Introduction
AMD has gained tremendous in-roads amongst PC computer enthusiasts, gamers, and well anyone interested in a desktop CPU in the last few years. AMD has had great success with its first line of Summit Ridge Ryzen 1000 series desktop CPUs based on the Zen architecture. Then it continued that success with the refresh known as Pinnacle Ridge Ryzen 2000 series Zen+ based line of Ryzen CPUs. In 2019 AMD further bolstered themselves in CPU technology leadership with the new Matisse line of Ryzen 3000 series Zen 2 architecture-based CPUs we know today. Every year AMD has proven to innovate and launch capable and desirable CPUs for the PC desktop market.
In the summer of 2019, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 Zen 2 cores 3000 series CPUs known as Matisse. We have covered a multitude of these CPUs since the launch here at TheFPSReview. Of course, there is also Threadripper and EPYC CPUs, but today we are focused on the desktop side of things. Ryzen 7 CPUs that were launched in 2019 include Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 3800X. Major Ryzen 5 CPUs that were released in 2019 in the US include Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3600X. Major Ryzen 9 CPUs that were released in 2019 in the US include Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 9 3950X.
This leaves only one Ryzen category left, Ryzen 3 processor! Well AMD is now ready to fill out the complete Matisse lineup with its Ryzen 3 3rd generation Zen 2 architecture lineup right now in May of 2020. Say hello to the Ryzen 3 3300X and the Ryzen 3 3100. The Ryzen 3 3300X has an MSRP of $120 and the Ryzen 3 3100 has an MSRP of $99.
Two Reviews
We are reviewing each CPU independently with two reviews. In this review, we are reviewing the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X CPU specifically and taking a look at the architecture of Ryzen 3. We also have a second review reviewing the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU that will be published on Friday 5/8 so keep an eye out for it. It would make sense to read this one first if you want the low-down on the architecture, and then check that one out tomorrow to see how the Ryzen 3 3100 does. First, let’s do the Ryzen 3 3300X review.