AMD Ryzen 3 3300X vs Intel Core i3-9350KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X across all four shared benchmark tests, though the margins vary dramatically depending on workload type. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD part scores 195 against Intel's 90, a 116.7% advantage. This is a striking outlier, as it suggests the Intel i3-9350KF's single-core performance in that particular test is far below what its clock rates would imply. Meanwhile, the multi-core Cinebench R15 result tells a similar story: AMD scores 1071 versus Intel's 640, a 67.3% lead.

Geekbench results narrow the gap considerably. In multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3300X posts 5772 against 4098 for the i3-9350KF, a 40.8% margin. The single-core Geekbench test is nearly a tie: 1555 for AMD versus 1534 for Intel, a mere 1.4% difference. This pattern suggests that the Intel chip's architectural weaknesses are most pronounced in older Cinebench workloads, while modern single-threaded benchmarks bring the two much closer together. The database also shows that the Ryzen 3 3300X holds a 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs, slightly above the i3-9350KF's 46th percentile.

Average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture: the AMD processor averages 2148 across its recorded tests, while the Intel chip averages 2082. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10200H (2154 average score, 0.3% higher) and the Intel Core i7-5950HQ (2158, 0.4% higher), showing it sits in a tight cluster. The i3-9350KF's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2123 (2079, 0.2% higher) and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X (2094, 0.6% higher), placing it slightly below that grouping.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X uses the Zen 2 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process node, with the Matisse codename. It integrates 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-9350KF relies on the older Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, with a 126 mm² die size and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Threading is the most consequential divergence: the AMD chip offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel chip provides 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the Ryzen can process twice as many concurrent threads, which directly explains its multi-core benchmark dominance. Cache configurations differ as well: both have 64 KB L1 per core, but the AMD part has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB for Intel, and the AMD L3 cache is 16 MB shared versus 8 MB shared for Intel.

Clock speeds favor Intel on paper: the i3-9350KF has a 4.00 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost, compared to 3.80 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost for the Ryzen 3 3300X. Yet the benchmark data shows AMD winning even single-core tests, which suggests the Zen 2 architecture extracts more instructions per clock in these specific workloads. Power consumption differs substantially: the AMD TDP is 65 watts, while Intel's is 91 watts. Memory bandwidth also favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for Intel, both using dual-channel DDR4.

The Intel chip supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not, a notable feature for certain workstation uses. PCIe generation differs too: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Production status separates them further: the Ryzen 3 3300X remains active, while the i3-9350KF is end-of-life. The Intel chip uses Socket 1151, while AMD uses Socket AM4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark tests in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins all four head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, Geekbench multi-core, and Geekbench single-core. The Intel i3-9350KF records zero wins in these shared tests.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two?

A: In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3300X scores 1071 against 640 for the Intel chip, a 67.3% difference. In Geekbench multi-core, the gap is 40.8% (5772 versus 4098). The AMD processor's 8 threads versus 4 threads largely account for this.

Q: Is the Intel chip faster in any single-core test?

A: No. Despite having a 4.60 GHz boost clock versus 4.30 GHz for AMD, the Intel chip loses in both single-core tests. The Cinebench R15 single-core result is especially lopsided: 195 for AMD versus 90 for Intel. The Geekbench single-core result is much closer at 1555 versus 1534.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X uses TSMC's 7 nm process, while the Intel i3-9350KF uses Intel's 14 nm process. The AMD die is 74 mm², and the Intel die is 126 mm². The AMD chip integrates 3,800 million transistors, while no transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe standards?

A: Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory, but the AMD part offers 51.2 GB/s bandwidth versus 38.4 GB/s for Intel. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Only the Intel chip supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X averages 2148 across its tests, while the Intel i3-9350KF averages 2082. The AMD part also ranks slightly higher in percentile among all CPUs: 47th versus 46th.

Specification Differences

The database records several differences between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X has 8 threads, while the Intel i3-9350KF has 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.80 GHz for AMD versus 4.00 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks differ: 4.30 GHz for AMD versus 4.60 GHz for Intel. TDP differs significantly: 65 watts for AMD versus 91 watts for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1151.

Cache hierarchies are not identical: AMD has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB for Intel, and AMD has 16 MB shared L3 versus 8 MB shared for Intel. Memory bandwidth differs: 51.2 GB/s for AMD versus 38.4 GB/s for Intel. ECC support differs: Intel supports it, AMD does not. PCIe generation differs: AMD Gen 4 versus Intel Gen 3. Process nodes differ: 7 nm for AMD versus 14 nm for Intel. Die sizes differ: 74 mm² for AMD versus 126 mm² for Intel.

The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip does not. Production status differs: AMD is active, Intel is end-of-life. Release dates differ: April 2020 for AMD versus January 2019 for Intel. The AMD processor integrates 3,800 million transistors; no count is recorded for Intel. The Intel part has a higher launch MSRP of $173, while AMD's launch MSRP is $120.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins every benchmark recorded in the database, so the use-case split is mostly about magnitude and context. The AMD chip is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its 8 threads deliver a 67.3% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 40.8% advantage in Geekbench multi-core. Content creation, compilation, streaming, and any task that scales with thread count will favor the Ryzen processor decisively.

For single-threaded tasks, the AMD chip still wins, but the margin collapses. The Geekbench single-core result shows only a 1.4% difference, which means in everyday applications that rely on one or two threads, the two processors perform nearly identically. The Cinebench R15 single-core result is an oddity at 116.7% in favor of AMD, but the Geekbench number suggests this does not generalize across all single-threaded software.

The Intel i3-9350KF has no benchmark wins, yet its higher clock speeds and lower average score gap might make it appealing in scenarios where the database's specific tests do not apply. However, the data gives no evidence for such a case. The AMD chip also offers PCIe Gen 4 support, which matters for users with modern GPUs or NVMe storage, and it does so at a lower TDP of 65 watts versus 91 watts. The Intel chip's ECC support could matter for users building a low-cost server, but its end-of-life status and lack of benchmark victories make that a narrow niche.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X outperforms the Intel Core i3-9350KF in every single shared benchmark, with margins ranging from 1.4% in Geekbench single-core to 116.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core. The AMD processor also posts a higher average benchmark score (2148 versus 2082) and a higher percentile ranking (47th versus 46th). Its 8 threads, larger caches, higher memory bandwidth, newer process node, and PCIe Gen 4 support all align in its favor.

The Intel i3-9350KF offers higher base and boost clocks, ECC memory support, and a locked multiplier, but none of these translate into a benchmark win in the database. Its 14 nm process and 4-thread design appear to hold it back, especially in multi-core tests where the AMD part leads by 40% or more. The Intel chip's end-of-life status further weakens its case for new builds.

For users seeking a processor for general desktop use, multi-threaded productivity, or gaming with modern PCIe Gen 4 devices, the Ryzen 3 3300X is the data-backed choice. The only scenario where the Intel part might merit consideration is one that requires ECC memory support, and even then, its benchmark performance and production status make it a difficult recommendation. The verdict from the database is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins this comparison across the board.