AMD Ryzen 3 1300X vs Intel Core i3-8300T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits this matchup nearly down the middle, with each processor taking three wins out of six head-to-head tests. The most dramatic swing comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i3-8300T posts a score of 4656 against the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X’s 3486 — a 33.6% margin that flips the expected narrative. That is the single largest delta in either direction across all tested workloads. The Ryzen counters in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 558 versus 469, a 15.9% advantage that shows the older test suite favors the AMD part’s higher base clock.

Single-core results are equally lopsided, but they favor AMD. The Ryzen 3 1300X scores 152 in Cinebench R15 single-core against the Core i3-8300T’s 66 — a staggering 56.6% gap. That is the most one-sided result in the entire comparison. Cinebench R23 single-core narrows the margin but still goes to AMD: 947 versus 657, a 30.6% lead. The Intel part’s single-core showing in R15 looks anomalous next to its 657 R23 score; benchmark generation matters, and the older test punishes the low-clocked i3-8300T harshly.

Geekbench tells a different story. The Core i3-8300T wins multi-core with 3436 against 3126, a 9.9% margin. Single-core also goes Intel’s way, 1171 versus 1101, a 6.4% edge. These are the closest results of the entire matchup, suggesting that Geekbench’s workload mix rewards the Intel architecture’s efficiency per clock despite the Ryzen’s higher boost frequency. Overall, the head-to-head table shows three wins apiece, but the magnitude of AMD’s Cinebench R15 single-core blowout is offset by Intel’s equally decisive Cinebench R23 multi-core victory.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is the clear choice for legacy single-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 152 dwarfs the Intel’s 66, and it maintains a 30.6% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core. If a user runs older benchmark suites or single-threaded applications that scale poorly across cores, the Ryzen’s 3.70 GHz boost clock — against the i3-8300T’s fixed 3.20 GHz base with no boost — provides a substantial real-world advantage. The Ryzen also wins the older multi-core test, Cinebench R15, with 558 versus 469, indicating that legacy multi-threaded software that responds to raw clock speed will favor AMD.

The Intel Core i3-8300T wins in modern multi-core scenarios. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 33.6%, and Geekbench multi-core adds a 9.9% win. The Intel part also takes Geekbench single-core by 6.4%, which is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results. For users running contemporary rendering workloads or general-purpose productivity suites like Geekbench, the i3-8300T delivers competitive or superior performance. The Intel part’s 35 W TDP versus the Ryzen’s 65 W also positions it for thermally constrained builds, though the Ryzen’s unlocked multiplier allows overclocking headroom that the locked Intel part cannot offer.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different foundries but share the same 14 nm process node. Intel fabricates the Core i3-8300T at its own fabs, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen 3 1300X. The Intel part is based on Coffee Lake architecture with a die size of 126 mm²; the AMD uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) with a substantially larger die at 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. Both have four cores and four threads — no simultaneous multithreading on either — but cache layouts differ. Intel allocates 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3. AMD gives each core 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, also with 8 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches on AMD may contribute to its single-core advantages.

Clock behavior is a core differentiator. The i3-8300T runs at a fixed 3.20 GHz with no boost clock; the Ryzen 3 1300X has a 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. TDP reflects this: Intel specifies 35 W, AMD specifies 65 W. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but AMD’s memory bandwidth is higher at 42.7 GB/s versus Intel’s 38.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics — a significant difference for builds without a discrete GPU.

The Ryzen’s socket is AM4, which offers a broad upgrade path within its generation; Intel’s Socket 1151 is tied to Coffee Lake. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the Intel part is locked. Release dates differ: Intel launched April 2018, AMD launched July 2017. The Intel part is end-of-life, while AMD’s remains in active production. Both are desktop market segments, and both occupy the 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with nearly identical average benchmark scores — 1586 for Intel and 1562 for AMD.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in the latest Cinebench test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X scores 947 in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to 657 for the Intel Core i3-8300T — a 30.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core performance in the most recent Cinebench?

A: The Intel Core i3-8300T wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 4656 points against the Ryzen 3 1300X’s 3486, a 33.6% lead for Intel.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8300T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Are both processors the same generation?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-8300T is from the Coffee Lake generation (Core i3 family), while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is from the Zen generation (Ryzen 3 1000 series). Intel launched in April 2018; AMD launched in July 2017.

Q: Which chip supports overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Intel Core i3-8300T is multiplier-locked.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-8300T has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has a 65 W TDP — a 30 W difference that favors Intel for low-power builds.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split based on workload generation and thermal priorities. For users running modern multi-threaded applications, the Intel Core i3-8300T is the stronger performer: its 33.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 9.9% win in Geekbench multi-core demonstrate superior scaling in contemporary software. The 35 W TDP also makes it the obvious choice for compact or low-noise systems where heat and power draw matter. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 adds flexibility for basic display output without a discrete GPU.

For single-threaded workloads and legacy software, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X dominates. Its 56.6% win in Cinebench R15 single-core and 30.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core show that AMD’s higher clock speeds (3.70 GHz boost versus 3.20 GHz fixed) translate directly to performance in lightly threaded tasks. The Ryzen also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, making it the better pick for older benchmark suites. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential, and the larger 213 mm² die with 4,800 million transistors suggests headroom for tweaking.

There is no universal winner. The average benchmark scores are nearly tied — 1586 versus 1562 — and both sit at the 39th percentile. The deciding factors are software generation and system requirements. Choose Intel for modern multi-threaded rendering, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. Choose AMD for single-core speed, legacy benchmark performance, and overclocking capability. The Ryzen’s active production status and AM4 socket also provide longer-term availability, while the Intel part is end-of-life. Both deliver comparable overall performance, but they excel in opposite corners of the workload spectrum.