Core i5-8600 vs Ryzen 3 4300G

Core i5-8600 vs Ryzen 3 4300G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8600

6 / 6

9,973

+0.4%

9,938

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-8600 vs Ryzen 3 4300G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-8600 vs Ryzen 3 4300G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-8600

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 4300G needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 4300G.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 4300G across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.8 vs 66.7 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 4300G

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.4% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.7 vs 46.8 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,938 vs 9,973).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8600.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 4300G better than Core i5-8600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 4300G is ahead with a 17.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8600 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-8600 also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 3 4300G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 4300G comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 42.5% better value on MSRP (66.7 vs 46.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 3 4300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8600 vs Ryzen 3 4300G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-8600

The Core i5-8600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,973 points. Launch price was $213.

Ryzen 3 4300G

The Ryzen 3 4300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 9,938 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8600 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 3 4300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600 versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 4300G — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-8600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-8600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses Renoir (2020−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600 scores 9,973 against the Ryzen 3 4300G's 9,938 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-8600. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 4300G.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Ryzen 3 4300G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+7%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+125%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Renoir (2020−2023)
PassMark	9,973	9,938
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,800	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,430	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,200	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Ryzen 3 4300G
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-8600) / not specified (Ryzen 3 4300G). The Core i5-8600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 4300G requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Ryzen 3 4300G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8600 was priced at $213, while the Ryzen 3 4300G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($213 vs $149), Ryzen 3 4300G was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8600 delivers 46.8 pts/$ vs 66.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 4300G — making the Ryzen 3 4300G the 35% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Ryzen 3 4300G
MSRP	$213	$149-30%
Performance per Dollar	46.8	66.7+43%
Release Date	2018	2020

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