Size (length*width*height): 14cm x 14cm x 14cm

What's in the box:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen Processor
• 1 x AMD Thermal Solution
• 1 x Installation Instruction
• 1 x Limited Warranty Information

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

What is AMD Ryzen 3?

AMDs range of Ryzen processors have proved game-changing, but theres no denying that the excellent Ryzen 7 parts can be a tad expensive. This isnt the case with Ryzen 3. The red teams latest chips are more affordable than their predecessors and also far cheaper than Intels competition.

AMD Ryzen 3 Features and specifications

The new Ryzen 3 processors still pack in most of the features of the Zen architecture, despite their lower price.

They deliver a huge boost to the number of instructions in each clock cycle in a bid to claw back Intels long-standing lead in this department, as well as introducing Precision Boost AMDs new equivalent to Turbo Boost which allows these new chips to dynamically overclock when thermal conditions allow.

Ryzen also features Extended Frequency Range, or XFR. This allows Ryzen CPUs to provide an extra boost to a single core. X-suffix chips can improve a single core by 100MHz, while processors without that branding receive a 50MHz bump.

The Zen architecture also delivers a significant improvement to efficiency an area where AMDs previous-gen processors have fallen behind. Compare the past generation FX-8150 and theRyzen 7 1800X: the former has a huge TDP of 125W, while the latter sits at just 95W.

All Ryzen chips have unlocked multipliers, but the Ryzen 3 chips on review here dont have simultaneous multi-threading something that Intel has also removed from its low-end parts. That means each core can only address a single task, rather than two. Still, given Ryzen 3 comes with four cores as standard, that puts it in the same category as Intels more expensive desktop Core i5 chips.

The top Ryzen 3 chip is the 1300X. It costs 125/$129, and its a quad-core processor without multi-threading; its clocked to 3.5GHz with a 3.7GHz Turbo peak. Its base speed is comparable with other Ryzen parts, although the Turbo speed feels a little unambitious.

The top Ryzen 3 chip retains the X suffix, which means it wields the full 100MHz boost available across one of its cores.

Elsewhere, the 1300X has 8MB of L3 cache, which is half as much as most other Ryzen chips, and its TDP of 65W matches most Ryzen 5 chips.

Their stock and Turbo speeds of 3.1GHz and 3.4GHz are more modest, however, and this isnt an X-branded part so it only gets a reduced version of XFR that delivers a 50MHz boost on one core.

The Ryzen parts look tempting when stacked up against Intels competition. The Core i3-7350K is a Kaby Lake part and is unlocked for overclocking, plus it has a 4.2GHz stock speed but it has no Turbo ability, and the same 8MB of L3 cache.

AMD Ryzen 3 The platform

The new Ryzen chips use AMDs AM4 platform. This new platform supports dual-channel DDR4 memory and uses the new AM4 socket, so youll probably need a new CPU cooler especially if you want to overclock a Ryzen processor.

The AM4 platform is supported by five new chipsets. The top-tier silicon is the X370, which offers the best support for PCI lanes, SATA connectivity and USB ports. Its also the only AM4 chipset to support both AMD CrossFire and Nvidia SLI.

The B350 chipset is next in the range, and it supports just CrossFire. Those two chipsets are also the only two AM4 parts to support overclocking.

The A320, X300 and A/B300 chipsets are designed for entry-level and small-form-factor PCs, which means no multi-GPU support and a reduced number of PCI lanes, SATA ports and USB connections.

That said, always check what a motherboard is offering, because most manufacturers supplement their chosen chipsets with third-party hardware to add more connectivity such as extra SATA ports or M.2 sockets, or better audio.

AMD Ryzen 3 Performance

The Ryzen 3 1300X has a lesser single-core speed than Intels Core i3-7350K, but double the number of cores, and as such I expected the two chips to trade blows in application benchmarks with Intel being better in single-threaded tasks, and AMD taking plaudits in tougher tests.

Note: There are cheaper processors closer to the price of the Ryzen 3 line-up, including non-overclockable Core i3s and new dual-core, four-thread Pentium chips, most if not all with higher single-core clock speeds than the Ryzen 3s. At the time of testing we could only obtain the Core i3 referred to here.

AMD Ryzen 3 Power Consumption

AMDs latest chips make big gains in efficiency, with performance that can almost match Intels Kaby Lake processors.

The Ryzen 3 1300X and 1200 both managed idle power draws of 67W, which was only three watts more than the Core i3 part required.

The 1300Xs peak power requirement of 90W was level with the Core i3 chip, and the Ryzen 3 1200 peaked at 82W.

Ryzens reduced power consumption was paired with better thermal performance. There wasnt much to choose between the AMD and Intel parts when idling, but the 1300Xs peak temperature of 48C was five degrees better than the Core i3 and the Ryzen 3 1200 topped out at a cool 41C.

AMD Ryzen 3 Overclocking

Every AMD Ryzen chip is unlocked for overclocking, and AMDs Ryzen Master tool allows for tweaking in Windows, so its easier than ever to get some extra grunt from a new chip.

I was able to improve the Ryzen 3 1300X from its stock speed of 3.5GHz to 4.1GHz, although I had to run a hefty 1.475V through the chip to get the CPU running stably with that revised clock.

Thats about as much electricity as Id like to pump through this chip, though, and it didnt deliver a huge boost to performance the 1300Xs Cinebench scores only jumped from 150cb and 551cb to 158cb and 571cb with the tweak applied.

The 1300X consumed and extra 8W when overclocked, too, and heat will increase although this will depend on your cooler. Sadly, this isnt enough of a boost to get us excited.

The cheaper Ryzen 3 1200 was better. I used 1.325V to improve its speed from 3.1GHz to 4GHz, and its Cinebench scores rose from 128cb and 465cb to 146cb and 497cb a slightly better leap.

The 1200 required an extra 11W, but it delivered more than its pricier stablemate.

Those are reasonable results for low-end chips but, as ever, Intels chip is competitive. The Core i3-7350K can regularly reach 5GHz in overclocks, which means it will be even further ahead of the AMD chips in single-threaded tasks.

Should I Buy AMD Ryzen 3?

AMDs two cheapest Ryzen chips are both tempting, impressive bits of silicon.

The more affordable Ryzen 3 1200 matches the Core i3-7350K for multi-threaded performance, although its lesser single-threaded abilities mean its a tad slower overall.

The pricier Ryzen 3 1300X is still far cheaper than the Intel chip, and its more impressive; its comfortably quicker in multi-threaded scenarios, and closer to the Core i3 in single-threaded applications.

Both chips competed well with Intel in thermal tests and power consumption, and both performed well in games, too: they werent a hindrance at 1080p, and at 1440p and with higher graphics settings both Ryzen chips outpaced the Core i3 CPU.

Thats the crux of it, really. Intels chip is better in single-threaded tasks and less-demanding scenarios, while the Ryzen CPUs are more adept with multi-tasking and tougher games and that means theyll be more versatile and have a longer shelf-life. Crucially, theyre both cheaper, too.

As far as Im concerned, AMDs new Ryzen chips are superb choices more capable than Intel and more affordable too. If youre building an affordable performance PC, Ryzen 3 should be at the top of your CPU shortlist.

Verdict

AMDs two new Ryzen chips are cheaper than their Intel rivals while offering better multi-threaded performance, comparable power consumption and a little more speed in tough gaming scenarios. Intels chip is better in single-threaded tasks, but Id still choose Ryzen particularly the 1300X as the basis for a versatile, affordable desktop.