AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs AMD Ryzen 5 8500G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G and AMD Ryzen 3 30 are both active mobile processors from AMD, but they occupy completely different performance strata. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 5 8500G wins every single head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from a modest 57.8% in single-threaded work to a staggering 335% in prime number finding. While both chips sit at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, their average benchmark scores (20425 for the 8500G vs 20137 for the Ryzen 3 30) hide the fact that the Ryzen 3 30’s score is propped up by its nearest rivals, not by its own performance profile. This is a matchup where the architectural generation gap — Zen 4 vs Zen 2 — proves decisive.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 5 8500G’s dominance is total, but the magnitude of the wins varies dramatically by workload type. In the PassMark suite, the largest single victory comes in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the 8500G scores 87 against the Ryzen 3 30’s 20 — a 335% advantage. This is a pure integer throughput test, and the 8500G’s newer Zen 4 architecture with higher clocks simply overwhelms the older Zen 2 design. Similarly, `passmark_extended_instructions` shows a 214.4% gap (19098 vs 6075), indicating that the 8500G handles modern instruction sets far more efficiently.

The multi-threaded results tell a similar story. In `passmark_multithread`, the 8500G posts 21610 versus 9027, a 139.4% lead. This aligns with the core-count difference (6 cores/12 threads vs 4 cores/8 threads), but the per-core advantage is even more telling. The `passmark_physics` test shows a 202.3% gap (1318 vs 436), which suggests the 8500G’s single-core performance is not just higher but scales better under sustained load. The floating-point math test (`passmark_floating_point_math`) shows a 170.4% lead (39074 vs 14448), while integer math (`passmark_integer_math`) sits at 111.5% (63123 vs 29846).

The smallest head-to-head margin is in single-threaded performance. `passmark_single_thread` shows the 8500G at 3891 versus 2465, a 57.8% advantage. This is still a massive gap, but it narrows because the Ryzen 3 30’s boost clock of 4.10 GHz is respectable for its class. However, that clock speed cannot compensate for the architectural deficit. In real-world terms, the 8500G is roughly 58% faster in single-threaded tasks, which translates to snappier application responsiveness and better performance in lightly-threaded games or productivity apps.

Data compression and encryption follow the pattern. `passmark_data_compression` shows 250197 vs 135834 (84.2% lead), while `passmark_data_encryption` shows 14220 vs 6461 (120.1% lead). The encryption result is particularly notable because it often depends on hardware acceleration — here, the 8500G’s newer architecture provides a clear edge. Random string sorting (`passmark_random_string_sorting`) completes the sweep with 29407 vs 14431, a 103.8% lead. Across all 11 benchmark comparisons, the Ryzen 5 8500G wins 11, and the Ryzen 3 30 wins 0. There is no workload category where the Ryzen 3 30 comes out ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by two full architecture generations. The Ryzen 5 8500G is built on Zen 4 (codename Phoenix2) using a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Ryzen 3 30 uses Zen 2 (codename Mendocino) on a 6 nm process. This node advantage matters: the 4 nm process allows for higher clock speeds at lower power, which is why the 8500G can hit a boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus the Ryzen 3 30’s 4.10 GHz. The base clocks differ even more starkly — 3.50 GHz for the 8500G versus 2.40 GHz for the Ryzen 3 30.

Core and thread counts are the next major differentiator. The 8500G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This 50% core advantage is compounded by cache differences. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the 8500G versus 512 KB per core on the Ryzen 3 30. Total L3 cache is 16 MB shared on the 8500G versus just 4 MB shared on the Ryzen 3 30. This 4x L3 difference is critical for workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support diverges as well. The 8500G uses DDR5 memory with dual-channel support and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 3 30 uses LPDDR5 with dual-channel support and 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. Interestingly, the Ryzen 3 30 has slightly higher memory bandwidth, but this does not translate into performance wins. The 8500G also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 3 30 does not. PCIe connectivity is another major gap: the 8500G offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen 3 30 is limited to Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only). This affects expansion options and data transfer speeds.

