AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U vs Intel Core i5-8365UE Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents an unusually close contest between these two 15 W mobile processors. Across every recorded Cinebench test, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U edges out the Intel Core i5-8365UE, but the margins are slim, ranging from 1.1% to 1.5%. The AMD part wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, yet the Intel chip counters with a higher boost clock and double the thread count. The average benchmark score tells a similar story: the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U sits at 1379, while the Core i5-8365UE lands at 1362, a difference of roughly 1.2%. Both processors occupy the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, reinforcing that they belong to the same performance tier. Buyers seeking the absolute peak in Cinebench scores should favor the AMD part, as it holds the record in every single test. However, the Intel chip's 8 threads versus 4, combined with a 4.10 GHz boost clock versus 3.40 GHz, suggests it may handle highly threaded workloads differently, even if the recorded benchmarks do not reflect that advantage. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is the safer pick for pure benchmark supremacy; the Core i5-8365UE is the more intriguing choice for workloads that scale with thread count, though the database does not quantify that benefit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U scores 673 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-8365UE scores 665. The AMD part leads by 1.2% in this test.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins all three multi-core tests. It posts 480 versus 474 in Cinebench R15, 2002 versus 1978 in R20, and 4769 versus 4710 in R23, with deltas of 1.3%, 1.2%, and 1.3% respectively.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U nor the Intel Core i5-8365UE supports ECC memory, according to the recorded specifications.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-8365UE?

A: The Intel Core i5-8365UE has a launch MSRP of $297. No launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i5-8365UE provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use a 14 nm process node. AMD's chip is fabricated by GlobalFoundries, while Intel fabricates its own chip.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is built on the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, part of the 2000 series. It integrates Radeon Vega 6 graphics. The Intel Core i5-8365UE uses the Whiskey Lake architecture with the Whiskey Lake-U codename and integrates UHD Graphics 620. Both are 14 nm parts, but the foundries differ: GlobalFoundries produces the AMD chip, while Intel manufactures its own. The transistor counts and die sizes are not recorded for both, so no direct comparison is possible on those fronts. The cache hierarchies diverge noticeably. The AMD part allocates 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but compensates with 6 MB of shared L3. This means the AMD chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, while the Intel chip has 50% more L3 cache. The memory support is identical in type: both support DDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs significantly: the Intel chip exposes 16 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip exposes only 8 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part also brings simultaneous multithreading to the table, with 8 threads across 4 cores, whereas the AMD chip runs 4 threads across 4 cores. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP5 for the Ryzen, Intel BGA 1528 for the Core i5. Both are mobile-segment parts with active production status. The release dates are close, with the AMD chip arriving on 2019-01-07 and the Intel chip on 2019-04-15.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel Core i5-8365UE has a lower base clock of 1600.00 MHz but a much higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The core counts match at 4, but the thread counts differ: 4 for AMD, 8 for Intel. Both are rated at 15 W TDP. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1528. The process node is the same at 14 nm, but the foundries differ as noted. The cache configuration differs across all levels: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3; Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. PCIe lane counts differ: 8 lanes for AMD versus 16 lanes for Intel, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 6 for AMD versus UHD Graphics 620 for Intel. The part numbers are distinct: YM230BC4T4MFB for AMD, SRFDU for Intel. The Intel chip has a recorded launch MSRP of $297, while the AMD chip has none recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The market segment is mobile for both, and both are currently active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U across all six Cinebench tests, though the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 480 against the Intel chip's 474, a 1.3% lead. The single-core R15 test sees 67 versus 66, a 1.5% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2002 against 1978, a 1.3% delta, and the single-core result is 282 against 279, a 1.1% lead. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 4769 versus 4710, a 1.3% gap, while the single-core score is 673 versus 665, a 1.2% gap. The largest single delta is the 1.5% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core, which corresponds to a one-point difference on a small base. The smallest delta is the 1.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The pattern is striking: the AMD chip wins every test, but the Intel chip's higher boost clock does not translate into any benchmark victory. The average benchmark scores reflect the same trend, with the AMD part at 1379 and the Intel part at 1362. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the AMD Opteron 6366 HE and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, both at an identical average score of 1379 with a 0% delta, plus the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i7-3615QE at 1381 (-0.1% delta). For the Intel chip, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-6500T at 1362 with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core i7-3820QM at 1366 (-0.3%), the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 (-0.4%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357 (0.4%).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins in every recorded benchmark category, so its strengths are straightforward: it is the faster chip in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads across all three versions tested (R15, R20, and R23). The data shows it leads by 1.1% to 1.5% in each test, making it the consistent choice for users who prioritize Cinebench scores. The AMD chip also has larger L1 and L2 caches per core, which may contribute to its benchmark edge despite the Intel chip's larger L3 cache. Its Vega 6 integrated graphics could be a differentiator for light graphics tasks, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks to confirm this.

The Intel Core i5-8365UE does not win any recorded benchmark, but its specification sheet points to areas where it might excel in unmeasured scenarios. It offers 8 threads versus 4, which typically benefits heavily threaded applications beyond the Cinebench workloads recorded here. Its boost clock reaches 4.10 GHz compared to the AMD chip's 3.40 GHz, a 20% higher ceiling that could matter in bursty single-threaded tasks with lower thermal headroom. The Intel chip also provides 16 PCIe Gen 8 lanes versus 8, doubling the available bandwidth for storage and expansion devices. Its 6 MB of shared L3 cache exceeds the AMD chip's 4 MB, potentially aiding workloads with large working sets that fit in cache. The 14 nm process node is shared by both, so process size is not a differentiator. In short, the AMD chip wins where measured; the Intel chip wins where the specifications suggest untested potential, particularly in multi-threaded productivity and PCIe-dependent workloads.