AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE vs Intel Core i3-10305 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i3-10305 across all six Cinebench tests. The largest single margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel scores 111 against AMD's 106, a 4.7% advantage. The smallest gap is a tie at 4.1%, which appears in four separate tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The remaining test, Cinebench R20 single-core, sits at 4.3% in Intel's favor.

Multi-core performance tells a consistent story. In Cinebench R15, the i3-10305 posts 788 points versus 757 for the Ryzen 5 3400GE. That 31-point gap translates to the same 4.1% delta seen in R20 (3287 vs 3158) and R23 (7828 vs 7520). The scaling across these workloads is remarkably uniform, suggesting the Intel part maintains its lead regardless of rendering complexity or thread saturation.

Single-core results follow the same pattern but with slightly larger deltas. The R20 single-core test shows 464 for Intel against 445 for AMD, a 19-point gap. The R15 single-core test shows a five-point difference (111 vs 106), which becomes the largest percentage delta in the entire comparison at 4.7%. The R23 single-core test shows 1105 versus 1061, a 44-point margin.

What stands out is the absence of any AMD victory. The win count is 6-0 in favor of the i3-10305. This is not a case of one processor excelling in one scenario and falling behind in another; the Intel chip is ahead in every recorded metric. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the i3-10305 sits at 2264, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE lands at 2175. Both processors share the same 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier overall, but the Intel part does so with a higher average.

Comparing to their nearest rivals adds context. The i3-10305's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 at 2259 average score, a mere 0.2% behind. The Ryzen 5 3400GE is bracketed by the Intel Core i5-1145G7E at 2174 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-1185GRE at 2178 (0.1% ahead). These deltas are small enough to be considered measurement noise, but the head-to-head deltas between the two chips in this comparison are all above 4%, which is a substantive margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i3-10305 uses the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-R refresh, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundries. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE uses the Zen+ architecture under the Picasso codename, fabricated on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. Despite the node name difference, both chips are relatively mature designs rather than current-generation process shrinks.

Core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 8 threads for each. This equality makes the benchmark results particularly meaningful, as neither side enjoys a thread-count advantage. The clock speeds differ notably. The i3-10305 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and boosts to 4.50 GHz. The Ryzen 5 3400GE starts lower at 3.30 GHz and boosts to 4.00 GHz. That 500 MHz boost deficit likely explains much of the single-core performance gap.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has twice the per-core L1 and L2 capacity, yet half the L3. The 4 MB L3 deficit in a four-core part means less shared data can reside on-chip, which may contribute to the multi-core deficit despite the larger lower-level caches.

Power envelopes are a major differentiator. The Intel part carries a 65 W TDP, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE is rated at 35 W. This 30 W gap means the AMD processor delivers 93% of the i3's multi-core performance (7520 vs 7828 in R23) while drawing roughly half the thermal budget. The efficiency story is not part of the benchmark scores, but the TDP figures are recorded in the database and show a clear design intent: AMD targets lower-power systems, Intel targets higher-clock performance.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD slightly. The Ryzen 5 3400GE supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 46.9 GB/s theoretical bandwidth. The i3-10305 also uses dual-channel DDR4 but caps at 42.7 GB/s. The 4.2 GB/s difference is modest and does not appear to translate into benchmark wins for AMD. Both chips lack ECC memory support.

Integrated graphics differ substantially. Intel includes UHD Graphics 630, while AMD packs the Radeon RX Vega 11. The database records no graphics benchmarks, so no numerical comparison is possible, but the presence of Vega 11 on the AMD side typically indicates a stronger iGPU for systems without discrete graphics. The Intel part offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count. The i3-10305 has a locked multiplier, whereas the Ryzen 5 3400GE is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking on compatible AM4 motherboards.

Release dates show a significant separation. The Ryzen 5 3400GE launched on 2019-07-06, while the i3-10305 arrived on 2021-03-15. The Intel part is a later refresh of Comet Lake, while AMD's Picasso is a Zen+ product that predates the i3 by roughly 20 months. Both remain marked as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance winner: the Intel Core i3-10305 wins every recorded benchmark. If raw Cinebench scores are the sole criterion, the i3-10305 is the superior choice. It delivers between 4.1% and 4.7% more performance across all six tests, with the single-core margin being the most pronounced. Users running heavily single-threaded applications, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, would see the largest relative benefit from the Intel part.

