AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part also has a higher boost clock at 4.30 GHz compared to 4.10 GHz for the AMD.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has an average benchmark score of 20826, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 scores 20137. The database places both processors at the 74th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor is based on a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 is built on a 6 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a 7 nm process from Intel. The die size for the AMD part is listed at 100 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Q: What type of memory does each support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports DDR5 memory, with the note that it depends on the motherboard. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 features the Radeon 610M integrated graphics, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U comes with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the Intel part?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a launch MSRP of $363. No launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD Ryzen 3 30.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is built on the Meteor Lake architecture. These are fundamentally different design generations, with the AMD part representing an older core design on a newer manufacturing node. The AMD processor is manufactured on a 6 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel chip uses a 7 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The die size for the AMD part is 100 mm², while no die size is listed for the Intel chip.

Cache configurations differ substantially between the two. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a significantly larger L3 pool, which can matter for workloads that repeatedly access a large working set.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD chip offers PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 12 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel processor more headroom for fast storage and peripheral expansion.

Memory support reflects their respective design priorities. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses LPDDR5 memory, which is typically found in power-sensitive thin laptops. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports DDR5 memory, with the caveat that support depends on the motherboard. Memory bandwidth is close: 88.0 GB/s for the AMD part versus 89.6 GB/s for the Intel part.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not intended for overclocking. The AMD part uses Socket FT6, while the Intel chip uses BGA 2049, which means neither is designed for user upgrades in a socketed desktop sense. Both are mobile market segments.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U carries the part number SRN6E, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has an unknown part number. The Intel chip launched in December 2023, while the AMD chip has a release date of September 2025. The AMD part is a more recent addition to the database, despite using an older core architecture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is one-sided. Across all eleven recorded benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins every single test. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does not win a single recorded benchmark. The margin varies by workload, but the pattern is consistent.

The largest gap appears in the find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 64 against AMD's 20, a delta of -68.7%. Floating point math shows the next biggest gap: Intel at 41331 versus AMD at 14448, a delta of -65%. Physics performance also shows a large divide, with Intel scoring 1082 against AMD's 436, a delta of -59.7%.

Multi-threaded performance tells a similar story. The Intel chip scores 17417 in the multithread test, while the AMD chip scores 9027, a delta of -48.2%. Integer math follows closely with Intel at 57046 versus AMD at 29846, a delta of -47.7%. Data encryption shows Intel at 12231 against AMD's 6461, a delta of -47.2%. Extended instructions show Intel at 11340 versus AMD's 6075, a delta of -46.4%.

The smallest gaps are still substantial. Data compression shows Intel at 198858 versus AMD's 135834, a delta of -31.7%. Random string sorting shows Intel at 21872 against AMD's 14431, a delta of -34%. Single-thread performance shows Intel at 3296 versus AMD's 2465, a delta of -25.2%, which is the narrowest margin recorded. Even so, a 25.2% single-thread deficit is a meaningful gap in everyday responsiveness.

The average benchmark scores reflect this dominance. The Intel part averages 20826, while the AMD part averages 20137. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the Intel Xeon 6325P at 20821 with a delta of 0%, the AMD EPYC 7J13 at 20845 with a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-12490F at 20802 with a delta of 0.1%. For the AMD chip, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U at 20249 with a delta of -0.6%, the AMD EPYC 7713P at 20024 with a delta of 0.6%, and the Intel Core i7-9700K at 20271 with a delta of -0.7%.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U sits in a peer group that includes server and desktop processors with similar average scores. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 also sits near desktop parts like the Core i7-9700K and the Core i7-11800H, despite being a low-power mobile chip. This suggests the AMD part is competitive with older desktop silicon in aggregate, but it is clearly outclassed by the newer Intel mobile part in this head-to-head.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the fields where the two processors differ directly.

• Cores: 4 (AMD) vs 12 (Intel)
• Threads: 8 (AMD) vs 14 (Intel)
• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (AMD) vs 1300.00 MHz (Intel)
• Boost Clock: 4.10 GHz (AMD) vs 4.30 GHz (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket FT6 vs Intel BGA 2049
• Architecture: Zen 2 vs Meteor Lake
• Codename: Mendocino vs Meteor Lake
• Process Node: 6 nm vs 7 nm
• Foundry: TSMC vs Intel
• Die Size: 100 mm² vs not listed
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core vs 112 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core vs 2 MB per core
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared vs 12 MB shared
• Memory Support: LPDDR5 vs DDR5 (depends on motherboard)
• Memory Bandwidth: 88.0 GB/s vs 89.6 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 3, 4 lanes vs Gen 4, 12 lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon 610M vs Arc Xe-LPG 64EU
• Release Date: 2025-09-30 vs 2023-12-13
• Part Number: unknown vs SRN6E

Both processors have a 15 W TDP, use dual-channel memory, do not support ECC, and are not multiplier unlocked. Both are mobile parts and have active production status.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins every recorded head-to-head test against the AMD Ryzen 3 30. The margins range from 25.2% in single-thread performance to 68.7% in prime number calculations. The Intel part also holds a higher average benchmark score at 20826 versus 20137, and it launches with a recorded MSRP of $363.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does have some structural advantages. It is built on a smaller 6 nm process, which typically implies better power efficiency for a given workload. It also has a higher base clock at 2.40 GHz compared to 1300.00 MHz for the Intel part, though the Intel chip reaches a higher boost clock. The AMD part is also newer in the database, with a release date of September 2025 versus December 2023 for Intel.

However, the performance gap is too large to ignore. The Intel part has three times the cores, nearly twice the threads, and triple the L3 cache. Its PCIe Gen 4 connectivity with 12 lanes is a generation ahead of the AMD part's PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes. For users who prioritize raw performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

For users who prioritize the latest manufacturing process or who need LPDDR5 memory support, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has arguments in its favor. But the benchmark results do not support choosing the AMD part on performance grounds.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins across every benchmark category in the head-to-head data. Its strongest areas are prime number calculations, floating point math, and physics, where it leads by 68.7%, 65%, and 59.7% respectively. These are compute-heavy workloads that scale well with core count and thread count. The Intel part's 12 cores and 14 threads give it a natural advantage in parallel workloads.

The Intel part also wins in data compression, data encryption, and extended instructions, with deltas of 31.7%, 47.2%, and 46.4%. These workloads benefit from the larger L3 cache and the newer Meteor Lake architecture. The 12 MB of shared L3 cache likely helps in workloads that repeatedly access the same data.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest margin is in single-thread performance, where it trails by 25.2%. This suggests that if there is any scenario where the AMD part could compete, it would be in lightly threaded tasks where the core count advantage of the Intel part matters less. However, even in that scenario, the Intel part still holds a clear lead.

The AMD part's smaller 6 nm process and LPDDR5 support may make it attractive for power-sensitive designs, but the database does not include power efficiency benchmarks to confirm this. The 15 W TDP for both parts suggests they are aimed at similar thermal envelopes.

For users deciding between these two, the data points firmly toward the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U for any performance-sensitive workload. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 remains a viable option only in scenarios where its manufacturing node, memory type, or release date are decisive factors. Based purely on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel part is the stronger processor in every measured dimension.