AMD Ryzen 3 7320C vs Intel Core i7-9750H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear overall picture, but the details reveal a more nuanced story. The Intel Core i7-9750H wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C takes 3. The margin of victory, however, varies dramatically depending on the workload.

The most striking Intel advantage appears in the PassMark extended instructions test. The i7-9750H scores 9187 against the Ryzen 3 7320C's 3663, a 150.8% lead. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. Floating point math also shows a substantial gap, with Intel ahead by 65.9% (23343 versus 14071). Prime number finding favors Intel by 77.8% (32 versus 18), and physics calculations go Intel's way by 34% (670 versus 500).

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story. Across R15, R20, and R23, the Intel part leads by nearly identical margins in both single-core and multi-core tests. The multi-core deltas are 27.7% in R15, 27.7% in R20, and 27.7% in R23. Single-core deltas are 28.3%, 27.6%, and 27.7% respectively. This consistency suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C does have its moments. The data encryption test is a clear win for AMD, scoring 5443 against Intel's 3756, a 31% advantage. The single-thread PassMark tests also go AMD's way, with a 2439 score versus 2404, a 1.4% edge. These wins are notable because they show the Zen 2 architecture can outperform in specific instruction patterns and lightly threaded scenarios.

Other workloads show closer competition. Data compression favors Intel by just 4.1% (150443 versus 144465). Integer math is a 17.3% Intel lead (37822 versus 32247), and random string sorting is 17% in Intel's favor (19862 versus 16973). The multithread PassMark test shows a 29.1% Intel advantage (10671 versus 8265).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The Intel Core i7-9750H uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR codename, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 6 nm node. This process difference is significant, as the smaller node typically allows for better power efficiency.

Core counts differ substantially. The Intel chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads. This 2-core, 4-thread advantage helps explain Intel's multi-core benchmark dominance. The base clocks are close, with Intel at 2.60 GHz and AMD at 2.40 GHz, but the boost clocks show a larger gap: 4.50 GHz for Intel versus 4.10 GHz for AMD.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs, with Intel using 256 KB per core and AMD using 512 KB per core. The L3 cache shows a major divergence: Intel has 12 MB shared, while AMD has only 4 MB shared. This 8 MB difference in last-level cache could impact workloads that benefit from larger shared pools.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. This is more than double the memory bandwidth, which could benefit certain memory-intensive tasks despite the AMD chip's lower core count.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel uses the UHD 630, while AMD uses the Radeon 610M. Both are mobile parts, but the graphics solutions come from different vendors with different capabilities. The AMD chip has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 45 watts. This 30-watt difference is substantial and has implications for thermal management and battery life in mobile devices.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1440, while AMD uses Socket FT6. The PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but AMD specifies 4 lanes for CPU only, while Intel does not specify a lane count in the data. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD part is active production. The Intel chip was released in April 2019, while the AMD chip came in May 2023.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests distinct use-case splits. The Intel Core i7-9750H is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity workloads. Its 27.7% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests indicates strong performance in rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks. The 29.1% multithread PassMark advantage reinforces this. The extended instructions lead of 150.8% suggests the Intel chip handles complex instruction sets much more efficiently, which could benefit scientific computing and specialized software.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C wins in encryption workloads, with a 31% advantage. This could make it preferable for security-focused tasks, VPN operations, or any application that relies heavily on cryptographic operations. The single-thread PassMark win, while small at 1.4%, shows the AMD chip can hold its own in lightly threaded scenarios.

The AMD chip's 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, more than double the Intel's 42.7 GB/s, suggests it might handle memory-bandwidth-bound workloads better despite lower core counts. The 15-watt TDP also makes it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are priorities.

The Intel chip's 45-watt TDP and 6-core design point toward use in larger laptops or mobile workstations where performance takes precedence over portability. Its 12 MB of L3 cache could benefit workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i7-9750H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.50 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. The TDP is 45 watts for Intel and 15 watts for AMD.

The process nodes are 14 nm for Intel and 6 nm for AMD. The die sizes are 149 mm² for Intel and 100 mm² for AMD. L2 cache is 256 KB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 4 MB shared for AMD.

Memory support differs: DDR4 for Intel, LPDDR5 for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s for Intel and 88.0 GB/s for AMD. The sockets are Intel BGA 1440 and AMD Socket FT6. The integrated graphics are UHD 630 for Intel and Radeon 610M for AMD.

The architectures are Coffee Lake for Intel and Zen 2 for AMD. The codenames are Coffee Lake-HR and Mendocino. The foundries are Intel and TSMC. The production status is end-of-life for Intel and active for AMD. The release dates are April 2019 and May 2023. The part numbers are SRF6USRFCP and 100-000000774.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-9750H has an average benchmark score of 14886, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C has 14277. Both sit at the 69th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The PassMark extended instructions test shows the biggest difference, with Intel leading by 150.8% (9187 versus 3663).

Q: Does the AMD chip win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C wins the PassMark data encryption test by 31% (5443 versus 3756) and the PassMark single-thread tests by 1.4% (2439 versus 2404).

Q: How do the Cinebench scores compare?

A: The Intel chip leads by 27.7% in all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) and by similar margins in single-core tests, ranging from 27.6% to 28.3%.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The AMD chip has 88.0 GB/s bandwidth with LPDDR5 support, while the Intel chip has 42.7 GB/s with DDR4 support. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-9750H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each processor. The Intel Core i7-9750H is the performance pick for users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput. Its consistent 27.7% lead across Cinebench versions and 29.1% multithread advantage make it suitable for rendering, content creation, and heavy multitasking. The 150.8% extended instructions lead suggests it handles complex computational workloads with far greater efficiency.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C is the efficiency pick. Its 15-watt TDP, compared to Intel's 45 watts, makes it better suited for portable devices where battery life matters. The 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, more than double Intel's, could give it an edge in memory-bound scenarios. The 31% encryption win makes it attractive for security-focused applications.

The single-thread PassMark results are nearly identical, with AMD ahead by just 1.4%. This means everyday tasks that rely on single-core performance will feel similar on both. The real differentiators are multi-core workloads, where Intel dominates, and power consumption, where AMD has a clear advantage.

For users who prioritize raw performance and have access to adequate cooling, the Intel Core i7-9750H is the stronger choice. For users who prioritize portability, battery life, and efficient operation, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C makes more sense. The data does not support one chip being universally better; it supports them being better for different purposes.