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 58,386, placing it at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 3 305 averages 18,302, sitting at the 72nd percentile. The nearest rival to the AMD part is the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M, which averages 58,323, a 0.1% difference. On the Intel side, the Core 3 305's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18,318, a 0.1% gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the design spectrum. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. It is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM5, with a 120 TDP, and features 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel, with a 15 TDP, and is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1516. It provides 6 cores and 6 threads with no simultaneous multithreading.

Cache configurations differ dramatically. The AMD processor offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 96 MB L3 cache. The Intel part provides 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The 90 MB difference in L3 capacity is the most pronounced architectural gap, and it explains the AMD processor's dominance in data-heavy workloads such as compression and encryption, where large working sets can reside on-die.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, plus ECC support. The Intel part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X but runs on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The bandwidth deficit is 29.9 GB/s, which directly impacts any workload that streams data from memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, with AMD using Radeon Graphics and Intel using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

The process node comparison is notable: Intel's 3 nm process is technically smaller than AMD's 4 nm process, yet the performance results show the AMD design delivering far higher throughput. This indicates that node size alone does not determine performance, and the combination of core count, cache, and clock speeds matters more in these benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins every recorded benchmark, so the practical question is where the Intel Core 3 305 holds any advantage. The data does not show a single test where Intel wins, but the use-case split is still meaningful when considering the processor's design context.

The AMD processor is clearly positioned for compute-intensive desktop workloads. Its 16 threads and 96 MB L3 cache make it suited for rendering, scientific computing, and any parallel workload that scales with core count and cache capacity. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 22,807 versus 13,123 shows a 73.8% advantage in a well-known rendering benchmark. The PassMark multithread score of 41,318 versus 15,439 confirms this trend. The 120 TDP and desktop socket indicate it is designed for systems with robust cooling and power delivery.

The Intel Core 3 305, with its 15 TDP and mobile BGA socket, is designed for power-constrained environments. Its 6 cores and 6 threads, single-channel memory, and 6 MB L3 cache indicate a focus on efficiency rather than peak throughput. The 3 nm process and low TDP suggest it belongs in thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal limits take priority over raw performance. In such systems, the Intel part's 18.3% deficit in single-threaded PassMark performance (3,977 vs 4,704) is a reasonable trade-off for the power savings.

For workloads that fit in cache, the AMD processor's 96 MB L3 provides a massive advantage. Data compression scores show a 223.1% delta, and encryption shows 107.4%. These workloads benefit from keeping working sets resident on-chip. Integer math and prime number finding, which are less cache-dependent, show the largest deltas of 281.3% and 278.3%, suggesting the AMD processor's higher clock speeds and wider execution resources are the primary drivers there.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

• Cores: 8 (AMD) vs 6 (Intel)
• Threads: 16 (AMD) vs 6 (Intel)
• Base clock: 4.70 GHz (AMD) vs 1.50 GHz (Intel)
• Boost clock: 5.60 GHz (AMD) vs 4.30 GHz (Intel)
• TDP: 120 (AMD) vs 15 (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket AM5 vs Intel BGA 1516
• Codename: Granite Ridge vs Wildcat Lake
• Process node: 4 nm (AMD) vs 3 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC vs Intel
• Transistors: 8,315 million (AMD) vs not specified (Intel)
• Die size: 70.6 mm² (AMD) vs not specified (Intel)
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core (AMD) vs 192 KB total (Intel)
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core (AMD) vs 2.5 MB total (Intel)
• L3 cache: 96 MB shared (AMD) vs 6 MB shared (Intel)
• Memory support: DDR5 (AMD) vs DDR5, LPDDR5X (Intel)
• Memory bus: Dual-channel (AMD) vs Single-channel (Intel)
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s (AMD) vs 59.7 GB/s (Intel)
• ECC memory: True (AMD) vs False (Intel)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 24 lanes (AMD) vs Gen 4, 6 lanes (Intel)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon Graphics (AMD) vs Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) (Intel)
• Market segment: Desktop (AMD) vs Mobile (Intel)
• Release date: 2026-01-28 (AMD) vs 2026-04-15 (Intel)
• Multiplier unlocked: True (AMD) vs False (Intel)
• Part number: 100-000001973 (AMD) vs SAE3L (Intel)

FAQ

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core 3 305?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD processor scores 123,140 against Intel's 32,295, a 281.3% advantage. Prime number finding shows the second-largest gap at 278.3% (435 vs 115).

Q: How do the single-threaded benchmarks compare?

A: The AMD processor wins all single-threaded tests. PassMark single thread shows 4,704 vs 3,977, an 18.3% delta. Cinebench R23 single core shows 2,228 vs 1,852, a 20.3% delta. The older Cinebench R15 single core test shows a larger 84.4% delta (343 vs 186).

Q: What are the cache capacity differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. The Intel Core 3 305 has 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The L3 difference is 90 MB.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD processor provides 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 bus with ECC support. The Intel processor provides 59.7 GB/s over a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with no ECC support.

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 305 compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18,302. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-14100 with an average score of 18,318, a 0.1% difference. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58,323, a 0.1% delta from AMD's 58,386.

Q: What is the release date difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D was released on 2026-01-28, while the Intel Core 3 305 was released on 2026-04-15, a gap of approximately two and a half months.