AMD Athlon PRO 200GE vs Intel Core i3-7320 Comparison

The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE and Intel Core i3-7320 are both 2-core, 4-thread processors, but they come from different architectures and target different market segments. The Athlon PRO 200GE is built on Zen (Raven Ridge) and runs at 3.20 GHz, while the Core i3-7320 uses Kaby Lake and runs at 4.10 GHz. The recorded head-to-head benchmarks show a consistent advantage for the Intel part across all Cinebench tests, with deltas around 20% in favor of Intel. This analysis walks through the data, covering benchmark results, architectural differences, and the practical implications of each processor's specifications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous. The Intel Core i3-7320 wins all five recorded Cinebench comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 408 against AMD's 326, a delta of -20.1% for AMD. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, Intel scores 1703, AMD 1362, a -20% difference. The single-core tests follow the same pattern: R20 single-core gives Intel 240 and AMD 191, a -20.4% gap, and R23 single-core gives Intel 572 and AMD 457, -20.1%. The R23 multi-core test shows Intel at 4057 and AMD at 3243, again -20.1%. Across the board, the Intel part is about one-fifth faster in these workloads. The database records no wins for the AMD processor in any head-to-head test (winsA: 0, winsB: 5). Interestingly, the overall average benchmark score for the AMD part is 1200, slightly higher than Intel's 1173, but that average includes Geekbench results for AMD, which are not present for Intel. The direct Cinebench comparisons, however, consistently favor Intel.

The consistency of the delta is notable. Every head-to-head test shows a deficit of roughly 20% for the AMD chip, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests a fundamental performance gap that is not workload-specific. The Intel part's higher base clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) likely contributes to this, but the architectural differences also play a role. The data does not show any test where the AMD part closes the gap or takes the lead.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are manufactured on a 14 nm process, but the underlying designs differ. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE uses the Zen architecture (codename Raven Ridge) and is produced by GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core i3-7320 uses Kaby Lake and is produced by Intel. The AMD chip has 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die; Intel does not report transistor count or die size in the database. Cache layouts differ: AMD provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while Intel provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 4 MB of L3. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for both, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus Intel's 38.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both: AMD has Radeon Vega 3, Intel has HD 630. The AMD part has a TDP of 35 W, the Intel part 51 W. The AMD processor is marked as end-of-life, while Intel is active. The AMD targets the server/workstation segment, while Intel is a desktop part. Release dates are 2018-09-17 for AMD and 2017-01-02 for Intel.

The cache and memory bandwidth differences are worth noting. AMD's larger L1 and L2 caches per core (96 KB and 512 KB vs 64 KB and 256 KB) could reduce memory latency in some workloads, and its higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) suggests a wider memory interface. However, these advantages do not translate into a win in any recorded Cinebench test. The Intel part's higher base clock appears to dominate. The PCIe lane difference is significant for expansion: Intel offers 16 lanes, AMD only 4, which limits the AMD part's ability to drive multiple high-bandwidth devices directly from the CPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-7320 runs at 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE runs at 3.20 GHz.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, while Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both have 4 MB shared L3.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: Intel provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides 4 lanes.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: AMD is rated at 35 W, Intel at 51 W.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: AMD lists 42.7 GB/s, Intel lists 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: AMD was released on 2018-09-17, Intel on 2017-01-02.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock is 3.20 GHz for AMD and 4.10 GHz for Intel. TDP is 35 W versus 51 W. Sockets are AMD Socket AM4 and Intel Socket 1151. Architecture and codename: Zen (Raven Ridge) versus Kaby Lake. Foundry: GlobalFoundries versus Intel. Transistor count: AMD reports 4,800 million, Intel does not. Die size: AMD 192 mm², Intel not reported. L1 cache: 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core. L2 cache: 512 KB per core versus 256 KB per core. Memory bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes: 4 versus 16. Integrated graphics: Radeon Vega 3 versus Intel HD 630. Market segment: Server/Workstation versus Desktop. Production status: End-of-life versus Active. Release date: 2018-09-17 versus 2017-01-02. Part numbers: YD200BC6M20FB versus SR358. The benchmark sets also differ: AMD has Geekbench scores (multi-core 1887, single-core 932), while Intel does not have Geekbench results. Intel has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 57, which AMD lacks. The percentile rankings also differ: AMD sits at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, Intel at the 33rd.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-7320 wins every tested workload. It leads by 20.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 20% in R20 multi-core, 20.4% in R20 single-core, 20.1% in R23 multi-core, and 20.1% in R23 single-core. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE does not win any of the five head-to-head tests. However, the AMD part has advantages in other recorded specifications: a lower TDP (35 W vs 51 W), higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s), and larger L1 and L2 caches per core. These characteristics could be beneficial in power-constrained or memory-bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, but no benchmark in the database confirms a performance advantage. The AMD part also has a higher overall average benchmark score (1200 vs 1173), but that figure includes Geekbench results that are not available for Intel, so it is not a direct comparison. In terms of production status, Intel is active while AMD is end-of-life, which may affect availability.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance winner: the Intel Core i3-7320. In every head-to-head Cinebench test, it outperforms the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE by roughly 20%. For users who prioritize raw multi-threaded or single-threaded rendering performance, the Intel part is the choice. The AMD processor offers a lower TDP and higher memory bandwidth, but these do not translate into any recorded benchmark win. The AMD part also has a higher average score in the database, but that is skewed by the inclusion of Geekbench tests that Intel does not have. Given that Intel is active and AMD is end-of-life, the Intel Core i3-7320 is the more practical option for current builds. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE may be considered for low-power or memory-bandwidth-focused systems, but the benchmark evidence shows it trails Intel in all tested workloads.