AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE: Budget Processor for Compact Systems

April 2025

1. Key Specifications: Architecture and Performance

Architecture and Process Technology

The AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE processor, released under the codename Dali, is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture but is tailored for the budget segment. The manufacturing process is 12 nm (GlobalFoundries), which is slightly behind the modern 7 nm and 5 nm chips but provides low cost and moderate power consumption.

Key Features:

- 4 cores / 4 threads — suitable for basic tasks.

- Integrated Radeon™ Graphics (Vega 3) — 3 compute units, up to 1100 MHz frequency.

- Low TDP (35 W) — ideal for compact PCs and systems without active cooling.

- Support for modern instructions — including AES, AVX2, SHA.

Performance in Tests

- Geekbench 6:

- Single-Core: 1150 (comparable to Intel Core i3-9100).

- Multi-Core: 3328 (close to Ryzen 3 3200G).

- In Gaming: CS:GO on low settings — 45-60 FPS, Dota 2 — 30-40 FPS.

- Work Tasks: Office applications, a browser with 10+ tabs, 4K video (via HDMI 2.0).

2. Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the AM4 socket, which provides access to a wide range of motherboards on the market. Recommended chipsets:

- A520 — budget option (e.g., Gigabyte A520M S2H, $65).

- B550 — for upgrades (PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2). Example: MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi ($110).

- X570 — overkill for Athlon but suitable if transitioning to Ryzen 7/9.

Selection Tips:

- Ensure the motherboard's BIOS supports Dali series processors (BIOS version from 2023 and newer).

- Mini-ITX boards are suitable for mini-PCs, such as ASRock A520M-ITX/ac ($90).

3. Supported Memory

The processor works with DDR4-3200 MHz (maximum frequency).

Recommendations:

- Use a dual-channel configuration (2×8 GB) to enhance graphics performance.

- Compatible modules: Kingston Fury Beast DDR4-3200 16 GB ($45) or Crucial Ballistix 16 GB ($50).

- DDR5 is not supported — this is a key limitation for future upgrades.

4. Power Supplies

With a TDP of 35 W, the processor is extremely energy-efficient. Even considering the other components of the system:

- Without a discrete graphics card: a power supply of 300–400 W is enough (e.g., be quiet! Pure Power 11 400W, $55).

- With a GTX 1650 level graphics card: choose a PSU of 450–500 W (Corsair CX450M, $60).

Tip: Don't skimp on the power supply — quality models (80+ Bronze or higher) will protect the system from voltage spikes.

5. Pros and Cons

Advantages:

- Energy efficiency — suitable for mini-PCs and office systems.

- Integrated graphics — no need to purchase a separate graphics card.

- Affordable price — $90–100 (new in April 2025).

- Support for modern interfaces — HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2.

Disadvantages:

- 4 threads — multi-threaded performance is weaker than Ryzen 3 4300GE (8 threads).

- Outdated manufacturing process — 12 nm versus 7 nm for Ryzen 5000.

- Limited upgrade opportunities — AM4 socket is gradually being replaced by AM5.

6. Use Cases

Office and Multimedia

- Working with documents, video conferencing, streaming 4K video (Netflix, YouTube).

- Example: A system based on Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE + 16 GB DDR4 + 512 GB SSD will handle 20+ tabs in Chrome.

Light Gaming

- Games from the 2010s: Skyrim, GTA V (on low settings), indie titles (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley).

- Modern AAA games will require a discrete graphics card (e.g., GTX 1650).

Home Server or NAS

Low power consumption allows the processor to be used in 24/7 systems.

7. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (4C/4T, Vega 8, $80–90):

- Pros: More powerful graphics (Vega 8).

- Cons: Higher TDP (65 W), older Zen+ architecture.

Intel Core i3-12100 (4C/8T, UHD 730, $120):

- Pros: 8 threads, higher performance in multitasking.

- Cons: More expensive, weaker integrated graphics.

Conclusion: The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE wins in price and energy efficiency but loses in multi-threaded tasks.

8. Practical Assembly Tips

- SSD is essential: Kingston NV2 1 TB ($60) will speed up system boot time.

- Cooling: The BOX cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, choose the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 V2 ($25).

- Case: For mini-PCs — Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L ($55).

- Networking: If the motherboard lacks Wi-Fi, add a TP-Link Archer TX50E adapter ($35).

9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE Suitable For?

This processor is the perfect choice for:

1. Budget users who need a PC for work and browsing.

2. Office systems requiring low energy consumption.

3. Media centers (4K video, streaming).

4. Compact builds (HTPC, mini-PC).

Why choose it? The combination of price ($90–100), integrated graphics, and support for modern standards makes the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE the best in its class. However, for gaming or serious multitasking, consider the Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel Core i3-13100.

Note: Prices are current as of April 2025. When building, check component compatibility through PCPartPicker or similar services.