AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE vs Intel Core i7-3820 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE and Intel Core i7-3820 are two desktop processors from different eras, but benchmark results place them close together in overall performance. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE, a 14 nm Zen part from the 2000 series, takes the lead in every recorded Cinebench test, while the i7-3820, a 32 nm Sandy Bridge-E chip, trails by a consistent margin. The data shows a clear, if narrow, victory for the AMD part across all six measured workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE wins all six Cinebench comparisons. The largest single-test advantage comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD scores 71 against Intel's 69, a 2.9% lead. The smallest margin is also in Cinebench R15, but multi-core, where AMD's 509 beats Intel's 496 by 2.6%. Every other test lands at a 2.6% or 2.7% delta.

In Cinebench R20, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE scores 2121 multi-core and 299 single-core. The Core i7-3820 manages 2067 and 291 respectively, with the AMD part ahead by 2.6% and 2.7%. Moving to Cinebench R23, the pattern holds: AMD scores 5052 multi-core and 713 single-core, while Intel scores 4923 and 695, again a 2.6% gap in both.

These are not transformative wins. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE outperforms the i7-3820 by roughly two and a half percent in every workload, which suggests the AMD part has a slight but consistent efficiency edge in Cinebench's rendering and single-threaded tasks. The i7-3820's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz do not translate into a benchmark victory against the Ryzen's 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, likely because the newer Zen architecture extracts more work per clock.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the same story. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has an average score of 1461, while the Core i7-3820 sits at 1424. In the database's percentile ranking, the AMD part lands at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel part at the 37th, a one-point difference that underscores how closely matched they are overall.

When placed against their nearest rivals, both CPUs occupy similar performance tiers. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-7350K, which scores 1462, a 0.1% difference. It also trades blows with the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 (1465, 0.3% behind) and the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 (1456, 0.3% ahead). The Core i7-3820's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-4570S at 1426, a 0.2% gap, with the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 at 1422 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-3720QM at 1421 (0.2% ahead). These figures show that neither chip is an outlier in its class; both are solidly mid-pack performers.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is the better processor for Cinebench workloads. It wins every single test, and while the margins are small (2.6% to 2.9%), the consistency is notable. There is no workload in the dataset where the Intel Core i7-3820 pulls ahead.

The i7-3820 does have one advantage: it is an unlocked multiplier part, so it can be overclocked, whereas the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is locked. However, the benchmark scores in the database reflect stock settings. No overclocking results are recorded, so any potential gain from the Intel chip's unlocked multiplier is not supported by the data.

For a builder choosing between these two, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is the safer pick based on out-of-the-box performance. It also offers a much lower TDP (35 W vs 130 W), which means less heat and lower cooling requirements, though those are not benchmark scores. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is still active in production, which may matter for long-term availability. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE wins on measured performance and current production status; the i7-3820 only offers overclocking headroom that is not quantified here.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-3820 uses Sandy Bridge-E, a 32 nm design from Intel, with 1,270 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. The AMD chip is smaller in die area but has nearly four times as many transistors, reflecting the much denser 14 nm node.

Core and thread counts differ. Both have four physical cores, but the Intel part supports eight threads via Hyper-Threading, while the AMD part has four threads total. Despite the thread disadvantage, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE still wins all multi-core Cinebench tests, which suggests that the newer Zen cores are significantly more efficient per thread than the older Sandy Bridge cores.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 10 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip's bigger L3 cache does not help it overcome the Ryzen's per-core performance advantage.

Memory support is a major split. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE uses DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The Core i7-3820 uses DDR3 on a quad-channel bus, with a slightly higher theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not, which matters for certain workstation or server uses.

Integrated graphics are another clear difference. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE includes a Radeon Vega 8 iGPU, while the Intel Core i7-3820 has no integrated graphics at all. A system with the i7-3820 requires a discrete GPU, whereas the Ryzen part can run with just the onboard Vega 8.

PCIe support also differs. The AMD part offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Intel part offers PCIe Gen 2 with 40 CPU lanes. The Intel chip provides more lanes for expansion, but they run at an older standard.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE scores 5052 versus the Intel Core i7-3820's 4923, a 2.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3820 win any single benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows AMD winning all six Cinebench tests, with zero wins for the Intel part.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core i7-3820 has a TDP of 130 W.

Q: Can the Intel Core i7-3820 be overclocked?

A: Yes, it has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is locked and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-3820 does not.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE has integrated graphics, a Radeon Vega 8. The Intel Core i7-3820 has none.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE wins in every recorded benchmark category. It is ahead in single-core and multi-core performance across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The data shows a 2.6% to 2.9% margin in each case. It also wins on power efficiency, with a 35 W TDP versus 130 W, and it is still in active production. For systems that need integrated graphics, the Radeon Vega 8 makes it a complete package without a discrete GPU. ECC memory support is another point for AMD, which is relevant for error-sensitive workloads.

The Intel Core i7-3820 does not win any benchmark, but it has structural advantages that are not reflected in the Cinebench scores. It has eight threads versus four, which could matter in threaded applications not covered by the recorded tests, though the data does not quantify that. Its quad-channel DDR3 memory bus offers higher theoretical bandwidth (51.2 GB/s), and it provides 40 PCIe Gen 2 lanes, which is more expansion capacity than the AMD part's 8 Gen 3 lanes. It also has a larger shared L3 cache (10 MB vs 4 MB) and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. None of these translate into a benchmark win in the database, but they are real specification differences that could influence a build for specific workloads like heavy memory throughput or many PCIe devices.

In practical terms, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE is the better choice for anyone relying on the measured Cinebench performance, lower power draw, or integrated graphics. The i7-3820 only makes sense if the additional threads, quad-channel memory, PCIe lane count, or overclocking capability are critical, and even then, the recorded benchmarks show it behind the AMD part.

Specification Differences

• Process Node: AMD uses 14 nm (GlobalFoundries); Intel uses 32 nm (Intel).
• Transistors: AMD has 4,950 million; Intel has 1,270 million.
• Die Size: AMD is 210 mm²; Intel is 294 mm².
• Threads: AMD has 4; Intel has 8.
• Base Clock: AMD is 3.20 GHz; Intel is 3.60 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD is 3.60 GHz; Intel is 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is 35 W; Intel is 130 W.
• Socket: AMD uses AM4; Intel uses Socket 2011.
• L1 Cache: AMD has 96 KB per core; Intel has 64 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD has 512 KB per core; Intel has 256 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD has 4 MB shared; Intel has 10 MB shared.
• Memory Support: AMD uses DDR4; Intel uses DDR3.
• Memory Bus: AMD is dual-channel; Intel is quad-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD is 46.9 GB/s; Intel is 51.2 GB/s.
• ECC Memory: AMD supports it; Intel does not.
• PCIe: AMD is Gen 3 with 8 lanes; Intel is Gen 2 with 40 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD has Radeon Vega 8; Intel has none.
• Multiplier: AMD is locked; Intel is unlocked.
• Production Status: AMD is active; Intel is end-of-life.
• Release Date: AMD launched 2018-05-09; Intel launched 2012-02-12.
• Launch MSRP: Intel was $305; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.