AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120U and AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE represent two distinct approaches to modern processor design: one is a hybrid mobile chip with a high core count, while the other is a compact desktop part built on a leading-edge process. The recorded data shows a clear split in performance characteristics, with the Intel part winning 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the AMD chip secures 5 wins, including the most significant multi-core result in the suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE wins decisively, scoring 11705 compared to the Intel Core 5 120U's 6659, a delta of 43.1% in AMD's favor.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U leads in most single-core tests, including a 47.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core (245 vs 166) and a 6.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (1756.5 vs 1652). However, the AMD chip wins in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3644 versus 3479.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE uses a 4 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not.

Q: What is the market segment for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U is classified as a Mobile processor, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE is classified as a Desktop processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their underlying architecture. The Intel Core 5 120U is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, and uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It features 10 cores and 12 threads, a configuration that relies on a hybrid core layout to balance efficiency and throughput. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE, by contrast, is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix2 codename, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, a more traditional homogeneous design.

Cache hierarchies also differ notably. The Intel chip allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor's larger L3 pool may benefit workloads with shared data, while the AMD chip's smaller cache is paired with a more advanced process node.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Intel Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering flexibility for different system designs. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The AMD chip additionally supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. PCIe connectivity differs too: the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics and sockets further distinguish them. The Intel Core 5 120U pairs with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, reflecting its mobile design. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE uses Radeon 740M graphics and the AMD Socket AM5, consistent with its desktop positioning. The AMD chip also has a higher TDP of 35 watts versus the Intel part's 15 watts, and it carries a larger transistor count of 20,900 million on a 137 mm² die, whereas the Intel die size is not recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark suite reveals a complex performance picture. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE dominates the most demanding multi-core render test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a score of 11705 against the Intel Core 5 120U's 6659, a 43.1% advantage. This is the single largest margin in either direction across all tests. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 1179 versus 1150.5, a narrower 2.4% edge.

The Intel Core 5 120U, however, wins the majority of tests, often by substantial margins. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Intel part scores 5349 against 4916, an 8.8% lead. The single-core results favor Intel more consistently: Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 47.6% advantage (245 vs 166), Cinebench R20 single-core shows an 8.9% lead (755 vs 693), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 6.3% edge (1756.5 vs 1652).

PassMark results reinforce Intel's overall dominance. The Intel Core 5 120U leads in floating point math by 46% (36026 vs 24681), in integer math by 33.5% (52280 vs 39163), and in data encryption by 21.5% (10453 vs 8603). It also wins in physics (937 vs 750, a 24.9% margin), find prime numbers (53 vs 44, a 20.5% margin), and multithread (15042 vs 13507, an 11.4% margin). Smaller Intel wins appear in data compression (166432 vs 155164, 7.3%), random string sorting (19060 vs 18010, 5.8%), and extended instructions is the one area where AMD takes a PassMark win, scoring 11923 versus 9299, a 22% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE also wins in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3644 versus 3479, a 4.5% margin. This result, combined with the massive Cinebench R23 multi-core win, shows that the AMD chip has specific strengths in certain workloads, particularly those that scale well with its Zen 4 architecture. Yet the overall win count, 12 for Intel and 5 for AMD, indicates that the Intel Core 5 120U is more consistently competitive across the full benchmark suite.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in intended use cases. The Intel Core 5 120U is the better choice for users prioritizing broad, consistent performance across a wide range of tasks. Its wins in 12 of 17 benchmarks, including large margins in floating point math, integer math, and data encryption, make it a versatile option for general productivity and mixed workloads. The 47.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and the 8.9% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core suggest strong responsiveness in lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE, on the other hand, is the pick for workloads that heavily leverage multi-core rendering. Its 43.1% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a standout result, and its 22% lead in extended instructions indicates strength in specialized instruction sets. The 4.5% win in PassMark single-thread also shows that it can hold its own in certain single-threaded scenarios, despite losing most single-core tests to Intel.

The market segments reinforce this interpretation. The Intel Core 5 120U is a mobile processor with a 15 watt TDP, suited for laptops where power efficiency and balanced performance matter. The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE is a desktop part with a 35 watt TDP, designed for systems where multi-core throughput in specific applications takes priority. Users on a mobile platform should favor the Intel chip, while those building a desktop for multi-core render work should consider the AMD part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for Intel and 3.50 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 5.00 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. TDP is 15 watts for Intel and 35 watts for AMD.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1744 versus AMD Socket AM5. Architecture differs as Raptor Lake versus Zen 4, with codenames Raptor Lake-U and Phoenix2. Process nodes are 10 nm at Intel versus 4 nm at TSMC. The AMD chip has recorded transistor and die size data (20,900 million transistors, 137 mm²), while the Intel part does not.

Cache configurations differ: Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3, while AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel versus DDR5 only for AMD, with AMD recording 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on AMD. PCIe lanes are 8 for Intel and 14 for AMD, both Gen 4. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for Intel and Radeon 740M for AMD. Market segments are Mobile for Intel and Desktop for AMD. Release dates are 2024-01-07 for Intel and 2024-04-15 for AMD, with part numbers SRM7P and 100-000001496 respectively.