AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i3-10110U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110U and AMD Ryzen 3 1200 occupy very different corners of the CPU landscape, yet their average benchmark scores sit nearly level. The Intel part is a low-power mobile chip from the Comet Lake generation, while the AMD processor is a desktop unit from the original Zen architecture. In the database, the Core i3-10110U records an average benchmark score of 1131, and the Ryzen 3 1200 sits at 1116, a gap of roughly 1.3 percent. Their percentile rankings are similarly close, with the Intel chip at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs and the AMD chip at the 31st. Despite the similar overall averages, the two processors achieve these numbers through very different strengths, and the head-to-head results show a clear split between multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, with each chip taking two wins out of four direct comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10110U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads, whereas the AMD chip has four native cores without simultaneous multithreading.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R15 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 480 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 32.1 percent higher than the Intel Core i3-10110U's score of 326. This is the largest multi-threaded win for the AMD part in the recorded data.

Q: Which chip wins in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Core i3-10110U scores 162 against the Ryzen 3 1200's 135, giving Intel a 20 percent advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 834 versus Intel's 456, a 45.3 percent lead for AMD, so the single-core winner depends heavily on the test version.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has a TDP of 25 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the Intel chip much better suited for thin-and-light mobile systems, while the AMD chip is designed for desktop power budgets.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-10110U does not. The AMD chip also specifies dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, whereas the Intel chip only lists DDR3 and DDR4 support without a bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U boosts to 4.10 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 1200's boost of 3.40 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to Intel's 2.10 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from entirely different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-10110U is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-U codename, and manufactured on a 14 nm process by Intel itself. It is a mobile part, soldered onto the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen family. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It is a desktop processor for the AMD Socket AM4 platform.

Core counts differ sharply. The Intel chip has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads. That extra pair of physical cores gives the Ryzen 3 1200 a structural advantage in parallel workloads, but it comes with a much higher power envelope. The Intel part draws only 25 watts, while the AMD part is rated at 65 watts, a difference that reflects the mobile versus desktop design targets.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Intel Core i3-10110U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the Intel chip's L3. The AMD chip also lists a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², while the Intel chip has no transistor or die size data in the database.

Memory support creates another separation. The Intel chip supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, but does not specify a memory bus width or bandwidth. The AMD chip supports only DDR4, uses a dual-channel bus, and lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is available on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. The AMD processor also exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip has no PCIe information recorded.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel side, with UHD Graphics built in. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output. The Intel chip is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the AMD chip is still listed as active. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The AMD chip also has a launch MSRP of $109, though no pricing data exists for the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records four direct benchmark comparisons between these two processors. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins decisively with a score of 480 against the Intel Core i3-10110U's 326. That is a 32.1 percent margin in favor of AMD, and it aligns with the Ryzen 3 1200's four physical cores versus Intel's two. The AMD chip simply has more hardware threads to throw at a heavily parallel rendering workload, and the older Zen cores still manage to outpace the newer but more constrained Intel part.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the tables turn. The Intel Core i3-10110U scores 162, which beats the AMD Ryzen 3 1200's 135 by 20 percent. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to AMD's 3.40 GHz, helps explain this result. The Comet Lake architecture at that clock speed delivers better per-thread performance in this particular test, giving the mobile chip a clear edge in lightly threaded workloads.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result flips the expected pattern. Here, the Intel Core i3-10110U scores 3236, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 3013. That gives Intel a 7.4 percent win in a multi-threaded test, despite having only two physical cores. The newer Comet Lake architecture and the higher boost clock appear to compensate for the core count disadvantage in this version of the benchmark, which is a notable outcome given the R15 result went the other way.

The Cinebench R23 single-core result is the most surprising of the four. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 834, while the Intel Core i3-10110U scores only 456. That is a 45.3 percent lead for AMD, which contradicts the R15 single-core result entirely. The two chips appear to handle different benchmark versions very differently, and the data does not show a consistent single-core winner across the board. In fact, the R23 single-core delta is the largest performance gap in any of the recorded head-to-head tests.

