AMD Ryzen 3 5300U vs Intel Core i3-8350K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a fascinating picture of two very different CPU designs. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U and Intel Core i3-8350K split their six head-to-head tests evenly, with three wins apiece, but the margins tell a story of specialization. The most dramatic result appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 3 5300U scores 170 against the Intel chip's 83, a 104.8% advantage. That is an enormous gap, more than double the performance, and it sets the tone for how these processors handle lightly threaded workloads in that particular benchmark.

Cinebench R15 multi-core also favors the AMD part, with a score of 906 versus 593, a 52.8% lead. This is particularly notable because the Ryzen 3 5300U is a 15-watt mobile chip while the Intel Core i3-8350K is a 91-watt desktop part. The efficiency difference is stark, though the raw performance picture changes when looking at newer benchmark versions. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-8350K pulls ahead with 5884 points against 5341 for the AMD chip, a 9.2% margin. The Intel processor also wins Geekbench multi-core with 4992 versus 4035, a 19.2% lead, and Geekbench single-core with 1564 versus 1244, a 20.5% advantage.

The single-core results across benchmarks are curious. The Ryzen 3 5300U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a massive margin and Cinebench R23 single-core by 34.3% (1115 versus 830), yet it loses Geekbench single-core by 20.5%. This inconsistency suggests the two benchmarks stress different aspects of the CPU pipeline, with the AMD architecture favoring the Cinebench workload while the Intel design excels in Geekbench. The data indicates that benchmark choice heavily influences which processor appears superior, and no single test captures the full picture.

Multi-core performance also shifts depending on the benchmark generation. The Ryzen 3 5300U leads in the older Cinebench R15 test but trails in both Cinebench R23 and Geekbench multi-core. Cinebench R23 is generally considered a more demanding and modern workload, so the Intel chip's 9.2% win there carries weight. However, the Ryzen 3 5300U achieves its multi-core score while consuming far less power, which is a critical consideration for mobile users.

The average benchmark scores place these two processors nearly on par. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has an average score of 2135, while the Intel Core i3-8350K sits at 2096. Both land at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the Intel Core i5-9400T with an average score of 2136 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X at 2148 (-0.6% delta). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X at 2094 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-8259U at 2108 (-0.6% delta). These tight deltas indicate both processors sit in a crowded performance band where small differences separate many competing parts.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on use case rather than an overall winner. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U demonstrates superior performance in Cinebench R15 tests, both single and multi-core, and in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 15-watt TDP and mobile socket make it the obvious choice for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency is paramount. The Intel Core i3-8350K, with its 91-watt TDP and desktop socket, wins the more modern multi-core workloads and both Geekbench tests. It is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, meaning it targets users who prioritize raw performance in applications that scale with the benchmark patterns seen in Geekbench and Cinebench R23.

For a user running older software or workloads similar to Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 3 5300U delivers the better experience, especially given its efficiency. For users running modern multi-threaded applications or Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i3-8350K holds the advantage. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not, and offers more PCIe lanes (16 versus 12), which matters for expansion. The AMD chip is still in active production while the Intel chip is end-of-life, which affects availability and long-term support. The launch MSRP of the Intel Core i3-8350K was $168, a figure worth noting for historical context, though current market pricing is not reflected in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U uses the Zen 2 architecture under the codename Lucienne, built on TSMC's 7 nm process node. It contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 126 mm² and no transistor count listed in the database. The process node difference is significant, with the 7 nm AMD chip offering a much denser and more power-efficient design compared to Intel's 14 nm node.

Both processors have four physical cores, but the AMD chip supports eight threads through simultaneous multithreading while the Intel chip has four threads total. This explains why the Ryzen 3 5300U can compete in multi-threaded workloads despite its much lower power envelope. The cache hierarchies also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core while the Intel chip has 256 KB per core. The L3 cache favors Intel, with 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the AMD chip.

Memory support shows both use DDR4 with dual-channel buses, but the AMD chip has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s compared to 38.4 GB/s for the Intel chip. ECC memory support is present on the Intel chip but absent on the AMD chip. The PCIe configurations differ as well, with the AMD chip offering Gen 3 with 12 lanes (CPU only) while the Intel chip offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD chip featuring Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors while the Intel chip has UHD Graphics 630.

The clock speeds tell a story of different strategies. The Intel Core i3-8350K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel chip runs at a consistently high frequency, while the AMD chip relies on boosting for short bursts of performance. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the AMD chip does not. The release dates also differ substantially, with the Intel chip launching on 2017-10-04 and the AMD chip on 2021-01-11.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has an average benchmark score of 2135, while the Intel Core i3-8350K has an average of 2096. Both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: Both processors have four cores, but the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U supports eight threads while the Intel Core i3-8350K supports four threads.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is built on TSMC's 7 nm process, while the Intel Core i3-8350K is built on Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor is currently in active production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is marked as active in production, while the Intel Core i3-8350K is listed as end-of-life.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel Core i3-8350K has 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, and Cinebench R23 single-core. These wins suggest it excels in legacy rendering workloads and lightly threaded tasks in the Cinebench engine. Its 15-watt TDP and mobile form factor make it ideal for laptops where battery life and thermals matter, yet it still delivers competitive performance in these tests. The 104.8% single-core win in Cinebench R15 is particularly striking, indicating that for older applications, the AMD chip punches far above its weight class.

The Intel Core i3-8350K wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, and Geekbench single-core. These are newer and more diverse workloads, and the Intel chip's high base clock of 4.00 GHz likely contributes to its strong Geekbench showing. Its unlocked multiplier and desktop socket appeal to enthusiasts who want to push performance further through overclocking. The 16 PCIe lanes and ECC memory support make it suitable for workstation-style builds where expansion and data integrity are priorities.

For mobile users who need a balance of efficiency and capability, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is the stronger choice based on the recorded data. For desktop users running modern multi-threaded applications or Geekbench-heavy workloads, the Intel Core i3-8350K offers better raw performance despite its higher power draw. The production status difference also matters: the AMD chip remains active, while the Intel chip is end-of-life, which may influence system builders looking for long-term availability.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U and Intel Core i3-8350K differ across nearly every specification category. The AMD chip has 8 threads versus 4 threads on the Intel chip. The base clocks are 2.60 GHz for AMD and 4.00 GHz for Intel, with only the AMD chip listing a boost clock at 3.80 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 15 watts for AMD versus 91 watts for Intel. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1151. The architectures are Zen 2 (Lucienne) versus Coffee Lake, with process nodes of 7 nm (TSMC) versus 14 nm (Intel). The transistor count is 9,800 million for AMD, with no figure listed for Intel. Die sizes are 156 mm² for AMD and 126 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations differ, with the AMD chip having 512 KB of L2 cache per core versus 256 KB per core on the Intel chip, and L3 cache of 4 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory support exists only on the Intel chip. PCIe configurations show AMD with Gen 3 and 12 lanes, Intel with Gen 3 and 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors on AMD versus UHD Graphics 630 on Intel. The market segments are Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel. Production status is Active for AMD and End-of-life for Intel. The release dates are 2021-01-11 for AMD and 2017-10-04 for Intel. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $168, while the AMD chip has no listed launch MSRP and a locked multiplier.