AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 vs Intel Core i7-980X Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 wins every single head-to-head test in the database. Across six Cinebench workloads, the AMD part takes the top spot in both single-core and multi-core runs. The Intel Core i7-980X, despite its larger core and thread count, does not claim a single victory in the measured tests.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the clear choice for workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering and CPU throughput. Its wins span the R15, R20, and R23 versions of the benchmark, covering both single-threaded and fully threaded scenarios. The Intel Core i7-980X, by contrast, trails in every recorded metric, making it the weaker option in the database's measured workloads.

That said, the Intel part does bring a different physical profile to the table. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, which is a higher thread count than the AMD's 4 cores and 4 threads. In theory, that could favor heavily parallel workloads, but the benchmark results do not reflect that advantage. The AMD chip's newer architecture and higher clock speeds appear to overcome the Intel part's core count deficit.

For users prioritizing the specific tests in this database, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the winner across the board. The Intel Core i7-980X has no recorded benchmark win to point to, so its case rests entirely on platform features and legacy considerations rather than measured performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is built on the Zen architecture, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-980X uses the Westmere architecture, specifically the Gulftown codename, on Intel's 32 nm process. It contains 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die.

The core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel chip offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.33 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part runs at higher clock speeds, which helps explain its benchmark advantage.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-980X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's larger L3 pool is a notable difference, though it does not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

Memory support is another major split. The AMD chip uses DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel chip uses DDR3 on a triple-channel bus, with no ECC support and no recorded bandwidth figure. The AMD part's newer memory standard and ECC capability make it more suitable for certain professional or server-like workloads.

The sockets are incompatible. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 fits AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core i7-980X uses Intel Socket 1366. The Intel part also lists PCIe Gen 2 support, while the AMD chip has no PCIe generation listed in the database. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, so overclocking is possible on either platform.

Production status differs as well. The AMD chip is listed as Active, while the Intel part is End-of-life. The AMD processor was released in 2017, while the Intel chip dates to 2010. That seven-year gap explains the architectural improvements in the AMD part, from process node to memory support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 scores 619 against the Intel Core i7-980X's 584, a 6% advantage. In R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 87 versus 82, a 6.1% lead.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD part scores 2582 in multi-core, while the Intel chip manages 2434, again a 6.1% delta. In R20 single-core, the AMD scores 364 against 343, another 6.1% margin. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: the AMD chip scores 6148 in multi-core versus 5797 for the Intel part, and 868 in single-core versus 818. Both R23 results show a 6.1% advantage for the AMD processor.

The consistency of the delta is striking. Across five of the six tests, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 leads by exactly 6.1%. The only exception is R15 multi-core, where the margin is 6%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental per-clock or per-architecture advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Intel Core i7-980X does have additional Geekbench results in the database, scoring 3247 in multi-core and 659 in single-core. However, the AMD chip has no Geekbench scores recorded, so no direct comparison is possible for that benchmark suite. The Cinebench results alone, though, paint a clear picture of AMD superiority in the measured tests.

The average benchmark score also favors the AMD part. The Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 has an average score of 1778, while the Core i7-980X sits at 1746. Both processors land in the 41st percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically similar in overall standing despite the head-to-head differences.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 outperforms the Intel Core i7-980X in every recorded benchmark. The AMD chip wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 6% to 6.1%. Its higher clock speeds, newer architecture, and more efficient process node overcome the Intel part's advantages in core count and cache size.

For users building a system today, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the better choice based on the database's measurements. It offers superior single-core and multi-core performance in Cinebench, supports DDR4 memory with ECC, and remains an active production part. The Intel Core i7-980X, while historically significant as a Gulftown Extreme edition, is end-of-life and trails in all measured workloads.

The Intel part's triple-channel DDR3 memory and larger 12 MB L3 cache are interesting on paper, but they do not produce benchmark wins. The AMD chip's 8 MB L3 and dual-channel DDR4 are sufficient to secure victory in every test. The Intel chip's only remaining appeal is its 6-core, 12-thread configuration, which might appeal to users with specific legacy software, but the recorded data does not support that choice.

The verdict is clear: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the superior processor in this comparison. Its consistent 6% lead across Cinebench versions demonstrates a real performance edge, not a statistical fluke. The Intel Core i7-980X is a relic of an older era, and the benchmark results reflect that.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-980X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 scores 6148, beating the Intel Core i7-980X's 5797 by 6.1%.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-980X supports DDR3 on a triple-channel bus with no ECC support.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 and the Intel Core i7-980X have unlocked multipliers.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-980X is End-of-life.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-980X's 3.60 GHz.