AMD Ryzen 3 3200U vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison

The Intel Pentium G4600T and AMD Ryzen 3 3200U are both 2-core/4-thread processors that land in the same performance tier, but the benchmark data shows they achieve their similar average scores through very different strengths. The Pentium G4600T wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by a wide margin, while the Ryzen 3 3200U dominates in single-core workloads and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test. The data shows a clear split: the Intel part favors sustained multi-threaded rendering in the newest benchmark, while the AMD part excels at bursty, single-threaded tasks and older multi-core tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U wins two of the three head-to-head benchmark comparisons, making it the more versatile performer in the data. Its biggest victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 765 against the Pentium’s 367, a 52% advantage that is the largest gap in either direction across the tested workloads. This single-core strength also carries over to Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen scores 334 versus 262 for the Intel part, a 21.6% lead. The Ryzen’s Geekbench results reinforce this pattern, with a single-core score of 817 and a multi-core score of 1527, though the Pentium has no corresponding Geekbench entry for direct comparison.

The Intel Pentium G4600T takes the most demanding test in the head-to-head set: Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here it scores 2602 against the Ryzen’s 1786, a 45.7% margin that is substantial given how close their average benchmark scores are (895 for Intel, 893 for AMD). This result is particularly notable because it reverses the older Cinebench R15 multi-core outcome, suggesting the Intel architecture scales better in the newer rendering workload. The Pentium also shows a consistent baseline in its other Cinebench results, with R20 multi-core at 1092 and R20 single-core at 154, though the Ryzen lacks direct R20 comparisons.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the Ryzen 3 3200U has more tested workload coverage, including Geekbench multi-core and single-core, which the Pentium does not have in the data. The AMD part’s percentile ranking of 24th versus the Intel part’s 24th places them in the same overall tier, but the Ryzen’s 0.2% average score advantage over the Pentium (893 vs 895, with the delta flip-flopping depending on the reference) is negligible. The real story is workload-specific: the Ryzen wins where latency and single-thread responsiveness matter, while the Pentium wins in the newest multi-threaded rendering test.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation: pick the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U for general-purpose computing that involves single-threaded applications, older software, and mobile use cases, and pick the Intel Pentium G4600T only if your primary workload is the latest multi-threaded Cinebench rendering. The Ryzen wins two of three head-to-head tests, including the single-core test by a 52% margin, which is the largest performance gap measured between these two parts. Its 334 score in Cinebench R15 multi-core also beats the Pentium’s 262, showing that in older multi-threaded workloads, the AMD part is clearly faster.

The Pentium G4600T’s only head-to-head win is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its 2602 score is 45.7% higher than the Ryzen’s 1786. This is a decisive victory, but it is isolated to a single test. The Pentium also has a higher TDP of 35 watts versus the Ryzen’s 15 watts, which suggests it draws more power to achieve that multi-core result. For a desktop user running modern rendering applications, the Pentium could be the better choice, but for mobile users or those running older benchmarks and single-threaded tasks, the Ryzen is the data-backed winner.

Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed in the data, so no pricing comparison is possible. The Ryzen 3 3200U’s mobile market segment (AMD Socket FP5) and 15-watt TDP make it suited for laptops, while the Pentium’s desktop segment (Intel Socket 1151) and 35-watt TDP target compact desktops. The Ryzen’s boost clock of 3.50 GHz (base 2.60 GHz) versus the Pentium’s fixed 3.00 GHz (no boost clock listed) explains much of the single-core advantage. If your software is single-threaded or older, the Ryzen is the verdict. If your software is the newest multi-core rendering, the Pentium wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The three head-to-head results tell a conflicting story that resolves into a pattern of architectural preference. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U scores 334 against the Intel’s 262, a 21.6% lead that reflects the Ryzen’s higher boost clock and larger cache. This was the only multi-core test available in this benchmark version, and the Ryzen’s advantage here suggests that in older rendering engines, the AMD part’s 3.50 GHz boost clock (versus the Pentium’s 3.00 GHz fixed clock) provides a meaningful edge.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the result dramatically. The Pentium G4600T scores 2602, which is 45.7% higher than the Ryzen’s 1786. This is the single largest delta in the head-to-head set, and it is a surprise given the Ryzen’s win in R15. The R23 test is newer and more demanding, and the data indicates the Intel Kaby Lake architecture handles it far better. The Pentium’s 3 MB shared L3 cache and 64 KB per-core L1, while smaller than the Ryzen’s 4 MB L3 and 96 KB per-core L1, apparently are sufficient for this workload, or the Intel memory subsystem (38.4 GB/s bandwidth, dual-channel DDR4) compensates.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 3 3200U crushes the Pentium with a score of 765 versus 367, a 52% margin that is the second-largest delta in the set. This test isolates single-thread performance, and the Ryzen’s boost clock of 3.50 GHz versus the Pentium’s 3.00 GHz explains most of the gap. The Ryzen’s R23 single-core score of 765 is more than double the Intel part’s 367, indicating that for any single-threaded application—web browsing, office work, legacy software—the AMD processor is the clear choice. The Pentium’s own R20 single-core score of 154 (no R20 for the Ryzen) shows its single-thread weakness is consistent across benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600T has an average benchmark score of 895, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U scores 893. The difference is 0.2% when comparing the Pentium to the Ryzen, and 0.3% when comparing the Ryzen to the Pentium, so they are effectively tied.

