AMD Ryzen 3 5125C vs Intel Core i3-10300 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-10300 and AMD Ryzen 3 5125C occupy the same overall performance percentile, but their benchmark profiles reveal fundamentally different strengths. The database records the Intel part at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, with the AMD chip also at the 43rd percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close: the i3-10300 posts 1934, while the Ryzen 3 5125C records 1902. This 32-point gap, roughly 1.7%, is small enough to be considered a statistical tie in aggregate scoring, yet the individual test results tell a more nuanced story.

The Intel i3-10300 was tested across the Cinebench suite, where it delivered consistent multi-core results. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scored 673; in R20 multi-core, it reached 2808; and in R23 multi-core, it hit 6687. The Ryzen 3 5125C, by contrast, was measured with Geekbench tests: 2566 in multi-core and 1237 in single-core. These are different benchmark families, so direct cross-family comparisons are not possible from the recorded data. What the data does show is that the Intel chip has a clear multi-threaded advantage over its own single-core numbers. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6687 is roughly 7.1 times its R23 single-core score of 944. The Ryzen 3 5125C shows a similar ratio in Geekbench: 2566 multi-core versus 1237 single-core, a factor of about 2.1. That difference in scaling reflects the core and thread counts: the Intel has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the Intel i3-10300 sits within a tight cluster. Its closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-1180G7, averages 1930, just 0.2% behind the i3-10300. The AMD Opteron 6348 also averages 1930, again 0.2% behind. On the other side, the Intel Core i7-7820HQ averages 1940, which is 0.3% ahead of the i3-10300, and the Intel Core i7-9850HL averages 1941, 0.4% ahead. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, indicating that the i3-10300 sits in a very dense performance neighborhood where small benchmark variations can flip rankings.

The Ryzen 3 5125C has a similar clustering. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i3-9100F, scores 1903, which is 0.1% ahead of the Ryzen. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 scores 1907 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 scores 1908 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE scores 1910 (0.4% ahead). Notably, all four nearest rivals to the Ryzen 3 5125C are ahead of it by small margins, whereas the Intel i3-10300 has two rivals ahead and two behind. This suggests that the Ryzen chip is slightly below the center of its performance cluster, while the Intel chip is closer to the middle.

When comparing the two directly, the Intel i3-10300 has a 1.7% higher average benchmark score. However, the Ryzen 3 5125C achieves this near-parity with only half the cores and half the threads. That is a significant efficiency signal. The i3-10300 needs 4 cores at a 3.70 GHz base clock with a 4.40 GHz boost to reach its scores, while the Ryzen 3 5125C uses 2 cores at a 3.00 GHz base clock (no boost clock is recorded in the database) to stay within striking distance. The per-core performance of the Ryzen appears substantially higher, even if the total throughput is lower.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 averages 1934, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C averages 1902. The Intel chip is ahead by 32 points, which is roughly 1.7% of the AMD's score.

Q: How do their core and thread counts differ?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel has twice as many of each.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each chip in the database?

A: For the Intel Core i3-10300, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-1180G7 (1930, 0.2% behind) and the AMD Opteron 6348 (1930, 0.2% behind), with the Intel Core i7-7820HQ (1940, 0.3% ahead) and Intel Core i7-9850HL (1941, 0.4% ahead) just above. For the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-9100F (1903, 0.1% ahead), Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 (1907, 0.3% ahead), Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 (1908, 0.3% ahead), and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE (1910, 0.4% ahead).

Q: Do both CPUs sit in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-10300 and the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C are recorded at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. This places them in the same overall performance tier despite their architectural differences.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip offers roughly 20% higher bandwidth.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 has a recorded boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has no boost clock listed in the database, only a 3.00 GHz base clock.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10300 wins in scenarios that demand raw multi-threaded throughput. Its 4-core, 8-thread configuration produces Cinebench scores that scale strongly with thread count. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 6687 is over 7 times the single-core score of 944, indicating that the extra threads are being utilized effectively. This makes the i3-10300 better suited for workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation tasks where multiple threads can be kept busy. The 62 W TDP also suggests it can sustain its performance in a desktop environment with adequate cooling, though the database does not specify cooler requirements.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C wins in scenarios that prioritize efficiency and per-core strength. With only 2 cores and 4 threads, it cannot match the Intel chip's total multi-threaded output, but its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower. The database records its transistor count at 10,700 million and die size at 180 mm², both on a 7 nm TSMC process. This efficiency profile makes it attractive for mobile or battery-powered systems where heat and power draw are critical constraints. Its higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s also gives it an edge in memory-sensitive tasks, even if the total compute throughput is lower.

