AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i3-4370 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4370 has only 2 physical cores. Both processors support 4 threads, meaning the Intel uses hyper-threading to reach the same thread count.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between these two CPUs?

A: The largest recorded difference is in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 834 versus the Intel Core i3-4370's 463. That is a 44.5% lead for AMD in that specific workload.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-4370 scores 3284 against the Ryzen 3 1200's 3013, giving Intel a 9% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test where Intel comes out ahead.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-4370 does not. This could be a relevant factor for users building a system that requires error-correcting memory.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in terms of overall benchmark percentile?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 sits at the 31st percentile. Despite different strengths and weaknesses, their overall standing is nearly identical.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has an average benchmark score of 1130, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has an average score of 1116. The Intel is ahead by roughly 1.3% in this aggregate metric.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-4370 is built on the Haswell architecture, manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It is a dual-core processor with 4 threads, running at a fixed base clock of 3.80 GHz with no boost capability. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform, supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, and integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics. It has a 54 W TDP and is not multiplier-unlocked.

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 belongs to the 1000 series, based on the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. This is a quad-core processor with 4 threads, running at a 3.10 GHz base clock and a 3.40 GHz boost clock. Its cache hierarchy is larger: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. It uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel access and a rated memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and offers ECC memory support. It lacks integrated graphics entirely. The TDP is higher at 65 W, and the multiplier is unlocked for overclocking. The Ryzen chip also lists Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The two platforms are fundamentally different in generation and memory type. The Intel chip is an older Haswell-era part with DDR3 support, while the Ryzen chip is a Zen-era design with DDR4 and a higher transistor count. The Ryzen's lack of integrated graphics means it requires a discrete GPU, whereas the Intel part can run with its HD 4600 iGPU. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD part contrasts with the locked Intel chip, though the database does not include overclocked benchmark results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a split depending on the workload and the benchmark version. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 480 against the Intel Core i3-4370's 330. That is a 31.2% advantage for AMD, a decisive win in an older multi-threaded test. The Ryzen's four physical cores clearly help in this scenario, where the Intel's two cores with hyper-threading cannot keep up.

The picture flips in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the Intel Core i3-4370 scores 3284, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 3013. The Intel chip leads by 9%. This is a notable reversal, suggesting that the Intel processor's higher clock speed (3.80 GHz versus 3.10 GHz base) and possibly its newer instruction scheduling can compensate for the core count disadvantage in this specific version of the test. The Ryzen's 3013 is still a respectable score, but it trails Intel by a meaningful margin.

The single-core comparison is the most lopsided. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 posts 834, versus the Intel Core i3-4370's 463. That is a 44.5% lead for AMD. This result is surprising given the Intel chip's higher base clock, but the Zen architecture's single-thread performance in this benchmark is clearly superior. The database shows that the Ryzen 3 1200 also has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 135, though the Intel chip has no corresponding R15 single-core figure recorded.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins two of the three head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-4370 wins one. The magnitude of the AMD single-core win is large enough to compensate for the Intel multi-core win in the R23 version. However, the Intel chip's win in R23 multi-core is more recent and heavier in weight, which explains why the Intel part holds a slightly higher average benchmark score (1130 versus 1116). The database records 1 win for Intel and 2 wins for AMD in the head-to-head set.

The Verdict

The data paints a nuanced picture for prospective buyers, though the two chips land at nearly the same overall percentile (32 for Intel, 31 for AMD). If the workload relies heavily on single-thread performance, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the clear choice. Its 44.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is hard to ignore, and it also offers a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, an unlocked multiplier, and ECC memory support. The Ryzen chip also has 4 physical cores, which historically helps in multi-threaded applications, as shown by its 31.2% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

However, the Intel Core i3-4370 is not without merit. It wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 9%, which is the most recent benchmark version in the database. It also has a higher base clock (3.80 GHz) and integrated graphics, meaning it can operate without a discrete GPU. For a basic desktop system where a dedicated graphics card is not planned, the Intel part is the only one of the two that can output video on its own. Its 54 W TDP is also lower than the AMD's 65 W, which could matter in compact builds.

The Ryzen 3 1200 carries a launch MSRP of $109 and is listed as an active production part, while the Intel chip has no recorded launch MSRP and no production status. The AMD chip's DDR4 support and larger cache (8 MB L3 versus 4 MB) are modern advantages, but the Intel chip's strong showing in R23 multi-core complicates a simple recommendation.

For users who prioritize single-core responsiveness, overclocking flexibility, and ECC memory, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the better pick. For users who need integrated graphics, prefer a lower TDP, or rely on the most recent multi-core benchmark, the Intel Core i3-4370 holds its ground. The average scores are close enough (1130 versus 1116) that the deciding factors will likely come down to platform features rather than raw performance.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core i3-4370 and the AMD Ryzen 3 1200:

• Cores: Intel has 2, AMD has 4.
• Threads: Both have 4.
• Base clock: Intel at 3.80 GHz, AMD at 3.10 GHz.
• Boost clock: Intel has none, AMD has 3.40 GHz.
• TDP: Intel at 54 W, AMD at 65 W.
• Socket: Intel Socket 1150 versus AMD Socket AM4.
• Architecture: Haswell versus Zen.
• Process node: 22 nm versus 14 nm.
• Foundry: Intel versus GlobalFoundries.
• Transistors: 1,400 million versus 4,800 million.
• Die size: 177 mm² versus 213 mm².
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 96 KB per core.
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core versus 512 KB per core.
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared versus 8 MB shared.
• Memory support: DDR3 versus DDR4.
• Memory bandwidth: Not recorded for Intel, 42.7 GB/s for AMD.
• ECC memory: Not supported on Intel, supported on AMD.
• PCIe: Gen 3 for Intel, Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for AMD.
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4600 present, none on AMD.
• Multiplier unlocked: False for Intel, true for AMD.
• Release date: Intel on 2014-07-20, AMD on 2017-07-26.
• Launch MSRP: Not recorded for Intel, $109 for AMD.
• Production status: Not recorded for Intel, Active for AMD.
• Part number: Not recorded for Intel, YD1200BBM4KAEYD1200BBAEBOX for AMD.