AMD Ryzen 3 3200G vs Intel Core i9-9940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a stark, one-sided picture. Across every single recorded head-to-head comparison, the Intel Core i9-9940X decisively outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G. The database records zero wins for the AMD part and eight wins for the Intel part. This is not a close contest; it is a demonstration of what happens when a 14-core, 28-thread desktop processor is placed against a 4-core, 4-thread entry-level APU.

The most dramatic differences appear in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 23810 against the AMD chip's 5955. That is a 75% deficit for the Ryzen part, meaning the i9-9940X delivers four times the raw multi-threaded performance. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Intel processor scores 10000 versus 2501, again exactly 75% ahead. Cinebench R15 multi-core repeats the result: 2400 versus 600, a 75% gap. These are not incremental improvements; they are full generational and structural leaps in throughput.

Single-threaded results are closer in percentage terms but still favor Intel heavily. In Geekbench single-core, the i9-9940X scores 1468 while the Ryzen 3 3200G scores 884. The delta here is 39.8%, which is the smallest margin of any recorded test. The Cinebench single-core tests show a larger gap: R23 single-core is 3361 versus 840, a 75% difference; R20 single-core is 1411 versus 352, a 75.1% difference; and R15 single-core is 338 versus 84, a 75.1% difference. What is interesting is that even when the workload uses only one thread, the Intel architecture still holds a commanding lead. The Ryzen part's 4.00 GHz boost clock does not compensate for the Intel part's higher IPC and 4.50 GHz boost clock.

Geekbench multi-core shows a 72.9% advantage for Intel, slightly smaller than the 75% Cinebench margins because the Ryzen 3 3200G's integrated graphics and memory subsystem may influence that particular workload. Yet even this smaller gap is enormous. The data suggests that the Ryzen 3 3200G is not designed to compete with the i9-9940X in any compute-heavy scenario. Instead, it occupies a different performance tier, one where its 63rd percentile ranking among all CPUs puts it near the Intel Core i9-9960X (0.1% behind) and the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (0.5% ahead). The i9-9940X, by contrast, sits at the 62nd percentile, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-13400E (0.3% behind).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i9-9940X uses the older Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-X, on Intel's 14 nm process, with a much larger 484 mm² die. Intel does not list a transistor count in the database, but the die size alone tells a story of a wider, more complex chip.

Core counts are the most obvious divergence. The Ryzen 3 3200G has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads, a 14-core, 28-thread configuration that doubles the thread count via Hyper-Threading. This alone explains most of the multi-threaded benchmark gaps. The cache hierarchy also differs sharply. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, a much larger 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the Intel chip likely helps sustain high throughput in long-running multi-threaded workloads.

Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The Ryzen 3 3200G has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The i9-9940X has a lower base clock of 3.30 GHz but a significantly higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The higher boost clock, combined with the architectural IPC advantage, explains why the Intel part wins even single-threaded tests by such large margins. The Ryzen part's lower TDP of 65 watts versus 165 watts for the Intel chip reflects its smaller core count and lower power envelope. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, but the Intel part's higher thermal ceiling and more cores make it the more capable overclocking platform.

Memory support differs as well. Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen 3 3200G uses a dual-channel memory bus while the i9-9940X uses a quad-channel bus. The database records 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth for the Intel chip, a figure not listed for the AMD part. The Intel processor also exposes 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD part's PCIe lane count is not specified in the database. The Ryzen 3 3200G includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, a feature the Intel chip completely lacks. The Intel part instead requires a discrete GPU.

Production status and release timing differ, too. The Ryzen 3 3200G was released on 2019-07-06 and remains active in production. The i9-9940X was released earlier, on 2018-10-18, and is now end-of-life. The AMD part's part numbers are YD3200C5M4MFH and YD3200C5FHBOX, while the Intel part's part number is SREZ5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip offers 10 additional cores and 24 additional threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-9940X scores 23810 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Ryzen 3 3200G scores 5955. That is a 75% advantage for the Intel processor.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i9-9940X has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card.