The benchmark results indicate that the Ryzen 3 5125C achieves 98.3% of the Intel chip's average score while using only one quarter of the core count. That is a remarkable per-core efficiency figure. In single-threaded workloads, the Ryzen's Geekbench single-core score of 1237 suggests strong per-core performance, though direct comparison to the Intel's Cinebench single-core scores is not possible due to different test families. The data implies that the Ryzen would excel in lightly threaded applications like web browsing, office productivity, or light coding, where its 2 fast cores are sufficient and its low power draw is an advantage.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification. The Intel Core i3-10300 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz; the AMD base clock is 3.00 GHz with no recorded boost clock. TDP differs substantially: 62 W for Intel versus 15 W for AMD. The Intel uses Socket 1200, while the AMD uses Socket FP6. The Intel supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD supports PCIe Gen 3 with only 8 lanes.

Memory specifications also diverge. Both support DDR4 and dual-channel operation, but the Intel has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD reaches 51.2 GB/s. Cache configurations differ: the Intel has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, while the AMD also has 64 KB L1 per core but 512 KB L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache across all cores. Neither supports ECC memory. Integrated graphics differ: the Intel uses UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD uses Radeon Vega 3.

The market segments are different: the Intel is a desktop part, while the AMD is a mobile part. The Intel released on April 29, 2020, while the AMD released on May 4, 2022. The Intel's part number is SRH3J, and the AMD's is 100-000000xxx. Neither has a multiplier unlocked, so both are locked for overclocking.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial. The Intel Core i3-10300 is built on Comet Lake architecture using Intel's 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel itself. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C uses Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. The AMD has a transistor count of 10,700 million and a die size of 180 mm², while the Intel does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 7 nm. This explains much of the efficiency gap. The AMD chip packs more transistors into a relatively compact die, enabling higher per-core performance at a fraction of the power draw. The Intel chip, on a larger process node, requires more power to achieve similar aggregate performance. The TDP figures reflect this: 62 W for Intel versus 15 W for AMD.

Cache architecture also reflects generational differences. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, double the 256 KB per core found on the Intel. Both have 8 MB of shared L3, but the Zen 3 architecture is known for its unified L3 design, which the database does not explicitly detail. The AMD's higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s) combined with its larger L2 cache suggests a more modern memory hierarchy optimized for lower latency access.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel's UHD Graphics 630 versus AMD's Radeon Vega 3. The database does not provide performance numbers for either, so a direct comparison is not possible from the recorded data. However, the presence of Radeon Vega 3 on the AMD chip indicates a more recent GPU architecture, while UHD Graphics 630 is Intel's older Gen9 design.

The Verdict

The database shows two processors that land in the same performance percentile but achieve it through entirely different means. The Intel Core i3-10300 uses more cores, higher clocks, and more power to reach an average score of 1934. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C uses fewer cores, lower clocks, and dramatically less power to reach 1902. For workloads that can utilize many threads, the Intel chip is the clear choice: its Cinebench multi-core scores demonstrate strong scaling, and its 4-core design provides headroom for parallel tasks. Users building a desktop system with access to a standard power supply and adequate cooling should favor the Intel part.

For mobile or embedded applications where power draw is paramount, the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C is the only logical option from this data. Its 15 W TDP is less than a quarter of the Intel's 62 W, and it still delivers 98.3% of the Intel's average benchmark score. The higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 cache per core suggest that single-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads would perform disproportionately well on the AMD chip. The database does not record a boost clock for the AMD, which may limit its peak performance, but its efficiency profile makes it ideal for laptops, mini PCs, or fanless designs.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: if total multi-threaded throughput matters more than power efficiency, pick the Intel Core i3-10300. If power efficiency, compact design, and per-core strength are priorities, pick the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C. Both are locked CPUs with no overclocking support, so the decision rests entirely on workload characteristics and platform constraints. The 43rd percentile ranking for both chips confirms they are mid-tier performers, not leaders in any category, but each excels in its intended environment. The Intel dominates sustained multi-core work, while the AMD dominates efficiency per watt, and the measured numbers make that trade-off explicit.