AMD Athlon 200GE vs Intel Core i3-8109U Comparison

# AMD Athlon 200GE vs Intel Core i3-8109U: Benchmark Database Analysis

The AMD Athlon 200GE and Intel Core i3-8109U occupy an interesting corner of the CPU market. The data shows two very different design philosophies. The Athlon 200GE is a budget desktop part built on AMD's Zen architecture, while the Core i3-8109U is a mobile-focused Kaby Lake-R chip. While their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, their performance characteristics and platform targets could not be more different.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-8109U wins every multi-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 357 against the Athlon's 350, a 2% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it posts 3544 versus 3479, again 1.8% ahead. Geekbench multi-core shows the largest gap: 2454 versus 1912, a dominant 22.1% advantage for the Intel part. The data is consistent: for heavily threaded tasks, the Core i3-8109U is the clear pick.

Q: Does the AMD Athlon 200GE win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i3-8109U. Across all seven recorded benchmarks, the Intel processor took the win in every single test. The closest result is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the Athlon 200GE trails by just 2%. The Core i3-8109U's smallest lead is also 1.8% in the Cinebench R20 multi-core test. The Intel part is consistently ahead, although the margin varies from 1.8% to 22.1% depending on the workload.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for these CPUs?

A: The database average benchmark score for the AMD Athlon 200GE is 1261. The Intel Core i3-8109U sits at 1235, which is 2.2% higher. The Athlon 200GE sits at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i3-8109U sits at the same 34th percentile. This means both chips are near the lower-mid range of the database, performing within the same broad performance band, despite the Intel's win in directly head-to-head tests.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the AMD Athlon 200GE is competitive?

A: The data shows the AMD Athlon 200GE is most competitive in the multi-threaded Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 350, only 2% behind the Intel's 357. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 3479 versus 3544 for the Intel, a 1.8% difference. The gap widens in single-core tests, where the Intel is 1.9% to 22.1% ahead. The AMD chip is never ahead of the Intel part in any recorded benchmark.

Q: What is the release date of each processor?

A: The AMD Athlon 200GE was released on September 5, 2018. The Intel Core i3-8109U followed about seven months later, on April 4, 2018. Both parts are currently listed as Active in production.

The Verdict

The benchmark data leads to a clear split decision. The Intel Core i3-8109U is the outright winner in raw performance. It took all seven head-to-head benchmarks, ranging from a narrow 1.8% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core to a commanding 22.1% lead in Geekbench multi-core. If you simply need the most compute throughput these two chips can offer, the Intel part is the one to buy.

The AMD Athlon 200GE, however, has its own appeal. It uses a different socket (AMD Socket AM4), has a different integrated GPU (Radeon Vega 3), and it is the only one of the two that lists a launch MSRP ($55) and a part number. Its benchmark scores trail by 0.2% to 22.1%, but it is the only one with a publicly listed price point.

The real answer depends on the platform. For a compact mobile system using Intel's BGA 1356 socket, the Core i3-8109U is the correct, faster part. For a desktop build on the AM4 socket, the Athlon 200GE is the one that fits. The data says the Intel is faster, but the AMD part has a lower price point and a different platform fit.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are a clean sweep for the Intel Core i3-8109U. Let's look at the specific margins.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Intel scores 357 versus 350 for the AMD. That is a 2% win. The pattern continues in the Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1488 for Intel, 1461 for AMD, a 1.8% edge.

The single-core tests show a wider gap. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel leads 210 to 206, a 1.9% difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel's 3544 is 1.8% ahead of AMD's 3479. The R23 single-core test has Intel at 500 and AMD at 491, again a 1.8% win.

The biggest wins are in the Geekbench tests. The Geekbench multi-core test gives Intel a 22.1% lead (2454 vs 1912). The Geekbench single-core test shows a similar 22.1% gap: 1188 for Intel versus 924 for AMD. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they highlight a key distinction: in mixed, single-threaded workloads, the Intel Core i3-8109U is far ahead.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on many of the fundamental specification fields.

Socket and Platform: The AMD Athlon 200GE uses the AMD Socket AM4, a desktop socket. The Intel Core i3-8109U uses Intel BGA 1356, a mobile surface-mount package. This alone tells the target platform story: one is for desktop, the other for laptops/ultrabooks.

Architecture and Node: The AMD Athlon 200GE is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed "Zen". The process node is 14 nm, produced at GlobalFoundries. The die size is 209.8 mm² and it packs 4,950 million transistors. The Intel Core i3-8109U is built on Kaby Lake architecture (codenamed Kaby Lake-U Refresh). The process node is 14 nm, produced by Intel, and the die size is 123 mm².

Cache Layout: Distinct approaches to cache. The AMD Athlon 200GE has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus a 4 MB shared L3. The Intel Core i3-8109U has a smaller L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core). It also has a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The L3 sizes match, but the per-core caches are larger on the AMD.

Memory and PCIe: The AMD supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel supports DDR4 as well, but the database has no memory bus or bandwidth entry for it. PCIe support: the AMD Athlon 200GE lists PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i3-8109U has no PCIe data recorded.

Integrated graphics: The AMD Athlon 200GE comes with a Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i3-8109U features the Iris Pro Plus graphics.

Other details: The AMD Athlon 200GE has a TDP of 35W. The Intel Core i3-8109U has a 28W TDP. The AMD has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost. The Intel has a 3.00 GHz base and a 3.60 GHz boost. The AMD has the multiplier locked; the Intel part also has it locked. The AMD has an "AM4" socket, the Intel has a BGA 1356 socket. The Athlon has a part number (YD200GC6M20FB) and a launch MSRP of $55. The Intel has no recorded MSRP or part number.

Architecture Differences

Under the hood, these are two very distinct designs. The Athlon 200GE is a desktop chip on AMD's AM4 socket. It is a 2-core/4-thread Zen part with a 35W TDP, a 3.20GHz base clock, and no boost clock. It uses the Radeon Vega 3 integrated GPU.

The Intel Core i3-8109U is a 2-core/4-thread Kaby Lake-R part. It has a 3.00GHz base and a 3.60GHz boost clock. It is a 28W mobile chip on Intel's BGA1350 package. It brings Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics.

Both are 14nm parts, but the Zen die is slightly larger (209.8mm² vs 123mm²) and has a much higher transistor count (4,950 million vs no data). The AMD clearly has a larger L1 and L2 cache per core, but both have a 4MB shared L3.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are overwhelmingly in favor of the Intel Core i3-8109U. For any buyer who prioritizes pure compute performance, the data is clear. The Intel part wins every recorded test, with the greatest margin in multi-threaded Geekbench.

The AMD Athlon 200GE is the one to choose when the platform matters. It fits the desktop AM4 socket and has a listed launch MSRP. The mobile Intel part fits the BGA1356 socket, which makes it the right pick for a compact mobile system. The AMD has a bigger L2 cache per-core and has a slightly larger L3 cache, but the Intel has a higher boost clock.

In short: if the workload is multi-threaded and you need every bit of performance, the Intel Core i3-8109U wins the benchmarks. If you need a desktop AM4 chip or a chip with a known price, the AMD Athlon 200GE is the alternative in the database.