Gaming on a Budget: See How the £12 Athlon 3000G APU Performs!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Specifications of the AMD Athlon 3000g
3. Pros and Cons of the AMD Athlon 3000g
4. Performance for Gaming
5. testing Minecraft
6. Testing Counter Strike 2
7. Testing Rocket League
8. Testing Overwatch
9. Issues with Valorant and Windows 11
10. Conclusion

The AMD Athlon 3000g: A Budget-Friendly Option for Gaming and More

The AMD Athlon 3000g is a low-cost CPU that offers impressive performance for its price. Released in late 2019, this processor not only stands out for its affordability but also for its integrated graphics, making it suitable for various applications, including gaming. In this article, we will explore the specifications of the AMD Athlon 3000g, examine its pros and cons, and delve into its gaming performance with different popular titles. So, let's dive in and find out if this budget-friendly CPU is a good choice for your computing needs.

Specifications of the AMD Athlon 3000g

The AMD Athlon 3000g boasts two cores and four Threads, along with 4 megabytes of L3 cache. With a clock speed of 3.5 GHz and a TDP of 35 Watts, this CPU offers a decent level of performance while maintaining low power consumption. Its integrated graphics further enhance its appeal, allowing for seamless usage without the need for a dedicated GPU. These specifications make the AMD Athlon 3000g an excellent option for basic home servers and small form factor builds.

Pros and Cons of the AMD Athlon 3000g

Before delving into the gaming performance of the AMD Athlon 3000g, let's take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Affordability: The AMD Athlon 3000g is one of the most affordable APUs available in the market, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
• Integrated Graphics: Unlike many other AMD processors, the Athlon 3000g comes with integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU in some use cases.
• Low Power Consumption: With a TDP of 35 Watts, this CPU is energy-efficient and suitable for systems with limited power capabilities.
• Compatibility: The AMD Athlon 3000g is compatible with AM4 motherboards, providing users with flexibility in their choice of hardware.

Cons:

• Limited Core Count: The dual-core configuration of the AMD Athlon 3000g may limit its performance potential, especially in more resource-intensive tasks.
• Memory Speed: While the CPU supports faster memory speeds, limited availability might constrain users to use slower memory modules, impacting overall system performance.

Despite its limitations, the AMD Athlon 3000g offers a compelling feature set at an incredibly affordable price. Let's now explore its gaming performance by examining how it handles different popular titles.

Performance for Gaming

Gaming enthusiasts often demand high-performance CPUs to power their gaming rigs. However, not everyone can afford premium processors. The AMD Athlon 3000g presents an attractive option for those looking for a wallet-friendly solution. In this section, we will assess the CPU's gaming capabilities by testing several popular games.

Testing Minecraft

Minecraft is a Game known for its unique combination of simplicity and CPU intensity. With its low system requirements, it serves as an excellent benchmark for entry-level CPUs like the AMD Athlon 3000g. We conducted tests with Minecraft Java Edition at 1080p, low graphics settings, and a four chunk render distance set. The game showcased average frame rates in the mid-hundreds, occasionally reaching the 200s. The CPU proved to handle Minecraft adequately, although the occasional drops in frame rates indicated its limitations, primarily due to its dual-core configuration.

Testing Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a popular multiplayer first-person shooter that enjoys a wide player base. As a competitive game, CS:GO places more emphasis on CPU performance and relies less on GPU power. We tested the AMD Athlon 3000g with CS:GO at the lowest settings, obtaining frame rates between 45 and 60 FPS, averaging around 50 FPS. These results were consistent across different resolutions, emphasizing the CPU's ability to handle the game's demands effectively.

Testing Rocket League

Rocket League is a fast-paced game that combines soccer with cars. Although it is not as demanding as some other titles, it still requires ample computing power. With the AMD Athlon 3000g, we ran Rocket League at various resolutions and experienced an average frame rate of around 70 FPS at 1080p, 80 FPS at 1600x900, and approximately 87 FPS at 720p. While the game's visuals may suffer at lower resolutions, playability remains unaffected, showcasing the CPU's ability to handle the game smoothly.

Testing Overwatch

Overwatch is a team-based first-person shooter game that demands a stable frame rate for an enjoyable gaming experience. With the AMD Athlon 3000g, we tested Overwatch at the lowest settings across different resolutions. The game ran consistently at 31 FPS, irrespective of the resolution. While this frame rate may not be ideal for competitive play, it remains steady and provides a playable experience akin to previous-generation consoles.

Issues with Valorant and Windows 11

Unfortunately, we encountered issues trying to run Valorant on the AMD Athlon 3000g coupled with Windows 11. The Vanguard anti-cheat system falsely claimed that secure boot was disabled, preventing us from launching the game. This issue has been reported by several users, highlighting compatibility challenges in running Valorant on the Windows 11 platform. While we were unable to test the game ourselves, benchmark comparisons with similar hardware and Windows 10 configurations indicate excellent performance, surpassing 60 FPS at 1080p.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the AMD Athlon 3000g impresses with its price-to-performance ratio. Although it may not offer the same level of power as higher-end CPUs, the affordability, compatibility, and integrated graphics of the Athlon 3000g make it an excellent choice for a basic home server or an entry-level gaming system. With its fair gaming performance in titles like Minecraft, CS:GO, Rocket League, and Overwatch, this CPU proves its worth. So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly CPU with decent gaming capabilities, consider the AMD Athlon 3000g as a viable option.

Highlights

• The AMD Athlon 3000g is an affordable CPU with integrated graphics, making it suitable for basic gaming and small form factor builds.
• With its dual-core configuration and 3.5 GHz clock speed, the Athlon 3000g delivers decent performance for its price range.
• The CPU provides playable frame rates in popular games like Minecraft, CS:GO, Rocket League, and Overwatch.
• Compatibility issues with Valorant on Windows 11 pose a challenge for gamers wanting to run this particular game on the Athlon 3000g.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the AMD Athlon 3000g run Windows 11? A: While the AMD Athlon 3000g can run Windows 11, certain compatibility issues have been reported, particularly with the game Valorant.

Q: Is the AMD Athlon 3000g suitable for gaming? A: The AMD Athlon 3000g offers decent gaming performance for its price range. However, it may struggle with more demanding games due to its dual-core configuration.

Q: Does the AMD Athlon 3000g require a dedicated GPU? A: The AMD Athlon 3000g comes with integrated graphics, making it capable of running games without the need for a separate GPU.

Q: Is the AMD Athlon 3000g a good choice for a home server? A: Yes, the AMD Athlon 3000g's low power consumption and integrated graphics make it a suitable CPU for basic home servers or small form factor builds.

Q: What are the limitations of the AMD Athlon 3000g? A: The main limitations of the AMD Athlon 3000g include its dual-core configuration, which may limit its performance potential, and potential memory speed constraints.

Resources:

• AMD website
• Minecraft
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Rocket League
• Overwatch
• Valorant