AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1235U and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G occupy different corners of the processor market, one a low-power mobile part and the other a desktop-focused chip. The benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy, with the AMD processor winning the majority of head-to-head tests, but the Intel chip securing decisive victories in specific workloads. The recorded scores show that while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is the overall faster processor, the Intel Core i5-1235U holds its ground in several specialized tasks, making the choice between them dependent on the intended application.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the comparative data is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's dominance in rendering and single-threaded workloads. Across the entire Cinebench suite, the AMD processor wins every test by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 12,359 against the Intel's 9,774, a 20.9% advantage. The same 20.9% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD posts 5,190 versus 4,105, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core with scores of 1,245 and 985 respectively. Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the AMD winning R23 single-core by 20.9% (1,744 vs. 1,379), R20 single-core by 20.9% (732 vs. 579), and R15 single-core by 21.1% (175 vs. 138). This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The AMD processor also leads in PassMark's multi-threaded test, scoring 13,368 against the Intel's 12,923, a 3.3% margin. In PassMark physics, the AMD wins with 772 versus 686, an 11.1% advantage. Data compression favors the AMD, with a score of 150,567 compared to 147,450, a slim 2.1% lead. Random string sorting also goes to the AMD, 19,703 versus 17,050, a 13.5% gap. Extended instruction workloads show a significant AMD win, 11,451 against 8,176, a 28.6% advantage. Single-threaded performance in PassMark, as with Cinebench, belongs to the AMD, scoring 3,550 versus 3,151, an 11.2% lead.

The Intel Core i5-1235U, however, secures four wins, and some of them are substantial. The largest is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Intel scores 954 against the AMD's 47. This is a 1,929.8% advantage, an outlier result that suggests a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle this specific integer workload. Floating-point math also favors the Intel heavily, with a score of 43,303 versus 23,374, an 85.3% lead. Integer math shows a 30.2% Intel advantage, with scores of 48,553 and 37,292. Data encryption is the fourth Intel win, 9,347 versus 8,607, a more modest 8.6% margin.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G wins 13 of the 17 recorded benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-1235U wins 4. The average benchmark score for the AMD is 17,278 compared to the Intel's 16,770, and the AMD sits in the 71st percentile of all CPUs versus the Intel's 70th. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-12450H with a 0.2% higher score and the AMD Ryzen 3 210 with a 0.2% lower score, indicating it sits in a dense performance cluster. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U at 0.3% lower and the Intel Core i3-12100E at 0.5% lower, showing it is also competitively positioned within its own tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-U codename, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. It features 10 cores and 12 threads, a hybrid configuration typical of Intel's 12th generation parts. Its base clock is 1.30 GHz with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The TDP is 15 watts, reflecting its mobile market segment, and it uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix2 codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process. This is a notably smaller process node, and the AMD chip contains 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The TDP is 65 watts, and it uses the AMD Socket AM5, clearly a desktop platform. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD's higher clocks and more efficient architecture allow it to outperform the Intel in most benchmarks.

Memory support is another point of divergence. The Intel Core i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD has a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Intel. PCIe support differs as well: the Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ between the two. The Intel uses Iris Xe with 80 execution units, while the AMD uses Radeon 740M. The Intel is a mobile part released in 2022, while the AMD is a desktop part released in 2024. The Intel's production status is active, as is the AMD's. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of distinct strengths. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is the processor of choice for compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads. Its consistent 20.9% lead across all Cinebench versions, both multi-core and single-core, indicates superior raw processing capability for rendering and simulation tasks. The PassMark multi-thread score, physics score, and extended instructions results all reinforce this impression. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations, the AMD's architecture delivers measurably higher throughput.

The AMD also wins in single-threaded performance, as shown by both Cinebench single-core scores and the PassMark single-thread test. This matters for everyday responsiveness and for applications that rely heavily on one core, such as older games or certain productivity software. The 11.2% to 21.1% margins in these tests are not trivial.

The Intel Core i5-1235U, conversely, has a distinct niche in specific math-heavy operations. The 1,929.8% lead in prime number finding is extraordinary, suggesting that the Intel's implementation of this particular algorithm is far more efficient. The 85.3% lead in floating-point math is also substantial, indicating that workloads heavy on floating-point calculations, such as certain scientific computing or financial modeling tasks, will favor the Intel. The 30.2% lead in integer math further cements this pattern, as does the smaller 8.6% win in data encryption.

For general-purpose use, the AMD is the stronger processor. Its wins in data compression and random string sorting, though moderate at 2.1% and 13.5% respectively, show it handles common data manipulation tasks well. The AMD's higher average benchmark score and its position relative to rivals like the Intel Core i5-12450H and AMD Ryzen 5 4500 confirm its overall superiority.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is the faster processor in the majority of tested scenarios, winning 13 of 17 benchmarks. Its advantages in Cinebench, multi-threaded performance, and single-threaded performance make it the better choice for users who prioritize raw computational speed, rendering, and responsiveness. The AMD's 20.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 12,359 versus 9,774, is particularly decisive for content creation workloads.

The Intel Core i5-1235U, while losing the overall performance battle, offers specific advantages that may be decisive for certain users. Its massive lead in prime number finding and floating-point math, along with its integer math advantage, make it the better option for workloads that are heavily mathematical in nature. The Intel's lower 15-watt TDP also makes it suitable for mobile devices, a segment the AMD, with its 65-watt TDP, does not address.

Users with a desktop workstation and a focus on rendering or general productivity should choose the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G. Users with a mobile device or those running specialized math-heavy applications should consider the Intel Core i5-1235U. The AMD's 4 nm process and Zen 4 architecture deliver better overall performance, while the Intel's 10 nm Alder Lake design wins where it counts for niche workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G has an average benchmark score of 17,278, compared to the Intel Core i5-1235U's 16,770.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD scores 12,359 in this test, which is 20.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-1235U's score of 9,774.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i5-1235U show its largest advantage?

A: The Intel wins PassMark's find prime numbers test with a score of 954 versus the AMD's 47, a 1,929.8% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread count for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1235U does not.

Q: How many benchmark comparisons does each processor win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G wins 13 comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-1235U wins 4 comparisons.