AMD Ryzen 3 2300X vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X and Intel Core i7-8709G are both 4-core processors, but they target entirely different segments of the market. The Ryzen 3 is a desktop part on the AM4 platform with a 4.00 GHz boost clock, while the Core i7 is a mobile BGA part with a 4.10 GHz boost clock and integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics. Benchmark data shows the Intel chip winning all six head-to-head tests, yet the average benchmark scores are remarkably close—1968 for the AMD versus 1950 for the Intel. This creates an interesting dynamic where the Intel part wins every individual test, but the overall average score suggests a near-tie, indicating that the Ryzen 3's wins in Geekbench tests are substantial enough to offset its losses elsewhere.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8709G wins every Cinebench test outright, making it the clear choice for rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 6743 against the Ryzen 3's 6443, a 4.4% advantage. The same pattern holds for single-core performance, where the Intel chip leads by 4.5% in Cinebench R23 with 952 points versus 909. This consistency across all three Cinebench versions—R15, R20, and R23—suggests that the Intel architecture holds a structural advantage in sustained rendering tasks, likely due to its 8 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 threads.

However, the Ryzen 3 2300X is not without its own territory. The head-to-head data does not include Geekbench tests, but the item-level benchmarks show the Ryzen 3 scoring 3351 in Geekbench multicore and 1216 in single-core. The Intel i7-8709G has no Geekbench scores listed in the FACT PACK, meaning we cannot directly compare those specific numbers. Yet the average benchmark score of 1968 for the Ryzen 3 is higher than the Intel's 1950, which implies that the Ryzen's Geekbench performance is strong enough to pull its average above a chip that beats it in all six Cinebench tests. This suggests the Ryzen 3 wins in Geekbench-type workloads, which often favor memory bandwidth and cache architecture.

The Ryzen 3 also holds advantages in platform flexibility. It uses the AMD Socket AM4, which is a desktop socket, while the Core i7 uses the proprietary Intel BGA 2270, which is soldered to the board. The Ryzen 3 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip's multiplier is locked. For users who prioritize upgrade paths and tuning, the Ryzen 3 is the winner by default, even if the benchmark scores favor Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip also has a lower base clock at 3.10 GHz versus the Ryzen's 3.50 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8709G have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-8709G includes Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: How do the two compare in terms of threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has 8 threads from its 4 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has only 4 threads from its 4 cores. This gives Intel a 2x thread advantage.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 4 MB shared L3 cache found on the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X.

Q: Are the benchmark averages similar despite the Intel wins?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 3 2300X has an average benchmark score of 1968, while the Core i7-8709G averages 1950. The Intel chip's 0.9% lower average score is surprising given its six Cinebench wins.

Q: What is the production status of both processors?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X and the Intel Core i7-8709G are listed as "Active" in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test starts the comparison with the Intel Core i7-8709G scoring 679 against the Ryzen 3's 649. That is a 4.4% difference. Moving to single-core in R15, the Intel chip scores 95 versus 91, a 4.2% gap. The pattern tightens slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Intel scores 2832 against 2706, still a 4.4% delta. In R20 single-core, the Intel leads 399 to 381, a 4.5% margin.

The newest Cinebench R23 results show the same story. The Intel Core i7-8709G achieves 6743 in multicore, beating the Ryzen 3's 6443 by 4.4%. In single-core, the Intel chip scores 952 versus 909, a 4.5% advantage. Across all six tests, the Intel processor wins every time, with deltas ranging from 4.2% to 4.5%. The consistency is remarkable—the Intel chip does not just win; it wins by nearly the same margin in every workload.

Yet the average benchmark scores tell a different story. The Ryzen 3 2300X averages 1968, while the Intel Core i7-8709G averages 1950. This means the Ryzen 3 is 0.9% higher on average, despite losing all six Cinebench tests. Since the FACT PACK only includes Cinebench scores for the Intel chip, the Geekbench results for the Ryzen 3 (3351 multicore, 1216 single-core) must be responsible for its higher average. This is a clear indicator that the Ryzen 3 excels in non-Cinebench workloads, likely due to its DDR4 memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, which the Intel chip does not have listed.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the socket. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X uses AMD Socket AM4, a desktop platform, while the Intel Core i7-8709G uses Intel BGA 2270, a soldered mobile package. This alone dictates that the Ryzen 3 is meant for desktop builds, while the Intel chip is for laptops or all-in-ones. The market segment confirms this: the Ryzen 3 is "Desktop" and the Intel is "Mobile."

Thread counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 3 has 4 threads, while the Intel has 8 threads. This is a 2x difference that directly impacts multi-threaded performance. Clock speeds also differ, with the Ryzen 3 having a higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 3.10 GHz) but a lower boost clock (4.00 GHz vs 4.10 GHz). The multiplier is unlocked on the Ryzen 3 but locked on the Intel, which is another sign of their different target audiences.

Cache configurations vary. The Ryzen 3 has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while the Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache is where Intel pulls ahead: 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared. The Ryzen 3 has a process node advantage at 12 nm versus Intel's 14 nm, and it uses GlobalFoundries as a foundry, while Intel uses its own fabs. The Ryzen 3 also specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip has no PCIe data listed.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) generation, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-8709G is based on Kaby Lake, specifically Kaby Lake-G, on a 14 nm process from Intel. The Intel chip has no transistor count or die size listed in the data.

The cache hierarchy differs at every level. The Ryzen 3 uses 96 KB L1 per core, while the Intel uses 64 KB per core. The L2 cache is 512 KB per core on AMD versus 256 KB per core on Intel. The L3 cache flips the advantage, with Intel's 8 MB shared cache being double the Ryzen's 4 MB shared. These differences likely explain the Intel's edge in Cinebench, where large shared caches can help with rendering workloads, while the Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 may benefit other tasks.

The memory controller on the Ryzen 3 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the Intel chip's memory bus and bandwidth are not listed. The Ryzen 3 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, but the Intel chip lacks PCIe data. The Intel chip compensates with integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, which the Ryzen 3 does not have. The Ryzen 3's release date is 2018-09-09, while the Intel's is 2018-01-31, making the Intel chip earlier by roughly eight months.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8709G is the benchmark winner across all six Cinebench tests, with deltas between 4.2% and 4.5%. Its 8 threads and 8 MB L3 cache give it a clear edge in rendering workloads, making it the better choice for anyone who prioritizes Cinebench performance. The locked multiplier and mobile BGA socket, however, mean it is a fixed part of a system with no upgrade path or overclocking.

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X, despite losing all six head-to-head tests, has a higher average benchmark score of 1968 versus 1950. This is a statistical oddity that points to strong performance in Geekbench workloads, where its scores of 3351 multicore and 1216 single-core are not directly matched by Intel data. The Ryzen 3 also offers a desktop AM4 socket, an unlocked multiplier, and a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz. For users building a new desktop PC with upgrade potential, the Ryzen 3 is the more flexible choice. For users in a mobile form factor who need integrated graphics and slightly better Cinebench scores, the Core i7-8709G is the data-backed pick. The choice comes down to platform versus raw rendering performance, and the data supports both directions depending on the use case.