AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE vs Intel Core i3-7350K Comparison

The Intel Core i3-7350K and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE present a compelling contrast in desktop CPU design, landing within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score (1462 vs 1461). Despite this near-identical overall performance, the two processors achieve parity through entirely different means: the Intel part relies on a high 4.20 GHz base clock on two cores, while the AMD chip uses four physical cores at a lower 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The data shows a decisive sweep in head-to-head testing, with the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE winning all six benchmark comparisons, yet the overall average scores remain nearly tied due to the distribution of results across different test suites.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE wins every single benchmark comparison against the Intel Core i3-7350K. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 509 against Intel's 417, a margin of 18.1%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap, with AMD at 71 and Intel at 58, also an 18.3% difference. This pattern continues consistently across all Cinebench iterations—R20 multicore shows 2121 vs 1740 (18% delta), R20 single-core shows 299 vs 245 (18.1% delta), R23 multicore shows 5052 vs 4144 (18% delta), and R23 single-core shows 713 vs 585 (18% delta). The consistency of the 18% delta across every test indicates a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The single-core results are particularly notable. The Intel Core i3-7350K's 4.20 GHz base clock—with no boost clock listed—should theoretically give it an advantage in lightly threaded tasks, yet the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE's 3.60 GHz boost clock proves sufficient to overcome this. The 18% single-core deficit for Intel is striking given its 600 MHz clock advantage at base. This suggests architectural efficiency differences between Kaby Lake and Zen (Raven Ridge) that favor the AMD design in these specific workloads. The multicore results, where the Ryzen's 4 cores versus Intel's 2 cores come into play, show the same 18% gap, indicating that the additional cores do not provide a disproportionate benefit—the per-core efficiency difference carries through evenly.

When placed in context with nearest rivals, both CPUs occupy the same performance tier. The Intel Core i3-7350K's nearest rival list includes the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE with a deltaPct of 0.1%, meaning the Intel part edges ahead by a tenth of a percent in average score. The AMD part's nearest rival list mirrors this, showing the Intel part at -0.1% deltaPct. Both CPUs also sit near the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 (1465 score, -0.2% for Intel) and the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 (1456 score, 0.4% for Intel). These sub-1% deltas across four processors indicate that benchmark variance and test suite composition determine the ranking order as much as raw capability.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most use cases: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE outperforms the Intel Core i3-7350K in every head-to-head benchmark recorded. The 18% advantage across all six Cinebench tests—both single-core and multicore—represents a substantial and consistent performance lead. The AMD part achieves this while consuming less power, with a 35 W TDP versus Intel's 60 W TDP, and supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. For anyone building a system where the listed benchmark workloads matter, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is the data-backed choice.

However, the near-identical average benchmark scores (1462 vs 1461) and the identical 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicate that the overall performance envelope is similar. The Intel Core i3-7350K's only advantage lies in its unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking—the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has a locked multiplier. For users who plan to overclock, the Intel part offers headroom that the AMD part cannot match, though the benchmark data does not quantify potential overclocked performance. The Intel part also uses 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus AMD's 8 lanes, which could matter for expansion options, though neither part's lane configuration is tested in the benchmark data.

The production status for both is listed as Active, and both target the Desktop market segment. The Intel part launched on 2017-01-02, while the AMD part arrived on 2018-05-09, making the AMD design roughly 16 months newer. Neither part has a launch MSRP listed, so no pricing information is available from the data. The verdict leans toward the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE for its benchmark dominance and lower power draw, with the Intel part remaining viable only for overclocking enthusiasts who accept the performance deficit in stock configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE wins in every benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head data. Its six wins span both Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 iterations, covering both multicore and single-core workloads. The 18% lead in single-core tests is particularly significant because it demonstrates that the AMD architecture is not merely compensating with additional cores—it is more efficient per thread as well. The 4 MB shared L3 cache on both parts is identical, but the AMD part has larger L1 (96 KB per core vs 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB per core vs 256 KB) caches, which may contribute to its per-core efficiency. The AMD part also offers a higher memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s versus Intel's 38.4 GB/s, both on dual-channel DDR4.

The Intel Core i3-7350K's wins are not in the benchmark data but in configuration flexibility. Its unlocked multiplier enables overclocking, which is the only clear advantage the data supports. The Intel part uses 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus AMD's 8 lanes, providing more direct CPU-attached expansion capacity. The Intel part's 4.20 GHz base clock with no boost clock means consistent frequency under load, whereas the AMD part varies between 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. For workloads that are sensitive to sustained clock behavior, the Intel part's fixed high frequency could be preferable, though the benchmark data does not isolate this effect.

The integrated graphics differ substantially: Intel HD 630 versus AMD Radeon Vega 8. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so no performance comparison is possible, but the different GPU architectures are a notable differentiator. The AMD part's 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die from GlobalFoundries contrast with Intel's unspecified transistor count and die size from Intel's foundry. Both use a 14 nm process node, though from different foundries. The AMD part supports ECC memory while the Intel part does not, which is a meaningful feature for reliability-sensitive applications.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE scores 713 in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to 585 for the Intel Core i3-7350K, giving AMD an 18% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the AMD part has higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s versus Intel's 38.4 GB/s, and only the AMD part supports ECC memory.

Q: Can either CPU be overclocked?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has an average benchmark score of 1462, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has an average score of 1461, a difference of 0.1%.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has a 60 W TDP, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has a 35 W TDP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in architecture. The Intel Core i3-7350K is built on Kaby Lake, using a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with 2 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 4.20 GHz with no boost clock listed, indicating a fixed operating frequency. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE uses the Zen architecture (codename Raven Ridge) on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 4 physical cores and 4 threads. It has a 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock. Its cache layout is larger at each level: 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3.

The AMD part's silicon is quantified at 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel part's transistor count and die size are not listed. Both use 14 nm process technology, but from different foundries—Intel for the i3-7350K and GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen. The memory controllers differ in bandwidth, with AMD achieving 46.9 GB/s and Intel at 38.4 GB/s, both over dual-channel DDR4. PCIe lane allocation also differs: Intel provides 16 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) while AMD provides 8 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not.

The integrated graphics units are distinct: Intel HD 630 on the i3-7350K and Radeon Vega 8 on the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE. The AMD part's Raven Ridge codename indicates an APU design combining CPU and GPU on the same die, with its 210 mm² die size reflecting the integrated Vega graphics. The Intel part uses the Kaby Lake architecture, which also integrates graphics but with a different configuration. The AMD part's larger L1 and L2 caches per core, combined with its 4-core design, likely contribute to its consistent 18% benchmark advantage despite lower clock speeds. The Intel part's unlocked multiplier and higher base clock represent a different design philosophy, favoring frequency flexibility over core count and cache capacity.