AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE vs Intel Core i7-9700 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE and Intel Core i7-9700 are both 8-thread desktop processors, but they represent very different generations and design philosophies. The Ryzen 3 is a modern 4-core part built on a 4 nm process, while the Core i7-9700 is an older 8-core part on a 14 nm process. The benchmark database shows a clear overall winner in the AMD part, which takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the Intel chip retains meaningful advantages in specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is single-thread performance. The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE scores 3828 in Passmark single-thread versus 2756 for the Core i7-9700, a 38.9% advantage. This is the largest margin of any test in the database. The Cinebench single-core scores reinforce this pattern: the AMD part leads by 11.3% in R15 (177 vs 159), by 11.6% in R20 (741 vs 664), and by 11.7% in R23 (1766 vs 1581). The Ryzen 3's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz helps explain this consistent lead.

Multi-core performance is also in AMD's favor, though the margins are smaller. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 scores 12511 versus 11200 for the Intel, an 11.7% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows the same 11.7% delta (5254 vs 4704), and R15 multi-core shows 11.7% as well (1260 vs 1128). This is notable because the Intel chip has double the physical cores (8 vs 4), but the Ryzen 3's 8 threads and newer architecture overcome that deficit. The Passmark multithread score tells a similar story: 14403 for AMD versus 13223 for Intel, an 8.9% win.

The Intel part does win four tests, all in the Passmark suite. The largest Intel victory is in floating-point math, where it scores 34187 versus 25258, a 26.1% margin. Data compression also goes to Intel: 181411 versus 162623, a 10.4% lead. Extended instructions favor Intel at 14488 versus 12313, a 15% gap, and random string sorting goes Intel's way at 23482 versus 20134, a 14.3% difference. These wins show that the older Intel design still has advantages in specific compute-heavy tasks, likely due to its greater core count.

The closest test is Passmark integer math, where the Ryzen 3 wins by just 0.5% (40348 vs 40138). Other AMD wins include a massive 113.4% lead in data encryption (9224 vs 4322), a 8.3% win in prime number finding (52 vs 48), and a 4.5% win in physics (857 vs 820). The average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture: the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE sits at 18505, while the Core i7-9700 sits at 18180. Both parts rank at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals are closely clustered, suggesting they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the different core counts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE wins every single-core benchmark in the database. Its Passmark single-thread score of 3828 is 38.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-9700's 2756, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1766 beats Intel's 1581 by 11.7%.

Q: How does the 4-core AMD part beat the 8-core Intel part in multi-core tests?

A: The Ryzen 3's 8 threads and newer Zen 4 architecture allow it to outperform the Core i7-9700's 8 threads despite having half the physical cores. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD part scores 12511 versus 11200, an 11.7% advantage, and in Passmark multithread it leads 14403 versus 13223.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Intel Core i7-9700 is clearly better?

A: Yes, four Passmark tests favor Intel. The biggest gap is floating-point math (34187 vs 25258, a 26.1% lead). Intel also wins data compression (181411 vs 162623), extended instructions (14488 vs 12313), and random string sorting (23482 vs 20134).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-9700 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. This is a substantial difference in theoretical memory throughput.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE has ECC memory support, while the Intel Core i7-9700 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE is listed as active in production. The Intel Core i7-9700 is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active production.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design eras. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC. It is based on the Phoenix2 codename and belongs to the 8000 series. The Intel Core i7-9700 uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel's own foundry. This process node difference is significant: the 4 nm process allows for a much denser transistor layout, with the AMD chip packing 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the Intel chip uses a larger 180.3 mm² die.

The core configuration differs fundamentally. The AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to process two threads per core. The Intel part has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading, meaning each core handles exactly one thread. This explains why the AMD part can compete in multi-threaded workloads despite fewer physical cores: its 8 threads match the Intel part's 8 threads, but each AMD thread benefits from a newer architecture and higher clock speeds.

Cache layouts also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the AMD part has 1 MB per core, while the Intel part has 256 KB per core. For L3 cache, the AMD part has 8 MB shared, while the Intel part has 12 MB shared. This larger L3 on the Intel side may contribute to its wins in some memory-intensive tasks like data compression.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE features the Radeon 740M, while the Intel Core i7-9700 features the UHD Graphics 630. The AMD part also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes, whereas the Intel part uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The memory architecture differs completely: the AMD part uses DDR5 memory with dual-channel support and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is core count: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i7-9700 has 8 cores. Both have 8 threads, which makes the thread count identical. Clock speeds differ: the AMD part has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel part has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Thermal design power is another clear differentiator. The AMD part has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel part has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the Ryzen 3 substantially more power-efficient on paper, a factor that matters for compact builds or systems where cooling is limited.

The sockets are incompatible: the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1151. The process nodes differ (4 nm for AMD versus 14 nm for Intel), as do the foundries (TSMC for AMD versus Intel for Intel). The memory support differs as discussed: DDR5 versus DDR4, with respective bandwidths of 83.2 GB/s and 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on the AMD part only. PCIe generation differs: Gen 4 with 14 lanes on AMD versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on Intel.

The release dates are far apart: the AMD part was released on 2024-04-15, while the Intel part was released on 2019-04-22. The production status differs: the AMD part is active, while the Intel part is end-of-life. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $333, while no MSRP is listed for the AMD part. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are 100-000001189 for AMD and SRG13 for Intel.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE as the better overall processor for most modern workloads. It wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and the majority of Passmark tests. Its single-thread advantage is decisive at 38.9% in Passmark, and it maintains a consistent 11.7% lead across all Cinebench versions. The AMD part also offers a lower TDP (35 watts versus 65 watts), DDR5 memory support with roughly double the bandwidth, ECC memory support, and a newer socket with PCIe Gen 4. It is currently in active production, while the Intel part is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i7-9700 is not without merit, but its wins are concentrated in specific math and data-processing tasks. It beats the AMD part by 26.1% in floating-point math, by 15% in extended instructions, by 14.3% in random string sorting, and by 10.4% in data compression. These are meaningful advantages for workloads that stress those particular execution units. However, for general desktop use, productivity, and single-threaded applications, the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE is the stronger choice based on the recorded measurements.

The average benchmark scores are close (18505 for AMD versus 18180 for Intel), and both sit at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs. But the Ryzen 3 achieves this with half the physical cores, a 35-watt TDP, and a much newer architecture. The Intel part's 8 cores do not translate into a multi-core win; the AMD part leads in every multi-core test in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE is the pick for users who prioritize single-thread performance, everyday responsiveness, and energy efficiency. Its 38.9% Passmark single-thread lead makes it well suited for applications that rely on fast single-core execution, such as web browsing, office productivity, and lightly threaded software. It also wins in multi-threaded synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench R23, where its 12511 score beats the Intel's 11200, so it handles general multi-threaded workloads competently. The data encryption win (113.4% ahead) suggests an advantage in security-related tasks. Its 35-watt TDP and DDR5 support make it a more modern platform choice for new builds, and its active production status means availability is not a concern.

The Intel Core i7-9700 has a narrower but real set of strengths. It wins floating-point math by a wide margin, which can matter for scientific computing, financial modeling, or any workload that heavily uses floating-point operations. It also wins data compression (181411 vs 162623), extended instructions (14488 vs 12313), and random string sorting (23482 vs 20134). Users who run those specific types of workloads might notice the Intel part's advantage. Its 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB on the AMD part may contribute to these wins. However, the Intel part's end-of-life status and higher TDP make it a less attractive choice for new system builds, and its DDR4 memory support limits memory bandwidth to 42.7 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s on the AMD part. For a new purchase, the data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE.