AMD Ryzen Desktop G-Series

CPU launches were fast and frantic in 2017, with both AMD and Intel refreshing their desktop stables with enticing, new products. AMD, in particular, can be credited with restoring competition to this space with the introduction of Ryzen processors based on the cutting-edge 14nm Zen architecture.

Offering impressive bang for buck, Ryzen has helped usher in an era of many-core computing, but one piece of the puzzle remained: integrated graphics. Whereas the majority of Intel's desktop CPUs come equipped with an onboard graphics processor, the initial Ryzen chips went without and AMD is today filling that hole with the launch of two G-Series desktop chips, codenamed Raven Ridge and productised as Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G.

Ryzen Meets Radeon

AMD deserves credit for simplifying the original batch of Ryzen desktop CPUs into clearly defined categories. Ryzen 3 for the entry-level, Ryzen 5 for mid-range, and Ryzen 7 for high-end, eight-core computing. Adding integrated graphics to the mix complicates matters somewhat, and the G-Series nomenclature has been introduced to differentiate those parts outfitted with onboard Radeon graphics.

The above table provides an overview of where the new duo slots in and there are a few interesting observations that you may miss at first glance. While Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G appear to share plenty of commonality with Ryzen 5 1500X and Ryzen 3 1300X, respectively, the Raven Ridge chips use a single CCX design, as opposed to the traditional dual CCX, in order to reduce cost. This results in a halving of L3 cache - from 8MB to 4MB - and fewer PCIe lances, but AMD reckons the performance deficit is largely negated by a combination of higher operating frequencies, increased supported memory speed and lower latency attributed to the one-stop CCX.

As before, all Ryzen processors are multiplier unlocked, but 2400G and 2200G shift the focus from enthusiast to mainstream users looking to build a do-it-all PC on a budget. Hence the onboard graphics, known simply as Radeon Vega.

Communicating with the CPU by AMD's highly regarded Infinity Fabric, the GPU carries the same underlying architecture as desktop Vega graphics cards, albeit with vastly reduced specifications. Ryzen 5 2400G's Vega implementation presents 11 compute units (704 shaders) configured to a top speed of 1,250MHz. As expected, Ryzen 3 2200G is a second-class citizen, whose Vega GPU carries eight compute units (512 shaders) dialled-in at a more conservative 1,100MHz.

Precision Boost 2 helps balance CPU and GPU peak frequency based on workload, but AMD's prowess in the graphics space is such that a Radeon Vega IGP, with a relatively small number of shaders, should still run circles around onboard graphics from, say, a price comparable Intel Core i3-8350K.

The good news for the consumer is that AMD's new additions utilise the familiar AM4 socket, whose choice of motherboards has expanded nicely in recent months, and prices remain ultra competitive. At $169, Ryzen 5 2400G offers a four core, eight-thread CPU and a Radeon Vega GPU in a single package. Ryzen 3 2200G is arguably even more aggressive, taking quad-core computing with powerful onboard graphics into the $99 space.

Performance

AMD Ryzen has its strengths, but single-thread performance, predicated largely by instructions per clock (IPC) and peak frequency, remains a sticking point. This is one area in which Intel continues to exhibit a significant advantage.

Multi-threaded workloads are the Zen architecture's bread and butter. Put all available cores to work and Ryzen reveals its competitive dexterity. As expected, Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G are an almost exact match for the existing Ryzen 5 1500X and Ryzen 3 1300X, with the difference this time around is the addition of Vega graphics...

...and in IGP terms, Radeon Vega packs a healthy punch. Benchmarks from leading review sites confirm that the Ryzen onboard graphics option is vastly superior to the equivalent Intel offering, with gains as high as 150 per cent.

But do consider the synthetic 3DMark result in context, as an IGP is still an IGP, and no match for a dedicated discrete graphics card. While onboard Radeon Vega graphics have merit, they still lack the horsepower required to drive a high-quality HD gaming experience. As demonstrated in the above graph, games rendered using the lowest available quality settings are likely to struggle to achieve the desired 60 frames per second at the ubiquitous 1080p resolution.

Summary

AMD has bolstered its range of Ryzen processors with two new additions aimed at mainstream users seeking a one-stop solution for everyday computing.

Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G, priced keenly at $169 and $99, respectively, take the Ryzen foundations that many consumers know and love and add Radeon Vega graphics to the mix. The end result is a powerful multi-core CPU with best-in-class integrated graphics at a mighty attractive price point.

The entire range of AMD Ryzen G-Series Desktop processors are available to purchase at Scan Computers.