AMD Ryzen 7 3700U

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor from the 3000 series, built on the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename. It targets thin-and-light laptops, balancing a 15 TDP class with integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics. The data shows a processor that sits near the middle of the performance distribution, with a percentile ranking of 43 among all CPUs, indicating it outperforms roughly 43% of the tested population while trailing the majority.

Benchmark Performance

The Ryzen 7 3700U’s benchmark results reveal a processor optimized for sustained multi-threaded workloads rather than peak single-core bursts. In Cinebench R23, it scores 6005 in multi-core and 847 in single-core, a ratio of roughly 7.1:1, which is typical for a quad-core part with simultaneous multithreading. The Cinebench R20 results follow a similar pattern: 2522 multi-core and 355 single-core, maintaining that same approximate ratio. Older Cinebench R15 numbers show 605 multi-core and 85 single-core, confirming consistency across benchmark generations.

Geekbench scores are lower in absolute terms, with 2678 multi-core and 922 single-core. The average benchmark score across all tests is 1752, which aligns closely with its nearest rivals. The deltaPct values against those rivals are extremely tight: 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core 3 N350, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-4790T, and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-8269U. These margins are within noise for most workloads, meaning the 3700U effectively trades blows with its immediate competition.

The single-core scores are modest, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 847 and Geekbench single-core at 922. This places it below many modern desktop parts but acceptable for a 15-watt mobile chip. The multi-core scores, however, show that the processor can leverage its 8 threads effectively when all cores are active, as evidenced by the 6005 Cinebench R23 result. The data suggests that the 3700U is a balanced performer that neither excels nor falters dramatically in any single metric, instead offering a predictable, mid-range experience.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE: The 3700U leads this rival by a razor-thin 0.1% in average benchmark score (1752 vs 1750). Both are AMD parts, but the 3200GE is a desktop-oriented chip, while the 3700U is mobile. The near-identical scores imply that the 3700U’s 15W power envelope does not meaningfully sacrifice performance compared to this low-power desktop alternative. For users, this means the 3700U can deliver desktop-like multi-threaded throughput in a portable chassis, though the 3200GE might have an edge in sustained workloads due to different cooling environments.

Intel Core 3 N350: The 3700U is 0.2% ahead of this Intel part (1752 vs 1749). The N350 is a newer, efficiency-focused design, yet the 3700U’s older Zen+ architecture holds its own. The delta is negligible, suggesting that in real-world applications, users would be hard-pressed to notice a difference. The 3700U’s integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics may provide an advantage in light gaming, but the CPU scores alone indicate parity.

Intel Core i7-4790T: This is a fascinating comparison, as the i7-4790T is a desktop part from a previous generation. The 3700U edges it out by 0.2% (1752 vs 1748). The i7-4790T has higher clock speeds but fewer modern instructions, and the 3700U’s 4-core/8-thread configuration matches the i7’s 4-core/8-thread layout. The data implies that the 3700U, despite being a mobile chip, can match a once-high-end desktop processor in aggregate performance, though the i7-4790T may still win in some single-threaded tasks due to its higher boost frequency.

Intel Core i5-8269U: The 3700U is 0.2% ahead of this Intel mobile chip (1752 vs 1748). The i5-8269U is a 28W part, so the 3700U achieves comparable scores at a lower TDP class. This suggests better efficiency per watt for the AMD chip, though the i5-8269U might have an advantage in bursty workloads where higher clocks matter. The benchmark parity indicates that users choosing between these two would see similar CPU-bound performance, leaving other factors like graphics or battery life to decide.

Who Should Consider It

The Ryzen 7 3700U is best suited for users whose workloads involve parallel processing across multiple threads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6005, relative to its single-core score of 847, shows that the processor scales well with thread count. This makes it a reasonable choice for light content creation tasks like photo editing, video transcoding, or compiling code, where all 8 threads can be utilized. The Geekbench multi-core score of 2678 reinforces this, indicating that productivity applications that leverage multiple cores will see solid performance.

For gaming, the 3700U is a mixed proposition. The CPU itself can handle many esports titles, but the integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics will be the limiting factor. The modest single-core score of 922 in Geekbench suggests that games relying heavily on single-thread performance may struggle, especially at higher settings. However, for older or less demanding games, the 3700U could provide a playable experience. The data does not include GPU benchmarks, so any gaming assessment must remain cautious.

