AMD PRO A8-8650B vs AMD Ryzen 3 2300U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a decisive outcome: the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U outperforms the AMD PRO A8-8650B in every head-to-head comparison recorded. The Ryzen 3 2300U wins all three direct benchmark matchups, with the PRO A8-8650B registering zero wins. The most significant margin appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the Ryzen 3 2300U scores 2,234 against the PRO A8-8650B’s 1,060, a 52.6% advantage. This is not a marginal victory but a generational leap in efficiency and execution.

Despite this dominance, the average benchmark scores tell a more nuanced story. The PRO A8-8650B averages 887 across its tested workloads, while the Ryzen 3 2300U averages 880. This places them at nearly identical percentiles: 24th and 23rd percentile versus all CPUs, respectively. The PRO A8-8650B’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium G4560T at an identical 887 average score, while the Ryzen 3 2300U matches the AMD PRO A12-8870E at 880. The parity in average scores, contrasted with the gap in specific tests, suggests the benchmarks included in the average capture different strengths than the direct head-to-head tests.

Who should pick which? The Ryzen 3 2300U is the clear choice for workloads resembling Cinebench R15 multi-core and Geekbench tasks, where its architectural efficiency yields substantial leads. The PRO A8-8650B, despite being end-of-life, holds its own in aggregate scoring due to its higher clock speeds and desktop-oriented design. However, the data does not favor it in any direct comparison. For users prioritizing raw throughput in the tested scenarios, the Ryzen 3 2300U is the superior processor. The PRO A8-8650B’s only argument comes from its higher base and boost clocks, but those do not translate into benchmark victories.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U wins all three recorded head-to-head benchmarks. It beats the AMD PRO A8-8650B in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, and Geekbench single-core.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the biggest benchmark difference?

A: The largest difference is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Ryzen 3 2300U scores 2,234 versus the PRO A8-8650B’s 1,060. This represents a 52.6% advantage for the Ryzen 3 2300U.

Q: Do the average benchmark scores align with the head-to-head results?

A: No, they diverge. The PRO A8-8650B has a higher average benchmark score of 887 compared to the Ryzen 3 2300U’s 880. The PRO A8-8650B also sits at the 24th percentile versus all CPUs, while the Ryzen 3 2300U sits at the 23rd percentile.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor based on average score?

A: The PRO A8-8650B’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium G4560T with an identical average score of 887 and a delta of 0%. The Ryzen 3 2300U’s nearest rival is the AMD PRO A12-8870E at 880 average score, also with a 0% delta.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD PRO A8-8650B has significantly higher clock speeds. Its base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Ryzen 3 2300U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: Are both processors still in active production?

A: No. The AMD PRO A8-8650B is listed as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is marked as active in production.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two AMD processors is stark, representing different design philosophies from different eras. The AMD PRO A8-8650B uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, built on a 28 nm process node at GlobalFoundries. In contrast, the Ryzen 3 2300U uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, built on a more advanced 14 nm process node, also at GlobalFoundries. This process shrink is fundamental: the Ryzen 3 2300U packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die, while the PRO A8-8650B contains 2,411 million transistors on a larger 245 mm² die.

The cache hierarchies differ substantially. The PRO A8-8650B features 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The Ryzen 3 2300U uses a per-core cache layout: 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache. This means the Ryzen 3 2300U’s total L2 cache is 2 MB (4 cores × 512 KB), half of the PRO A8-8650B’s L2, but it gains the shared L3 cache that the PRO A8-8650B lacks entirely. The presence of L3 cache on the Ryzen 3 2300U is a critical architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from shared data access.

The integrated graphics also differ. The PRO A8-8650B features Radeon R7 graphics, while the Ryzen 3 2300U features Radeon Vega 6. The memory support aligns with their respective eras: the PRO A8-8650B uses DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Ryzen 3 2300U uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The PCIe configurations also differ, with the PRO A8-8650B offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Ryzen 3 2300U offering Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key differences beyond architecture. The PRO A8-8650B has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, whereas the Ryzen 3 2300U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The PRO A8-8650B’s base clock is substantially higher, and its boost clock exceeds the Ryzen 3 2300U’s by 500 MHz. However, the thermal design power tells the opposite story: the PRO A8-8650B has a 65 W TDP, while the Ryzen 3 2300U draws only 15 W. This 50 W difference highlights the efficiency of the Zen architecture.

The sockets are completely incompatible. The PRO A8-8650B uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the Ryzen 3 2300U uses AMD Socket FP5. This reflects their market segments: the PRO A8-8650B is a desktop processor, while the Ryzen 3 2300U is a mobile processor. The memory support differs, with the PRO A8-8650B using DDR3 and the Ryzen 3 2300U using DDR4. The memory bandwidth reflects this, with the Ryzen 3 2300U achieving 38.4 GB/s versus the PRO A8-8650B’s 34.1 GB/s.

The cache specifications are listed differently. The PRO A8-8650B has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3. The Ryzen 3 2300U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The production statuses differ: the PRO A8-8650B is end-of-life with a release date of September 28, 2015, while the Ryzen 3 2300U is active with a release date of January 7, 2018. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data. The part numbers are distinct: AD865BYBI44JC for the PRO A8-8650B and YM2300C4T4MFB for the Ryzen 3 2300U.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, but the magnitude of each victory varies. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test yields a score of 422.5 for the Ryzen 3 2300U against 275 for the PRO A8-8650B, a 34.9% difference. This is a solid win, but not the largest. The Geekbench single-core test shows a 43.7% gap, with the Ryzen 3 2300U scoring 783 against the PRO A8-8650B’s 441. This indicates that even in single-threaded workloads, where the PRO A8-8650B’s higher clocks might seem advantageous, the Zen architecture’s efficiency prevails.

The most dramatic result is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Ryzen 3 2300U scores 2,234 against the PRO A8-8650B’s 1,060. This 52.6% advantage is more than double the margin seen in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The discrepancy between these two multi-core tests is noteworthy: the Ryzen 3 2300U leads by 34.9% in one and 52.6% in the other. This suggests the Geekbench workload is particularly favorable to the Ryzen 3 2300U’s architectural strengths, possibly due to its L3 cache or memory bandwidth advantages.

The single-core Geekbench result also deserves scrutiny. The PRO A8-8650B’s boost clock of 3.90 GHz is 500 MHz higher than the Ryzen 3 2300U’s 3.40 GHz, yet the Ryzen 3 2300U still wins by 43.7%. This demonstrates that clock speed alone does not determine performance; the Zen architecture’s instruction execution efficiency overcomes the frequency deficit. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result, while a win for the Ryzen 3 2300U, shows the smallest margin at 34.9%. This aligns with the average score parity between the two processors, suggesting that certain workloads can narrow the gap.

The data shows zero wins for the PRO A8-8650B across all recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its highest score in any comparison is 1,060 in Geekbench multi-core, which is less than half of the Ryzen 3 2300U’s 2,234. Even in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the PRO A8-8650B scores 275, it trails the Ryzen 3 2300U’s 422.5 by a significant margin. These results, combined with the average benchmark scores, paint a picture of a processor that can hold its own in aggregate metrics but consistently loses in direct comparisons. For the Ryzen 3 2300U, the wins are decisive and consistent, confirming its superiority in the tested workloads despite its lower clock speeds and TDP.