AMD Ryzen 3 210 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

# FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus dominates multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 39,684 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 210's 11,198, a 71.8% advantage for Intel. The PassMark multithread test shows 59,439 versus 13,585, a 77.1% gap.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 210 win any benchmark comparisons?

A: No. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins every single test. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 records zero victories in the database.

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. Intel's chip offers 20 more cores, though it does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The Intel chip leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 2,356 points against 1,581 for AMD, a 32.9% difference. In PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 4,951 versus 3,724, a 24.8% lead.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 supports 89.6 GB/s. Both use DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare?

A: The Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 79,574, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD chip averages 17,321, which puts it in the 71st percentile.

# Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. There is no benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 3 210 takes a lead. The Intel chip wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core, plus the entire Passmark suite including data compression, encryption, floating point math, integer math, prime number search, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests.

For single-thread performance, the Intel chip's advantage ranges from 24.8% in PassMark single-thread to 53.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core. The closest margin appears in PassMark single-thread, where Intel scores 4,951 versus AMD's 3,724. The largest single-core gap is in Cinebench R15, where Intel scores 340 versus AMD's 159.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Intel chip's core count advantage becomes decisive. The biggest percentage gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 519 versus AMD's 49, a 90.6% difference. Floating point math shows an 88.3% gap, with Intel at 201,773 and AMD at 23,649. Data encryption shows an 82.8% gap, with Intel at 50,008 and AMD at 8,607.

The AMD Ryzen 3 210, while losing every comparison, still delivers respectable absolute numbers for a 4-core mobile chip. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,198 and PassMark single-thread score of 3,724 indicate a capable low-power processor. The Intel chip, however, operates in a different performance class entirely, as reflected in its 95th percentile ranking versus AMD's 71st percentile.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, built on a 3 nm process also at TSMC.

Transistor counts differ significantly. The AMD chip packs 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel chip has 17,800 million transistors spread across a larger 243 mm² die. The Intel die is 77.4% larger by area but contains fewer transistors, indicating different density characteristics.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip's L3 cache is 4.5 times larger in total capacity.

The core organization differs as well. AMD uses a symmetric 4-core, 8-thread setup with simultaneous multithreading. Intel uses 24 cores with 24 threads, meaning each core handles exactly one thread without SMT. This explains why the thread count equals the core count on Intel, while AMD doubles threads over cores.

PCIe support shows a generational difference. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. This gives Intel both a newer PCIe standard and more available lanes for expansion.

ECC memory support also differs. The Intel chip supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not. Both processors support DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses.

The integrated graphics solutions differ. AMD uses the Radeon 740M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Intel chip also features an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not.

Socket compatibility is completely separate. AMD uses Socket FP7, while Intel uses BGA 2114. Neither chip is compatible with the other's platform.

# Specification Differences

The processors differ in nearly every core specification. Clock speeds show the Intel chip with a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz versus AMD's 3.00 GHz, but a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus AMD's 4.70 GHz. The Intel chip's boost advantage of 0.80 GHz contributes to its single-core lead.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts. This 27-watt difference reflects the Intel chip's higher core count and performance envelope.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s, a 12.8 GB/s difference. Both use dual-channel DDR5.

The production status is Active for both processors. Release dates differ by over a year, with AMD launching on January 5, 2025, and Intel on March 16, 2026.

The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The AMD chip lacks this feature. The Intel part number is SADSS, while AMD's part number is 100-000001612.

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern of Intel superiority across every test category. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 5,981 against AMD's 1,128, an 81.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows Intel at 340 versus AMD's 159, a 53.2% gap.

Cinebench R20 results continue the trend. Multi-core shows Intel at 21,198 versus AMD's 4,703, a 77.8% gap. Single-core shows Intel at 2,992 versus AMD's 664, also a 77.8% gap. The identical percentage in both R20 tests indicates proportional scaling between single and multi-thread performance.

Cinebench R23 presents the most widely referenced results. Multi-core shows Intel at 39,684 versus AMD's 11,198, a 71.8% gap. Single-core shows Intel at 2,356 versus AMD's 1,581, a 32.9% gap. The multi-core advantage is more pronounced than single-core in this test, reflecting the Intel chip's 24-core design.

PassMark tests span a wider range of workloads. Data compression shows Intel at 658,724 versus AMD's 152,017, a 76.9% gap. Data encryption shows Intel at 50,008 versus AMD's 8,607, an 82.8% gap. Extended instructions show Intel at 51,290 versus AMD's 11,464, a 77.6% gap.

The find prime numbers test produces the largest gap in the entire dataset. Intel scores 519, while AMD scores 49, giving Intel a 90.6% lead. This test heavily rewards the Intel chip's core count and architecture.

Floating point math shows Intel at 201,773 versus AMD's 23,649, an 88.3% gap. Integer math shows Intel at 164,839 versus AMD's 37,933, a 77% gap. The multithread test shows Intel at 59,439 versus AMD's 13,585, a 77.1% gap.

Physics simulation shows Intel at 3,387 versus AMD's 821, a 75.8% gap. Random string sorting shows Intel at 80,327 versus AMD's 19,454, also 75.8%. These consistent percentages suggest the Intel chip maintains a similar relative advantage across diverse workload types.

The PassMark single-thread results show the smallest gap in the entire dataset. Intel scores 4,951 versus AMD's 3,724, a 24.8% lead. This confirms that while the Intel chip has a significant core count advantage, its per-core performance superiority is more modest.

The overall benchmark landscape places these chips in different performance tiers. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 79,574, rivaling desktop parts like the Intel Core i9-14900KF and Core i9-14900K. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 sits in the 71st percentile with an average score of 17,321, competing with parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and Intel Core i5-12450H.

The nearest rival data reinforces this separation. The Intel chip's closest competitors include the Core i9-14900KF at 79,371 average score and the Core i9-14900K at 79,097, with deltas of 0.3% and 0.6% respectively. The AMD chip's closest competitors include the Ryzen 5 4500 at 17,333 and the Intel Core 7 150U at 17,395, with deltas of -0.1% and -0.4%. These rival groups do not overlap, confirming that the two processors target entirely different performance segments.