AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i3-7300 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and Intel Core i3-7300 are direct rivals in the entry-level desktop segment, separated by an average benchmark score of just 1 point (1116 vs. 1115). Both processors hold the 31st percentile among all CPUs, placing them in identical standing for overall performance. However, the head-to-head benchmark results reveal a split personality: the Ryzen 3 1200 dominates three of the four comparison tests, while the Core i3-7300 counters with a decisive victory in modern multi-threaded workloads. The data points to two very different engineering philosophies—one prioritizing raw core count and frequency headroom, the other leaning on architectural efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in this matchup appears in Cinebench R15 single-core testing, where the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 135 against the Intel Core i3-7300's 54. That is a 150% advantage for AMD—a staggering gap that suggests the Intel chip suffers from a severe handicap in this particular workload. The Ryzen's 3.40 GHz boost clock, combined with its Zen architecture, allows it to pull far ahead in lightly-threaded rendering tasks. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 3 1200 posts 834 points versus 544 for the Core i3-7300, a 53.3% margin. These single-threaded wins are not marginal; they are the kind of numbers that redefine expectations for a four-core chip.

The multi-core picture is more nuanced. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 1200 scores 480, beating the Core i3-7300's 388 by 23.7%. That result aligns with the hardware: AMD fields four physical cores while Intel offers only two, despite both having four threads. The Ryzen's additional cores give it a natural advantage in older multi-threaded benchmarks. But the tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i3-7300 surges ahead with 3856 points versus 3013 for the Ryzen 3 1200, a 21.9% swing in Intel's favor. This is the outlier result—the newer benchmark favors the Intel chip's higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and its Kaby Lake efficiency, overriding the core-count deficit.

The win tally sits at 3-1 in favor of the AMD Ryzen 3 1200, but the magnitude of Intel's R23 multi-core victory complicates the narrative. The Ryzen's wins are consistently large (23.7%, 150%, 53.3%), while Intel's single win is also substantial (21.9%). The overall average benchmark score tells a story of near-perfect parity: the Ryzen 3 1200 sits at 1116, the Core i3-7300 at 1115, a delta of just 0.1%. Neither chip is decisively faster across the board; they simply excel in different benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the clear winner for single-threaded workloads and legacy multi-threaded applications. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 480 and single-core score of 135 demonstrate strength in older rendering pipelines, where core count and raw frequency matter more than architectural refinements. The 53.3% lead in R23 single-core also positions it as the better choice for everyday tasks that rely on individual core performance—think spreadsheet recalculation, web browsing, or light photo editing. The Ryzen's four physical cores provide a structural advantage in any workload that scales linearly with core count, even if Intel's Hyper-Threading attempts to compensate.

The Intel Core i3-7300, by contrast, claims the modern multi-threaded crown. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3856 suggests it handles contemporary rendering and encoding tasks with greater efficiency, likely due to its 4.00 GHz base clock and Kaby Lake's improved instruction pipeline. The i3-7300 also carries integrated Intel HD 630 graphics, a feature the Ryzen 3 1200 lacks entirely—a decisive factor for users building a system without a discrete GPU. For productivity suites that leverage newer threading models, the Intel chip's R23 performance indicates it can punch above its two-core weight class.

The pattern is clear: choose the Ryzen 3 1200 for classic multi-threading and any single-core task, but pick the Core i3-7300 for latest-generation rendering benchmarks and integrated graphics capability. The data does not support a universal winner—it supports a workload-dependent decision.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 14 nm process node, but the similarities end there. AMD builds the Ryzen 3 1200 on its Zen architecture (codename Summit Ridge), manufactured by GlobalFoundries, while Intel's Core i3-7300 uses the Kaby Lake architecture, fabricated in-house. The AMD chip packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die, while Intel does not disclose transistor count or die size for the i3-7300—a notable omission that prevents direct density comparison.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. The Ryzen 3 1200 offers four physical cores and four threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3. The Core i3-7300, meanwhile, provides only two physical cores but four threads via Hyper-Threading, running at a fixed 4.00 GHz with no boost capability. Its cache is smaller across the board: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3—half the Ryzen's L3 capacity.

Memory support further separates the pair. Both run DDR4 in dual-channel mode, but AMD's memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus Intel's 38.4 GB/s, a 4.3 GB/s advantage for the Ryzen. AMD also includes ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Intel chip. PCIe connectivity is identical—Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU—but the i3-7300 adds integrated Intel HD 630 graphics, while the Ryzen 3 1200 relies on a discrete GPU. Socket compatibility differs as expected: AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses Socket 1151.

Feature-wise, the Ryzen 3 1200 has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Core i3-7300 is locked. The Ryzen launched at an MSRP of $109, while the i3-7300's launch price is not recorded. Both chips remain in active production, with the Intel releasing earlier on January 2, 2017, and AMD following on July 26, 2017.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has four physical cores and four threads, while the Intel Core i3-7300 has two physical cores and four threads.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300 wins decisively, scoring 3856 versus 3013 for the AMD Ryzen 3 1200, a 21.9% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7300 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is exclusive to the AMD Ryzen 3 1200; the Intel chip does not offer this feature.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-7300 includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 630. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has no integrated GPU.

Q: Are either of these CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 features an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Intel Core i3-7300 is locked.

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

A: The difference is negligible—the Ryzen 3 1200 averages 1116 and the Core i3-7300 averages 1115, a delta of just 0.1%.

The Verdict

The data presents two entry-level CPUs with equivalent aggregate performance but opposite strengths. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the pick for users prioritizing single-threaded speed and classic four-core multitasking—its 150% lead in R15 single-core and 53.3% lead in R23 single-core are too large to ignore. It also offers ECC memory support, an unlocked multiplier, and more L3 cache (8 MB vs. 4 MB), making it the more flexible platform for tweakers and small-office builds where data integrity matters.

The Intel Core i3-7300 wins on modern multi-threaded rendering, posting a 21.9% higher score in R23 multi-core. Its integrated HD 630 graphics make it the only viable choice here for a system without a discrete GPU, and its 51 W TDP versus AMD's 65 W suggests lower power draw. The locked multiplier and lack of ECC are drawbacks, but the 4.00 GHz base clock delivers consistent performance without boost variability.

For a budget desktop with discrete graphics and overclocking ambitions, the Ryzen 3 1200 is the logical selection. For an office PC or media box relying on integrated graphics and latest-generation threaded apps, the Core i3-7300 is the data-backed answer. The 31st percentile ranking for both confirms they occupy the same performance tier—the choice hinges entirely on workload specifics and platform preferences, not raw speed.