Integrated graphics differ too. The 8500G features the Radeon 740M, while the Ryzen 3 30 has the Radeon 610M. The 8500G’s newer iGPU architecture is part of its overall performance advantage. Power envelopes are dramatically different: the 8500G has a 65 W TDP, while the Ryzen 3 30 sips power at 15 W. This means the 8500G is designed for more capable laptops or mini-PCs, while the Ryzen 3 30 targets ultra-low-power devices. The sockets reflect this: AM5 for the 8500G versus FT6 for the Ryzen 3 30. The 8500G was released on 2024-01-07, while the Ryzen 3 30 came later on 2025-09-30, yet the older 8500G still dominates.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-threaded score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G scores 3891 in `passmark_single_thread`, which is 57.8% higher than the Ryzen 3 30’s 2465. This is the closest benchmark gap between the two, but still a decisive win for the 8500G.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 8500G in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In `passmark_multithread`, the 8500G scores 21610 versus 9027 for the Ryzen 3 30, a 139.4% advantage. This reflects the 8500G’s 6-core/12-thread configuration versus the 4-core/8-thread Ryzen 3 30.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest margin is in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the 8500G scores 87 against the Ryzen 3 30’s 20, a 335% difference. This test is highly sensitive to integer throughput and architecture efficiency.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 8500G supports DDR5 memory with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. Despite the Ryzen 3 30 having slightly higher bandwidth, the 8500G wins all memory-bound benchmarks.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The Ryzen 5 8500G has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 30 has 512 KB of L2 per core and 4 MB of shared L3. The 8500G’s L3 cache is 4x larger.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 3 30 have their multipliers locked (`multiplierUnlocked: false`), so neither supports user overclocking.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the superior processor in every measurable way. With 11 wins out of 11 head-to-head benchmarks, there is no scenario where the Ryzen 3 30 outperforms it. The 8500G’s advantages are rooted in its newer Zen 4 architecture, higher clock speeds (5.00 GHz boost vs 4.10 GHz), double the core count (6 vs 4), and substantially larger cache (16 MB L3 vs 4 MB). The 57.8% single-thread lead alone is enough to recommend the 8500G for most users, but the 139.4% multi-thread advantage makes it a no-brainer for productivity work.

The Ryzen 3 30’s only redeeming quality is its power efficiency — at 15 W TDP versus 65 W, it consumes far less energy. But this comes at the cost of massive performance sacrifices. The 8500G also has a launch MSRP of $179, while the Ryzen 3 30 has no listed MSRP. If performance is the priority, the 8500G is the clear choice. If battery life in an ultra-portable device is paramount, the Ryzen 3 30 has a niche, but it cannot compete on any performance metric.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G | AMD Ryzen 3 30 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Phoenix2 | Mendocino |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 6 nm (TSMC) |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | 100 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Radeon 610M |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Mobile |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | Not listed |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins in every benchmark category, so the use-case split is not about performance but about requirements. The 8500G is the choice for any application that demands compute power: video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation, data analysis, or any multi-threaded productivity suite. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with 16 MB of L3 cache, give it a 139.4% multi-thread lead that is impossible to ignore. For single-threaded responsiveness — such as web browsing, office applications, or legacy software — the 57.8% single-thread advantage ensures a noticeably snappier experience.

The Ryzen 3 30, despite losing all benchmarks, has a legitimate place in ultra-low-power devices. Its 15 W TDP is ideal for fanless laptops or tablets where thermal constraints are extreme. The 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is actually higher than the 8500G’s 83.2 GB/s, suggests it can still handle memory-intensive light tasks without bottlenecking. Its smaller die size (100 mm² vs 137 mm²) and lack of ECC support indicate a more cost-conscious design. If the goal is maximum battery life in a compact form factor, the Ryzen 3 30 is the only sensible pick — but only because the 8500G’s 65 W TDP is not suited for such devices. For anyone who values performance, the 8500G is the unequivocal winner.