Athlon 3000G and Ryzen 3 3200G are AMD’s entry-level processors that stand out for overclocking support and for offering Radeon integrated graphics cards. The reinforcement of AMD’s Vega GPUs gives the two processors the contours of more affordable gamer options.
The two processors are good options for those who have an eye on efficient CPUs suitable for day-to-day applications, media consumption, and even HTPCs. Below, we analyze the datasheet and benchmarks of the two models for you to know the differences between the two platforms.
AMD Athlon 3000G vs AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
| Specifications | Athlon 3000G | Ryzen 3 3200G |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | October 2019 | June 2019 |
| Price | from $95 | from $285 |
| Architecture | 14 nm | 12 nm |
| Cores/Threads | 2/4 | 4/4 |
| Speed | 3,5 GHz | 3.6 to 4 GHz |
| Integrated video | Radeon Vega 3 | Radeon Vega 8 |
| Memory | Dual-channel DDR4 up to 2667 MHz | Dual-channel DDR4 up to 2933 MHz |
| Expansion | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| TDP | 35 Watts | 65 Watts |
Specifications
Athlon 3200G and Ryzen 3 3200G are AMD’s entry-level processors that are fighting for space in the market formed by consumers interested in building a PC without spending too much. Both chips bring integrated video cards with Radeon technology, enough for media consumption, and even enjoy games with a little sacrifice and in lower resolutions.
The Athlon is a dual-core processor model capable of handling four threads, which effectively makes it a quad-core in applications that support multiple threads. Ryzen on the other hand has four physical cores, but no multi-thread.
In speed, Ryzen 3 has a standard clock of 3.6 GHz but can speed up to 4 GHz via turbo. The Athlon has a more conservative speed range, with a non-turbo clock of 3.5 GHz.
Both processors come with an integrated Radeon graphics card. On the Athlon, the GPU is simpler: it is a Vega 3 with three cores and speeds up to 1,100 MHz. In the Ryzen there is a Radeon Vega 8 with eight cores and speeds up to 1,250 MHz.
In memory control, both processors accept up to two DDR4: in the Ryzen, the maximum recognized RAM speed is 2,933 MHz, while the Athlon works with slower memories up to 2,667 MHz.
Performance
At the tip of the pencil, Ryzen is a noticeably superior processor to Athlon. CPUBenchmark.net, an aggregator of benchmark comparisons and results, indicates a big advantage in favor of Ryzen: with 7,198 ranking points, the processor is 60 percent faster than the Athlon, at 4,475 in aggregate platform results.
These figures only consider an overall comparison of the performance of the CPU part of the two models, leaving aside the graphics ability of the two chips.
Tests that evaluate the performance of the GPUs of the two models are not that common, but some YouTube channels have taken to the task of comparing the processors in games like DotA 2, CS:GO, or Fortnite.
While both units can handle both games at competitive performance levels – above 60 FPS with some sacrifice in graphics quality – the Ryzen 3, with eight-core Radeon Vega, versus the Athlon’s Vega 3 excels with great ease, delivering twice the performance in some cases.
Consumption
The two processors operate at very different TDP ranges. While the Ryzen 3 runs at 65 Watts, the Athlon goes for half that: 35 Watts. These measurements, which indicate how much heat each processor releases, are not direct indices of power consumption, but they can give an idea of the efficiency level of each.
One way to read this efficiency difference is to weigh the ratio of thermal dissipation against the expected performance level of each CPU. Ryzen 3 may get hotter – which may reflect higher energy costs – but it is much faster than Athlon in all scenarios.
Motherboard
Both AMD processor models use the same AM4 platform, which means that they are compatible with most motherboards that offer this socket model. There are some exceptions, however: the recommendation is that you always consult the official manufacturer documentation for each board model to ensure that the processors will be fully compatible with each board.
Features
Like other processors with Zen architecture, both Athlon and Ryzen 3 allow the user to overclock. The practice is recommended for more advanced users who wish to get a little more performance out of the component by modifying the processors’ internal operating parameters.
In addition to overclocking, the two processors’ differential to Intel options in the same price range and profile is even the offer of a Radeon Vega GPU. Although the graphics card is entry-level and more intended for lighter applications such as media consumption, its gamer credentials are better than the Intel UHD Graphics of the same price range in the Pentium and Core i3.
Pricing and Availability
The Athlon is also the less expensive of the two, found in the market at prices currently in the range of $95, while Ryzen 3 3200G is more expensive: in our searches, it was possible to find the CPU oscillating widely in the market, but the most affordable currently is $285.
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