AMD Athlon PRO 300GE
AMD Athlon PRO 300GE: A Budget Processor for Office and Multimedia in 2025
April 2025
Key Features: Zen Architecture and Energy Efficiency
The AMD Athlon PRO 300GE processor, released in 2019, remains a popular choice for budget PCs. Its key features include:
- Zen Architecture (1st generation) optimized for GlobalFoundries' 12nm process technology.
- 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) technology.
- Integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics with 3 compute units (192 stream processors) and clock speeds up to 1100 MHz.
- TDP of 35W: ideal for compact systems and mini-PCs.
- Cache memory: 4 MB L3, sufficient for basic tasks.
Performance
According to Geekbench 6 (2025):
- Single-Core: 904 points — comparable to Intel Pentium Gold G7400 (920 points).
- Multi-Core: 1766 points — weaker than 4-core Ryzen 3, but better than 2-core Celerons.
Key Features
- Support for AMD-V virtualization.
- Cool’n’Quiet energy-saving technologies.
- AMD GuardMI memory protection.
Compatible Motherboards: AM4 Socket and Chipset Options
The Athlon PRO 300GE uses the AM4 socket, ensuring compatibility with motherboards featuring:
- A320: budget option (from $50), but no overclocking support.
- B450/B550: support for PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.2 (from $70).
- X470/X570: for advanced builds (from $120).
Selection Tips
- BIOS Update: A BIOS update may be required for motherboards from 2020–2022.
- Model Examples:
- ASUS Prime A320M-K ($55): basic motherboard for office tasks.
- Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2 ($80): optimal choice for upgrades.
Supported Memory: DDR4 and Dual-Channel Mode
The processor works with DDR4 (DDR5 is not supported):
- Maximum frequency: 2933 MHz (officially).
- Modes: dual-channel for improved performance.
Recommendations
- Minimum of 8 GB (2×4 GB) for Windows 11 and multitasking.
- Optimal: 16 GB (2×8 GB) DDR4-2666 ($40–$60 for the kit).
Power Supplies: Energy Savings
With a TDP of 35W, the Athlon PRO 300GE does not require a powerful power supply:
- Minimum: 250–300 W (for systems without a discrete graphics card).
- With a margin: 400–450 W (if planning to install a GPU like the GTX 1650).
Power Supply Examples:
- Be Quiet! System Power 10 450W ($55): quiet and reliable.
- EVGA 500 BR ($45): budget option.
Pros and Cons: Who Is It Relevant For in 2025?
Pros:
- Low power consumption.
- Integrated graphics for office tasks and HD video.
- Price: $60–$70 (new, 2025 model).
Cons:
- 2 cores limit multitasking capabilities.
- Vega 3 is weak for modern gaming.
Use Cases: Office, Streaming, Retro Gaming
- Office tasks: Word, Excel, browser with 10+ tabs.
- Multimedia: Streaming 1080p video, video calls.
- Games:
- CS:GO on low settings (45–60 FPS).
- Minecraft (50–70 FPS).
- PS2/GameCube emulators (via PCSX2/Dolphin).
Comparison with Competitors: Intel vs AMD
- Intel Celeron G6900 ($55):
- Pros: higher single-core performance (950 points).
- Cons: no Hyper-Threading, weaker graphics (UHD 710).
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200G ($90):
- Pros: 4 cores, Vega 8.
- Cons: more expensive, TDP of 65W.
Conclusion: The Athlon PRO 300GE wins in price and energy efficiency but loses in multi-threading capability.
Build Tips: Minimum Costs
1. Case: Mini-ITX (Cooler Master Elite 110, $50).
2. Storage: 500 GB NVMe SSD (Crucial P3, $35).
3. Cooling: Stock cooler is sufficient.
4. Networking: Wi-Fi 6 adapter (if the motherboard lacks one).
Example Build:
- Processor: $70.
- Motherboard: $60.
- Memory: $45.
- SSD: $35.
- PSU: $45.
- Case: $50.
Total: ~$305.
Conclusion: Who Is the Athlon PRO 300GE Suitable For?
This processor is ideal for:
- Office PCs: working with documents and video conferencing.
- Home media centers: watching movies and web browsing.
- Budget educational systems: for students and pupils.
Do not choose it if you need:
- Modern gaming or 4K video editing.
- Parallel work in resource-intensive applications (Photoshop + browser + streaming).
In 2025, the Athlon PRO 300GE remains a valuable option for those who appreciate the balance of price and basic performance.