AMD Ryzen 3 8300G vs Intel Core i7-1255U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two processors, with Intel winning 6 tests and AMD winning 11. The most dramatic difference appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G scores 12217 against the Intel Core i7-1255U's 8285, a 32.2% advantage. That is a substantial margin for a chip with fewer cores, and it suggests the AMD part's higher power envelope translates directly into sustained multi-threaded performance.

Single-core results tell a different story depending on the benchmark generation. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel wins decisively with 237.5 versus 173, a 37.3% lead. Yet in Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD reverses the outcome with 724 versus 654, a 9.7% edge. The R23 single-core test also favors AMD, but narrowly at 1724 versus 1647, a 4.5% gap. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions is curious: the older R15 test heavily favors Intel's architecture, while newer versions reward AMD's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz against Intel's 4.70 GHz.

Looking at PassMark's synthetic workloads, the pattern becomes more nuanced. AMD dominates in extended instructions with 12354 versus 8231, a 33.4% lead, and in prime number finding with 47 versus 40, a 14.9% advantage. AMD also wins random string sorting by 10.9% and data compression by 7.3%. Intel strikes back in floating point math with 32618 versus 25336, a 28.7% victory, and integer math with 48498 versus 40534, a 19.6% win. The floating point result is particularly striking given AMD's overall newer architecture, suggesting Intel's FPU design or cache layout handles certain workloads better.

The multithread PassMark score slightly favors AMD at 14018 versus 13234, a 5.6% difference, while data encryption is nearly tied, with Intel edging ahead by just 1.6%. Physics simulation also goes to Intel by 4.5%. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this close contest: AMD sits at 18169 versus Intel's 17656, a modest 2.9% gap in the aggregate. Both processors land in the 71st and 72nd percentiles respectively, meaning they occupy nearly the same tier among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two chips represent fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core i7-1255U uses Alder Lake architecture with a hybrid layout: 10 cores and 12 threads, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The core count advantage is notable, but the power design tells a larger story. The Intel part carries a 15 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G is rated at 65 W. That 50 W difference likely explains much of the multi-core performance gap in newer Cinebench versions, where AMD can sustain higher clocks under load.

AMD's Ryzen 3 8300G is built on Zen 4 architecture with a 4 nm process from TSMC, and it packs 20,900 million transistors into a 137 mm² die. The Intel chip does not list transistor count or die size in the database, so a direct density comparison is not possible, but the process difference alone suggests AMD has a significant transistor density advantage. AMD also uses a different cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3, against Intel's 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Intel's larger L3 cache may contribute to its floating point and integer math wins, while AMD's smaller but faster Zen 4 cores excel in instruction-heavy workloads.

Memory support diverges sharply. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while AMD supports only DDR5 but lists a specific memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Intel's database entry does not include a memory bandwidth figure. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ as well: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are distinct too: Intel uses Iris Xe with 96 execution units, while AMD uses Radeon 740M. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

The market segments are opposite: Intel targets mobile with an Intel BGA 1744 socket, while AMD targets desktop with an AMD Socket AM5. Release dates also differ substantially, with Intel launching on 2022-02-22 and AMD on 2024-01-07. The production status for both is listed as Active. The Intel chip has no launch MSRP recorded in the database, while AMD lists a launch MSRP of $176.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: these processors serve different use cases, and the right choice depends entirely on the workload and platform constraints. For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput in modern benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G is clearly superior. Its 32.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 33.4% lead in extended instructions make it the stronger choice for content creation, compiling, and other heavily threaded tasks. The AMD chip also wins the single-thread race in the newer Cinebench versions and in PassMark single-thread tests by 15.5%, so it is not merely a multi-core specialist.

However, the Intel Core i7-1255U is not without its advantages. It wins floating point math by 28.7% and integer math by 19.6%, which are significant margins for scientific computing or financial modeling workloads. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 37.3%, although that benchmark appears to favor Intel's older architecture disproportionately. The Intel chip's 15 W TDP makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs, while AMD's 65 W TDP demands active cooling and a desktop-class power delivery system.

The aggregate scores are close enough that the decision should hinge on the specific application. The database shows AMD at 18169 average benchmark score against Intel's 17656, with both in the 71st to 72nd percentile. Neither chip is a clear overall winner, but the AMD part is the better choice for users who want the best raw performance in current-generation software, especially if DDR5 memory and ECC support are requirements. The Intel part is the better choice for users who need a low-power mobile solution that still delivers strong floating point and integer throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1255U | AMD Ryzen 3 8300G |

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

| Cores | 10 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-U | Phoenix2 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 20,900 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 137 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU | Radeon 740M |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $176 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G wins with a score of 12217 versus Intel's 8285, a 32.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-1255U wins 6 of 17 head-to-head tests, including floating point math (32618 versus 25336, a 28.7% lead), integer math (48498 versus 40534, a 19.6% lead), and Cinebench R15 single-core (237.5 versus 173, a 37.3% lead).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G supports only DDR5 but lists a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Do either of these chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-1255U does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U is rated at 15 W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G is rated at 65 W.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G is the clear winner in multi-threaded rendering and compression workloads. Its Cinebench R20 multicore score of 5131 beats Intel's 4635 by 9.7%, and its R23 multicore score of 12217 crushes Intel's 8285 by 32.2%. For data compression, AMD leads with 158952 versus 147320, a 7.3% edge. Extended instruction workloads also favor AMD heavily at 12354 versus 8231, a 33.4% gap. Users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations that leverage modern instruction sets should favor the AMD chip. Its single-thread performance in current benchmarks is also superior, as shown by the 15.5% lead in PassMark single-thread tests and the 4.5% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The Intel Core i7-1255U wins in math-heavy floating point and integer workloads. The floating point math score of 32618 versus 25336 is a 28.7% win, and integer math at 48498 versus 40534 is a 19.6% win. These results suggest Intel's architecture handles financial modeling, physics simulations, and certain engineering computations more efficiently. The Intel chip also wins in Cinebench R15 multicore by 12.7% and in R15 single-core by 37.3%, though the relevance of that older benchmark to modern software is questionable. Data encryption also slightly favors Intel at 9262 versus 9115, a 1.6% edge, and physics simulation goes to Intel at 789 versus 755, a 4.5% win. For a mobile platform with a 15 W TDP, the Intel chip provides strong computational throughput per watt, particularly in workloads that favor its larger cache and hybrid core design. The AMD chip, with its 65 W TDP and desktop socket, is better suited for stationary systems where power draw is less of a concern and multi-threaded performance is the priority.