AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE vs Intel Core i7-4790S Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4790S and AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE are both quad-core desktop processors, but they arrive from different eras and design philosophies. The database places both at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier overall. Despite that parity in percentile ranking, the recorded benchmark data shows a consistent edge for the AMD part across every tested workload. The average benchmark scores are close, 1827 for the Intel and 1787 for the AMD, but the head-to-head results tell a more nuanced story about how each chip handles specific tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the uniformity of the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE's victories. In all six recorded benchmark comparisons, the AMD processor wins, with the Intel Core i7-4790S trailing by margins between 3.4% and 4.4%. This consistency suggests a fundamental advantage in the AMD architecture rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the multicore test shows the AMD scoring 622 against the Intel's 595, a delta of 4.3% in favor of the Ryzen. The single-core test in the same suite is closer, with AMD at 87 and Intel at 84, representing a 3.4% gap. This tighter single-core margin hints that the Intel part's older Haswell architecture still holds its own in lightly threaded tasks, but the AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz against Intel's 3.20 GHz likely contributes to the edge.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The multicore result shows AMD at 2595 versus Intel at 2482, a 4.4% difference. The single-core test shows AMD at 366 versus Intel's 350, again a 4.4% gap. These margins are nearly identical to the R15 results, indicating that the performance relationship between these two CPUs is stable across different rendering workloads.

Cinebench R23, the newest test in the database, continues the trend. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE scores 6179 in multicore, while the Intel Core i7-4790S scores 5911, a 4.3% difference. In single-core, AMD leads with 872 against Intel's 834, a 4.4% gap. The consistency of these deltas across three generations of Cinebench is remarkable; it suggests that the AMD part's architectural advantages scale evenly with workload intensity.

Notably, the Intel Core i7-4790S has a 4.00 GHz boost clock, identical to the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE's boost clock. Yet the AMD chip still manages to outpace it in every test. This implies that IPC (instructions per clock) improvements in the Zen+ architecture, combined with the slightly higher base clock, overcome the Intel part's 8 threads versus the AMD's 4 threads. The Intel chip's hyper-threading does not save it from losing all six head-to-head matchups.

The Geekbench results, available only for the Intel part in this dataset, show scores of 3307 multicore and 1056 single-core. These numbers place the i7-4790S in a context that aligns with its Cinebench performance, though no direct AMD comparison is recorded for that test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in nearly every architectural dimension. The Intel Core i7-4790S is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE uses the Zen+ architecture (codenamed Picasso) on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 4,940 million transistors spread across a 210 mm² die. The transistor count difference is dramatic, the AMD chip houses over three times as many transistors, which reflects its integrated memory controller, larger cache hierarchy, and more complex compute units.

Cache configuration differs substantially. The Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has larger per-core caches but half the total L3, a design choice that favors faster access to frequently used data at the cost of lower total cache capacity.

Memory support is a major generational split. The Intel Core i7-4790S uses DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 46.9 GB/s of bandwidth. That is an 83% increase in theoretical memory bandwidth for the AMD part, which can significantly benefit memory-intensive workloads like rendering and compression.

The Intel chip does not support ECC memory, while the AMD chip does. Both processors offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel pairs the i7-4790S with the HD 4600 GPU, while AMD includes the Radeon Vega 8. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel chip is locked.

Production status and release timing reveal the generational gap. The Intel Core i7-4790S was released on May 10, 2014, with a launch MSRP of $312, and is now end-of-life. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE launched on July 6, 2019, and remains active in production. The AMD part belongs to the 3000 series and is a Zen+ (Picasso) generation product.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S has 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE has 4 threads. Despite this 2x thread advantage for Intel, the AMD chip wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, indicating that its architectural efficiency per thread outweighs the thread count deficit.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE have a higher clock speed?

A: The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.30 GHz versus Intel's 3.20 GHz, but both CPUs share a 4.00 GHz boost clock. The higher base clock likely contributes to the AMD part's single-core wins, where it leads by 3.4% to 4.4% across Cinebench versions.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i7-4790S has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the AMD part nearly half the power envelope, which is notable for compact or low-noise system builds.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-4790S supports DDR3 with dual-channel and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part offers nearly double the memory bandwidth.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-4790S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE uses AMD Socket AM4. These sockets are not interchangeable, so motherboard choice is dictated by the processor.

Q: Does the AMD chip allow overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-4790S does not, as its multiplier is locked. This gives AMD users flexibility to push performance beyond stock settings, provided the motherboard and cooling allow it.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE wins every single head-to-head test, with margins ranging from 3.4% to 4.4%. The AMD part achieves this despite having only 4 threads compared to Intel's 8, and it does so while consuming 35 watts versus Intel's 65 watts. The performance advantage is not marginal in any single test; it is consistent across all three Cinebench versions, covering both single-core and multicore workloads.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput per watt, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE is the clear choice. It delivers higher scores in every recorded benchmark while drawing less power. Its DDR4 memory support and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, versus Intel's DDR3 and 25.6 GB/s, further enhance its suitability for modern workloads. The AMD part also supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier, adding flexibility for specialized use cases.

The Intel Core i7-4790S does retain some advantages in the specification comparison. It has 8 threads, which can aid in heavily parallel workloads that scale with thread count, though the recorded benchmarks show the AMD part overcoming that deficit. The Intel chip also has 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus AMD's 4 MB, which could benefit certain cache-sensitive applications. Its 22 nm process, while older, is paired with a smaller die size of 177 mm² versus AMD's 210 mm².

However, the production status tells a story of its own. The Intel part is end-of-life, released in 2014, while the AMD chip is active and released in 2019. For new system builds, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE offers a modern platform with active support, while the Intel part belongs to a discontinued platform.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4790S | AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen+ (Picasso) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2019-07-06 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE wins in every recorded benchmark, making its case straightforward. It leads by 4.3% to 4.4% in multicore tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, and by 3.4% to 4.4% in single-core tests. These wins are consistent and reproducible across three different rendering workloads. The AMD part also wins on power efficiency, with a 35 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W, and on memory bandwidth, offering 46.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. It supports ECC memory, has an unlocked multiplier, and is actively produced.

The Intel Core i7-4790S wins on thread count, offering 8 threads versus AMD's 4, and on L3 cache capacity, with 8 MB shared versus AMD's 4 MB. It also has a smaller die size at 177 mm², which may appeal to those interested in the physical characteristics of the chip. However, these advantages do not translate into benchmark victories in the recorded data. The Intel part's higher thread count and larger L3 cache are insufficient to overcome the AMD architecture's efficiency.

For users building a new system today, the data points squarely at the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE. It offers better performance in every measured test, lower power consumption, support for modern DDR4 memory, and an active production status. The Intel Core i7-4790S remains a functional processor for legacy platforms, particularly for those already invested in Socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory, but the benchmark record shows it lagging behind its younger rival in all measured scenarios.