AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE vs Intel Core i3-9100 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6179 versus Intel's 5622, a 9% advantage. The margin is consistent at -9% across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: AMD leads every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 3 3200GE scores 872, while the Core i3-9100 scores 793 — a 9.1% gap. The R15 single-core test shows a 9.2% difference (87 vs 79).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100 has an average benchmark score of 1806, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE averages 1787. Despite the AMD chip winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, Intel holds a slight edge in aggregate score across all benchmark types.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100 boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE boosts to 4.00 GHz. Intel also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-9100 has a locked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE has an unlocked multiplier, making the AMD chip the only one of the two that supports user overclocking.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100 uses UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE features Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The AMD chip also has a significantly lower TDP at 35 watts versus 65 watts for Intel.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 9% to 9.2%. It is the faster processor in every rendering test recorded, both single-threaded and multi-threaded.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance in Cinebench-class workloads, the Ryzen 3 3200GE is the clear choice. Its consistent 9% lead in multi-core tests and 9.1–9.2% lead in single-core tests makes it the stronger performer across the board. The AMD chip also offers an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking potential that the locked Intel part cannot match.

However, the Intel Core i3-9100 is not without its merits. It posts a higher average benchmark score (1806 vs 1787) across the full benchmark suite, including Geekbench tests that favor Intel. The Core i3-9100 also carries a launch MSRP of $122, though both chips are desktop parts with similar 4-core/4-thread configurations.

The Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE remains active in production. For a new build, the active status and superior Cinebench results favor AMD. For users already on Intel Socket 1151 platforms, the Core i3-9100 offers a drop-in upgrade path with competitive Geekbench performance.

Neither processor achieves a high percentile ranking — both sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs. These are entry-level quad-cores, and the performance difference between them, while consistent, is modest in absolute terms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE sweeps every recorded Cinebench comparison. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 622 against Intel's 566, a 9% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows a 9.2% gap with AMD at 87 and Intel at 79 — the largest margin in any test.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. AMD's multi-core score of 2595 beats Intel's 2361 by 9%. Single-core results show AMD at 366 versus Intel's 333, again a 9% difference. The R20 results mirror the R15 margins almost exactly, suggesting consistent architectural efficiency rather than test-specific variance.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. AMD's multi-core score of 6179 outpaces Intel's 5622 by 9%. In single-core, AMD scores 872 against Intel's 793, a 9.1% gap. The consistency across three generations of Cinebench tests — all within a 0.2 percentage point range — indicates a stable performance advantage for the Ryzen 3 3200GE.

Notably, the Intel Core i3-9100 has Geekbench scores recorded in its benchmark data: 3403 multi-core and 1290 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE has no Geekbench results in the data, which explains why Intel's average benchmark score is higher despite losing every head-to-head test. Intel's Geekbench results contribute to its 1806 average versus AMD's 1787.

The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Core i3-9320 (delta -0.1%) and Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U (delta -0.2%), placing it in a tight performance cluster. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE's nearest rivals include the Opteron 6281 (delta -0.1%) and Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 (delta 0.5%), showing a slightly different competitive neighborhood.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a 4-core, 4-thread configuration, but diverge significantly in other specifications. The Intel Core i3-9100 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE operates at 3.30 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Intel's higher clocks do not translate to performance wins in Cinebench.

Power consumption differs substantially. The Intel chip has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD chip draws just 35 watts. This makes the Ryzen 3 3200GE significantly more power-efficient, particularly relevant for compact or thermally constrained builds.

The processors use different sockets: Intel Socket 1151 for the Core i3-9100 and AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen 3 3200GE. These are not interchangeable platforms, so motherboard choice dictates which CPU is viable.

Memory support shows both support DDR4 with dual-channel architecture, but bandwidth differs. Intel offers 38.4 GB/s, while AMD provides 46.9 GB/s — a 22% advantage for the Ryzen chip. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities are identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both processors have unlocked multipliers? No — only the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; Intel's is locked.

The Intel part is end-of-life with a release date of 2018-08-31, while the AMD chip remains active in production, released on 2019-07-06. Intel's launch MSRP was $122; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-9100 uses Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE uses Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso) on a 12 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The smaller process node gives AMD a manufacturing advantage.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Intel chip has 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB shared L3. AMD's larger per-core caches contrast with Intel's larger shared L3 pool.

The AMD chip's die size is 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors, while Intel's die measures 126 mm² with transistor count not recorded. The larger AMD die accommodates the integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which is more substantial than Intel's UHD Graphics 630.

Both processors support DDR4 memory and ECC, and both use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes. The market segment is Desktop for both.

The generation naming differs: Intel lists "Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh)" while AMD lists "Ryzen 3 (Zen+ (Picasso))". The AMD chip belongs to the 3000 series, while Intel's series is not recorded.

In terms of feature differences, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE offers an unlocked multiplier and active production status, while the Intel Core i3-9100 is locked and end-of-life. The AMD chip also has higher memory bandwidth and a larger die with more transistors, reflecting its integrated graphics capabilities.

The consistent 9% performance advantage for AMD across all Cinebench tests, despite Intel's higher clock speeds, suggests that the Zen+ architecture's efficiency and the larger per-core caches compensate for the clock deficit. The 12 nm process node and different cache hierarchy contribute to this performance profile.