Q: Why does the Ryzen 3 3200U win the Cinebench R23 single-core test by such a large margin?

A: The Ryzen scores 765 versus the Pentium’s 367 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 52% advantage. The Ryzen’s boost clock of 3.50 GHz (base 2.60 GHz) is higher than the Pentium’s fixed 3.00 GHz clock, which directly benefits single-threaded performance.

Q: Does the Intel Pentium G4600T win any benchmark against the Ryzen 3 3200U?

A: Yes, the Pentium wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 2602 versus the Ryzen’s 1786, a 45.7% lead. This is the Pentium’s only head-to-head win, but it is a decisive one in the newest multi-threaded test.

Q: Are these two processors in the same performance tier?

A: Yes, both have a percentile ranking of 24th among all CPUs. The Pentium’s average score is 895 and the Ryzen’s is 893, with the nearest rival (Intel Core i5-5300U) also at 895, placing all three within 0.7% of each other.

Q: Which processor has the larger cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a larger cache on all levels: 96 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB, 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB, and 4 MB shared L3 versus 3 MB. This larger cache likely contributes to its single-core advantage.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two processors?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600T has a 35-watt TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a 15-watt TDP. The Ryzen is designed for mobile (AMD Socket FP5), while the Pentium is a desktop part (Intel Socket 1151).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies despite having the same core and thread counts. The Intel Pentium G4600T uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process manufactured by Intel, with a fixed 3.00 GHz base clock and no boost clock listed. It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 630, and the processor supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. It uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), has a 35-watt TDP, and is a desktop part on the Intel Socket 1151.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U uses the Zen architecture (codename Raven Ridge) on a 14 nm process manufactured by GlobalFoundries, with a 2.60 GHz base clock and a 3.50 GHz boost clock. It has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 3, and it also supports DDR4 with dual-channel 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, but its PCIe is listed simply as Gen 3 without a lane count. The Ryzen has a 15-watt TDP and is a mobile part on the AMD Socket FP5. The Ryzen also has disclosed transistor count (4,940 million) and die size (210 mm²), while the Pentium’s are not listed.

The core difference is the boost clock: the Ryzen can dynamically raise its clock to 3.50 GHz, while the Pentium is locked at 3.00 GHz. This explains the single-core benchmark gap. The Ryzen’s larger cache hierarchy (96 KB L1 vs 64 KB, 512 KB L2 vs 256 KB, 4 MB L3 vs 3 MB) also helps in latency-sensitive workloads. The Pentium’s desktop design with 16 PCIe lanes and higher TDP suggests it is intended for systems with discrete components, while the Ryzen’s mobile design with 15-watt TDP prioritizes power efficiency.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are clear when placed side by side. The Intel Pentium G4600T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz with no boost clock, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a 2.60 GHz base clock and a 3.50 GHz boost clock. The TDP differs significantly: 35 watts for the Intel part versus 15 watts for the AMD part. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the Pentium versus AMD Socket FP5 for the Ryzen. The market segments differ (Desktop for Intel, Mobile for AMD), and the PCIe configuration is different—the Intel part specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part lists only Gen 3 without lane details.

Cache sizes differ at every level: the Pentium has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics differ (Intel HD 630 versus Radeon Vega 3). The AMD part has a disclosed transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm², while the Intel part lists neither. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. The release dates differ (January 2017 for Intel, January 2019 for AMD), and neither has a launch MSRP listed. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, are 14 nm parts, and have locked multipliers.