The Ryzen 5 3400GE is not without its own case. Its 35 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W makes it the better option for compact systems, small-form-factor builds, or environments where heat and power are constrained. The 65 W TDP of the i3-10305 requires more substantial cooling and power delivery. For a system that must run quietly or on limited power, the AMD chip's efficiency profile matters more than the 4% performance deficit.

The unlocked multiplier on the Ryzen 5 3400GE opens overclocking possibilities that the locked i3-10305 cannot offer. A user willing to push the AMD chip beyond its 4.00 GHz boost clock could potentially close the performance gap, though the database does not record overclocked results. The Intel part's locked multiplier means its 4.50 GHz boost is the ceiling for that chip.

The integrated graphics comparison, while not numerically benchmarked here, favors AMD by design. The Radeon RX Vega 11 is a more capable iGPU than Intel's UHD Graphics 630 for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads without a discrete card. Systems relying solely on integrated graphics would likely prefer the AMD option, assuming the database's lack of graphics benchmarks does not hide any surprises.

For the majority of CPU-bound tasks measured in Cinebench, the i3-10305 is the straightforward recommendation. For power-sensitive or iGPU-dependent builds, the Ryzen 5 3400GE has a stronger qualitative argument despite losing every recorded benchmark.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-10305 scores 7828 versus 7520 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, a 4.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows the biggest delta at 4.7%, with Intel scoring 111 against AMD's 106.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the benchmark differences come from clocks, cache, and architecture rather than core count.

Q: How do their power envelopes compare?

A: The Intel i3-10305 has a 65 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is rated at 35 W, making the AMD chip the lower-power option.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE overclockable?

A: Yes, it has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Core i3-10305 has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel i3-10305 has 8 MB of shared L3, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has 4 MB of shared L3.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10305 wins in every scenario that prioritizes raw CPU throughput. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 all show consistent 4.1% to 4.7% leads for Intel. This makes the i3-10305 the choice for rendering, video encoding, and any workload where clock speed and sustained multi-threaded performance matter. The 4.50 GHz boost clock and 8 MB L3 cache support this profile. Users running single-threaded applications benefit most, as the 4.7% single-core delta is the largest recorded advantage.

The Ryzen 5 3400GE wins in scenarios where power consumption is the primary constraint. Its 35 W TDP is nearly half the Intel part's 65 W rating, allowing for smaller coolers, lower fan noise, and reduced electricity draw. The 12 nm process and 4,940 million transistors in a 210 mm² die suggest AMD optimized for density and efficiency rather than peak clocks. Systems with limited thermal headroom, such as home theater PCs or compact desktops, would favor the AMD chip despite its benchmark losses.

The integrated graphics situation gives AMD a use-case advantage. The Radeon RX Vega 11 is present on the Ryzen 5 3400GE, while Intel offers UHD Graphics 630. For a system without a discrete GPU, the AMD iGPU is more likely to handle light gaming or GPU acceleration tasks. No graphics benchmarks are recorded, so this remains a qualitative distinction, but the hardware difference is clear from the database entries.

The unlocked multiplier on the AMD chip creates a win condition for overclocking enthusiasts. The i3-10305 is locked, meaning its 4.50 GHz boost is fixed. The Ryzen 5 3400GE's 4.00 GHz boost is a starting point, not a ceiling. Users comfortable with manual overclocking on AM4 motherboards could potentially offset the 4% deficit or exceed it, though the database does not verify any such results.

Memory bandwidth slightly favors AMD at 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel. This could matter in memory-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not show AMD winning any Cinebench test. The dual-channel DDR4 support on both chips is equal, so the bandwidth edge remains theoretical rather than demonstrated.

The i3-10305 wins on cache capacity for shared data, with 8 MB L3 versus 4 MB. This benefits workloads where multiple cores access the same data set. The AMD part counters with larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, which help with more localized memory access patterns. Neither advantage shows up as a benchmark win for AMD, but the architectural trade-offs are worth noting for specific application profiles.

In summary, the Intel Core i3-10305 is the winner for pure compute performance, holding a 4.1% or better edge in every recorded test. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is the winner for low-power, iGPU-dependent, or overclocking-oriented builds, where its 35 W TDP, Vega 11 graphics, and unlocked multiplier provide advantages that the benchmark scores do not capture.