AMD Ryzen 3 1200

The 1200 is a ripper once overclocked, often delivering 1500X-like performance in games. Of course, you could overclock the 1500X for even more performance but that's somewhat beside the point. Closing out our official Ryzen 3 coverage, it still seems like the biggest challenge this series faces is AMD's own Ryzen 5 lineup. On that note, there is much more testing to be done.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Jul 2017
4
Cores
4
Threads
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket AM4
Socket
65 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
$79
Price
Release date:Jul 27, 2017Price at Launch:$109
Cores:4Threads:4
Base Clock:3.1 GHzBoost Clock:3.4 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:No
L2 Cache:2 MBL3 Cache:8 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:65 W
Socket:Socket AM4Memory Support:DDR4-2666
Codename:Summit Ridge (Zen)Process Size:14 nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 16 Lanes

Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 pricing

Price Date
Current $79 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $98 Dec 15, 2024
Lowest* $54 May 25, 2025
Average $76
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
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Reviews and Ratings

85

Average Score

Based on 23 reviews

9.0

User Score

Based on 3,135 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Overclocks well
  • Competitive pricing
  • Significantly lowers AM4 and Ryzen platform entry cost

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Intel's bargain Pentium G4560 remains a tough thorn in AMD's side
90

The 1200 is a ripper once overclocked, often delivering 1500X-like performance in games. Of course, you could overclock the 1500X for even more performance but that's somewhat beside the point. Closing out our official Ryzen 3 coverage, it still seems like the biggest challenge this series faces is AMD's own Ryzen 5 lineup. On that note, there is much more testing to be done.

By TechSpot on
80

AMD has been most relevant in the budget market for the past several years. This is where it retreated to when it couldn't keep up with Intel's advances, and it actually did fairly well by cutting prices and repositioning its formerly-high-end products....

By Gadgets360 on
96

AMD continues to dominate the CPU market with their Ryzen processors and the Ryzen 3 lineup is no exception. Intel's Core i3 lineup is all 2C/4T and have a locked multiplier while the Ryzen 3 lineup comes with four cores and a fully unlocked multiplier....

By relaxedtech.com on
90

The star of the show at just £105 is the 1200, we dont think the performance you get from the 1300X is worth an extra £20 and would probably rule that one out like we did the 1800x vs the 1700 and just say its irrelevant if you are going to overclock and should only really buy it if you will leave it at stock because then the extra ££ for the clock speed makes sense. The 1200 however if your going to overclock is an absolute blinder for a budget gaming system and well worth the effort of overclocking one too!

By Overclock3D on
80

Another positive Ryzen product launch from AMD that gives Intel very tough competition against the Core i3 processors. Ryzen 3 is well-balanced with strong computational and gaming performance and decent gains to be had through overclocking. Despite Ryzen 3’s affordable pricing and cost-effective AM4 platform, Intel’s bargain basement Pentium G4560 remains a thorn in AMD’s side.

By KitGuru on
90

If you are a processor tweaker (and really that takes like 5 minutes to do so) then the Ryzen 3 1200 is pure gold. I am not saying that all processors will reach 4 GHz, but the chance and likelihood they can is certainly high. With the latest motherboard BIOSes (AGESA 1006) and the right choice in memory, the issues there are gone as well. Combined with a B350 motherboard and SSD that leaves you with a really properly fast enough PC for your everyday workload and gaming experiences. Well done AMD, as both these processors are purely and truly great value.

By The Guru of 3D on
94

AMD's Ryzen 3 1200 and Ryzen 3 1300X processors offer significant value, performance, and overclocking without breaking the bank, making them some of the best value buy CPUs on the market.

By TweakTown on
90

For the mainstream consumer and market, we now have a complete picture of the Ryzen CPU family from AMD and I am impressed by the performance, capability, and completeness of the lineup. In a matter of just a few months, AMD has gone from irrelevant to revolutionary, rebooting the company in a way that seemed impossible just a few years ago. The Ryzen 3 1300X and 1200 are not rewriting the segment but they are reorganizing the way the sub-$150 processor market will unfold for 2017 and beyond.

By PCPerspective on
85

At those prices, AMD's Ryzen 3 offering is competitive and undercuts some of the higher-end Intel Core i3s. Pair one of these chips with an inexpensive B350 based motherboard -- many of which are available for under $100 -- and you’d have the foundation of a relatively high-performance, modern, quad-core PC, for right around $200, give or take a few bucks.

By HotHardware on
90

One of the hallmarks of Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 processors was their versatility and that story marches on with Ryzen 3. While the 1300X takes the prize in my books, I nonetheless feel both of these CPUs rightly continue AMD’s market shakeup. It may have seemed that bringing great performance to lower price brackets was nothing more than a laudable goal but Ryzen 3 has taken that dream and turned it into a very tempting reality.

By HardwareCanucks on
88

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 currently retails for $109. Unlocked multiplier Aggressive pricing Beats competing Core i3 parts in multi-threaded apps Single-thread performance improved over previous generation Heatsink included Platform updated to include...

By techPowerUp! on
100

It is amazing to see how much value you can gain from both Ryzen 3 processors, in fact these might be the best entry-level desktop processors that AMD released, ever. Now, before I continue, you likely (as I did initially) compared the processors to...

By Guru of 3D on

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