AMD Ryzen 3 7320U vs Intel Core i7-9850HL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a split story across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U posts a score of 790 against Intel's 676, giving AMD a 14.4% lead. The single-core R15 margin is even larger: AMD scores 162.4 versus Intel's 95, a 41.5% gap. These older R15 workloads clearly favor the newer AMD architecture.

Flip to Cinebench R23 and the picture reverses sharply. Intel's Core i7-9850HL scores 6712 in multicore, while AMD manages 4809, so Intel wins by 39.6%. That is a decisive turnaround. In R23 single-core, AMD stays ahead at 1095 versus 947, a 13.5% advantage, but it is nowhere near the R15 single-core blowout.

Across the four head-to-head tests, AMD wins three (R15 multicore, R15 singlecore, R23 singlecore) and Intel wins one (R23 multicore). Yet the database's average benchmark score shows Intel at 1941 and AMD at 1916, a slim 25-point gap. Intel's percentile ranking sits at 44 versus AMD's 43, meaning both land in the same broad performance tier. The R15 results suggest AMD has better per-clock efficiency, while the R23 multicore result shows Intel's six-core design can out-sustain AMD's four-core chip under extended all-core loads.

Look at the nearest rivals for context. Intel's closest competitor is the Core i7-7820HQ at an average score of 1940, a 0.1% delta, essentially a tie. AMD's nearest rival is the Core i7-6700T at 1918, a -0.1% delta, also a tie. Neither chip is dramatically faster than its immediate peers; both sit in a crowded mid-range mobile segment.

Architecture Differences

Intel uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. The die size is 149 mm². AMD counters with Zen 2 (codenamed Mendocino) on a 6 nm process at TSMC, with a smaller 100 mm² die. The process node gap is substantial: 14 nm versus 6 nm, which helps explain AMD's efficiency in single-threaded tests.

Core counts differ: Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts also diverge. Both share 64 KB L1 per core. Intel's L2 is 256 KB per core, AMD's is 512 KB per core, double that. For L3, Intel has 9 MB shared, AMD has only 4 MB shared. That larger Intel L3 likely contributes to its R23 multicore win, as more cache can feed six active cores.

Memory support separates them further. Intel runs DDR4 with dual-channel access and a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. AMD uses LPDDR5, also dual-channel, but bandwidth jumps to 88.0 GB/s, more than double. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe generation is Gen 3 for both, though AMD specifies only 4 CPU lanes while Intel does not list a lane count in the database.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel has UHD Graphics 630, AMD has Radeon 610M. Both target the mobile segment, but Intel's production status is end-of-life while AMD remains active. Intel's release date is not recorded; AMD's is September 19, 2022. Intel's part number is SRFEH, AMD's is 100-000000676. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

The thermal design power tells a practical story: Intel is rated at 25 W, AMD at 15 W. That 10 W difference matters for thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data shows AMD still wins three of four tests despite the lower power envelope.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HL wins with a score of 6712 versus AMD's 4809, a 39.6% advantage. This is Intel's only head-to-head win in the recorded tests.

Q: Why does AMD win Cinebench R15 single-core by such a large margin?

A: AMD scores 162.4 against Intel's 95, a 41.5% difference. The Zen 2 architecture on a 6 nm process, combined with a 2.40 GHz base clock versus Intel's 1.90 GHz, explains the gap in this older test.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: Intel's average is 1941, AMD's is 1916. That is a 25-point difference, less than 2%. Both chips land near their nearest rivals: Intel ties the Core i7-7820HQ (1940, 0.1% delta), and AMD ties the Core i7-6700T (1918, -0.1% delta).

Q: Is the AMD chip more power-efficient?

A: The recorded TDP shows AMD at 15 W versus Intel's 25 W. Despite the lower power draw, AMD wins three of the four head-to-head tests, including both single-core tests and R15 multicore.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: AMD's LPDDR5 support delivers 88.0 GB/s, while Intel's DDR4 delivers 42.7 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD's bandwidth is more than double Intel's.

Q: Are these chips comparable in overall performance tier?

A: Yes. Intel's percentile ranking is 44, AMD's is 43. Their average scores are within 25 points. The R23 multicore result is the outlier, where Intel's extra two cores provide a clear edge.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-9850HL | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Process node | 14 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | 149 mm² | 100 mm² |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 9 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | LPDDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Radeon 610M |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | Not recorded | 2022-09-19 |

Both chips share the same boost clock of 4.10 GHz, L1 cache of 64 KB per core, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, and a locked multiplier. The table above lists only fields where the two differ.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split depending on workload. For single-threaded tasks and older multi-threaded benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U is the stronger pick. It wins R15 multicore by 14.4%, R15 single-core by 41.5%, and R23 single-core by 13.5%. Its 15 W TDP and 6 nm process make it the more efficient choice for thin-and-light machines.

For sustained all-core rendering in newer benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-9850HL takes over. Its R23 multicore score of 6712 beats AMD by 39.6%, a margin too large to ignore if your workload resembles Cinebench R23. The six-core, twelve-thread configuration with 9 MB L3 cache provides the muscle for that test.

The overall average scores nearly tie: 1941 versus 1916. Percentile rankings are 44 and 43. Neither chip dominates the other in the database's aggregate view. The practical advice: choose AMD if you prioritize single-thread responsiveness, lower power draw, and memory bandwidth. Choose Intel if your primary workload is modern multi-core rendering where the R23 result matters most.

Where Each One Wins

AMD wins in these scenarios:

• Single-core heavy applications: R15 single-core shows a 41.5% lead, R23 single-core shows 13.5%. If your software is poorly threaded, the Ryzen 3 7320U is decisively faster.
• Older multi-threaded workloads: The R15 multicore test favors AMD by 14.4%. Legacy applications built around older Cinebench-style rendering will run better on AMD.
• Power-constrained designs: At 15 W versus 25 W, AMD offers a lower thermal footprint. Combined with LPDDR5 memory bandwidth at 88.0 GB/s, this chip fits ultraportable designs where cooling and battery life are critical.

Intel wins in this scenario:

• Modern multi-core rendering: The R23 multicore score of 6712 against 4809 is a 39.6% victory. Any workload that scales across six cores and twelve threads, similar to Cinebench R23, will favor Intel. The 25 W TDP and larger 9 MB L3 cache support sustained all-core operation.

The database records one win for Intel and three for AMD in the head-to-head tests, but the single Intel win is by the largest margin of any test. That makes the choice workload-specific rather than a clear overall winner.