AMD Ryzen 3 Vs Intel Core i3: The Best Budget CPU?

Buying a CPU for your budget PC/Laptop is a difficult job to do. With the overall cost of all hardware components skyrocketing; the overall cost to build a PC or a laptop has increased significantly. AMD Ryzen 3 and Intel Core i3 and the two CPU options that provide an overall balance of price and performance.

While both the CPUs are priced under Rs. 15,000 there are some significant differences between the two. And here in this article let’s compare AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3 and see which one is the better pick.

Also read: Intel Processor: A Complete Buying Guide

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3

Intel i3 processor is one of the most popular processors released over the last decade. It has become the standard choice for most budget laptops or PCs. But how do the Intel Core i3 processors compare with other popular processors like the AMD Ryzen 3? To make a fair comparison we have taken the two most popular processors from each side and laid down a detailed comparison between the two comparing AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3.

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Specifications

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Architecture

AMD Ryzen 3 is built on the Zen Microarchitecture which promises improved performance and more power efficiency. This is the architecture that brings Simultaneous Multi-Threading to AMD’s CPU line-up. For instance, the latest AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is built on Zen 2 architecture. This consists of up to two Core Complex Die (CCD), each housing eight 7nm cores, that are tied to a 12nm central I/O Die (IOD) via the Infinity Fabric.

On the other hand, the latest 12th gen Intel Core i3 (12100/F) is built with Alder Lake architecture with the Intel 7 process. This is built on 10nm Enhanced SuperFin technology and this is the 2nd gen of Intel’s 10nm process. The new Alder Lake architecture brings a hybrid x86 design. The Intel Core i3 12100F has four Golden Cove P-Cores active and focuses more on traditional design than having hybrid architecture.

Moreover, before we compare the actual performance of these two processors there are some fundamental differences between them. First of all the Intel Alder Lake processors for Core i3 comes with integrated graphics processing circuitry. This is what allows the Intel Core i3 processors to have the ability to run an output display without having a dedicated graphics card. A secondary Maximum Turbo Power (MTP) parameter was also introduced to show the peak power level during boost activity.

On the other hand, the AMD Ryzen 3 processors simply do not have such kind of graphics processing integrated on-chip and therefore they lack such capabilities. So if you have in mind to use another display on your system you will need to factor in the capabilities of both before you make your purchase decision. This is also the reason why the final cost of building your system using the AMD processors can significantly increase. This is because you would need some kind of dedicated GPU to be able to run an external display. So let’s take a look at the performance of the Ryzen 3 processors compared to the Intel counterparts.

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AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Performance

As evident from the benchmark report above the Intel Core i3 processors are the clear winner in terms of performance. This is because they have more cores and most of the Ryzen 3 processors coming out today include only entry-level specs. So in general you will get a better performance-to-power ratio if you are going to opt for Intel.

Overall the Intel Core i3-12100 provided a much better 28.8% higher performance than the single-core score of AMD Ryzen 3 in Cinebench R23. Even in multi-core scores, the scales tipped in favour of Intel with 26% better performance than the Ryzen 3 3300X.

Where AMD Ryzen 3 shines is the multithreaded performance that it provides using all of its four threads. It has provided some benchmark scores that can go either toward Core i5 or Core i3 depending on the type of optimizations. Primarily we can say that AMD has vastly improved its single-threaded performance since they launched FX-8350. As it has a strong single-threaded performance it also provides a stronger multithreaded performance which stands quite well against the Intel Core i3.

Also Read: AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: The Mid-Range CPU Faceoff

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Use Cases

Upon reviewing the use of AMD’s Ryzen 3 3300X CPU for gaming, optimal game performance can be achieved when paired with a high-performance CPU cooler. Similarly, for gaming with Intel’s Core i3-12100F CPU, good game performance can be expected with the inclusion of a high-performance CPU cooler.