Q: What is the single-threaded performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The i9-9940X scores 1468 in Geekbench single-core, versus 884 for the Ryzen 3 3200G. That is a 39.8% advantage for the Intel chip, the smallest gap across all recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: Which processor uses a quad-channel memory bus?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X uses a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G uses a dual-channel DDR4 bus, and its bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is listed as active in production. The Intel Core i9-9940X is listed as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: these two processors are not competitors. The Intel Core i9-9940X wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, with margins ranging from 39.8% in Geekbench single-core to 75% in Cinebench multi-core tests. The i9-9940X is the obvious choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance, especially in multi-threaded rendering, encoding, or scientific workloads. Its 14 cores, 28 threads, 19.25 MB of L3 cache, and quad-channel memory bandwidth make it a high-end workstation part.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G, by contrast, is not a performance leader in any recorded benchmark. Its 63rd percentile ranking places it near the Intel Core i9-9960X and Intel Pentium Gold G6400, which are its closest rivals. The i9-9940X sits at the 62nd percentile, near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X and Intel Core i5-13400E. The percentile rankings are nearly identical, but the actual benchmark scores diverge wildly. This is because the Ryzen 3 3200G's average benchmark score of 6931 includes many PassMark tests where it performs relatively well for its class, while the i9-9940X's average score of 6657 is dragged down by its lack of integrated graphics and the fact that many of its workloads are not represented in the head-to-head data.

For a user who needs a compact, low-power desktop processor with integrated graphics, the Ryzen 3 3200G makes sense. Its 65-watt TDP and Radeon Vega 8 graphics allow for a simple build without a discrete GPU. For anyone who needs maximum compute throughput, the i9-9940X is the only rational choice, despite its higher power draw and end-of-life status.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Ryzen 3 3200G has 4 cores and 4 threads; the i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz; the Intel part has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. TDP is 65 watts for the AMD chip and 165 watts for the Intel chip. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2066. The architecture differs: Zen+ (Picasso) for AMD versus Skylake (Skylake-X) for Intel. The process node is 12 nm for AMD and 14 nm for Intel. The die size is 210 mm² for AMD and 484 mm² for Intel. Cache configurations differ: 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3 for AMD; 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 19.25 MB shared L3 for Intel. Memory bus width differs: dual-channel for AMD, quad-channel for Intel, with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth listed for Intel only. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but Intel lists 44 CPU lanes. The AMD part includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics; the Intel part has none. Production status is active for AMD and end-of-life for Intel. Release dates differ: 2019-07-06 for AMD and 2018-10-18 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $1387. The AMD part's launch MSRP is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9940X wins everywhere the database records a head-to-head comparison. It wins Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core modes. It wins Geekbench in both single-core and multi-core modes. Its multi-core victories are overwhelming, with 75% margins in all three Cinebench versions. Its single-core victories are also substantial, ranging from 39.8% in Geekbench to 75.1% in Cinebench R15 and R20. The i9-9940X is the clear winner for any workload that scales with cores, threads, or raw clock speed.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has no recorded head-to-head wins. Its strengths lie outside the direct comparison. It offers integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which means a system can operate without a discrete GPU. It has a much lower TDP of 65 watts, making it suitable for compact or low-power builds. It remains active in production, while the Intel part is end-of-life. Its nearest rival data shows it trades blows with the Intel Core i9-9960X (0.1% behind) and the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (0.5% ahead), indicating it is a competitive entry-level desktop part. The i9-9940X, meanwhile, is competitive with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i9-12900E (0.7% behind) in average score, but its head-to-head performance against the Ryzen 3 3200G is never in doubt.

In practical terms, the i9-9940X is for heavy multi-threaded work: rendering, video encoding, compilation, virtualization, and any task that can use 28 threads. The Ryzen 3 3200G is for basic desktop use, light gaming with integrated graphics, and scenarios where power consumption and system simplicity matter more than peak performance. The benchmark data does not support any other interpretation.