AMD Ryzen 3 210 vs Intel Core i5-11400F Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy: the Intel Core i5-11400F is the dominant multi-threaded performer, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 secures a decisive victory in single-threaded PassMark testing. The Ryzen 3 210’s sole benchmark wins are both in the PassMark single-thread test, where it scores 3724 against the Core i5-11400F’s 2981, a 24.9% advantage. This is a significant margin, indicating the Zen 4 architecture’s per-core efficiency advantage. However, this single bright spot does little to offset the Intel part’s overwhelming lead in every other measured workload, from Cinebench rendering to PassMark’s math and compression tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-11400F’s victory is comprehensive, with its largest wins coming in computationally intensive tasks. In the PassMark integer math test, the Intel chip scores 57624, which is 34.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 210’s 37933. The floating-point math test shows a similar story, with Intel leading 34127 to 23649, a 30.7% delta. These results indicate that for raw number-crunching, the Intel part’s six physical cores and twelve threads provide a substantial throughput advantage over the AMD chip’s four cores and eight threads.

The Cinebench results reinforce this pattern. Across all three versions (R15, R20, and R23), the Intel Core i5-11400F beats the AMD Ryzen 3 210 by a consistent 21.9% in both single-core and multi-core tests. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 14340 versus AMD’s 11198, and in the single-core test, Intel leads 2024 to 1581. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural, stemming from the core count difference rather than any particular workload optimization.

The gap narrows in some specific workloads. In PassMark’s find prime numbers test, the Intel part wins by a marginal 3.9% (51 vs 49), and in the physics test, the lead is just 2.5% (842 vs 821). These results show that while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 is generally outclassed, there are niche scenarios where its architecture is nearly competitive. The data encryption test shows a 16% Intel advantage (10247 vs 8607), and the random string sorting test shows a 19.4% lead (24124 vs 19454). The Intel part’s most substantial win is in integer math, reinforcing its strength in general-purpose computing.

It is important to note the context of these scores. Both processors sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs tracked, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: the AMD Ryzen 3 210 averages 17321, while the Intel Core i5-11400F averages 17177. The nearest rivals list for the AMD chip includes the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i5-12450H (0.5% ahead), placing it in a competitive mid-range cluster. The Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7H12 (0.3% behind) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U (0.6% ahead), showing it is similarly positioned. This means that while the head-to-head delta is large, both chips are in the same performance tier relative to the broader market.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3724, which is 24.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-11400F’s 2981. This is the AMD chip’s only benchmark victory.

Q: How large is the multi-threaded performance gap?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F leads by 21.9% in all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 14340 against the AMD chip’s 11198.

Q: Which CPU is better for data compression workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F is significantly better, scoring 208472 in the PassMark data compression test versus 152017 for the AMD Ryzen 3 210, a 27.1% advantage.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance tier overall?

A: Yes, both have a 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs and nearly identical average benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 averages 17321, while the Intel Core i5-11400F averages 17177.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 210 win any other benchmark besides single-thread?

A: No. The AMD chip wins only the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests (which are the same test). The Intel Core i5-11400F wins all other 15 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the closest head-to-head result?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test is the closest, with the Intel Core i5-11400F winning by only 3.9% (a score of 51 versus 49 for the AMD chip). The PassMark physics test is also close, with Intel leading by just 2.5%.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-11400F is the superior processor for almost all workloads. With 15 wins out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, it is the clear choice for users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, content creation, or any task that can utilize its six cores and twelve threads. Its consistent 21.9% lead across all Cinebench tests and 30%+ margins in PassMark math tests make it the default recommendation for general-purpose and productivity computing.

The AMD Ryzen 3 210 should only be considered if single-threaded performance is the absolute priority. Its 24.9% lead in the PassMark single-thread test is substantial, and its 4.70 GHz boost clock suggests responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications. However, this is a narrow use case. The Intel chip’s 4.40 GHz boost clock is lower, but its multi-core advantages are so pervasive that they outweigh the single-thread deficit for nearly all users. The Intel part is also the only one with a launch MSRP of $157, while the AMD chip has no listed launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in their core configurations and memory support. The Intel Core i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This core count difference is the primary driver of the Intel chip’s multi-threaded dominance. The base clocks are similar (2.60 GHz for Intel, 3.00 GHz for AMD), but the AMD chip has a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

Memory support is another major divergence. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-11400F supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This gives the AMD chip a theoretical memory bandwidth advantage, although it does not translate into benchmark wins. The Intel chip has more PCIe lanes (20 versus 14 for AMD) and a larger L3 cache (12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared). The AMD chip has a 4 nm process node from TSMC, while the Intel chip uses Intel’s 14 nm process. The Intel chip’s die size is 276 mm², whereas the AMD chip is 137 mm².

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is stark. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 is built on Zen 4 architecture (codenamed Hawk Point) using TSMC’s 4 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-11400F uses the older Rocket Lake architecture on Intel’s 14 nm process. This process node difference explains why the AMD chip achieves higher clock speeds (4.70 GHz boost) while consuming less power (28 W TDP versus 65 W for Intel). The AMD chip also integrates a Radeon 740M GPU, whereas the Intel Core i5-11400F has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip is designed for the mobile market segment (AMD Socket FP7), while the Intel chip is a desktop part (Intel Socket 1200). The Intel chip is marked end-of-life, while the AMD chip is active.

Cache layouts also differ. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. The Intel chip compensates with a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache versus the AMD chip’s 8 MB shared L3. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400F is the winner for multi-threaded, parallel workloads. Its 21.9% lead in Cinebench multi-core tests and 30.7% lead in floating-point math make it the recommended choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The 34.2% lead in integer math also makes it superior for general productivity suites and code compilation. The 27.1% advantage in data compression is relevant for file archiving and backup tasks. For any user running heavily threaded applications, the Intel chip is the clear choice.

The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins in single-threaded responsiveness. Its 24.9% lead in PassMark single-thread performance suggests it may feel snappier in everyday tasks like web browsing, office document editing, and light application launching. Its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz supports this. The AMD chip’s lower TDP (28 W versus 65 W) also makes it a more efficient option for mobile or power-constrained systems, although this is not a direct benchmark advantage. For users who prioritize the fastest possible single-core reaction time or need a mobile processor, the AMD Ryzen 3 210 is the choice. For everyone else, the data points overwhelmingly to the Intel Core i5-11400F.