AMD Ryzen 3 1300X vs Intel Core i3-9100E Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100E and AMD Ryzen 3 1300X are both 4-core, 4-thread desktop processors aimed at entry-level builds, but the benchmark data shows that they are not interchangeable. The i3-9100E wins decisively in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, while the Ryzen 3 1300X dominates single-core performance across all tested Cinebench versions. The database records show a split decision, with each processor taking two wins in the head-to-head comparison. The i3-9100E edges out the Ryzen 3 1300X in Cinebench R15 multi-core by a tiny 0.2% margin, scoring 559 versus 558. That is effectively a tie in the older multi-threaded workload. However, the Cinebench R23 multi-core test tells a very different story, where the Intel part scores 5549 against 3486 for AMD, a 59.2% advantage. This large gap suggests that the newer R23 workload scales much better with the i3-9100E’s architecture or memory configuration. In single-core tests, the Ryzen 3 1300X is the clear winner. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 152 against just 78 for Intel, a 48.7% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a smaller but still significant 17.3% advantage for AMD, with scores of 947 versus 783. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests puts the i3-9100E at 1605, which is 2.8% higher than the Ryzen 3 1300X’s 1562. Both processors sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their different strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The Intel Core i3-9100E produces a score of 5549, which is 59.2% higher than the Ryzen 3 1300X’s 3486. This is not a marginal difference; it is a substantial gap that indicates the Intel processor handles sustained multi-threaded workloads much better. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows no such advantage, with the i3-9100E scoring 559 and the Ryzen 3 1300X scoring 558, a difference of just 0.2%. The database’s head-to-head data records this as a win for Intel, but the practical performance difference is negligible.

Single-core performance flips the script. The Ryzen 3 1300X achieves 152 in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the i3-9100E manages only 78. That is a 48.7% deficit for Intel, which is a massive gap in a workload that many everyday applications rely on. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD processor scores 947 against Intel’s 783, a 17.3% advantage. While the margin shrinks in the newer test, the Ryzen 3 1300X still holds a clear lead. The database also includes Geekbench results for the AMD chip only, with a multi-core score of 3126 and a single-core score of 1101. No comparable Geekbench data exists for the i3-9100E in the records, so a direct comparison in that suite is not possible from the available facts.

Looking at the broader picture, the i3-9100E has an average benchmark score of 1605, which places it slightly above its nearest rivals. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 scores 1609, a 0.2% difference, and the Intel Core i7-10610U scores 1611, a 0.3% difference. The i3-9100E also leads the Intel Core i7-970 by 0.5% and the Intel Core i7-1060G7 by 0.9%. The Ryzen 3 1300X, with an average score of 1562, sits in a similar neighborhood. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-6600T, scores 1563, which is 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i3-8300 also scores 1564, a 0.1% lead. The AMD Opteron 6276 and Intel Core i3-1115G4E trail by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. These numbers show that both processors are closely grouped with their peers, but the i3-9100E has a slightly higher overall average.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i3-9100E uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, built on a 14 nm process at Intel’s foundry. The die size is 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X uses the Zen architecture, from the Ryzen 3 Zen (Summit Ridge) generation, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The AMD die is significantly larger at 213 mm², and the chip contains 4,800 million transistors. Intel does not list a transistor count for the i3-9100E in the database.

Cache configurations differ notably. The i3-9100E has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 1300X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has larger caches at every level, which likely contributes to its single-core performance advantage. Both processors support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus, but the memory bandwidth differs. The i3-9100E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Ryzen 3 1300X reaches 42.7 GB/s. The AMD part again has the higher figure.

Both CPUs support ECC memory, a feature that is not common in all desktop processors. They also both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The socket is a major difference: the i3-9100E fits Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen 3 1300X uses AMD Socket AM4. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 630, while the Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics at all. This means a system built around the AMD processor requires a discrete GPU, while the Intel part can run with integrated graphics alone for basic display output.

The Ryzen 3 1300X has an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking, while the i3-9100E does not. The production status also differs: the i3-9100E is marked as end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 1300X is still listed as active. Release dates show the AMD chip launched in July 2017, while the Intel chip arrived in August 2018, over a year later.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-9100E is the better choice for multi-threaded workloads that use the Cinebench R23 test as a proxy. Its 59.2% lead in that benchmark is substantial and suggests it can handle rendering, video encoding, or other heavily threaded tasks with more headroom. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows no real difference, but the newer test is more demanding and reveals the Intel architecture’s strength. For users running modern multi-threaded applications, the database points toward the i3-9100E.

The Ryzen 3 1300X wins in single-core performance across both Cinebench versions. Its 48.7% lead in R15 single-core and 17.3% lead in R23 single-core indicate that it handles lightly threaded tasks, such as everyday office work, web browsing, or older games, more responsively. The larger cache and higher base clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the i3-9100E’s 3.10 GHz, likely contribute to this. Both CPUs have the same 3.70 GHz boost clock, but the AMD part maintains a higher base frequency.

The Ryzen 3 1300X also offers an unlocked multiplier, which means users can push it beyond stock settings if they have an appropriate motherboard and cooler. The i3-9100E has no such flexibility. For builders who prioritize single-threaded speed and overclocking headroom, the AMD option aligns with those goals. For builders who need better multi-threaded performance in newer workloads and want integrated graphics as a fallback, the Intel option is the data-backed choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E has an average benchmark score of 1605, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X’s average of 1562.

Q: How big is the difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The i3-9100E scores 5549, while the Ryzen 3 1300X scores 3486. This gives Intel a 59.2% advantage in that test.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark by a wide margin?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 3 1300X leads by 48.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 152 versus 78 for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i3-9100E and the Ryzen 3 1300X have ECC memory support according to the database.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same manufacturing process?

A: Both are built on a 14 nm process, but the i3-9100E is fabricated by Intel, while the Ryzen 3 1300X is fabricated by GlobalFoundries.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. If the primary workload is multi-threaded and modern, the Intel Core i3-9100E is the stronger pick. Its 59.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest performance gap recorded in the head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score is higher overall. The Intel part also brings integrated graphics, which is a practical advantage for a system that may not have a discrete GPU from day one.

If the priority is single-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is the better choice. It leads in both Cinebench R15 single-core by 48.7% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 17.3%. Its higher base clock, larger cache at all levels, and higher memory bandwidth support this result. The unlocked multiplier also gives it an edge for users who want to overclock, a feature the i3-9100E lacks entirely.

The production status matters for long-term availability. The i3-9100E is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 1300X remains active. For a new build in the current market, the AMD part is more likely to be found in stock. For a used or legacy system, the Intel part may be an option, but its end-of-life status is a consideration. The Ryzen 3 1300X also has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for Intel, which translates to better out-of-the-box single-thread performance without any tuning.

Both CPUs sit at the same 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database, so neither is a performance outlier. The choice comes down to workload. Multi-threaded rendering and encoding favor Intel. Single-threaded responsiveness and overclocking favor AMD. The database does not show a universal winner, only a context-dependent one.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core i3-9100E | AMD Ryzen 3 1300X |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Series | null | 1000 series |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Zen |

| Generation | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) | Ryzen 3 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | null | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | null |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-08-31 | 2017-07-26 |

| Launch MSRP | $122 | $129 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | SRGE0SRGQY | YD130XBBM4KAEYD130XBBAEBOX |