AMD Ryzen 3 3200U vs Intel Core i5-5350U Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits the decision between these two mobile processors cleanly by workload type. The Intel Core i5-5350U wins 3 of the 5 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U takes 2 decisive victories. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput in modern Cinebench R23, the Intel part leads by 23.1%, scoring 2198 versus 1786. Conversely, the AMD part dominates the Cinebench R23 single-core test with a 59.5% advantage, scoring 765 against 310. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness and the newer R15 multi-core workload, where it posts 334 versus 221, a 33.8% margin. The Intel Core i5-5350U is the better choice for Geekbench results, leading by 9.4% in multi-core (1671 versus 1527) and 6.2% in single-core (868 versus 817). Both CPUs sit at the 24th percentile against all recorded CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 903 for the Intel and 893 for the AMD. The data shows two evenly matched parts with opposite strengths: Intel for Geekbench and R23 multi-core, AMD for R15 multi-core and R23 single-core.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-5350U boosts to 2.90 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz compared to 1800.00 MHz.

Q: What is the difference in the integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U integrates Intel HD 6000 graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U features Radeon Vega 3 graphics. Both are mobile processors with a 15 W TDP.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has larger caches at every level: 96 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB, 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB, and 4 MB shared L3 versus 3 MB shared. The Intel part has 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, while the AMD part has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.

Q: Why does the Intel processor win some multi-core tests despite having a lower boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 2198 against 1786, a 23.1% margin, and Geekbench multi-core with 1671 against 1527, a 9.4% margin. The benchmark results indicate that the Intel architecture sustains multi-threaded performance better in these specific tests, even though the AMD part has higher clock speeds and more cache.

Q: What memory standards do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U supports DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i5-5350U and the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U have the multiplier locked (multiplierUnlocked is false for both).

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-5350U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, part of the Core i5 (Broadwell-U) generation. It uses a 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U is built on the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, part of the Ryzen 3 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) generation. It also uses a 14 nm node but from GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts differ substantially: the Intel die packs 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, while the AMD die has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Intel part provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The AMD part provides 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. This gives the AMD processor a clear on-paper cache advantage at every tier.

The integrated graphics differ by vendor: Intel HD 6000 on the Intel side versus Radeon Vega 3 on the AMD side. Both are mobile parts with a 15 W TDP. The Intel processor uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, while the AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP5. The Intel part's PCIe implementation is Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3. The Intel processor was released on 2015-02-28 and is end-of-life, while the AMD processor was released on 2019-01-05 and remains active. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $315.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category except cores, threads, TDP, and ECC support. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, both consume 15 W, and neither supports ECC memory.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U runs at a 2.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.50 GHz. The Intel Core i5-5350U runs at 1800.00 MHz base and boosts to 2.90 GHz.

Memory support differs by generation. The Intel part supports DDR3 with dual-channel and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part supports DDR4 with dual-channel and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

The socket, architecture, process node, foundry, cache sizes, integrated graphics, market segment status, release date, and part numbers all differ as documented in the architecture section. The Intel part's production status is end-of-life, while the AMD part is active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a fragmented performance picture. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with 334 points against the Intel's 221, a 33.8% advantage. This is the largest multi-core margin in the comparison. The AMD part also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 765 against 310, a 59.5% margin, which is the largest single-core differential recorded.

The Intel Core i5-5350U wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 2198 against 1786, a 23.1% margin. This is notable because it directly contradicts the R15 multi-core result, where the AMD part led by 33.8%. The two Cinebench versions produce opposite outcomes for multi-core performance. The Intel part also wins both Geekbench tests: multi-core 1671 versus 1527 (9.4% ahead) and single-core 868 versus 817 (6.2% ahead).

The average benchmark scores are close: 903 for the Intel and 893 for the AMD, a difference of only 10 points. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i7-940 at 903 (0% delta), the Intel Core i5-4258U at 902 (0.1% delta), the AMD A10-7860K at 904 (-0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i3-4330T at 908 (-0.6% delta). The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5300U at 895 (-0.2% delta), the Intel Pentium G4600T at 895 (-0.3% delta), the AMD PRO A10-8770E at 895 (-0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i3-6100 at 888 (0.5% delta).

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U's single-core advantage in Cinebench R23 is massive, but this does not translate to Geekbench single-core, where Intel leads. Similarly, the AMD part's R15 multi-core dominance flips to an Intel lead in R23 multi-core. Users should weigh which benchmark suite reflects their actual workload. For Geekbench-oriented tasks, the Intel Core i5-5350U is consistently ahead. For Cinebench R23 single-threaded tasks, the AMD part is clearly superior. The 24th percentile ranking for both CPUs against all recorded processors indicates that neither part is positioned as a high-performance leader; they are entry-level mobile options with distinct workload-specific strengths.