AMD Ryzen 3 8300G vs Intel Core i7-8700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8700 and AMD Ryzen 3 8300G represent two very different approaches to desktop computing, separated by over six years of silicon evolution. Benchmark results show the AMD part winning 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the Intel chip claims decisive victories in several specialized workloads. The data paints a picture of a modern, efficient Zen 4 design that dominates in single-threaded and encryption tasks, while the older Coffee Lake architecture retains an edge in specific memory-heavy and math operations. Both processors land at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, yet they achieve that standing through entirely different means.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G asserts clear dominance in rendering and general productivity. In every Cinebench iteration—R15, R20, and R23—the Ryzen 3 8300G outperforms the Core i7-8700 by roughly 11.4% to 11.6% in both single-core and multi-core tests. This consistency across versions indicates a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The 8300G also wins the PassMark multithread test with a score of 14018 versus 12756, a 9% margin, and leads in the physics simulation test by 3% (755 vs 732).

The Ryzen 3 8300G's single-thread performance is its standout feature. PassMark single-thread results show a 30.4% advantage (3778 vs 2629), the largest single margin in the entire comparison. Data encryption is another blowout: the 8300G scores 9115 versus 4488, a staggering 50.8% lead. Prime number finding also favors the AMD chip by 25.5% (47 vs 35). These results suggest the Zen 4 architecture's higher boost clock and modern instruction handling deliver outsized gains in latency-sensitive and cryptographic workloads.

The Intel Core i7-8700, despite its age, wins exactly five tests, all in PassMark sub-tests. Data compression is its biggest victory, scoring 187009 versus 158952, a 17.7% margin. Random string sorting shows an even larger relative gap at 26% (23963 vs 19013). Integer math favors Intel by 10.7% (44881 vs 40534), and floating-point math by 9.9% (27839 vs 25336). The extended instructions test is a near tie, with Intel edging ahead by just 0.6% (12432 vs 12354). These wins point to the i7-8700's six physical cores and larger shared L3 cache providing an advantage in certain parallel data-processing patterns.

For users prioritizing rendering, encryption, or raw single-core responsiveness, the 8300G is the clear choice. For workloads dominated by compression, sorting, and heavy integer or floating-point math, the i7-8700 holds its ground despite being end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and foundries. The Intel Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 154 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G employs the Zen 4 architecture under the Phoenix2 codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with a smaller die at 137 mm² and 20,900 million transistors. The node advantage is stark: four generations of process shrinkage enable the AMD chip to pack more transistors into less space while maintaining the same 65 W TDP.

Core counts differ significantly. The i7-8700 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 8300G provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the Ryzen chip wins all multi-threaded Cinebench tests, highlighting the per-core efficiency of Zen 4. Cache hierarchies also diverge: both share 64 KB of L1 per core, but the i7-8700 has 256 KB of L2 per core versus 1 MB per core on the 8300G. The Intel part compensates with 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has 8 MB.

Memory architecture represents a generational leap. The i7-8700 supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The 8300G moves to DDR5, also dual-channel, but with 83.2 GB/s—nearly double the bandwidth. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity likewise advances: the i7-8700 provides Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the 8300G offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel's UHD Graphics 630 versus AMD's Radeon 740M. The platforms are incompatible, with the Intel part on Socket 1151 and the AMD part on AM5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is PassMark data encryption, where the Ryzen 3 8300G scores 9115 against the i7-8700's 4488, a 50.8% advantage. This test likely benefits from modern AES instructions and the higher boost clock. Single-thread performance shows the second-largest gap: the 8300G's 3778 versus 2629 represents a 30.4% lead, confirming that Zen 4's IPC improvements are substantial.

Cinebench results are remarkably uniform. Across R15, R20, and R23, the 8300G wins multi-core by 11.4% each time (1231 vs 1091, 5131 vs 4548, 12217 vs 10829). Single-core margins are similarly consistent at 11.4% to 11.6% (173 vs 153, 724 vs 641, 1724 vs 1528). This uniformity suggests a fixed architectural efficiency gap that scales across workload generations.

The i7-8700's wins are concentrated in data manipulation. Random string sorting shows the Intel part at 23963 versus 19013, a 26% margin that indicates superior handling of non-numeric data patterns. Data compression follows at 17.7% (187009 vs 158952). Integer math (44881 vs 40534, +10.7%) and floating-point math (27839 vs 25336, +9.9%) round out the Intel victories. The extended instructions test is the closest overall, with Intel winning by just 0.6% (12432 vs 12354).

The PassMark multithread score favors the 8300G at 14018 versus 12756, a 9% difference, while physics shows a narrower 3% edge for AMD (755 vs 732). Prime number finding goes to AMD by 25.5% (47 vs 35). These results collectively show that the Ryzen 3 8300G wins decisively in single-threaded, encryption, and rendering tasks, while the i7-8700 retains advantages in specific memory-intensive data operations.

Specification Differences

The core specification differences are straightforward. The i7-8700 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 8300G has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ slightly: 3.20 GHz for Intel versus 3.40 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks show a larger gap: 4.60 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Both have a 65 W TDP. Process nodes differ dramatically, with Intel at 14 nm and AMD at 4 nm. The i7-8700 measures 154 mm² with no transistor count listed, while the 8300G measures 137 mm² with 20,900 million transistors. L2 cache is 256 KB per core on Intel versus 1 MB per core on AMD. L3 cache totals 12 MB shared on Intel versus 8 MB shared on AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and DDR5 for AMD, with bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. ECC support is absent on Intel and present on AMD. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for Intel and Gen 4 with 14 lanes for AMD. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 versus Radeon 740M. The i7-8700 has a launch MSRP of $303. The 8300G has a launch MSRP of $176. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active. Release dates are 2017-10-04 for Intel and 2024-01-07 for AMD. Both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G wins every single-core benchmark. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1724 versus 1528, an 11.4% margin, and PassMark single-thread shows a 30.4% advantage (3778 vs 2629).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The Ryzen 3 8300G wins all Cinebench multi-core tests by 11.4%, despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads versus the i7-8700's 6 cores and 12 threads. Cinebench R23 multi-core scores are 12217 for AMD and 10829 for Intel.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Intel Core i7-8700 wins?

A: Yes. The i7-8700 wins data compression by 17.7% (187009 vs 158952), random string sorting by 26% (23963 vs 19013), integer math by 10.7% (44881 vs 40534), and floating-point math by 9.9% (27839 vs 25336).

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

A: The largest single difference is in PassMark data encryption, where the Ryzen 3 8300G scores 9115 versus 4488 for the i7-8700, a 50.8% advantage. The second-largest is PassMark single-thread at 30.4%.

Q: Do the processors support the same memory technology?

A: No. The i7-8700 supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the 8300G supports DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300G has a 4.90 GHz boost clock, compared to 4.60 GHz for the Intel Core i7-8700. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz.