AMD Ryzen 3 2300X vs Intel Core i7-10810U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10810U and AMD Ryzen 3 2300X occupy nearly identical positions in the aggregate performance distribution, with average benchmark scores of 1971 and 1968 respectively. However, the head-to-head benchmark results reveal a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the Intel part across every single workload tested. The data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-10810U, winning all six Cinebench comparisons, with margins that are remarkably uniform.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the consistency of the Intel advantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i7-10810U scores 686 against the Ryzen 3 2300X's 649, a 5.7% lead. The single-core test in R15 shows a similar gap, with Intel at 96 versus AMD's 91, a 5.5% difference. This trend continues into newer benchmark versions; Cinebench R20 multicore sees Intel ahead by 5.8% (2862 versus 2706), and the single-core test shows a 6% edge (404 versus 381).

The pattern holds in the most demanding workload tested. Cinebench R23 multicore results show the Intel chip scoring 6816, which is 5.8% higher than the Ryzen's 6443. The R23 single-core score of 962 versus 909 also represents a 5.8% advantage for Intel. What is notable here is not just the victory, but the consistency: the deltaPct across all six tests ranges only from 5.5% to 6.0%. This suggests a fundamental, architectural efficiency difference rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The aggregate benchmark scores place these two processors virtually neck-and-neck, with a 0.1% difference in average score. Both CPUs sit at the 44th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are neither entry-level nor high-end parts. The nearest rival lists confirm this tight grouping; the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 scores 1973 (0.1% higher than the i7), and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600H scores 1967 (0.2% lower). The Ryzen 3 2300X's closest rival is the Ryzen 5 2600H at a 0.1% delta, with the i7-10810U just 0.2% ahead. This is a highly competitive cluster, yet the head-to-head tests show a clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two chips is substantial. The Intel Core i7-10810U is built on a 14 nm process by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X uses a 12 nm node from GlobalFoundries. This gives AMD a slight density advantage, but the Intel part compensates with a different core configuration. The i7-10810U packs 6 cores and 12 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading, whereas the Ryzen 3 2300X offers only 4 cores and 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading.

Clock speeds tell a story of divergent design philosophies. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1100 MHz, which is remarkably low, but it boosts up to 4900 MHz. The AMD part runs at a much higher 3500 MHz base but only boosts to 4000 MHz. This indicates the Intel processor is designed to be highly adaptive, spending most of its time at low power and then surging to very high frequencies when needed. The Ryzen chip is more static, operating in a narrower frequency band.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The Intel i7-10810U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X features 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This is a substantial difference: the Intel chip has three times the L3 cache, which may explain its consistent lead in multi-threaded workloads despite having fewer physical cores.

Memory support creates another divide. The Intel processor supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD part has a specified maximum memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Intel chip. The transistors and die size are only specified for the AMD part, which packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has 4 cores and 4 threads. This gives the Intel part a 2-core and 8-thread advantage.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The Intel processor has a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 4900 MHz. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3500 MHz and a boost clock of 4000 MHz. The AMD part runs faster at base, but the Intel part has a significantly higher boost ceiling.

Q: How much larger is the Intel processor's L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has 4 MB. This means the Intel chip has three times the L3 cache capacity.

Q: Which processor is more energy-efficient?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U has a TDP of 25 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel part is rated for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-10810U and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U is a mobile processor, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X is a desktop processor. This is reflected in their sockets: the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1440, and the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a straightforward case. The Intel Core i7-10810U wins every head-to-head comparison, with margins between 5.5% and 6.0% across all Cinebench tests. The Ryzen 3 2300X cannot claim a single victory in the tested workloads. This is despite the fact that the AMD chip has a higher base clock and a more advanced process node.

The Intel processor's advantage likely stems from its combination of more cores and threads, a larger L3 cache, and a much higher boost clock. The data shows the Intel part achieves a 5.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, a workload that should theoretically favor the AMD chip's higher base clock. However, the Ryzen 3 2300X is a desktop part with a 65-watt TDP, while the Intel chip is a mobile part with a 25-watt TDP. This suggests the Intel processor delivers superior performance per watt, a crucial factor for mobile applications.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core i7-10810U is the clear choice based on the data. For those prioritizing a desktop platform with an unlocked multiplier, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X offers that flexibility, but it comes with a performance deficit in every benchmark recorded. The data does not support choosing the AMD part on performance grounds alone.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel base clock is 1100 MHz compared to the AMD's 3500 MHz, but the Intel boost clock is 4900 MHz versus 4000 MHz for AMD. The TDP rating is 25 watts for Intel and 65 watts for AMD.

The process nodes differ, with Intel using 14 nm and AMD using 12 nm. The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1440 versus AMD Socket AM4. L1 cache is 64 KB per core for Intel and 96 KB per core for AMD. L2 cache is 256 KB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 4 MB shared for AMD.

Memory support differs, with Intel supporting DDR3 and DDR4, while AMD supports only DDR4. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while no such figure is provided for the Intel chip. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor does not. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², neither of which is specified for the Intel part.

The integrated graphics also differ: the Intel Core i7-10810U includes UHD Graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has no integrated graphics. The market segments are mobile for Intel and desktop for AMD. The Intel part is listed as end-of-life, while the AMD part is active. The AMD chip has a specific part number (YD230XBBM4KAFYD230XBBAFMPK), while the Intel part number is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10810U wins in every benchmark category that was tested. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 686 versus 649. In R15 single-core, it scores 96 versus 91. In R20 multicore, it scores 2862 versus 2706. In R20 single-core, it scores 404 versus 381. In R23 multicore, it scores 6816 versus 6443. In R23 single-core, it scores 962 versus 909. That is a complete sweep of six tests.

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has no recorded benchmark wins over the Intel part. However, the data shows it is competitive in aggregate terms, with an average score of 1968 versus 1971 for Intel. The AMD chip does have advantages in certain specifications: a higher base clock, more L1 and L2 cache per core, a smaller process node, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. These features do not translate into benchmark victories in the provided data.

The use-case split is therefore clear. The Intel processor is the better choice for any workload represented by the Cinebench tests, which are standard measures of CPU rendering performance. The AMD processor's appeal lies in its desktop platform characteristics: it is an active product with an unlocked multiplier and a socket that allows for user upgrades. The Intel part, being end-of-life and mobile-only with a BGA socket, is not upgradeable. For pure performance as measured here, Intel wins all six rounds; for platform flexibility and overclocking potential, the AMD part has the specification-level advantage, even if the performance data does not support it.