AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the Ryzen 5 a 50% advantage in core count and a 50% advantage in thread count.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Ryzen 5 leads in both base and boost frequencies.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Ryzen 3 30 is a low-power mobile part, and the Ryzen 5 5500 is a standard desktop processor.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has an average benchmark score of 20137, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an average benchmark score of 19593. The Ryzen 3 30 is slightly ahead by about 2.8% in this aggregate metric.

Q: Which processor supports LPDDR5 memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not list integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database. The gap is substantial across all workloads, ranging from a 19.4% lead in single-threaded tests to a 64.8% lead in extended instructions. For multithreaded performance, the Ryzen 5 5500 scores 19330 in PassMark multithread versus 9027 for the Ryzen 3 30, a 53.3% advantage. In integer math, the Ryzen 5 5500 hits 65001 versus 29846, a 54.1% lead. Floating point math shows a 60.8% gap, with 36815 against 14448.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does not win any of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests. Its wins are limited to the aggregate average benchmark score, where it reaches 20137 versus 19593 for the Ryzen 5 5500. This aggregate position is also reflected in percentiles: the Ryzen 3 30 sits at the 74th percentile against all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 5500 sits at the 73rd percentile. The Ryzen 3 30 also delivers a much lower TDP of 15 watts, which is a different class of power envelope entirely. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U at 20249 average score, the Intel Core i7-9700K at 20271, and the AMD EPYC 7713P at 20024, all within a 0.7% delta. The Ryzen 5 5500's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 at 19617, the Intel Core i5-12500 at 19668, and the Intel Core i7-10700F at 19499.

In practice, the Ryzen 5 5500 is the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks like data compression, encryption, and physics calculations. The Ryzen 3 30 is positioned for power-constrained mobile use, where its low TDP and integrated Radeon 610M graphics matter more than raw throughput.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 100 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where the gap appears: the Ryzen 3 30 has 4 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen 5 5500 has 16 MB L3. That is a 4x difference in L3 capacity, which directly impacts workloads that fit within the cache hierarchy.

The Ryzen 3 30 is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FT6, while the Ryzen 5 5500 is a desktop processor on AMD Socket AM4. The Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the Ryzen 5 5500 supports DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 3 30 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics; the Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics listed. PCIe support also differs: the Ryzen 3 30 has Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), and the Ryzen 5 5500 has Gen 3 without a lane count specified.

The Ryzen 3 30 has a locked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Ryzen 5 5500 has a known part number 100-000000457, whereas the Ryzen 3 30 lists its part number as unknown. Release dates differ as well: the Ryzen 3 30 was released later, and the Ryzen 5 5500 launched earlier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 30 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Mendocino | Cezanne |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 7 nm |

| Die Size | 100 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 10,700 million |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB shared | 16 MB |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 88.0 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $159 |

| Part Number | unknown | 100-000000457 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The PassMark data compression test shows the Ryzen 5 5500 scoring 245533 against 135834 for the Ryzen 3 30, a 44.7% delta in favor of the Ryzen 5. Data encryption follows a similar pattern: 14851 versus 6461, a 56.5% gap. Extended instructions widen further, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 17236 and the Ryzen 3 30 at 6075, a 64.8% delta. Prime number finding shows 56 versus 20, a 64.3% gap.

Floating point math puts the Ryzen 5 5500 at 36815 versus 14448, a 60.8% lead. Integer math reaches 65001 versus 29846, a 54.1% delta. The PassMark multithread score is 19330 for the Ryzen 5 5500 and 9027 for the Ryzen 3 30, a 53.3% gap. Physics scores are 896 versus 436, a 51.3% delta. Random string sorting shows 24757 versus 14431, a 41.7% gap.

Single-threaded performance is the closest category. The Ryzen 5 5500 scores 3058 in PassMark single thread, while the Ryzen 3 30 scores 2465, a 19.4% delta. This is still a clear win for the Ryzen 5 5500, but the smaller gap suggests that the Zen 3 architecture's per-core efficiency advantage is less pronounced in lightly threaded workloads than in heavily threaded ones.

The Ryzen 5 5500 also has additional benchmark coverage in the database, including 3DMark tests and Cinebench runs. Its 3DMark single-thread score is 836, 2-thread is 1645, 4-thread is 3151, 8-thread is 4593, 16-thread is 5386, and max-thread is 5411. Cinebench R23 multicore reaches 16429 with a single-core score of 2319. Cinebench R20 multicore is 6900 with single-core 973. Cinebench R15 multicore is 1656 with single-core 233. Geekbench multicore is 7976 and single-core is 1730. The Ryzen 3 30 has no equivalent entries in those test suites, so direct comparisons are limited to the PassMark suite.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the faster processor in every measured workload. The data shows a consistent 41.7% to 64.8% advantage in multithreaded and compute-intensive tasks, with a 19.4% lead even in single-threaded performance. For anyone building a desktop system and prioritizing raw compute, the Ryzen 5 5500 is the obvious selection. Its 6 cores, 12 threads, 16 MB L3 cache, and higher clock speeds deliver results that the Ryzen 3 30 cannot approach.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has its own niche. It is a mobile processor with a 15 watt TDP, integrated Radeon 610M graphics, and LPDDR5 memory support with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. It also carries a higher average benchmark score of 20137 and a 74th percentile ranking, slightly above the Ryzen 5 5500's 73rd percentile. For a low-power laptop or compact mobile system where battery life and thermal limits matter more than raw throughput, the Ryzen 3 30 is the sensible pick. Its aggregate score is competitive with desktop parts like the Intel Core i7-9700K and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U, which shows that efficiency does not always mean weak performance.

The choice comes down to platform intent. Desktop builders should take the Ryzen 5 5500 without hesitation, especially given its unlocked multiplier and AM4 socket compatibility. Mobile users who need integrated graphics and a minimal power envelope should consider the Ryzen 3 30. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 5 5500 wins every head-to-head test, but the Ryzen 3 30 wins on efficiency and aggregate standing.