AMD Ryzen 3 1300X vs Intel Core i3-9300 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X and Intel Core i3-9300 are both quad-core, quad-thread desktop processors, yet they represent fundamentally different design philosophies and market positions. The data shows two chips with identical core counts and similar average benchmark scores, but their individual performance profiles diverge sharply across workloads. The Ryzen 3 1300X, built on AMD’s Zen architecture, wins three of the four direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-9300, based on Coffee Lake, wins the multi-core Cinebench R23 test by a substantial margin. This split suggests that architectural choices, rather than raw core counts, dictate where each processor excels.

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference lies in the underlying silicon. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) fabricated on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core i3-9300 employs the Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake Refresh) on Intel’s own 14 nm process. Both chips feature four cores and four threads, but their cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Ryzen 3 1300X carries 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, whereas the Intel Core i3-9300 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both processors share 8 MB of L3 cache, creating a parity point despite the internal differences.

Clock speeds further separate the pair. The AMD chip runs at a 3.40 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock, while the Intel part operates at a 3.70 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. This 600 MHz boost advantage for Intel likely explains its dominance in multi-threaded Cinebench R23. However, the Ryzen 3 1300X counters with a fully unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel Core i3-9300 has a locked multiplier. The AMD processor also features a larger die size at 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors, compared to Intel’s 126 mm² die, with transistor count not listed for the Intel part.

Memory support shows both supporting DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, but with different bandwidths: the Ryzen 3 1300X achieves 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the Core i3-9300. Both support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD 630 graphics, a feature absent from the AMD processor. Socket compatibility diverges completely, with AMD using Socket AM4 and Intel using Socket 1151. Production statuses also differ—the Ryzen 3 1300X remains active, while the Core i3-9300 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a nuanced picture that defies simple categorization. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X wins three head-to-head tests, including both single-core Cinebench tests and the multi-core R15 test, while the Intel Core i3-9300 takes only one multi-core test in R23. However, that single Intel victory is massive: a 35.1% delta in Cinebench R23 multi-core. This suggests the Intel processor is the better choice for sustained, heavily multi-threaded workloads that scale with clock speed, given its 4.30 GHz boost advantage. The Ryzen 3 1300X, meanwhile, shows superior single-core performance in modern benchmarks, with a 24.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 100% lead in R15 single-core—though that latter figure appears anomalous given the Intel chip’s higher clocks.

For users prioritizing legacy multi-core tests like Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 3 1300X holds a modest 3.1% edge. The data indicates the Intel Core i3-9300 is the pick for users running current-generation multi-threaded applications that utilize Cinebench R23-style workloads, while the AMD processor suits those focused on single-core tasks or older benchmark suites. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD chip also offers overclocking headroom that the locked Intel part lacks, potentially closing the multi-core gap. Given the Intel chip’s end-of-life status and the AMD’s active production, the Ryzen 3 1300X presents a more future-proof option from a availability standpoint.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X dominates in single-core performance across both Cinebench versions tested. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 152 against Intel’s 76, a 100% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 947 versus 758, a 24.9% advantage. This pattern suggests the Zen architecture delivers stronger per-thread efficiency in these specific tests, despite the Intel chip’s higher boost clock. The AMD processor also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with 558 points against 541, a 3.1% margin, indicating that in older multi-threaded workloads, the AMD chip holds its own.

The Intel Core i3-9300’s sole victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 5,374 against AMD’s 3,486, a 35.1% lead. This result likely reflects the Intel chip’s 4.30 GHz boost clock providing sustained performance in longer, more demanding multi-threaded render workloads. The data implies that for modern multi-core rendering tasks, the Intel processor is significantly stronger, but for single-core responsiveness and older benchmarks, the AMD chip prevails. Notably, the two processors land at the same 39th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1,562 for AMD and 1,554 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-9300 has a 4.30 GHz boost clock, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X boosts to only 3.70 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X and Intel Core i3-9300 list ECC memory as supported.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-9300 wins decisively, scoring 5,374 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X’s 3,486, a 35.1% delta.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X overclockable?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Core i3-9300 has a locked multiplier.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-9300 includes UHD 630 integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X averages 1,562, marginally ahead of the Intel Core i3-9300’s 1,554, with both sitting at the 39th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Core i3-9300 delivers 5,374 points against the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X’s 3,486, a 35.1% difference. This is the largest margin in either direction and highlights the Intel chip’s raw multi-threaded capability. Conversely, the Cinebench R15 single-core test shows an extreme AMD advantage: 152 points versus 76, a 100% delta. This unusually large gap suggests either a benchmark anomaly or a fundamental architectural efficiency difference that favors Zen in this specific test.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test offers a more balanced comparison, with the AMD processor scoring 947 against Intel’s 758, a 24.9% lead. This confirms the AMD chip’s single-core superiority persists in newer benchmarks. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test is the closest competition, with AMD scoring 558 and Intel 541, a slim 3.1% margin. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X wins three head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-9300 wins one, but the magnitude of Intel’s R23 multi-core victory is substantial enough to outweigh the count of wins in workloads that resemble that benchmark.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has a 3.40 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost, while the Intel Core i3-9300 runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The AMD chip uses Socket AM4, whereas the Intel part uses Socket 1151. Cache configurations differ, with the AMD offering 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, compared to Intel’s 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD at 42.7 GB/s versus Intel’s 38.4 GB/s.

The Intel Core i3-9300 includes UHD 630 integrated graphics, which the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X lacks. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel is locked. Die size varies significantly: 213 mm² for AMD versus 126 mm² for Intel. The AMD processor lists 4,800 million transistors, while Intel’s transistor count is not provided. TDP ratings are close, with AMD at 65 W and Intel at 62 W. Production status differs, with AMD active and Intel end-of-life. The launch MSRP was $129 for the AMD and $143 for the Intel. Both support DDR4 memory, dual-channel buses, ECC, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.