AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 dominates the multi-threaded and most single-threaded workloads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G secures a narrow but decisive victory in one specific metric. Out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Ryzen 5 3600 claims 15 wins, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G takes 2.

Starting with Cinebench, the Ryzen 5 3600 leads across every version tested. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1516 against 1245 for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, a 17.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 214 versus 175, again 17.9% ahead. This consistency carries into R20, where the Ryzen 5 3600 posts 6318 multi-core and 892 single-core, versus 5190 and 732 respectively. The R23 results mirror the same 17.9% delta in both multi-core (15045 vs 12359) and single-core (2124 vs 1744). Notably, the Ryzen 5 3600's single-core lead in Cinebench is unexpected given the newer architecture of the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, but the recorded data is unambiguous.

The Passmark suite reinforces this trend with even larger margins. Data compression shows the Ryzen 5 3600 at 219774 versus 150567, a 31.5% gap. Encryption widens further: 13953 against 8607, a 38.3% difference. Floating point math favors the Ryzen 5 3600 by 18.3% (28607 vs 23374), and integer math by 23.3% (48607 vs 37292). The multithread test delivers a 24.5% advantage (17700 vs 13368), while physics simulation shows a 33% edge (1152 vs 772). Extended instructions come in at 20.7% ahead (14442 vs 11451), and random string sorting shows a 16.9% gap (23707 vs 19703). The largest margin is in prime number finding, where the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 108 versus just 47, a 56.5% deficit for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G.

The single exception is Passmark's single-thread test. Here, the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G scores 3550 against 2562, a substantial 38.6% lead. This is the only benchmark where the newer chip outperforms, and it does so decisively. Both Passmark entries for single-thread (labeled "single_thread" and "singlethread") confirm the same score and delta, so the result is robust.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 3600 is the clear winner for any workload that scales with core count or benefits from sustained multi-threaded throughput. Its 6 cores and 12 threads versus the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's 4 cores and 8 threads explain the consistent 17.9% to 38.3% margins in Cinebench multi-core, Passmark multithread, data compression, encryption, integer math, and physics. For content creation, rendering, compression tasks, and scientific computing, the Ryzen 5 3600 is the appropriate choice based on the recorded scores.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G wins exclusively in single-threaded performance as measured by Passmark. Its 38.6% advantage suggests that lightly-threaded applications, such as legacy software, certain game engines, or tasks that rely heavily on a single core, could see a notable benefit. However, this advantage does not extend to Cinebench's single-core tests, where the Ryzen 5 3600 leads by 17.9%. This discrepancy indicates that the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's win is specific to the Passmark workload, not a general single-thread superiority.

For mixed workloads, the Ryzen 5 3600's broader wins across nearly every category make it the safer default. The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's single-thread win is real but isolated, and its multi-thread deficits are consistent and significant.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 as the stronger processor for the vast majority of tasks. With 15 wins out of 17 comparisons, it holds advantages ranging from 16.9% to 56.5% across Cinebench and Passmark suites. Users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, data-heavy workloads, or physics simulations should select the Ryzen 5 3600 without hesitation.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is the pick only for workloads that specifically mirror Passmark's single-thread test. Its 38.6% lead there is the largest margin recorded in either direction, but it does not translate to other single-core benchmarks. For users whose primary application is single-thread bound and matches that specific pattern, the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G offers a measurable advantage. For everyone else, the Ryzen 5 3600's consistent multi-core dominance and even its Cinebench single-core win make it the better all-around choice.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G also carries platform differences that matter beyond raw scores, which are covered below. But on benchmark performance alone, the Ryzen 5 3600 wins decisively.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 scores 15045 versus 12359 for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, a 17.9% advantage.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Passmark's single-thread test with a score of 3550 against 2562, a 38.6% lead. It also wins the duplicate "singlethread" entry with the same scores.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark's find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 108 versus 47 for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, a 56.5% difference.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 3600 compare in data encryption?

A: The Ryzen 5 3600 scores 13953 versus 8607 for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, a 38.3% advantage.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 71st percentile among all CPUs, despite their different benchmark outcomes.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G has an average score of 17278, while the Ryzen 5 3600 has 17035, a small difference of roughly 1.4% in favor of the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, despite losing most head-to-head tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and platforms, which explains their divergent results. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is based on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix2, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. It uses DDR5 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. It supports ECC memory and includes integrated Radeon 740M graphics. It is socketed for AMD Socket AM5 and has PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is based on Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3. It uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory and has no integrated graphics. It is socketed for AMD Socket AM4 and has PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Its launch MSRP was $199.

The Ryzen 5 3600's larger L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB) and higher core count (6 vs 4) contribute to its multi-threaded dominance. The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's smaller 4 nm process and higher boost clock (4.90 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) likely explain its Passmark single-thread win, though the Cinebench single-core results contradict that theory. The Ryzen 5 3600's unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is locked. The Ryzen 5 3600 was released on 2019-07-06, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G launched on 2024-04-15. Both have a 65 W TDP. The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G has 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, versus 3,800 million on a 74 mm² die for the Ryzen 5 3600, reflecting the different process nodes and integrated graphics.