AMD Ryzen 3 3200G vs Intel Core i9-9980XE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is emphatic: the Intel Core i9-9980XE wins every single head-to-head test recorded, 8 wins to 0. This is not a close contest by any metric, and the margins are massive.

In multi-core workloads, the Intel part is in a different universe. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the i9-9980XE scoring 26780 against the Ryzen 3 3200G's 5955, a 349.7% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core tells the same story: 11247 versus 2501, a 349.7% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 2699 versus 600, a 349.8% lead. The pattern is nearly identical in every Cinebench multi-core test, hovering around 350% each time.

The single-core results are equally one-sided, though the percentage gaps are similar in magnitude. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3780 versus 840, a 350% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core: 1587 versus 352, a 350.9% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core: 380 versus 84, a 352.4% lead. The Intel chip is roughly 4.5 times faster in each of these single-threaded Cinebench tests.

Geekbench results show a slightly different ratio. In Geekbench multi-core, the i9-9980XE scores 11270 against 2833, a 297.8% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the gap narrows considerably to 62.6%, with scores of 1437 and 884. This is the closest result in the entire comparison, and it suggests that the Intel chip's single-thread advantage is real but far smaller than its massive core-count advantage.

The Ryzen 3 3200G has no benchmark wins to point to. Its only competitive showing is that Geekbench single-core result, where it trails by a comparatively modest 62.6%. In every Cinebench test, it trails by roughly 350%, and in Geekbench multi-core it trails by nearly 300%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-9980XE is built on the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-X codename, using a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It is part of the Core i9 Extreme lineup, labeled as X-Series 9th Gen. The die measures 484 mm².

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G uses the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The die is 210 mm² and contains 4,940 million transistors. The process node advantage goes to AMD here, but the design goals are completely different.

Core counts are the starkest divide. The Intel chip has 18 cores and 36 threads. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. That is a 14-core difference and a 32-thread difference. The Intel part's 18 cores and 36 threads directly explain its near-350% Cinebench multi-core leads.

Cache configurations are also radically different. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 24.75 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's shared L3 is over six times larger.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The AMD chip has the higher base clock, but the Intel chip has the higher boost clock.

Memory support differs in width. The Intel chip uses quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The AMD chip uses dual-channel DDR4, with no recorded bandwidth figure. The Intel part also offers 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD part lists Gen 3 PCIe support without a lane count.

Both chips support DDR4 memory and neither supports ECC. Both have unlocked multipliers. The AMD chip includes integrated graphics, the Radeon Vega 8. The Intel chip has no integrated graphics listed.

The AMD chip is on the AMD Socket AM4 platform, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2066. The Intel chip's TDP is 165 watts, while the AMD chip's TDP is 65 watts. The power envelope difference reflects the core count disparity.

Both processors fall into the 63rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Despite the enormous performance gap between these two specific parts, their average benchmark scores land them in the same percentile tier: the Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 7398, while the AMD chip averages 6931.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i9-9980XE is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. Anyone choosing between these two strictly on performance should select the Intel part, provided the workload can use its 18 cores and 36 threads.

The Intel chip leads by roughly 350% in Cinebench multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23. It leads by 297.8% in Geekbench multi-core. Those are generation-defining margins. The Ryzen 3 3200G cannot compete in heavily threaded workloads, and the data shows no scenario where it wins.

The only area where the AMD chip is not decisively outclassed is Geekbench single-core, where the Intel lead is 62.6%. That is still a clear win for Intel, but it is the smallest gap in the entire comparison. For single-threaded tasks, the Intel chip remains ahead, just not by the same overwhelming factor.

The Ryzen 3 3200G does have one unique attribute in this matchup: integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Intel chip has no integrated graphics, so the AMD part is the only one that can output video without a discrete GPU. That is a functional advantage, not a performance advantage in the recorded CPU benchmarks.

The production status differs as well. The Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD chip is active. The Ryzen 3 3200G remains a current product, which may matter for system integration. The Intel chip's launch MSRP is $1979, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

For raw CPU performance, the verdict is clear: the Intel Core i9-9980XE wins every test. For a system that needs integrated graphics and a low-power 65-watt processor, the Ryzen 3 3200G is the only one of the two that can serve that role.

FAQ

Q: Which processor won the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980XE won all 8 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G won 0.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel chip leads by 352.4%, scoring 380 against the AMD chip's 84.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G competitive in any benchmark?

A: Its closest result is Geekbench single-core, where it trails by 62.6% with a score of 884 against the Intel chip's 1437. It does not win any recorded test.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i9-9980XE has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980XE has a TDP of 165 watts. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has a TDP of 65 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9980XE wins every compute benchmark in the database. Its strengths are heavily threaded workloads, where its 18 cores and 36 threads produce Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 26780, nearly 4.5 times the AMD chip's 5955. It also leads in single-threaded Cinebench tests by roughly 350%, indicating that its per-core performance is substantially higher despite a lower 3.00 GHz base clock.

The Intel chip is the choice for rendering, video encoding, compilation, scientific computing, or any workload that scales across many threads. Its quad-channel memory support and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth also position it for memory-intensive tasks. Its 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes support multi-GPU configurations or heavy expansion.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G wins no CPU benchmarks, but it holds advantages in other recorded fields. It has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, making it usable in systems without a discrete GPU. Its 65-watt TDP is 100 watts lower than the Intel chip's 165-watt TDP, which means less heat and lower cooling requirements. Its base clock of 3.60 GHz is higher than the Intel chip's 3.00 GHz base.

The AMD chip is the practical choice for compact or low-power desktop builds, office systems, or media PCs where the CPU performance ceiling is not the primary constraint. It is also an active product, while the Intel chip is end-of-life.

For any benchmark-driven workload, the Intel part is the only option. For a functional desktop processor with graphics output and modest power draw, the AMD part is the only one with those attributes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The Intel Core i9-9980XE uses the Skylake-X architecture on a 14 nm process with a 484 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G uses the Zen+ Picasso architecture on a 12 nm process with a 210 mm² die and 4,940 million transistors.

Core and thread counts differ: the Intel chip has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds differ: the Intel chip runs at 3.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, while the AMD chip runs at 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost.

Cache layout differs: the Intel chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 24.75 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: the Intel chip uses quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip uses dual-channel DDR4 with no recorded bandwidth. PCIe support differs: the Intel chip has 44 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD chip lists Gen 3 without a lane count.

The Intel chip has no integrated graphics, while the AMD chip includes Radeon Vega 8. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2066, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4. TDP differs: 165 watts for Intel, 65 watts for AMD.

Production status differs: the Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD chip is active. The Intel chip has a recorded launch MSRP of $1979, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. Both chips support DDR4, neither supports ECC, and both have unlocked multipliers.