Overall, the two chips split the four benchmark comparisons evenly. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i3-10110U wins Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 multi-core. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity: Intel at 1131 and AMD at 1116. Neither chip dominates the other in a consistent direction, and the winner depends heavily on which test version and workload type is being evaluated.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i3-10110U and AMD Ryzen 3 1200 differ in nearly every major specification field. The Intel chip has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for Intel and 3.10 GHz for AMD, but boost clocks reverse the order: 4.10 GHz for Intel and 3.40 GHz for AMD. TDP ratings are 25 watts for Intel and 65 watts for AMD, a substantial difference that affects cooling and power delivery requirements.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1440, which is soldered to the motherboard, while AMD uses Socket AM4, which is a standard desktop socket. The Intel chip is from the Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-U codename, while the AMD chip uses the Zen architecture with the Summit Ridge codename. Both are on 14 nm process nodes, but Intel fabricates its own chip while GlobalFoundries makes the AMD part.

Cache configurations differ at every level. The Intel chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 and DDR4 for Intel, but only DDR4 for AMD. The AMD chip specifies a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip has no memory bus or bandwidth data. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel.

The AMD chip has a PCIe specification of Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip has no PCIe data recorded. Integrated graphics are present on the Intel chip as UHD Graphics, but the AMD chip has none. The market segments are mobile for Intel and desktop for AMD. Production status shows Intel as end-of-life and AMD as active. The multiplier is locked on Intel and unlocked on AMD. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $109, while the Intel chip has no launch MSRP listed. The AMD chip also has a part number, YD1200BBM4KAEYD1200BBAEBOX, while the Intel chip does not.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins in scenarios that favor raw core count and consistent multi-threaded throughput. Its 4 cores and 4 threads deliver a 32.1 percent advantage over the Intel chip in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is the kind of workload that scales directly with available hardware threads. The larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher base clock of 3.10 GHz also give it an edge in sustained rendering tasks where the chip can run at its full power envelope. The AM4 socket and unlocked multiplier make it a viable choice for builders who want to tweak clocks, and the ECC memory support adds appeal for systems that need error-checking memory. The lack of integrated graphics is not a drawback for a desktop build that already plans to use a discrete GPU, and the active production status means it remains available for new systems.

The Intel Core i3-10110U wins in efficiency and light-threaded responsiveness. Its 25 watt TDP is dramatically lower than the AMD chip's 65 watts, making it suitable for compact laptops and ultrabooks where cooling and battery life are paramount. The integrated UHD Graphics provide a display output without a separate GPU, which is essential for mobile systems. The 4.10 GHz boost clock helps it win Cinebench R15 single-core by 20 percent, and it also takes Cinebench R23 multi-core by 7.4 percent, showing that its architecture can hold its own in certain parallel tests despite having fewer cores. The BGA 1440 socket means it is soldered in place, which is typical for mobile parts and not a concern for laptop buyers. The end-of-life status suggests it is a mature product, but the recorded benchmarks show it remains competitive.

The Verdict

The recorded data does not crown a single winner, because the two chips serve different purposes. For a desktop builder who values multi-threaded performance in legacy benchmarks like Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the clear choice. Its 480 score in that test beats Intel's 326 by 32.1 percent, and the four physical cores provide a foundation that the two-core Intel chip cannot match in older rendering software. The AM4 socket also offers a path to future upgrades, and the unlocked multiplier invites overclocking. The $109 launch MSRP, stated once here, positions it as an entry desktop part, though the analysis remains focused on performance data.

For a mobile user who needs a low-power chip with integrated graphics, the Intel Core i3-10110U is the obvious pick. Its 25 watt TDP is less than half of the AMD chip's 65 watts, and the built-in UHD Graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU. The 4.10 GHz boost clock delivers a 20 percent win in Cinebench R15 single-core, which matters for everyday responsiveness. The fact that it also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 7.4 percent shows that its architecture is not simply weak in parallel tasks, even if the older R15 test favors the AMD chip.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical at 1131 for Intel and 1116 for AMD, and the percentile rankings sit at 32 and 31 respectively. This means the two CPUs are statistically tied in overall performance, but the distribution of wins is split evenly at 2-2 in the head-to-head tests. The choice comes down to platform and use case. If the system is a desktop with a discrete GPU and the workload is older multi-threaded software, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the better pick. If the system is a laptop or a compact PC that needs integrated graphics and low power draw, the Intel Core i3-10110U is the one to choose. Neither chip is a universal winner, and the data supports a platform-based decision rather than a performance-based one.