AMD Ryzen 3 2300U vs Intel Core i3-6100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two processors, with the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U taking the majority of the multi-threaded wins while the Intel Core i3-6100 edges ahead in a single-core test. Across the three head-to-head benchmarks available in the database, AMD wins two, Intel wins one, and the margins tell the story of two very different design philosophies.

The most decisive result comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U scores 422.5 against the Intel Core i3-6100's 224. That is a 47% advantage for the AMD part. The Ryzen 3 2300U’s four physical cores, even at a modest 2.00 GHz base clock, simply overwhelm the dual-core Intel chip with Hyper-Threading. A 47% lead in a heavily threaded render workload is a massive gap, one that indicates the AMD part will be significantly faster in any workload that scales across cores, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation tasks.

The Geekbench multicore test tells a similar story, though with a slightly smaller margin. The Ryzen 3 2300U scores 2234, while the Core i3-6100 manages 1605. That works out to a 28.2% win for AMD. This benchmark also benefits from the extra physical cores, but the gap is smaller than in Cinebench, suggesting that the Ryzen part’s efficiency or memory bandwidth constraints might cap its scaling in certain workloads. Still, a 28.2% lead in a cross-platform benchmark is significant.

The single-core picture is much closer, and it is the one place Intel comes out on top. In Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i3-6100 scores 785, versus 783 for the Ryzen 3 2300U. The delta is 0.3% in favor of Intel. That is effectively a statistical tie, but the data records the Intel chip as the winner. The i3-6100’s high base clock of 3.70 GHz, with no boost clock needed, gives it a small edge in lightly threaded tasks. The Ryzen 3 2300U, despite having a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, cannot quite match that in the single-core test.

Looking at other benchmarks in the database, the picture becomes more detailed. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Intel i3-6100 scores 934, and in Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 2226. The Ryzen parts do not have direct R20 or R23 scores in the head-to-head list, but its R15 multicore score of 422.5 relative to the Intel's 224 tells the same story: the AMD chip has a large multicore advantage. For single-core, the Intel i3-6100 scores 131 in Cinebench R20 and 314 in Cinebench R23. The Ryzen 3 2300U has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 79, but there is no direct single-core R20 or R23 score for the AMD part in the data. The Geekbench single-core result of 785 (Intel) versus 783 (AMD) is the clearest direct comparison, and it is a narrow Intel win.

Overall, the database shows that the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i3-6100 just barely holds the single-core crown.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design schools. The Intel Core i3-6100 is a desktop part, built on the Skylake architecture, and released in late August 2015. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is a mobile part, using the Zen architecture under the Raven Ridge codename, released in early January 2018.

Both chips are manufactured on a 14 nm process node. Intel fabricates its chip at its own foundry, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts are quite different. The Intel chip packs 1,400 million transistors on a 150 mm² die. The AMD die is 210 mm² and holds 4,950 million transistors, over three times as many. This reflects both the extra cores and the integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics on the AMD part.

The core configurations are a major differentiator. The Intel Core i3-6100 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and no boost clock. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel chip relies on a high clock speed to drive performance, while the AMD chip uses more cores at lower clock speeds.

Cache sizes also differ. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, also with 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches are typical of the Zen architecture, which was designed to feed more instructions per clock.

Memory support is similar in type, both DDR4, and both use dual-channel memory. However, the AMD chip has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, versus 34.1 GB/s for Intel. Neither supports ECC memory.

The PCIe lanes differ. The Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes. This is largely because the AMD is a mobile part, where power and space are at a premium, while the Intel is a desktop part with more expansion headroom.

The integrated graphics are different. The Intel has Intel HD 530, while the AMD has Radeon Vega 6. The AMD part’s Vega graphics are generally considered more capable, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part.

The power characteristics are a major difference. The Intel has a TDP of 51 watts, whereas the AMD has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the AMD part a low-power mobile chip, while the Intel is a more power-hungry desktop chip. The difference in TDP also explains the AMD's lower base clock, as it must operate within a much tighter power envelope.

Thermal design power is also reflected in market segments. The Intel is a Desktop part, and the AMD is a Mobile part. The AMD’s production status is Active, and so is the Intel’s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i3-6100 has 2 cores. The Intel has 4 threads, while the AMD has 4 threads as well.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U scores 422.5, which is 47% higher than the Intel Core i3-6100’s score of 224. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD scores 2234 versus 1605, a 28.2% advantage.

Q: Which chip has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-6100 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and no boost clock. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel runs at a consistently higher clock speed.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i3-6100 has a TDP of 51 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which chip has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-6100 has an average benchmark score of 888, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has a score of 880. The Intel has a higher percentile ranking at 24, versus 23 for the AMD.

Q: What are the architecture differences between the two?

A: The Intel uses the Skylake architecture, while the AMD uses the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge codename). Both are built on a 14 nm process, but the AMD has more transistors (4,950 million) and a larger die (210 mm²) than the Intel (1,400 million, 150 mm²).

Specification Differences

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

| Specification | Intel Core i3-6100 | AMD Ryzen 3 2300U |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake | Raven Ridge |

| Generation | Core i3 (Skylake) | Ryzen 3 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 150 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 530 | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2015-08-31 | 2018-01-07 |

| Part Number | SR2HG | YM2300C4T4MFB |

| Series | None | 2000 series |

The Verdict

The data in the database points to a straightforward choice depending on the workload and platform. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the stronger processor for multi-threaded work. It beats the Intel Core i3-6100 by 47% in Cinebench R23 multicore and by 28.2% in Geekbench multicore. The AMD part uses four physical cores, has a larger L2 cache, and a higher memory bandwidth, which all contribute to its multicore lead. It also does this at a power draw of only 15 W, half of the Intel’s 51 W. The AMD is also the only one of the two with a boost clock.

The Intel Core i3-6100 has one advantage: a very slight lead in single-core performance. Its Geekbench single-core score of 785 beats the AMD’s 783 by a narrow 0.3%. This is directly tied to its high base clock of 3.70 GHz, which is more than the AMD’s base clock. For users running lightly threaded applications, such as older games or simple office tasks, the Intel chip offers a marginal edge. However, the difference is so small that it is likely imperceptible in daily use.

The Intel also has a higher average benchmark score (888 versus 880) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (24th versus 23rd), but these are aggregate scores averaged across multiple workloads and do not reflect the AMD’s clear leadership in the head-to-head tests.

For a mobile or low-power application, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the clear pick based on the data. It is designed for a 15 W TDP, uses the more efficient Zen architecture, and has a Radeon Vega 6 integrated GPU. Its multicore performance is significantly better, which is the primary metric for modern workloads like video editing, code compilation, and multitasking.

For a desktop user who prioritizes the absolute best single-core performance in a legacy system, the Intel Core i3-6100 is the choice, but its lead is minuscule. The AMD part is the more capable all-around processor. The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the recommended purchase for most users, especially those who can take advantage of its multi-core strength. The Intel only wins in the narrowest of single-core margins and has a much higher power draw.