Core i5-9500 vs Ryzen 3 4300G

Intel

Core i5-9500

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 4300G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i5-9500 vs Ryzen 3 4300G Performance Spectrum

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 i5-9500 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 i5-9500 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 i5-9500

2019

Why buy it

  • +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 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,829 vs 9,938).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.2 vs 66.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 4300G

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $43 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Delivers 30.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.7 vs 51.2 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 4300G better than Core i5-9500?
Yes. Ryzen 3 4300G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 3 4300G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 4300G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
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 $43 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 30.3% better value on MSRP (66.7 vs 51.2 PassMark/$), 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 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9500 vs Ryzen 3 4300G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-9500

The Core i5-9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 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 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 9,829 points. Launch price was $192.

AMD

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 i5-9500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 3 4300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-9500 versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 4300G — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9500 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-9500 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses Renoir (2020−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9500 scores 9,829 against the Ryzen 3 4300G's 9,938 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 4300G. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9500 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 4300G.

FeatureCore i5-9500Ryzen 3 4300G
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+10%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.8 GHz+27%
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
9,829
9,938+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,468
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-9500Ryzen 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: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9500) / not specified (Ryzen 3 4300G). The Core i5-9500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 4300G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9500 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

FeatureCore i5-9500Ryzen 3 4300G
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9500 was priced at $192, while the Ryzen 3 4300G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($192 vs $149), Ryzen 3 4300G was $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9500 delivers 51.2 pts/$ vs 66.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 4300G — making the Ryzen 3 4300G the 26.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-9500Ryzen 3 4300G
MSRP
$192
$149-22%
Performance per Dollar
51.2
66.7+30%
Release Date
2019
2020

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