AMD EPYC 7261 vs AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE Comparison

# FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE wins all six Cinebench comparisons against the AMD EPYC 7261. The margin is consistent at 0.7% in each test, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE holds an average benchmark score of 2759, while the AMD EPYC 7261 scores 2740. This places the Ryzen 3 4300GE roughly 0.7% ahead on average, a difference that aligns with its consistent edge in the individual Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7261 doubles the core count with 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having half the cores, the Ryzen 3 4300GE still manages to outperform the EPYC in every measured benchmark.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE boosts up to 4.00 GHz, compared to the AMD EPYC 7261's boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The Ryzen also has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for the EPYC.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, while the AMD EPYC 7261 uses a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The smaller node contributes to the Ryzen's significant thermal design power advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE and the AMD EPYC 7261 support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 memory, though their memory bus configurations differ substantially.

# Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different design goals and release timelines. The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE, released in July 2020, uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename. The AMD EPYC 7261, released in June 2018, uses the original Zen architecture with the Naples codename. This two-generation difference in microarchitecture explains much of the performance parity despite the EPYC having twice the core count.

The process node difference is stark. The Ryzen 3 4300GE is fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC, while the EPYC 7261 uses a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen die measures 156 mm² and contains 9,800 million transistors. The EPYC die is larger at 213 mm² but contains fewer transistors at 4,800 million, a direct consequence of the older process technology. The density advantage of the 7 nm node allows the Ryzen to pack more than double the transistors into a smaller physical area.

Cache hierarchies also differ considerably. The Ryzen 3 4300GE provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7261 offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a substantially larger 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's eight-core design benefits from eight times the L3 capacity, which is typical for server-oriented processors handling larger working sets.

Memory architecture presents another major divergence. The Ryzen 3 4300GE uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The EPYC 7261 employs an eight-channel memory bus delivering 170.6 GB/s, more than three times the bandwidth. Both support DDR4 memory and ECC, but the EPYC's memory subsystem is designed for server workloads that demand high throughput. The Ryzen's integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics are a notable feature absent from the EPYC 7261, which has no integrated graphics.

Socket compatibility separates these processors entirely. The Ryzen 3 4300GE fits the AMD Socket AM4, used across mainstream desktop platforms. The EPYC 7261 requires the AMD Socket SP3, which is exclusive to server platforms. The market segments reinforce this split: the Ryzen is classified as Desktop, while the EPYC is classified as Server/Workstation. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, though the 35 W TDP of the Ryzen versus the 170 W TDP of the EPYC indicates vastly different thermal envelopes and platform requirements.

# The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE outperforms the AMD EPYC 7261 in every measured workload, despite possessing only half the cores and threads. The Ryzen wins all six head-to-head comparisons with a consistent 0.7% margin, covering single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The average benchmark scores confirm this trend, with the Ryzen at 2759 against the EPYC's 2740.

For desktop users and small-form-factor builders, the Ryzen 3 4300GE is the obvious choice. Its 35 W TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, and AM4 socket compatibility make it suitable for compact systems where power efficiency and space are priorities. The higher base and boost clocks of 3.50 GHz and 4.00 GHz respectively translate directly to the 0.7% performance lead in single-threaded workloads, which matters for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

The EPYC 7261 targets a fundamentally different use case. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with 32 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory support delivering 170.6 GB/s, position it for server environments where memory bandwidth and core count matter more than raw clock speed. The data shows it trails the Ryzen in Cinebench, but the architecture serves workloads that stress memory parallelism and cache capacity rather than the rendering-style tasks Cinebench measures. The 170 W TDP and SP3 socket indicate a platform designed for sustained server operation, not desktop efficiency.

Buyers should select the Ryzen 3 4300GE for general desktop workloads, integrated graphics needs, and power-sensitive builds. The EPYC 7261 belongs in server racks where its eight-channel memory and large L3 cache address different performance dimensions than those captured in these benchmarks. The Ryzen's 7 nm process and newer Zen 2 architecture give it a decisive efficiency and performance-per-clock advantage, while the EPYC's value lies in its platform capabilities rather than its Cinebench scores.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE | AMD EPYC 7261 |

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

| Series | 4000 series | EPYC 7001 series |

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 170 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen |

| Codename | Renoir | Naples |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 170.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2020-07-20 | 2018-06-13 |

| Part Number | 100-000000151 | PS7261BEV8RAF |

Both processors share DDR4 memory support, ECC memory capability, PCIe Gen 3, and unlocked multipliers. The L2 cache is identical at 512 KB per core. The Ryzen 3 4300GE and EPYC 7261 both hold Active production status.

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE sweeps all six Cinebench comparisons against the AMD EPYC 7261, with each victory coming by a 0.7% margin. The consistency of this delta across different workload types and Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental per-clock performance advantage for the Ryzen's Zen 2 architecture rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 4300GE scores 961 against the EPYC's 954, a 0.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 135 for the Ryzen versus 134 for the EPYC. The Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz explains the single-core edge, while the multi-core result is more remarkable given the EPYC's eight-core advantage.

Cinebench R20 multi-core continues the trend with the Ryzen scoring 4006 and the EPYC scoring 3979. The single-core R20 test gives the Ryzen 565 and the EPYC 561. The Ryzen's 7 nm process and newer architecture allow it to compensate for the EPYC's doubled core count. The EPYC's larger L3 cache of 32 MB and eight-channel memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s do not translate into Cinebench wins, as the test scales primarily with core efficiency and clock speed.

Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the Ryzen at 9540 versus the EPYC's 9476, while single-core R23 gives the Ryzen 1346 and the EPYC 1337. The absolute gaps remain small—64 points in multi-core and 9 points in single-core—but the direction is consistent. The EPYC's 8 cores and 16 threads cannot overcome the Ryzen's clock advantage and architectural efficiency. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the Ryzen 3 4300GE sits at 2759, while the EPYC 7261 rests at 2740.

The head-to-head data also contextualizes both processors against their nearest rivals. The Ryzen 3 4300GE's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U with an average score of 2765, a 0.2% difference. The Intel Xeon E-2176M trails at 2751, 0.3% behind the Ryzen. The EPYC 7261's nearest rival list includes the same Intel Xeon E-2176M at 2751, 0.4% ahead of the EPYC, and the Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 at 2724, 0.6% behind. Both processors hold the 50th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the middle of the performance distribution despite their very different platform positions.