Office and general productivity users will find the 3700U more than adequate. Web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheet work are unlikely to stress the processor, given its 43rd percentile ranking. The 15W TDP class means it can be passively cooled in some designs or run with a quiet fan, making it suitable for ultrabooks. Users who prioritize battery life over raw performance will appreciate that the 3700U delivers competent scores without demanding excessive power.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U?

A: The average benchmark score across all tested workloads is 1752.

Q: How does the 3700U compare to the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE?

A: The 3700U is 0.1% faster than the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE in average benchmark score (1752 vs 1750).

Q: What is the multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 6005.

Q: Does the 3700U support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the socket type for this processor?

A: The processor uses AMD Socket FP5.

Q: How many threads does the 3700U have?

A: It has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Platform and Compatibility

The Ryzen 7 3700U is built for the AMD Socket FP5, a mobile-specific socket that is not interchangeable with desktop AM4 sockets. It uses the Zen+ architecture on a 12 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The processor supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the maximum memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. ECC memory is not supported, which aligns with its consumer mobile positioning.

PCIe support is limited to Gen 3, which is adequate for the time of release but lags behind newer Gen 4 or Gen 5 standards. This means storage and GPU bandwidth are capped at previous-generation levels, though for a 15W mobile chip, this is rarely a bottleneck. The integrated graphics is Radeon Vega 10, which shares memory bandwidth with the CPU via the dual-channel DDR4 interface.

The upgrade path is essentially nonexistent, as Socket FP5 is typically soldered onto the motherboard in laptops. Users cannot swap the processor for a faster one without replacing the entire system. The production status is listed as Active, meaning it is still available, but the release date of 2019-01-05 indicates it is a mature product. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, so overclocking is not possible, even if the platform allowed it.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Ryzen 7 3700U exhibits a pronounced difference between its single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 847, while the multi-core score is 6005, a 7.1x improvement that exceeds the theoretical 4x from having four cores, thanks to simultaneous multithreading. This indicates that the processor can efficiently distribute work across all 8 threads, with minimal contention for shared resources like the 4 MB L3 cache.

Geekbench shows a similar trend: 922 single-core versus 2678 multi-core, a 2.9x scaling factor. The lower scaling in Geekbench suggests that some of its workloads are less parallelizable, or that the processor hits memory bandwidth limits sooner. The L3 cache is 4 MB (shared), which is modest by modern standards, and this could explain why multi-threaded scaling is not perfectly linear in memory-intensive tasks.

For real workloads, this split means that the 3700U will excel in applications that can utilize multiple threads, such as video rendering, batch photo processing, or running virtual machines. Conversely, tasks like web browsing, office applications, or gaming that rely heavily on single-thread performance will see the processor fall behind newer parts with higher IPC. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 85 is particularly low, suggesting that older software that is not well-optimized for multi-threading may feel sluggish. The data implies that users should prioritize multi-threaded applications for this processor to get the best experience.

Power and Thermals

The Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts, placing it in the ultra-low-power class for mobile processors. This TDP class is designed for thin-and-light laptops where passive cooling or a small fan is sufficient. The 12 nm process node, while not cutting-edge, allows for this power envelope while still delivering the benchmark scores discussed earlier. The 15W TDP means that the processor can sustain its boost clock of 4.00 GHz for short bursts, but sustained multi-core loads may cause the clock to drop to the base clock of 2.30 GHz to stay within thermal limits.

The thermal implications are straightforward: a capable air cooler, such as a small heat pipe assembly, is sufficient to handle this chip. No exotic liquid cooling or large heatsinks are required. The data does not provide specific temperature figures, but the 15W TDP suggests that even in a passively cooled chassis, the processor would stay within safe operating temperatures for light workloads. For sustained heavy loads, a low-profile fan would be beneficial to maintain performance.

The production status is Active, indicating that this processor is still being manufactured, and its 15W TDP makes it a viable choice for modern ultrabooks that prioritize battery life. The integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics also shares the thermal budget, so gaming or GPU-intensive tasks will increase heat output. However, the overall package is designed for efficiency, and benchmark results confirm that it delivers competitive performance per watt against its nearest rivals, all of which have similar average scores within a 0.2% delta.