AMD Ryzen 3 3300X vs Intel Core i5-10200H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10200H and AMD Ryzen 3 3300X are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target completely different segments of the market. The data shows the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X holds a decisive performance lead across every shared benchmark, while the Intel chip operates in a lower power envelope for mobile use. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—2154 for Intel versus 2148 for AMD—yet the Ryzen’s wins are consistent and substantial, making the head-to-head comparison less about overall parity and more about specific workload advantages.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-10200H has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 2154, compared to 2148 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X, a difference of only 0.3%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins all multi-core tests decisively. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1071 versus Intel’s 684, a 36.1% advantage, and in Geekbench multi-core, it scores 5772 against 4096, a 29% lead.

Q: Is the Ryzen 3 3300X better in single-core tests as well?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 3 3300X wins every single-core benchmark. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 195 is 50.8% higher than Intel’s 96, and its Geekbench single-core score of 1555 is 13.4% higher than Intel’s 1347.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between these CPUs?

A: The Intel i5-10200H uses a 14 nm Comet Lake-H architecture built by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X uses a 7 nm Zen 2 (Matisse) architecture fabricated by TSMC. The AMD chip also has more L3 cache, at 16 MB shared versus 6 MB shared for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel i5-10200H supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, whereas the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X supports only DDR4 but achieves a higher bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-10200H has a locked multiplier, meaning it does not support user overclocking.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-10200H is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-H variant, using a 14 nm process node manufactured at Intel’s own foundries. Its AMD rival, the Ryzen 3 3300X, is based on the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Matisse, fabricated on a more advanced 7 nm process by TSMC. This process advantage is reflected in the transistor density: the AMD chip packs 3,800 million transistors into a 74 mm² die, while the Intel part’s transistor count and die size are not listed.

Cache hierarchies differ noticeably between the two. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core for Intel, but the AMD Ryzen doubles the L2 to 512 KB per core. The L3 cache gap is even larger: Intel provides 6 MB shared across all cores, while AMD offers 16 MB shared. This larger cache pool on the Ryzen likely contributes to its superior performance in latency-sensitive workloads.

The memory interfaces also show divergence. Intel’s i5-10200H supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while AMD’s Ryzen 3 3300X only supports DDR4. However, AMD’s memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 46.9 GB/s. PCIe support is another differentiator, with Intel offering Gen 3 while AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes on the CPU. The Intel mobile chip includes integrated UHD Graphics, whereas the AMD desktop part has no integrated graphics. Finally, the Ryzen 3 3300X features an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD processor also consumes more power with a 65 W TDP versus Intel’s 45 W, reflecting its desktop orientation and higher clock speeds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins all four shared tests. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD scores 195 against Intel’s 96, a staggering 50.8% delta. This indicates a massive per-thread performance advantage for the Zen 2 architecture, likely driven by its higher base and boost clocks of 3.80 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively, compared to Intel’s 2.40 GHz and 4.10 GHz.

Multi-core performance also favors AMD heavily. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3300X scores 1071, which is 36.1% higher than the Intel i5-10200H’s 684. Geekbench multi-core shows a similar pattern, with AMD leading 5772 to 4096, a 29% advantage. These results are notable because both chips have the same core and thread counts, meaning the Ryzen’s wins come entirely from architectural efficiency and higher clock speeds rather than additional hardware resources.

The smallest gap appears in Geekbench single-core, where AMD leads by 13.4% (1555 versus 1347). While still a clear win, this narrower margin suggests that Intel’s Comet Lake cores are relatively more competitive in this particular test. Overall, the Ryzen 3 3300X’s clean sweep of 4-0 in the head-to-head benchmarks, combined with its consistent double-digit percentage leads, paints a picture of a fundamentally faster processor in both lightly and heavily threaded workloads.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i5-10200H has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X runs significantly faster at 3.80 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. Thermal design power also differs, with Intel rated at 45 W and AMD at 65 W. The Intel chip uses an Intel BGA 1440 socket, whereas AMD uses the desktop-friendly AMD Socket AM4. Process nodes are 14 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD, and the foundries are Intel and TSMC, respectively.

Memory support diverges, with Intel accepting both DDR3 and DDR4 while AMD only supports DDR4, and memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 46.9 GB/s. PCIe generations differ as well: Intel uses Gen 3, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes on the CPU. Integrated graphics are present on the Intel part as UHD Graphics, but absent on the AMD chip. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Intel processor is locked. Market segments are also distinct: Intel is a mobile processor, while AMD is a desktop processor. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $120. Their release dates are separated by roughly five months, with Intel launching on 2020-09-16 and AMD on 2020-04-23.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy, but the intended use case matters. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is the superior choice for anyone building a desktop system where raw compute performance is the priority. It wins every benchmark by a wide margin, from 13.4% in Geekbench single-core to 50.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and its larger L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, and Gen 4 PCIe support provide a more capable platform. The unlocked multiplier also gives enthusiasts headroom for overclocking.

The Intel Core i5-10200H, however, is designed for mobile applications, as evidenced by its BGA 1440 socket and 45 W TDP. Its integrated UHD Graphics make it a self-contained solution for laptops where a discrete GPU is not required, and its lower power draw is better suited for battery-powered devices. Buyers choosing between these two should first decide on form factor: if a desktop is the target, the Ryzen 3 3300X is the definitive recommendation. If a laptop is required, the i5-10200H is the only viable option in this pairing, even though its benchmark scores are consistently lower. The Ryzen’s 29% to 50.8% leads in shared benchmarks make it the outright winner in pure performance terms, but the Intel chip’s mobile pedigree means it serves a different, necessary function in the market.