Intel Core i3 3220  vs AMD A4 5300 

Back in the 90s, desktop computers used to be bulky and consume a lot of power. However, recent advances in technology have enabled CPUs to run economical and yet powerful at the same time. For this matchup, we’re comparing two such desktop processors: the Intel Core i3 3220 versus the AMD A4 5300.

The 3220 is part of the Core i3 series, which is Intel’s entry level Dual Core line geared towards excellent performance. It’s clocked at 3.3 GHz with 4 threads, 3MB cache, and HD 2500 integrated graphics. These are decent specs -- and because it’s hyperthreaded, users will be able to run multiple programs smoothly; but graphics-wise, it’s not suitable for gaming. This entire package consumes only 55W TDP of power.

In contrast is the 5300, which is part of AMD’s Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). The APU’s unique feature is its beefy GPU, which performs better than Intel’s integrated graphics. It can play games at stock settings without needing to buy a separate graphics card. It has a clock speed of 3.4 GHz, with 2 threads and 1 MB cache. However, a trade-off is that it has consumes slightly more power at 65W TDP.

Looking at the benchmarks, the 3220 was able to dominate against the 5300, thanks to its higher thread count and cache. It led by 22% in 3DMark11 physics, 37% in the Single Core performance test and an amazing 104% in the PassMark benchmark. However, keep in mind that the 3220 is around $70 more expensive than the 5300.

In conclusion, if you’re after a capable graphics solution for a great price, then consider the AMD A4 5300. But if you’re looking for exceptional performance and power consumption, we recommend the Intel Core i3 3220.