AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core 3 201E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D across all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 3 201E does not win a single recorded test. The margins range from moderate to extreme, with the largest gaps appearing in workloads that stress integer throughput and physics simulation.

The most decisive victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD part scores 423 against Intel's 57, a delta of 642.1%. That workload is highly sensitive to memory latency and cache capacity, both areas where the 9800X3D holds a structural advantage. PassMark physics shows a similar pattern: 4083 versus 1141, a 257.8% gap. The AMD chip's 96 MB of shared L3 cache gives it a clear edge in data-heavy, latency-sensitive tasks.

In extended instruction throughput, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D records 38808 against 11035 for the Core 3 201E, a delta of 251.7%. This test exercises SIMD and cryptographic instruction paths, where the Zen 5 architecture's wider execution resources pay off. The gap narrows considerably in single-threaded tests, but the AMD part still leads. PassMark single thread shows 4430 versus 3482, a 27.2% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core confirms the trend: 2080 versus 1780, a 16.9% delta.

Multi-threaded workloads follow the expected pattern given the core count difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the 9800X3D score 23230 against 12613, an 84.2% lead. PassMark multi-thread shows 40009 versus 14839, a 169.6% gap. Data compression and integer math both exceed 165% deltas in favor of the AMD part: 468017 versus 164160 for compression (185.1%), and 116709 versus 43894 for integer math (165.9%). Floating point math lands at 79456 versus 33260, a 138.9% margin.

The only benchmark where the Intel part comes within 20% of the AMD score is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the delta is 16.9%. Even there, the 9800X3D's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz helps it stay ahead. The data compression and encryption results are particularly lopsided: 185.1% and 148.1% deltas respectively, reflecting the AMD chip's larger cache and higher memory bandwidth.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D records an average benchmark score of 39768, while the Intel Core 3 201E averages 19056. The AMD part sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 73rd percentile for the Intel chip.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in single-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The 9800X3D scores 2080 in Cinebench R23 single-core, versus 1780 for the Core 3 201E. That is a 16.9% delta, the smallest margin of any recorded head-to-head test.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD chip leads by 642.1% (423 versus 57). This workload heavily favors the 9800X3D's large L3 cache and high memory bandwidth.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 201E win any benchmark comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data records 15 wins for the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and zero wins for the Intel Core 3 201E.

Q: How do the two compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD part has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel part records 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD chip supports DDR5 only, whereas Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each CPU according to the database?

A: The 9800X3D's nearest rival by average score is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (0.8% higher), with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048 (0.7% higher) close behind. The Core 3 201E's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS at 19047 (0.0% delta), followed by the Intel Core i5-12400F at 19039 (0.1% higher).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8,315 million transistors into a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel's own fabs, with a significantly larger die at 163 mm² and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache organization differs sharply. Both chips allocate 80 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 configuration diverges: AMD uses 1 MB per core, while Intel uses 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is where the gap becomes decisive. The AMD part has 96 MB of shared L3, while the Intel part has only 12 MB shared. That 8x difference in L3 capacity explains much of the performance separation in cache-sensitive workloads like prime number finding and physics simulation.

Memory support also differs. The AMD chip supports DDR5 exclusively with ECC capability, running dual-channel at 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel with ECC, but tops out at 76.8 GB/s. Both use PCIe Gen 5, but AMD provides 24 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel's 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 9800X3D includes Radeon Graphics, while the Core 3 201E carries UHD Graphics 730. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel chip does not. The AMD part is a 120 W TDP design, the Intel part is a 60 W TDP design, reflecting the AMD chip's higher core count and clock speeds.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts set these apart immediately. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds follow the same pattern: the AMD chip bases at 4.70 GHz and boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel chip bases at 3.60 GHz and boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Socket compatibility differs completely. The AMD part mounts on AMD Socket AM5, the Intel part on Intel Socket 1700. The process node shows 4 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. Die size is 70.6 mm² for AMD versus 163 mm² for Intel. Transistor count is recorded only for AMD at 8,315 million.

Memory support shows a split: AMD uses DDR5 only, Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. PCIe lane count favors AMD at 24 lanes versus 16 lanes, both Gen 5.

The release dates differ by about two months. The AMD chip launched on 2024-11-06, the Intel chip on 2025-01-12. The database records a launch MSRP of $479 for the AMD part and $134 for the Intel part. The AMD part number is 100-000001084, the Intel part number is SRVTR. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip is locked.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins every recorded head-to-head test, with deltas ranging from 16.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 642.1% in PassMark find prime numbers. Its average benchmark score of 39768 places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 201E's 19056 average sits in the 73rd percentile.

The core count difference alone (8 versus 4) explains much of the multi-threaded gap, but the single-threaded results also favor AMD. The 9800X3D's higher boost clock, larger L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth contribute to wins across every workload category recorded. The Intel chip's advantages are limited to a lower TDP (60 W versus 120 W), dual memory type support (DDR4 and DDR5), and a smaller physical footprint at 163 mm² versus 70.6 mm² (though die size does not indicate efficiency).

For users running heavily multi-threaded or cache-sensitive workloads, the AMD part is the only choice based on this data. For single-threaded tasks, the AMD chip still leads by roughly 17% to 27%, depending on the test. The Intel chip does not offer a single recorded benchmark where it outperforms the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins in every category the database records. Its largest margins appear in prime number finding (642.1%), physics simulation (257.8%), and extended instruction throughput (251.7%). These workloads benefit from the 96 MB L3 cache and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core at 16.9%, which still favors the AMD chip.

The Intel Core 3 201E has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its closest relative performance comes in single-threaded workloads, where it trails by 16.9% to 27.2%. In multi-threaded tests, the gap widens to 84.2% or more. The Intel part's 60 W TDP suggests lower power draw, but the database does not include power efficiency measurements to confirm operational cost differences.

The practical split is clear. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D targets workloads that demand high core counts, large cache, and fast memory. The Core 3 201E, with 4 cores and 12 MB L3, is positioned for lighter desktop tasks, but the recorded benchmarks show it trailing in every measured scenario. Users choosing between these two should base the decision on the AMD chip's consistent performance lead, the Intel chip's lower TDP and dual memory support, and the substantial launch MSRP difference of $479 versus $134.