AMD Ryzen 3 2200G vs Intel Core i3-7300T Comparison

# Intel Core i3-7300T vs AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G and Intel Core i3-7300T are both entry-level desktop processors, but they take fundamentally different approaches. The i3-7300T is a 35W dual-core with Hyper-Threading, while the Ryzen 3 2200G is a 65W true quad-core with a faster boost clock and a more capable integrated GPU. Benchmark data shows the Ryzen 3 2200G holds a decisive lead in the one shared multi-core test, but the comparison is more nuanced when you consider their different feature sets and platform implications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark between the two processors is Cinebench R15 multi-core. In this test, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577, while the Intel Core i3-7300T scores 354. That translates to a 38.6% advantage for the AMD chip. This is a substantial gap, and it makes sense given the core count difference: the Ryzen 3 2200G has four physical cores, while the i3-7300T has two cores with four threads. In a fully threaded workload like Cinebench, the extra physical cores allow the Ryzen to pull ahead by a wide margin.

Notably, the i3-7300T has other benchmark scores listed, but they are from different test suites (Cinebench R20, R23) where no comparable Ryzen 3 2200G result exists. The Ryzen 3 2200G, in turn, has Geekbench scores that the Intel chip lacks. So the head-to-head data is limited but clear: in the one test where they meet, AMD wins by a large margin.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the two chips are nearly identical. The i3-7300T averages 1211, while the Ryzen 3 2200G averages 1202. That's a 0.7% difference in favor of Intel, which is within noise. Both sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are in the same performance tier overall. But this average is skewed by the different test suites and doesn't reflect the multi-core performance gap seen in Cinebench R15.

The nearest rival data reinforces the picture. The i3-7300T's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E5645, with a matching average score of 1211 and a 0% delta. The Ryzen 3 2200G's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3330, which scores 1200 — a 0.2% delta. Both chips are surrounded by older or lower-end parts, confirming their position as entry-level performers.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G wins in multi-core performance. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result of 577 versus 354 shows a 38.6% lead, which is significant for any workload that uses multiple threads. This includes video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks. The Ryzen also has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, whereas the i3-7300T has no boost capability at all, running at a fixed 3.50 GHz. That means the AMD chip can push higher in lightly threaded scenarios when thermal headroom allows.

The Intel Core i3-7300T wins on efficiency. Its 35W TDP is nearly half of the Ryzen 3 2200G's 65W TDP. This makes the i3-7300T a better fit for small form factor builds or systems where heat output and power draw are primary concerns. The Intel chip also has more PCIe lanes: 16 lanes (CPU-only) versus 8 lanes on the AMD. For a system with a discrete GPU, that gives the Intel platform more bandwidth headroom for expansion cards.

The Ryzen 3 2200G wins on integrated graphics. It features Radeon Vega 8, which is generally a much stronger iGPU than Intel HD 630 found in the i3-7300T. While neither is meant for serious gaming, the Vega 8 is capable of handling light gaming at lower settings, whereas the HD 630 is more suited to basic desktop tasks and video playback. The Ryzen also has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 46.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the Intel, which helps the iGPU performance.

The i3-7300T wins on single-core performance in the Cinebench R20 test, scoring 208, but there's no comparable Ryzen result to draw a direct comparison. However, the Ryzen 3 2200G's Geekbench single-core score of 1001 suggests it's not a slouch. Without matching benchmarks, it's hard to declare a clear winner in single-threaded tasks, but the Intel architecture typically has an edge at lower TDPs.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-7300T is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and no boost clock. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 630. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1151 and does not have an unlocked multiplier.

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is based on Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge codename, using a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The cache is larger per core: 96 KB of L1, 512 KB of L2, and 4 MB of shared L3. It also has dual-channel DDR4 support, but with a higher bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8. The chip uses the AMD Socket AM4 and has an unlocked multiplier, allowing easy overclocking on compatible boards.

The transistor count differs significantly. The Ryzen 3 2200G has 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the i3-7300T's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. This suggests the AMD chip is a more complex design, with the integrated Vega graphics taking up a significant portion of the die. The PCIe implementation also differs: Intel provides 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides 8 lanes (CPU only). This could impact systems with multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth NVMe drives.

Both processors lack ECC memory support, which is a notable omission for anyone considering a budget home server. Both are listed as Active in production status, so they remain available for purchase.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 577 versus 354 for the Intel Core i3-7300T, a 38.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7300T have a boost clock?

A: No. The i3-7300T runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz with no boost capability. The Ryzen 3 2200G boosts from 3.50 GHz to 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G features Radeon Vega 8, which is a stronger iGPU than the Intel HD 630 in the i3-7300T. The AMD chip also has higher memory bandwidth (46.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s), which benefits iGPU performance.

Q: Can I overclock either processor?

A: Only the Ryzen 3 2200G has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i3-7300T does not support overclocking.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has a 35W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G has a 65W TDP. Intel is more power-efficient, making it better for compact or thermally constrained builds.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T provides 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G provides 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives Intel an advantage for systems with multiple expansion cards.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. If your priority is multi-core performance, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is the winner. The 38.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is decisive, and the four physical cores make it a better fit for modern workloads that scale with threads. The unlocked multiplier and stronger integrated graphics add further value.

If your priority is power efficiency and platform flexibility, the Intel Core i3-7300T has merits. The 35W TDP is nearly half of the AMD chip's 65W, making it ideal for low-power builds like HTPCs or compact office machines. The additional PCIe lanes also matter for users who want to run multiple expansion cards.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1211 versus 1202), and both sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs. That tells you these are comparable parts in overall performance, but the Ryzen 3 2200G clearly wins in the multi-core scenario that matters most for productivity.

For a general-purpose budget desktop where you might game lightly or run multi-threaded applications, the Ryzen 3 2200G is the better choice. For a strictly low-power system that prioritizes silence and low heat output, the i3-7300T is worth considering. The AMD chip's launch MSRP was $99, which makes it an accessible option, but pricing should not be the deciding factor given the performance gap.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7300T | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Zen |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Raven Ridge |

| Process Node | 14 nm (Intel) | 14 nm (GlobalFoundries) |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 96 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB per core | 512 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB shared | 4 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2018-02-11 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $99 |