AMD Ryzen 3 3250C

AMD Ryzen 3 3250C

AMD Ryzen 3 3250C: A budget processor for everyday tasks in 2025

Analysis of capabilities, use cases, and competitiveness


Architecture and manufacturing process: what's inside the "heart" of a budget laptop?

The AMD Ryzen 3 3250C processor, introduced in 2020, maintains its position in the affordable laptop segment by 2025. It is manufactured using a 14nm process technology (Zen architecture), which falls behind modern 5nm and 7nm chips, but explains the low cost of devices built on it.

- Cores and threads: 2 physical cores and 4 threads thanks to SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) technology. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.5 GHz.

- Cache: 4 MB of L3 cache — the minimum capacity for handling uncomplicated tasks.

- Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics with 3 computing units (192 shader processors) operating at frequencies of up to 1200 MHz. It supports 4K output and VP9/H.265 video decoding, but is not designed for modern gaming.

Architecture features:

- The outdated 14nm process leads to higher energy consumption and heat generation compared to modern chips (e.g., Intel’s 10nm or Apple’s 5nm).

- Support for DDR4-2400 MHz memory limits data processing speed.


Power consumption and TDP: balancing performance and battery life

The processor's TDP (Thermal Design Power) is 15W, typical for ultrabooks and compact laptops.

- Heating: In devices with passive cooling (e.g., thin Chromebooks), throttling may occur under prolonged load. In models with a fan, heat management is better.

- Energy efficiency: Due to the 14nm process, the Ryzen 3 3250C lags behind modern AMD chips (7000 series on 5nm) and Intel Core Ultra (7nm) in efficiency, but for basic tasks, it is sufficient.


Performance: what can 2 cores accomplish in 2025?

Geekbench 6 scores (Single-Core: 762; Multi-Core: 1338) indicate that the processor is suitable for light tasks but not for multi-threaded workloads.

Real-world scenarios:

1. Office work:

- Running a browser (10-15 tabs), Word, Excel, and messengers — no issues.

- Delays are noticeable when using Zoom + Google Docs + several background applications simultaneously.

2. Multimedia:

- Watching 4K video on YouTube: smooth playback due to hardware decoding.

- Photo editing in Lightroom: basic edits (cropping, color correction) — yes, but processing HDR or using neural filters — no.

3. Gaming:

- CS:GO at low settings (720p) — 25-35 FPS.

- Minecraft (without shaders) — 40-50 FPS.

- Modern AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield) — will not run.

Turbo mode:

Under short-term load (e.g., opening a "heavy" PDF), frequency can boost to 3.5 GHz, but during extended use (video rendering), it drops back to base frequency due to overheating.


Use cases: who is suited for the Ryzen 3 3250C?

1. Students: For studies (typing, presentations, online courses).

2. Office workers: Document handling and corporate services.

3. Home users: Web browsing, streaming, social media communication.

4. Elderly individuals: Ease of use, low price.

Not suitable for:

- Gamers (except retro games).

- Designers, video engineers, programmers using heavy IDEs.


Battery life: how long will the laptop last?

In devices with a 40-50 Wh battery, usage time reaches 6-8 hours under moderate use (brightness at 50%, Wi-Fi, office tasks).

Power-saving technologies:

- AMD SenseMI: Dynamic control of frequency and voltage.

- "Battery Saver" mode in Windows/Linux: reduces performance to extend battery life.

Recommendation: Choose laptops with IPS screens (low power consumption) and SSDs (less load on CPU).


Comparison with competitors: who is better in 2025?

1. AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores/8 threads, 6nm, Zen 2): 30-40% faster in multi-threaded tasks, laptops starting from $450.

2. Intel Core i3-1215U (6nm, 2 cores/4 threads): Comparable single-threaded performance, but Intel Xe graphics are 15-20% faster.

3. Apple M1 (5nm, 4 cores/4 threads): 2-3 times higher performance, but runs macOS with a starting price of $800.

Conclusion: The Ryzen 3 3250C is relevant only in the budget segment (laptops priced up to $400).


Pros and cons: is it worth buying?

Strengths:

- Low device prices ($300-$450).

- Sufficient performance for everyday tasks.

- Support for modern codecs for multimedia.

Weaknesses:

- Only 2 cores — multitasking is limited.

- Outdated 14nm fabrication process.

- Poor upgrade potential: CPU replacement in laptops is not possible.


Recommendations for choosing a laptop

1. Type of device:

- Ultrabook: ASUS VivoBook 15, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 — weighs up to 1.5 kg, with a 14-15.6" screen.

- Chromebook: HP Chromebook 14 — for web browsing.

2. What to pay attention to:

- RAM: At least 8 GB (preferably 16 GB for "just in case").

- Storage: SSD only (256 GB and up).

- Screen: Full HD IPS — causes less eye strain.

Examples of 2025 models:

- Acer Aspire 3 (A315-23-R3D5): 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, price $349.

- HP 15-dw2000: 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, price $429.


Final conclusion: who is the Ryzen 3 3250C for?

This processor is a choice for those who are not willing to pay extra for modern technologies but need a reliable laptop for basic tasks.

Key benefits:

- Affordable price.

- Energy efficiency for 6-8 hours of work.

- Support for everyday applications.

Alternatives: If the budget allows, it’s better to choose a laptop with the Ryzen 5 5500U or Intel Core i5-1235U — they will last longer and will not disappoint in multitasking.


Conclusion: The AMD Ryzen 3 3250C in 2025 is a workhorse for those who prioritize saving. But remember: technology is constantly evolving, and even among budget models, there are newer options available.

Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Laptop
Launch Date
September 2020

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
2.6GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
Up to 3.5GHz
L1 Cache
192KB
L2 Cache
1MB
L3 Cache
4MB
Unlocked for Overclocking
?
AMD`s product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking, even when overclocking is enabled via AMD hardware and/or software. GD-26.
No
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FP5
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14nm
TDP
15W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
105°C

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
AMD Radeon™ Graphics
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1200 MHz
Graphics Core Count
3

Miscellaneous

OS Support
ChromeOS, Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition *Operating System (OS) support will vary by manufacturer.

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
762
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
1338
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
625
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
1299
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
1908
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
3208

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
885 +16.1%
824 +8.1%
702 -7.9%
655 -14%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
1638 +22.4%
1499 +12%
1175 -12.2%
1044 -22%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
671 +7.4%
649 +3.8%
601 -3.8%
581 -7%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
1451 +11.7%
1379 +6.2%
1215 -6.5%
1134 -12.7%
Passmark CPU Single Core
1961 +2.8%
1939 +1.6%
1879 -1.5%
1829 -4.1%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
3536 +10.2%
3368 +5%
3043 -5.1%
2901 -9.6%