AMD Ryzen 3 1200

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is a desktop processor in AMD's 1000 series, built on the Zen architecture and produced on GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process. It uses AMD Socket AM4, has 4 cores and 4 threads, and operates at a base clock of 3.10 GHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The data shows an average benchmark score of 1538, which places it at the 40th percentile of all CPUs. Its launch MSRP was $109. The nearest rivals in the benchmark database are all within 0.7% in average score, so this CPU sits in a tightly clustered performance tier.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark profile of the Ryzen 3 1200 is anchored by an average benchmark score of 1538. That score places it exactly level with the Intel Core i5-7440HQ, which also averages 1538. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 averages 1537, a delta of 0.1%. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ averages 1534, a delta of 0.3%. The Intel Core i5-4670S averages 1528, a delta of 0.7%. These are narrow gaps, and the CPU's position is better understood through its 40th percentile rank across all CPUs, which puts it below the midpoint of the benchmark distribution.

In Cinebench R15, the multi-core score is 535 and the single-core score is 75. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 2233 and the single-core score is 315. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 5318 and the single-core score is 750. Across all three Cinebench versions, the multi-core result is much larger than the single-core result. That pattern matches the behavior of a 4-core, 4-thread desktop part: parallel tests engage all cores, while single-thread tests isolate one core. The average benchmark score of 1538 and the 40th percentile rank together suggest that the Ryzen 3 1200 is a mainstream performer rather than a high-end one.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is pronounced. The R15 single-core score of 75, the R20 single-core score of 315, and the R23 single-core score of 750 are all lower than the corresponding multi-core scores of 535, 2233, and 5318. For software that depends on a small number of active threads, the CPU is limited by the behavior captured in those single-core results. The 3.10 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost clock define the frequency range for such workloads; a lightly threaded application can run at the boost ceiling, but it cannot call on additional cores.

For software that can use all available threads, the multi-core scores show what the full 4-thread pool can deliver. Because the core count equals the thread count, there is no extra logical thread capacity. That is relevant for heavily threaded workloads that would benefit from more than four workers. The multi-core results indicate that all-core workloads can still produce useful throughput, but the absence of additional threads puts a hard limit on scaling beyond 4 threads. This is a meaningful distinction for rendering, encoding, and other parallel tasks.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is 65 W. That is the power envelope that a cooling solution must handle. A processor in this TDP class implies a mainstream desktop cooler; nothing in the data suggests an exotic or high-end cooling requirement. The silicon is built on GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process and contains 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. These physical details are part of the context for a 65 W power target. The desktop market segment and active production status also reinforce that this is a standard desktop part, not a workstation-class chip with an unusual thermal profile.

The 65 W TDP also matters for system design. It means the CPU can be paired with conventional cooling hardware that targets this power class. The 14 nm node and 4,800 million transistor count provide the manufacturing background, while the 65 W TDP is the direct thermal specification. For a 4-core, 4-thread processor, this is a modest power envelope, and the benchmark results are consistent with a chip designed to sit in that mainstream desktop tier.

Who Should Consider It

Users whose workloads fit the multi-core results have the clearest reason to look at this CPU. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5318, the R20 score of 2233, and the R15 score of 535 show that all-core rendering or encoding tasks are possible, but the 4-thread limit means heavily parallel workloads will not scale beyond four threads. This makes the Ryzen 3 1200 a candidate for lighter creation work rather than for professional multi-threaded rendering.

For gaming, the single-core results are the limiting factor. The R23 single-core score of 750 and the 40th percentile overall rank indicate a modest performance profile. Less demanding games are a better match than titles that expect high single-thread throughput. For office and general desktop use, the 4-core, 4-thread configuration, 3.10 GHz base clock, and 3.40 GHz boost clock provide the baseline needed for everyday responsiveness. The lack of integrated graphics is a separate consideration: a discrete GPU is required, which affects the overall system build.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-7440HQ: This is the direct comparison point. The Ryzen 3 1200's average benchmark score is 1538, and the Intel Core i5-7440HQ also scores 1538. The delta is 0. In the aggregated data, these two processors are performance equals.

Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2: The Xeon averages 1537, giving a delta of 0.1%. The Ryzen 3 1200 is ahead by a narrow margin. The gap is small enough that individual workload differences could easily change the ordering in specific tests.

Intel Core i7-4710HQ: This rival averages 1534, with a delta of 0.3%. The Ryzen 3 1200 holds a small edge in the benchmark data. As with the Xeon, the separation is minor and does not indicate a clear performance class difference.

Intel Core i5-4670S: The average score is 1528, and the delta is 0.7%. This is the largest gap among the listed nearest rivals, but it is still a narrow 0.7% spread. Among the four nearest rivals, this is the weakest average score, yet the overall cluster remains tight.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Ryzen 3 1200 use?

A: It uses AMD Socket AM4.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true.

Q: What memory configuration and bandwidth are specified?

A: It supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 scores?

A: The R23 multi-core score is 5318, and the single-core score is 750.

Q: Does the CPU include integrated graphics?

A: No, the integrated graphics field is null, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Platform and Compatibility

The Ryzen 3 1200 is built for AMD Socket AM4. Memory support is DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, with a listed bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, so the lane count for a discrete GPU is defined by that specification. There is no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete graphics card is mandatory for video output.

The processor is based on the Zen architecture, also identified as Zen (Summit Ridge), and is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. It contains 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. It belongs to AMD's 1000 series, was released on 2017-07-26, and remains in active production. The multiplier is unlocked, which is relevant for users who want to adjust clock settings on a compatible AM4 motherboard. The cache layout is 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The listed part number is YD1200BBM4KAEYD1200BBAEBOX. The AM4 socket defines the physical compatibility anchor; any upgrade path is tied to the motherboard's support for other AM4 processors.