While a powerful GPU is crucial for gaming, the role of the CPU is also significant. A slow CPU can act as a bottleneck for the GPU, leading to decreased framerate and potential stuttering. Key CPU attributes affecting gaming performance include the single-core max boost frequency and the number of cores.

The CPU plays a role in various gaming tasks, including scene management, gameplay logic, physics calculations, and asset loading. Our evaluation considered these factors when estimating CPU performance for gaming.

While having multiple CPU cores can enhance performance, not all games are designed to fully utilise them. Many modern games don’t see substantial benefits beyond 6–8 cores, and adding more CPU cores may result in diminishing returns for game performance.

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Cache Size

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is equipped with a 16 MB L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-12100F features a 12 MB L3 cache. A CPU’s cache, a small memory pool near the CPU cores, stores recently accessed data. An optimal L3 cache capacity for games and professional tool performance is considered to be at least 20 MB.

Increasing the cache size can contribute to enhanced performance in games and professional applications by reducing delays in retrieving frequently used data from memory. Although a CPU’s cache is utilised for various tasks, our findings suggest that a larger cache has a diminishing impact on general PC usage, such as web browsing. It’s important to note that cache sizes often correlate with core counts, so opting for a CPU with more cores may be necessary to increase your L3 cache

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Gaming

Many of the gaming benchmarks in terms of FPS (Frames Per Second) indicate that Ryzen 3 loses against the Intel Core i5 but performs significantly better against the Core i3. We compared both the processors in several modern games at 1080p resolutions. 

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X processor managed to hold in most of the intensive games while on the other hand, the Intel Core i3-12100 managed to score approximately 10% more FPS compared to Team Red.

Comparing the peak temperature during our tests, the Core i3 12100F has a TDP of 58W and the peak temperature ranges at around 100°C. While the Rhyzen 3 has a TDP of 65W and peak temperature is at 95°C.

Moreover, on the other hand, the AMD Ryzen 3 performed better in terms of heat dissipation and the credit goes to its use of a metal interface. It has also improved the current heat sink fan design so the processor can remove the heat faster and in a better way. So in the past, many users complained that the AMD processors are often hot and can’t provide good performance, that is not the case now. The times have changed and the AMD processors are now more power-efficient and run much cooler compared to the Intel chips.

Also read: AMD Vs Intel: Who’s The Showstopper?

AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3: Pricing and Availability

When it comes to availability the AMD Ryzen 3 processors are available from Rs. 12,299 for the base version and goes up as you need more power and cores. On the other hand, the Intel Core i3 12th Gen processors start from Rs.16,600. Both the processors offer on-par performance but if you want the best you can also opt for the latest Intel Core i3 12300 processors which are a bit expensive. But you will have the latest new Laminar RM1 cooler, compatible memory, and other things to consider. Lastly, you can always get the latest laptops from AMD or Intel to get more value for money. 

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Conclusion

With the release of Ryzen 3 processors, AMD is particularly targeting budget gaming audiences who don’t have a lot of money to build expensive systems. Buyers can get more performance in terms of multithreaded applications compared to the Intel Core i3 processors. But those buyers who only require a basic system that can be used for day-to-day tasks will be better suited with the Core i3 processors.

But you should keep in mind that while the Intel CPUs do come with an integrated GPU you can’t expect a great 1080p performance out of the Core i3. In that case, AMD still offers better quad-core performance for a lesser price tag. The more attractive choice for budget gamers will obviously be AMD instead of the Intel Core i3 CPUs.

This is what AMD has been doing with its latest launch of Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 processors. The company has standardized all of its CPU configurations so that buyers can easily compare the performances between all three line-ups. Moreover, this is how AMD with its Ryzen 3 provides better overall performance and rises as a competitor for the Core i3 processors. 

But if you have got cash in your pocket and don’t mind spending it then the overall better choice would be the Intel Core i3 processors which offer integrated graphic cards. Not to say AMD Ryzen 3 is not bad in any case and is a capable processor and a great option to consider under the budget category when comparing Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3.

Also Read: Guide To Buy the Right Graphics Card For PC

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