AMD Ryzen 3 4300U vs Intel Core i5-8269U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8269U and AMD Ryzen 3 4300U are both mobile processors that land in the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 1748 and 1742 respectively. This places them within 0.4% of each other, and both occupy the 41st percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The data reveals a fundamental split: the Intel part dominates multi-threaded workloads while the AMD chip takes a clear lead in single-threaded performance. These are not identical products by any means, and the benchmark results show distinct strengths that potential buyers should weigh carefully.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic difference between these two processors appears in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The Intel Core i5-8269U scores 6044, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U manages 3571. That is a 69.3% advantage for Intel, a massive gap that dwarfs anything else in this comparison. This result makes sense given that the i5-8269U has 8 threads against the Ryzen’s 4, allowing it to distribute heavy parallel workloads across twice as many logical cores.

The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells a similar but less extreme story. Here the Intel chip scores 609 versus the AMD’s 562.5, a win of 8.3%. The smaller margin in this older benchmark suggests that the newer R23 test is more sensitive to the thread-count advantage, or that the Ryzen 3 4300U’s higher base clock helps it compete better in shorter or less demanding workloads.

Single-core results flip the script entirely. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 3 4300U scores 1074 against Intel’s 853, giving AMD a 20.6% lead. The gap is even more pronounced in the R15 single-core test, where AMD scores 163.9 versus Intel’s 85 — a 48.1% difference. This is a striking outlier; the R15 single-core score for the i5-8269U is unusually low relative to its R23 performance, suggesting that older benchmark versions may not fully capture the Intel chip’s capabilities. Regardless, the Ryzen 3 4300U’s Zen 2 architecture clearly delivers superior per-core performance.

The wins are split evenly at 2-2 across the four head-to-head tests. However, the magnitude of those wins is not equal. Intel’s 69.3% multi-core victory in R23 is far larger than any single AMD advantage, even the 48.1% R15 single-core gap. This means that in applications which scale well with additional threads, the Intel part will pull away decisively. In lightly threaded tasks, the AMD part will feel snappier, but the overall average benchmark score remains nearly identical because these tests are weighted differently.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8269U is the clear choice for heavily multi-threaded workloads. Its 8 threads give it a structural advantage in rendering, video encoding, compilation, and any other task that can use more than four threads. The 69.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single strongest data point in this comparison, and it should carry significant weight for users who regularly run parallel compute tasks. The i5-8269U also wins the R15 multi-core test, confirming that this advantage is consistent across different benchmark generations.

The AMD Ryzen 3 4300U wins in every single-core test, and by substantial margins. The 20.6% lead in R23 single-core and the 48.1% lead in R15 single-core both indicate that the Zen 2 architecture delivers higher instructions-per-clock and better frequency scaling in lightly threaded scenarios. This translates to faster response times in everyday applications like web browsing, office productivity, and basic photo editing, where most tasks rely on one or two cores. The Ryzen 3 4300U also has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus Intel’s 2.60 GHz, which helps in sustained single-threaded work.

When looking at overall average scores, the two are nearly inseparable. The i5-8269U averages 1748, while the Ryzen 3 4300U averages 1742, a difference of just 0.4%. This places them among the same peer group: the Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE (1750, -0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-980X (1746, +0.1%), while the AMD chip’s rivals include the Intel Core i3-10100 (1742, 0%) and the Intel Core i5-6600 (1744, -0.1%). Neither chip is significantly faster than the other in the aggregate, so the decision comes down to workload-specific needs.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i5-8269U if your primary workloads are multi-threaded and can exploit 8 threads. The 69.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is not a marginal difference; it is a categorical one. Users who render video, work with 3D models, or run batch processing will notice the i5-8269U finishing tasks in a fraction of the time. The Intel chip also holds a smaller but still meaningful 8.3% lead in R15 multi-core, reinforcing this strength.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U if single-threaded performance matters most. The 20.6% lead in R23 single-core and 48.1% lead in R15 single-core mean that day-to-day responsiveness and lightly threaded application performance will favor AMD. The Ryzen 3 4300U also operates at a lower 15W TDP versus Intel’s 28W, which may translate to better battery life in mobile systems, although the data does not directly measure power consumption.

