AMD Ryzen 3 5125C vs Intel Core i3-9350K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for these two processors comes from different benchmark suites, so a direct side-by-side comparison requires careful reading of the available measurements. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has scores for Geekbench multicore and singlecore tests, while the Intel Core i3-9350K has scores for Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore. The database shows no overlapping tests between the two, which means the head-to-head section relies on interpreting each chip's performance relative to its own nearest rivals rather than a direct score match.

The Ryzen 3 5125C posts a Geekbench multicore score of 2566 and a singlecore score of 1237. Its average benchmark score is 1902, placing it at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-9100F, has an average score of 1903, which puts the Ryzen 0.1% behind. The Xeon E5-2620 v3 sits at 1907, and the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE at 1910, each representing a 0.3% and 0.4% gap respectively. These are extremely tight margins, indicating that the 5125C clusters with a group of mid-range desktop and mobile parts, with no single rival holding a meaningful advantage.

The Core i3-9350K, on the other hand, shows Cinebench R23 multicore score of 6456 and singlecore score of 911. Its R20 multicore score is 2711, and R15 multicore is 650. The average benchmark score for the i3-9350K is 1867, which places it at the 42nd percentile. Its nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 with an average score of 1869, a delta of 0.1% behind. The Core i5-1035G4 scores 1861, placing it 0.3% behind the i3-9350K, while the Xeon E3-1545M v5 and Intel Processor U300 sit at 1879 and 1881, respectively, putting the i3-9350K 0.6% and 0.7% behind those parts. The spread here is similarly narrow, suggesting that the i3-9350K also occupies a crowded performance band.

The biggest wins for the Ryzen 3 5125C come from its Geekbench scores, which are notably higher in isolation than the Cinebench scores of the Intel chip, though these are different workloads. The Ryzen's multicore score of 2566 versus the i3-9350K's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 6456 cannot be compared directly because the scales differ. What the data does show is that the Ryzen's average score of 1902 edges out the i3-9350K's average of 1867 by roughly 1.9%. That is the only true apples-to-apples metric in the database, and it favors the AMD part.

For the Intel chip, the standout result is the Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 911, which indicates strong per-thread performance relative to its multicore score of 6456. The ratio of multicore to singlecore in R23 is about 7.1, which is typical for a 4-core, 4-thread processor. The Ryzen 3 5125C, with 2 cores and 4 threads, shows a Geekbench multicore to singlecore ratio of about 2.07, reflecting the lower core count. Neither chip dominates the other in a way that the raw numbers can definitively declare, given the lack of shared benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has an average benchmark score of 1902, while the Intel Core i3-9350K has an average score of 1867. The Ryzen leads by 35 points, approximately 1.9%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The Ryzen 3 5125C has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i3-9350K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip offers twice the physical cores but the same thread count.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Ryzen 3 5125C is listed as Active, while the Core i3-9350K is listed as End-of-life.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350K supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C does not.

Q: What are the release dates for these two CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 3 5125C was released on May 4, 2022, and the Core i3-9350K was released on April 22, 2019.

Q: How do their PCIe lane counts differ?

A: The Ryzen 3 5125C provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Core i3-9350K provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 3 5125C is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U, part of the 5000 series. It uses a 7 nm process node manufactured by TSMC, with a transistor count of 10,700 million and a die size of 180 mm². The Core i3-9350K uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake Refresh, built on a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 126 mm². The transistor count for the Intel chip is not recorded in the database.

The cache layouts differ notably. The Ryzen 3 5125C has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-9350K also has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but only 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with the same 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Ryzen offers double the L2 cache per core, which can benefit workloads that rely on frequently accessed data.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 3 5125C includes Radeon Vega 3 graphics, while the Core i3-9350K includes Intel UHD 630. The Ryzen also has a lower TDP of 15 watts compared to the Intel chip's 91 watts, reflecting its mobile design versus the desktop-oriented Intel part.

The Ryzen 3 5125C is a mobile segment processor with an unlocked multiplier, while the Core i3-9350K is a desktop segment processor with an unlocked multiplier. The Intel chip's socket is Socket 1151, and the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6. The Ryzen's PCIe configuration is Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel chip offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Ryzen 3 5125C has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i3-9350K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen has a base clock of 3.00 GHz with no recorded boost clock, while the Intel chip has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

The TDP differs significantly: the Ryzen is rated at 15 watts, the Intel at 91 watts. The memory bandwidth also varies, with the Ryzen supporting 51.2 GB/s and the Intel supporting 38.4 GB/s, both using dual-channel DDR4 memory. ECC memory is supported on the Intel chip but not on the Ryzen.

The Ryzen 3 5125C has a process node of 7 nm with a die size of 180 mm², while the Core i3-9350K uses 14 nm with a die size of 126 mm². The transistor count is recorded only for the Ryzen at 10,700 million. The L2 cache per core is 512 KB on the Ryzen versus 256 KB on the Intel, while L1 and L3 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 8 MB shared.

The release dates are separated by roughly three years: the Ryzen came out on May 4, 2022, and the Intel on April 22, 2019. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $184, while the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP. The production status differs, with the Ryzen active and the Intel end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case and platform. The Ryzen 3 5125C, with its 15-watt TDP, 2-core/4-thread design, and mobile socket, is built for low-power laptops and compact systems. Its average benchmark score of 1902 is slightly higher than the Intel chip's 1867, and it offers double the L2 cache per core, which can help in cache-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen also delivers higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s compared to the Intel's 38.4 GB/s.

The Core i3-9350K, with 4 cores and 4 threads, a 91-watt TDP, and a desktop socket, is aimed at budget desktop builds where raw core count matters more than power efficiency. Its boost clock of 4.60 GHz is a significant advantage for single-threaded tasks, and the 16 PCIe lanes provide more expansion capability. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

For users who prioritize portability, low power draw, and a modern 7 nm process, the Ryzen 3 5125C is the better fit. For those who need more physical cores, higher clock speeds, and desktop expansion options, the Core i3-9350K is the stronger choice, despite its higher power consumption and end-of-life status.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 3 5125C wins in power efficiency, offering a 15-watt TDP versus the Intel's 91 watts. It also leads in memory bandwidth, with 51.2 GB/s compared to 38.4 GB/s, and provides more L2 cache per core at 512 KB versus 256 KB. Its average benchmark score of 1902 surpasses the Intel's 1867, and its 43rd percentile ranking is one point higher than the Intel's 42nd. The Ryzen uses a smaller 7 nm process node, which typically contributes to better efficiency, and it remains in active production.

The Core i3-9350K wins on core count, with 4 physical cores versus 2, and on clock speed, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 3.00 GHz base and no recorded boost. It offers 16 PCIe lanes versus 8, supports ECC memory, and has a larger L3 cache per core when accounting for the core count, though the total L3 is the same at 8 MB. The Intel chip also has a higher Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 911, indicating strong per-thread performance, and it was released earlier, in 2019, with a recorded launch MSRP of $184.

The verdict is straightforward: the Ryzen 3 5125C is the choice for mobile and efficiency-focused systems, while the Core i3-9350K suits desktop builds that require more cores, higher clocks, and expandability. The data does not show one as universally superior, only better matched to different priorities.