AMD Ryzen 3 2200U vs Intel Pentium Silver J5040 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U and Intel Pentium Silver J5040 are two low-power mobile processors aimed at similar entry-level laptops, yet benchmark data shows they are not close competitors. The Ryzen 3 2200U wins both head-to-head comparisons, with its largest advantage coming in single-threaded performance. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD part scores 117 against the Pentium’s 91, a 28.6% difference. The gap narrows in multi-core, where the Ryzen 3 scores 312 versus 276, a 13% lead. These results place the Ryzen 3 at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Pentium Silver sits at the 21st percentile, indicating both are near the bottom of the performance spectrum but with the AMD chip holding a measurable edge. The average benchmark scores confirm this: the Ryzen 3 averages 805, while the Pentium Silver averages 801, a difference of just 0.5% in overall compute output.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two available head-to-head tests both favor the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 produces 312 points, while the Pentium Silver J5040 manages 276 points. That is a 13% advantage for AMD, a substantial margin given both chips are designed for power-constrained devices. The multi-core test is particularly relevant because the Pentium Silver has four physical cores, two more than the Ryzen 3’s two cores, yet it still falls behind. This suggests the AMD architecture’s efficiency and simultaneous multithreading (SMT) more than compensate for the core count deficit. The single-core test reveals an even larger gap: the Ryzen 3 scores 117, and the Pentium Silver scores 91, giving AMD a 28.6% lead. This is a decisive win for the Ryzen 3, indicating its Zen cores are significantly stronger per-thread than Intel’s Goldmont Plus cores.

The deltaPct values from the nearestRivals data further contextualize these results. The Ryzen 3’s average score of 805 puts it on par with the Intel Xeon X5482 (805, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-3320M (803, 0.3% ahead). The Pentium Silver’s average of 801 places it alongside the AMD A10-7700K (801, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5530 (801, 0% delta). Notably, the two CPUs appear in each other’s nearestRivals lists: the Pentium Silver is a rival for the Ryzen 3 with a deltaPct of -0.5%, meaning the Ryzen 3 is 0.5% faster on average. The Ryzen 3 is also listed as a rival for the Pentium Silver with a deltaPct of 0, meaning the Pentium Silver is 0% behind the Ryzen 3 in that listing context. This close average score masks the fact that the Ryzen 3 wins both specific benchmark tests by double-digit percentages, suggesting the average is pulled together by the Pentium Silver’s additional benchmark results (Cinebench R20 and R23) which the Ryzen 3 does not have.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U wins both head-to-head tests, so it takes the lead in every direct comparison available. Its 28.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core means it is the better choice for workloads that rely on per-thread speed, such as lightly threaded applications, web browsing with complex scripts, or older software that uses only one or two cores. The 13% lead in multi-core shows it also handles parallel tasks more effectively, despite having fewer physical cores. The Ryzen 3’s 4 threads (from 2 cores with SMT) versus the Pentium Silver’s 4 threads (from 4 physical cores) means the AMD chip matches the thread count, but with stronger individual cores, it pulls ahead in both tests.

The Intel Pentium Silver J5040 does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but its benchmark portfolio includes tests the Ryzen 3 lacks. The Pentium Silver has Cinebench R20 scores (1150 multi-core, 162 single-core) and Cinebench R23 scores (2739 multi-core, 386 single-core), while the Ryzen 3 has only Cinebench R15 and Geekbench results. This means the Pentium Silver can be evaluated in newer rendering workloads, where its 4 cores provide a baseline for multi-threaded performance. However, without direct comparisons, the data does not show where the Pentium Silver would beat the Ryzen 3. The Pentium Silver’s lower TDP of 10 watts versus the Ryzen 3’s 15 watts suggests it may be more efficient in power-constrained scenarios, but no benchmark data confirms a performance-per-watt advantage. The Ryzen 3’s wins in both available tests indicate it is the stronger performer overall.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD’s Ryzen 3 2200U uses the Zen architecture on the Raven Ridge codename, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Intel’s Pentium Silver J5040 uses the Goldmont Plus architecture on the Gemini Lake codename, also built on a 14 nm process but at Intel’s foundry. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Ryzen 3 has a higher boost clock, which likely contributes to its single-core lead.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Ryzen 3 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Pentium Silver has 56 KB of L1 per core and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. This means the Ryzen 3 has a more conventional three-level cache structure, while the Pentium Silver uses a larger shared L2 to compensate for the lack of L3. The Ryzen 3 also has a much larger die size at 210 mm² and 4,950 million transistors, while the Pentium Silver has a 93 mm² die with no transistor count listed. The Ryzen 3’s larger die and transistor count reflect its more complex Zen cores and integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, versus Intel’s simpler UHD Graphics 605.

Memory support is identical on paper: both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC. PCIe connectivity differs: the Ryzen 3 provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Pentium Silver provides Gen 2 with 6 lanes. This gives the AMD chip a faster and wider interconnect for peripherals. TDP also differs, with the Ryzen 3 rated at 15 watts and the Pentium Silver at 10 watts, indicating the Intel part is designed for more power-efficient, passively cooled systems. Production statuses diverge: the Ryzen 3 is listed as Active, while the Pentium Silver is End-of-life. Release dates show the Ryzen 3 came out on 2018-01-07, and the Pentium Silver on 2019-11-03.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 117 in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 scores 91. That is a 28.6% advantage for the AMD chip.

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

A: The Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, versus the Pentium Silver’s 276, a 13% lead. The Ryzen 3 achieves this with 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Ryzen 3 2200U has an average benchmark score of 805, and the Pentium Silver J5040 has an average of 801. The Ryzen 3 is 0.5% faster on average, based on the deltaPct of -0.5% from the Pentium Silver’s rivals list.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is listed as Active, while the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 is listed as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is the faster processor in every head-to-head comparison available. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 13% and single-core by 28.6%. The Ryzen 3’s 22nd percentile ranking versus the Pentium Silver’s 21st percentile shows both are low-end parts, but the AMD chip consistently outperforms its rival. For users who need the best possible performance in the applications represented by these benchmarks, the Ryzen 3 2200U is the clear choice. Its higher boost clock, larger cache hierarchy, and newer PCIe Gen 3 support give it advantages beyond raw compute.

The Intel Pentium Silver J5040 appeals only in specific contexts. Its 10-watt TDP is lower than the Ryzen 3’s 15-watt rating, which could matter in fanless designs or systems where power draw is critical. It also has more physical cores (4 versus 2), which might help in workloads that benefit from additional cores without SMT, though the benchmark data does not show this advantage. The Pentium Silver’s end-of-life status and lack of any head-to-head win make it a less compelling option. The Ryzen 3’s active production status and superior benchmark results mean it should be the default pick for anyone comparing these two, unless the lower TDP of the Pentium Silver is a non-negotiable requirement. The data supports the Ryzen 3 as the stronger performer, with the Pentium Silver offering only a power-efficiency trade-off.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 2200U | Intel Pentium Silver J5040 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 10 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 1090 |

| Architecture | Zen | Goldmont Plus |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Gemini Lake |

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

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 93 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,950 million | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 56 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 4 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | None |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 3 | UHD Graphics 605 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2018-01-07 | 2019-11-03 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $161 |

| Part Number | YM2200C4T2OFB | SRFDB |

| Cinebench R15 Multi-core | 312 | 276 |

| Cinebench R15 Single-core | 117 | 91 |