For most users, the decision hinges on whether they prioritize parallel throughput or single-core agility. The average benchmark scores are too close to separate these chips on overall performance, so the tiebreaker must be the specific applications they plan to run. If in doubt, the Intel part’s larger multi-core margin makes it the safer choice for heavy computing tasks, while the AMD part is better suited for general-purpose use where responsiveness is key.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U wins both multi-core tests. It scores 609 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus the AMD’s 562.5 (8.3% higher), and 6044 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 3571 (69.3% higher).

Q: Which CPU has the better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4300U wins both single-core tests. It scores 163.9 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus Intel’s 85 (48.1% higher), and 1074 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 853 (20.6% higher).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has an average benchmark score of 1748, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U scores 1742. The difference is 0.4%, and both chips sit at the 41st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: What are the closest rivals to these chips?

A: For the Intel i5-8269U, the closest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE (1750, -0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-980X (1746, +0.1%). For the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U, the closest rivals are the Intel Core i3-10100 (1742, 0%) and the Intel Core i5-6600 (1744, -0.1%).

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 2.70 GHz versus Intel’s 2.60 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-8269U is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The chip has a die size of 123 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 4300U, by contrast, uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. Its die is larger at 156 mm², and it packs 9,800 million transistors, a figure not listed for the Intel part.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is identical at 256 KB per core on Intel, but AMD doubles it to 512 KB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: Intel offers 6 MB shared L3, while AMD provides 4 MB shared. This means Intel has more total cache for the last level, but AMD has more per-core L2, which can benefit single-threaded access patterns.

The integrated graphics also differ. Intel uses Iris Pro Plus graphics, while AMD includes Radeon Graphics with 320 SP. The data does not provide performance comparisons for these iGPUs, but the architectural differences are clear. Memory support shows AMD with more flexibility, supporting both DDR4 and LPDDR4, whereas Intel only lists DDR4. AMD also specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel does not list a memory bus or bandwidth figure. Both chips support PCIe Gen 3, and neither supports ECC memory.

The manufacturing process difference is significant: 14 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD. This affects transistor density and power efficiency. The AMD chip has a substantially lower TDP of 15W compared to Intel’s 28W, which is reflected in their respective mobile market segment positioning. The Intel part is a BGA 1356 socket chip, while AMD uses Socket FP6.

Specification Differences

The core and thread count differ in a key way. Both processors have 4 cores, but the Intel Core i5-8269U supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U has only 4 threads. This is the primary differentiator in multi-core performance.

Clock speeds vary in both directions. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD chip starts higher at 2.70 GHz base but boosts lower at 3.70 GHz. The higher Intel boost clock contributes to its multi-core wins, while the AMD base clock helps in sustained single-threaded loads.

Thermal design power is a major difference. Intel lists a TDP of 28W, while AMD lists 15W. This makes the Ryzen 3 4300U a lower-power part, which is relevant for thin-and-light laptops.

The socket and packaging differ entirely: Intel uses BGA 1356, while AMD uses Socket FP6. The architectures are generations apart, with Intel on Kaby Lake and AMD on Zen 2 (Renoir). Process nodes are 14 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD, with different foundries (Intel for the former, TSMC for the latter).

Cache specifications differ in L2 and L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core, but Intel has 256 KB L2 per core and 6 MB shared L3, while AMD has 512 KB L2 per core and 4 MB shared L3. Intel also lists a larger die at 123 mm² versus AMD’s 156 mm², and AMD reports 9,800 million transistors while Intel does not.

Memory support shows AMD supporting both DDR4 and LPDDR4, with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel only lists DDR4 without bus or bandwidth details. The integrated graphics differ: Iris Pro Plus on Intel versus Radeon Graphics 320SP on AMD. Release dates are also distinct, with Intel launching in April 2018 and AMD in January 2020. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and neither lists a launch MSRP.