AMD Ryzen 3 2200U vs Intel Core i5-3610ME Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-3610ME and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is defined by a single recorded head-to-head test, but that test reveals a decisive pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME scores 230. That is a 26.3% advantage for the AMD part, and it is the only direct comparison where both CPUs ran the same workload. The data shows a clear winner in this specific metric, and the margin is substantial enough to shape the overall assessment of these two mobile processors.

Looking beyond the direct head-to-head, the broader benchmark records reinforce the same conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U holds an average benchmark score of 805 across all recorded tests, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME averages 788. That is a difference of roughly 2% in favor of the AMD chip, placing it slightly higher in the database's overall ranking. The Ryzen 3 2200U sits at the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Core i5-3610ME sits at the 21st percentile. These are adjacent percentile positions, so neither chip is dramatically ahead in the grand scheme of desktop and mobile processors, but the AMD part does hold a consistent, if modest, edge.

The Cinebench R15 result is especially telling because it is a multi-threaded workload. Both chips have 2 cores and 4 threads, so the comparison is apples-to-apples in terms of thread count. The Ryzen 3 2200U's 26.3% lead in this test suggests that its Zen architecture extracts more usable performance per thread under sustained load. The Core i5-3610ME, despite being a newer design at its 2012 release, cannot match the efficiency of the 2018 AMD part in this workload.

The nearest rivals in the database also help contextualize each chip's standing. The Core i5-3610ME matches the Intel Core i5-4210U exactly at an average score of 788, with a delta of 0%. It also sits within 0.2% of the AMD Opteron 3350 HE and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, both scoring 789. The Ryzen 3 2200U, by comparison, matches the Intel Xeon X5482 at 805, sits 0.1% above the AMD Athlon X4 850 at 806, and comes within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-3320M at 803. These rival groups show that both chips are firmly in the same performance tier, but the Ryzen 3 2200U's rivals are generally slightly faster, which aligns with its higher average score.

There is no recorded single-core Cinebench R15 result for the Intel Core i5-3610ME, and no Geekbench results for it either. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U, however, has additional data points: it scores 117 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 1880 in Geekbench multi-core, and 911 in Geekbench single-core. The absence of matching Intel data means no direct single-thread comparison is possible from the database, but the Ryzen 3 2200U's multi-core wins are sufficient to establish its overall position.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is the stronger performer in the only direct comparison available. Its 26.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is not a marginal difference; it is a substantial gap that would be noticeable in any workload that uses multiple threads. The average benchmark scores also favor AMD, with 805 versus 788, and the percentile rankings agree, with 22% versus 21%.

For a buyer choosing between these two mobile processors purely on benchmark performance, the Ryzen 3 2200U is the clear pick. The Core i5-3610ME does not win any recorded head-to-head test, and its only advantage is a slightly higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.50 GHz. That 200 MHz difference does not translate into a benchmark win anywhere in the database. The Ryzen 3 2200U also boosts higher, reaching 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, which further explains its performance edge.

There is a caveat worth noting: the Intel chip has a much higher TDP of 35 watts versus 15 watts for the AMD part. That means the Core i5-3610ME draws more power to achieve less performance, which is a double disadvantage. The Ryzen 3 2200U delivers better scores while consuming less than half the power budget. For laptops and other mobile devices where thermals and battery life matter, this is a critical factor.

The Ryzen 3 2200U also has the advantage of being an active production part, while the Core i5-3610ME has no recorded production status, implying it is discontinued or obsolete. Choosing the AMD chip means picking a platform that is still supported, which has practical implications for availability and long-term usability.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U wins every category where benchmark data exists. It leads in multi-core performance, as shown by the Cinebench R15 result, and it holds a higher average benchmark score across the database. Its 22nd percentile ranking, while still modest, is one point higher than the Intel chip's 21st percentile. In real-world terms, this means the Ryzen 3 2200U is better suited for multitasking, content creation, and any workload that can utilize multiple threads.

The Intel Core i5-3610ME has no benchmark wins in the database. Its only nominal advantages are a higher base clock and a lower power draw relative to its performance class, but that power advantage is actually a disadvantage when compared directly to the Ryzen 3 2200U. The Intel chip's 35-watt TDP is more than double the AMD part's 15-watt TDP, and yet it still loses the multi-core test. There is no scenario in the recorded data where the Core i5-3610ME comes out ahead.

The Ryzen 3 2200U also benefits from a larger L3 cache, 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the Intel chip, and a more modern process node at 14 nm versus 22 nm. These architectural advantages likely contribute to its performance lead, even though both CPUs have the same core and thread counts. The Ryzen 3 2200U also supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel chip's memory support is not listed in the database.

For a user prioritizing raw performance per watt, the Ryzen 3 2200U is the only rational choice. For a user who specifically needs an Intel Socket G2 (988B) part for an older system, the Core i5-3610ME exists, but the data offers no performance reason to prefer it.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 805 on average, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME scores 788.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312, and the Core i5-3610ME scores 230, giving the AMD chip a 26.3% lead.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME boosts to 3.30 GHz.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Intel Core i5-3610ME has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU consumes less power?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME has a TDP of 35 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Core i5-3610ME is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It is a 2012 design with a die size of 118 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U uses the Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge codename, and is built on a 14 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. Its die size is significantly larger at 210 mm², and it packs 4,950 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Intel chip.

The cache hierarchies differ in both size and organization. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has more cache at every level, which helps explain its performance advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Intel Core i5-3610ME pairs with Intel HD 4000, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U includes Radeon Vega 3. Neither GPU is benchmarked in the database, so no direct comparison is possible, but the inclusion of a Vega-class iGPU on the AMD part suggests a more modern graphics architecture.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Ryzen 3 2200U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip's memory support is not listed, though it does have a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD part also has PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

Both CPUs are mobile parts, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP5. These sockets are not interchangeable, so the platform choice is fixed once a CPU is selected.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications, starting with base and boost clocks. The Intel Core i5-3610ME has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel chip starts higher but boosts lower, while the AMD chip does the reverse.

The TDP difference is substantial: 35 watts for the Intel chip versus 15 watts for the AMD chip. This is a major factor for mobile designs, as the AMD part generates far less heat and requires less cooling.

The process nodes differ, with Intel at 22 nm and AMD at 14 nm. The AMD chip also has a larger die at 210 mm² versus 118 mm², and it has a recorded transistor count of 4,950 million, a figure not available for the Intel chip.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the Core i5-3610ME and AMD Socket FP5 for the Ryzen 3 2200U. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip's memory support is unlisted. The AMD chip also has PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel HD 4000 on the Intel chip and Radeon Vega 3 on the AMD chip. The release dates are far apart, with the Intel chip launching in 2012 and the AMD chip in 2018. The AMD part is listed as active in production, while the Intel part has no recorded production status. The part numbers also differ: SR0QJ for Intel and YM2200C4T2OFB for AMD.