AMD Ryzen with Vega first impressions

AMD has always provided a more cost-effect alternative for their CPUs. Normally, you would go for one CPU and one GPU but this time, AMD has created one with an integrated graphics that can go head-to-head with a GTX 1030. Can this entry-level processor play some of the popular games like PUBG and DOTA 2?

Specifications

AMD Ryzen 2000-Series APUs
	Ryzen 5 2400G with Vega 11	Ryzen 3 2200G with Vega 8
CPU Cores/Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Base CPU Frequency	3.6 GHz	3.5 GHz
Turbo CPU Frequency	3.9 GHz	3.7 GHz
TDP @ Base Frequency	65 W	65 W
Configurable TDP	46-65 W	46-65 W
L2 Cache	512 KB/core	512 KB/core
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
Graphics	Vega 11	Vega 8
Price	PHP 9,150.00	PHP 5,735.00
Bundled Cooler	AMD Wraith Stealth	AMD Wraith Stealth

In terms of APUs though, there is definitely a sense that only one of these 2 would give an exceptional value. While they both have a quad-core set-up, the Ryzen 3 2200g has a 3.5GHz base clock which boosts to 3.7GHz. while the other, Ryzen 5 2400g, has higher clocks and simultaneous multithreading (SMT) support – AMD’s version of hyper-threading. These two side-by-side definitely look good on paper, but would it be able to meet expectations?

Test Environment

Together with the Ryzen 2000 series, we were able to acquire a Gigabyte AB350N Gaming Motherboard.

We also have a G-Skill Flare 2×8 3200mhz.

Initial Impression

Numbers aside, we definitely didn’t have any complaints about the 2400G’s speed and responsiveness with daily tasks. Although, what we really are concerned about is the integrated Vega graphics, which is definitely something worth considering. We will have to run more tests and play some games to figure out if this is worth buying for a budget build. We feel as though the performance doesn’t have a very notable difference between 2200g and 2400g for the PHP 3,415 price difference but we’ll have to let the numbers talk after we run some benches.