AMD Ryzen 7 2700E vs Intel Core i3-12300 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly across all six recorded Cinebench tests, with the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E taking every single win. The margins are consistent but narrow, ranging from a 1.9% advantage in Cinebench R20 single-core to a 2.3% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core. The AMD part wins all three multi-core tests (R15, R20, and R23) and all three single-core tests (R15, R20, and R23), giving it a 6-0 sweep in the head-to-head comparison.

Looking at the multi-core results, the Ryzen 7 2700E posts 1255 points in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 1230 for the Core i3-12300, a 2% gap. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 5232 against 5128, again a 2% margin. The largest multi-core gap appears in Cinebench R23, where the Ryzen 7 2700E reaches 12458 points compared to 12211 for the Intel part, maintaining the 2% delta.

The single-core picture is similar but slightly more varied. The Ryzen 7 2700E scores 177 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 173 for the Core i3-12300, a 2.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD part posts 738 against 724, a 1.9% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1758 for the Ryzen 7 2700E and 1724 for the Core i3-12300, a 2% difference.

The average benchmark score tells the same story from a broader perspective. The Ryzen 7 2700E averages 3603 points across its benchmark suite, while the Core i3-12300 averages 3532. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier despite the consistent edge for the AMD part.

The nearest rival data reinforces this positioning. The Ryzen 7 2700E's closest competitors include the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 at 3608 points (0.1% ahead), the Intel Xeon E-2286G at 3610 points (0.2% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 at 3613 points (0.3% ahead). The Core i3-12300, meanwhile, sits exactly level with the Intel Xeon W-1290TE at 3532 points, 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon W-2135, and 0.2% ahead of the Core i3-12300T.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E for users who prioritize raw Cinebench rendering performance across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. It wins every benchmark in the comparison, and while the margins are small (between 1.9% and 2.3%), the consistency of the sweep matters. There is no workload category in this dataset where the Intel Core i3-12300 pulls ahead.

The Core i3-12300 still holds its own as a capable desktop processor, sitting at the same 55th percentile as its AMD rival. Its average benchmark score of 3532 places it alongside the Intel Xeon W-1290TE (identical score) and just behind the Core i5-10600K (3533, 0% delta). For users already invested in the LGA 1700 platform, the Core i3-12300 offers competitive performance with a lower 60 W TDP compared to the Ryzen 7 2700E's 65 W.

However, the benchmark results do not favor the Intel part in any recorded test. If the decision rests purely on Cinebench scores, the Ryzen 7 2700E is the stronger choice. The AMD processor also brings 8 cores and 16 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the Intel chip, which likely explains its multi-core advantage despite the Intel part's higher clock speeds.

The Ryzen 7 2700E's nearest rivals are all slightly ahead of it in average score (by 0.1% to 0.3%), meaning it sits just below a cluster of Xeon and Ryzen PRO parts. The Core i3-12300's nearest rivals are essentially tied with it, with deltas of 0% to 0.2%. Neither processor stands out dramatically from its immediate competitors, but the head-to-head comparison is unambiguous.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 2.3%. The AMD part scores 177 points versus 173 for the Core i3-12300. This is notable because single-core performance typically favors Intel's higher clock speeds, yet the Ryzen 7 2700E manages to edge ahead despite its lower 4.00 GHz boost clock compared to the Intel part's 4.40 GHz.

The multi-core results show a consistent 2% advantage for the AMD processor across all three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 2700E posts 1255 points against 1230 for the Core i3-12300. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 5232 versus 5128. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 12458 versus 12211. The consistency of this 2% gap across different Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance difference rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The smallest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ryzen 7 2700E leads by just 1.9%, scoring 738 against 724. This is the narrowest win in the entire comparison, yet it still favors the AMD part.

Cinebench R23 single-core completes the sweep with a 2% advantage, as the Ryzen 7 2700E scores 1758 and the Core i3-12300 scores 1724. Across all six benchmarks, the AMD processor never trails, and the largest deficit the Intel part faces is 4 points in Cinebench R15 single-core.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E wins all six recorded benchmarks, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. The Intel Core i3-12300 records zero wins.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E leads by 2.3%. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the AMD part leads by 1.9%.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has an average benchmark score of 3603, while the Intel Core i3-12300 averages 3532. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 7 2700E's closest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 at 3608 points (0.1% ahead). The Core i3-12300's closest rival is the Intel Xeon W-1290TE at 3532 points (exact tie).

Q: Does the Core i3-12300 win in any workload category?

A: No. The benchmark data shows the Core i3-12300 losing all six head-to-head comparisons, with no wins in either single-core or multi-core tests.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E uses the Zen architecture (specifically Zen+ based on Pinnacle Ridge), built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads into a 192 mm² die containing 4,800 million transistors. The processor fits into the AMD Socket AM4 and belongs to the 2000 series generation.

The Intel Core i3-12300 uses the Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-S), built on Intel's 10 nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads on a 163 mm² die. The processor uses the Intel Socket 1700 and belongs to the Core 12th Gen series.

Cache configurations differ substantially between the two parts. The Ryzen 7 2700E provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-12300 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has larger L2 caches per core, but the AMD part offers more total L3 cache.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen 7 2700E supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core i3-12300 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel part additionally includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics listed.

The Intel Core i3-12300 features PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes available from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E does not have PCIe specifications listed in the database. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12300 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD part runs at a 2.80 GHz base clock and 4.00 GHz boost clock, whereas the Intel part runs at 3.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel processor operates at higher clock speeds.

Thermal design power differs slightly: the Ryzen 7 2700E has a 65 W TDP, and the Core i3-12300 has a 60 W TDP. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses the Intel Socket 1700.

The process nodes differ, with the AMD part at 12 nm and the Intel part at 10 nm. The die sizes are 192 mm² for the AMD processor and 163 mm² for the Intel processor. The AMD part has 4,800 million transistors, while the Intel part's transistor count is not listed.

Cache specifications diverge as described earlier, with the AMD part offering 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel part offers 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs, with the AMD processor limited to DDR4 and the Intel processor supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics, while the AMD part lists none. PCIe capabilities exist only for the Intel part, which supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

The release dates differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has a recorded release date of September 18, 2018. The Intel Core i3-12300's release date is not listed in the database. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $143, while the AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded.