AMD Athlon Gold 3150C
AMD Athlon Gold 3150C: A Budget Processor for Everyday Tasks
April 2025
Architecture and Process Technology: What's Inside?
The AMD Athlon Gold 3150C processor is based on the Zen+ microarchitecture and a 14nm process technology. While 14nm is no longer the most modern standard (new AMD APUs use 6-7nm), this technology helps reduce the cost of the chip while maintaining acceptable performance.
Key Specifications:
- 2 cores / 4 threads thanks to SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) technology.
- Base frequency: 2.4 GHz, maximum turbo mode frequency: 3.3 GHz.
- Cache: 4 MB L3, which is sufficient for caching data in office tasks.
- Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 3 (3 compute units, frequency up to 1000 MHz).
The Zen+ architecture provides improved energy efficiency compared to the first generation Zen, while Vega 3 handles basic graphical tasks such as 4K video playback or simple gaming.
Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Longevity
The processor's TDP is 15W, which is typical for ultrabooks and budget laptops. This level indicates:
- Low heat generation — passive cooling or a compact fan can be sufficient.
- Compatibility with slim cases (thickness starting from 15mm).
However, under prolonged loads (e.g., video rendering), the frequency may drop due to TDP limitations. Nonetheless, this is not critical for the target audience.
Performance: What Can You Do with Athlon Gold 3150C?
Geekbench 6 test results (625 points in single-core, 1026 in multi-core) place the Athlon Gold 3150C on par with budget Intel chips (Pentium Gold 7505) and Apple A14 Bionic mobile processors (in single-threaded tasks).
Examples of Real Tasks:
- Office work: Word, Excel, browser with 10-15 tabs.
- Multimedia: Watching 4K videos on YouTube, streaming services (Netflix).
- Gaming: Older games (CS:GO, Dota 2 on low settings — 30-40 FPS), indie projects (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley).
Turbo Mode: Under brief loads (launching an app, processing PDFs), the frequency boosts up to 3.3 GHz, but returns to the base frequency after 20-30 seconds to stay within TDP limits.
Use Scenarios: Who is This Processor Suitable For?
- Students: Working with texts, online courses, Zoom conferences.
- Office Workers: Email, spreadsheets, presentations.
- Home Users: Internet browsing, social media, simple photo editing.
Not suitable for:
- 4K video editing.
- Modern gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty).
- Heavy programming (code compilation, virtualization).
Battery Life: How Long Will a Laptop Last?
The average battery life of a laptop with the Athlon Gold 3150C is 6-8 hours under moderate load (50% brightness, Wi-Fi on). This is aided by:
- AMD SenseMI technology: Adaptive frequency and voltage management.
- Windows "Battery Saver" mode: Restricting background processes.
For maximum battery life, choose models with a battery of at least 40 Wh.
Comparison with Competitors
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores, 8 threads): 30-40% faster in multitasking, but laptops with it start from $500.
- Intel Celeron N5100 (4 cores, 4 threads): Weaker in single-threaded tests (Geekbench 6 Single-Core: ~550), but cheaper ($250-$300).
- Apple M1 (8 cores): 3-4 times more powerful but starts at $900 for the MacBook Air 2025.
Conclusion: The Athlon Gold 3150C is a compromise for those looking for a balance between price and basic performance.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low laptop prices (starting from $300).
- Support for modern interfaces: USB-C, HDMI 2.0.
- Quiet operation of the cooling system.
Weaknesses:
- Only 2 cores — multitasking is limited.
- Outdated 14nm process technology.
- Vega 3 is weaker than Intel UHD Graphics Xe (in Pentium Gold).
Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
1. Type of Device: Ultrabook or budget notebook (e.g., Lenovo IdeaPad 1 or Acer Aspire 3).
2. Memory: At least 8GB — for web browsing and applications.
3. Storage: Must have an SSD (256GB or more) — HDDs will bottleneck even this processor.
4. Screen: Full HD (1920x1080) — the 1366x768 resolution is outdated.
Prices: Laptops with the Athlon Gold 3150C start from $320 (Acer Aspire 3) to $450 (HP 15) for models with enhanced construction.
Final Conclusion: Who Should Buy?
The AMD Athlon Gold 3150C is a processor for those who:
- Are looking for an affordable laptop for studying or document work.
- Do not play modern games.
- Value quietness and long battery life.
Key Benefits: Low price, sufficient performance for basic tasks, energy efficiency. If your budget is limited to $400 and your requirements for a PC are minimal, this is a good choice. For more serious tasks, it's better to add $100-200 and get a laptop with Ryzen 3 or Core i3.