AMD Ryzen 3 Releases the New Standard in Budget Processors

Having seen the excellent performance offered by the high-end Ryzen 7 processors, the impressive stats of the mid-range Ryzen 5, we have been left awaiting the release of the entry-level Ryzen’s. The wait is now finally over as the Ryzen 3 series of processors launched today and we have the details ready for you.

Ryzen 3 Processors – Performance on a budget

Given the impressive statistics of the Ryzen 5 and 7, you could be forgiven for forgetting that AMD has pretty much for the last 10 years been more associated with price rather than performance. A fact that certain Intel owners loved to remind team red fans about as often as possible.

The launch of the Ryzen 3 is, therefore, an almost fitting conclusion to the trilogy of processors. Why? because the Ryzen 3 is the ‘performance on a budget’ processor we’ve come to know and love AMD for.

The 3 series sees the release of 2 processors, the Ryzen 3 1300x and 1200. Both being quad cores, questions were asked if these types of processors were strong enough to compete in the modern PC market. The short answer is yes, and remarkably so for their price.

Tell me more about the Ryzen 3!

The 1200 and 1300x represent the least expensive, entry-level ranges of the Ryzen series. As such, you shouldn’t expect the performance of the higher ranked series.

We have already provided a full review on both of the Ryzen 3 processors, so if you are looking for the full review, which contains a lot more details than you’ll see here – click the links below.

Read our full review of the Ryzen 3 1200 Processor by clicking here.

Read our full review of the Ryzen 3 1300x Processor by clicking here.

While I recommend you check both articles if interest, if you want the details, in brief, keep reading.

Is the Ryzen 3 series any good?

Short answer yes. While the 1300x obviously provides a slightly better performance, particularly in gaming, they are both excellent and highly competent processors. I can’t help but be a shade disappointed and yet proud that the AMD 8350 out performs the 3 series. I personally believe the AMD 8350 to have been one of the best processors for the last 10 years for punch for pound. That being said, in direct comparison the 8350 is a lot more power hungry and, despite its age, still more expensive.

Price?

With the Ryzen 1200 priced at £104.99 and £124.99, there is very little on a budget to choose between them. However, if the price is a factor, the 1200 does not necessarily feel £20 cheaper. Both perform excellently with multitasking and gaming.

Ryzen 3 1200 is a budget power-horse

Gaming?

While both can handle 1080p gaming quite comfortably, there are obviously some limitations when entering the realms of 4k. That being said, our bench marking showed that both processors coped remarkably well at handling 4k gaming. While a Ryzen 3 wouldn’t be our recommendation if you take high graphical gaming seriously, we couldn’t say it wasn’t an option either.

Overall

The Ryzen 3 represents what is possibly one of the best ever entry-level processors. For the price, the performance you get in return is pretty impressive. While this may not necessarily reflect the opinion in the reviews, it is my belief that the Ryzen 3 has been introduced to attempt to supplant Intel’s domination of the ‘home pc’ processor. At a little over £100, they might just do it too.

Alternatives to the Ryzen 3?

If you’re looking for something with a little more punch, you do not need to look any further than the Ryzen 5 and 7 range. With them being released for a little while now, we have of course reviews all of these for you.

For the review of the top range Ryzen 7 series, you can check the Ryzen R7 1800X, 1700X and 1700.

For the budget minded gamer, we’ve got the Ryzen R5 series 1600X, 1500X, 1600, and 1400.

Ryzen was so hotly anticipated when first announced, we at eTeknix have to say we’re delighted it wasn’t all hype. The Ryzen series is proving to be one of the best processor lines in recent memory.

Are you looking to upgrade to the Ryzen? and if so which series has most caught your attention?