AMD Ryzen 3 3100 vs AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data includes two direct benchmark comparisons between the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U. In both tests, the Ryzen 3 3100 comes out ahead, establishing a clear pattern in the head-to-head results.

The first test, Cinebench R15 multicore, shows the Ryzen 3 3100 scoring 991 against the Ryzen 5 4500U's 892. That is an 11.1% advantage for the desktop part. This result is notable because the Ryzen 5 4500U has two additional physical cores. Despite having fewer cores, the higher clock speeds and desktop power envelope of the Ryzen 3 3100 appear to overcome the core count deficit in this workload.

The second test, Cinebench R15 singlecore, is closer. The Ryzen 3 3100 scores 178, while the Ryzen 5 4500U scores 174. The delta is just 2.3%. Single-threaded performance is nearly identical between these two Zen 2 parts, which makes sense given their shared architecture. The base clock difference is significant (3.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz), but the boost clocks are similar (3.90 GHz versus 4.00 GHz), and the single-core result reflects that proximity.

The win tally is 2 for the Ryzen 3 3100 and 0 for the Ryzen 5 4500U in the direct head-to-head. However, the benchmark database also contains separate test suites for each processor. The Ryzen 3 3100 has scores across 3DMark and Geekbench tests, while the Ryzen 5 4500U has Cinebench R23 results. These additional data points provide context for how each chip behaves in other scenarios.

For the Ryzen 3 3100, the 3DMark tests show a scaling pattern: 2-thread score of 1267, 4-thread score of 2214, 8-thread score of 2972, and max-thread score of 2970. The close proximity between the 8-thread and max-thread scores suggests that the chip's 8 threads are fully utilized by that point. The single-thread 3DMark score is 660. Geekbench results for the Ryzen 3 3100 are 4898 multicore and 1395 singlecore.

For the Ryzen 5 4500U, the Cinebench R23 results show a multicore score of 5920 and a singlecore score of 1152. These numbers are not directly comparable to the Ryzen 3 3100's R15 scores due to different workload versions, but they indicate the mobile chip's capability in modern rendering tasks.

Looking at the broader database context, the two processors sit very close in overall average benchmark score. The Ryzen 3 3100 has an average benchmark score of 2055, while the Ryzen 5 4500U averages 2035. That difference is less than 1%, placing both chips in nearly the same performance tier.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Zen 2 architecture and are fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node. The foundry is the same for both. This shared foundation explains the similar single-core behavior observed in the head-to-head results.

The core configurations differ markedly. The Ryzen 3 3100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabled by simultaneous multithreading. The Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 cores but only 6 threads, meaning it does not support SMT. This is an unusual choice for a Ryzen 5 part and has implications for multi-threaded workloads where thread count matters more than raw core count.

Clock speeds tell a story of different design goals. The Ryzen 3 3100 runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.90 GHz. The Ryzen 5 4500U starts at just 2.30 GHz base but boosts to 4.00 GHz. The desktop part maintains higher sustained clocks, while the mobile part relies on boost behavior to reach peak performance. The thermal design power reflects this: the Ryzen 3 3100 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ryzen 5 4500U is rated at just 15 watts.

Cache allocations differ substantially. The Ryzen 3 3100 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 4500U has only 8 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The larger L3 on the desktop chip likely contributes to its multicore advantage in the Cinebench R15 test.

The physical packages are entirely different. The Ryzen 3 3100 uses AMD Socket AM4 and has a die size of 74 mm² with 3,800 million transistors. The Ryzen 5 4500U uses AMD Socket FP6 and has a much larger die at 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors. The mobile chip includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, which explains the larger die size. The Ryzen 3 3100 has no integrated graphics.

Memory support shows a divergence. Both support dual-channel DDR4, but the Ryzen 5 4500U adds LPDDR4 support for mobile designs. Memory bandwidth is identical at 51.2 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Ryzen 3 3100 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen 5 4500U provides PCIe Gen 3 with 12 lanes. This reflects the desktop versus mobile positioning. The Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 4500U does not.

The release dates are close but distinct. The Ryzen 5 4500U launched on January 5, 2020, while the Ryzen 3 3100 arrived on April 23, 2020. Both remain in active production.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data supports a clear use-case split, despite the head-to-head sweep by the Ryzen 3 3100.

The Ryzen 3 3100 wins in desktop-oriented scenarios. The 11.1% multicore advantage in Cinebench R15 suggests that sustained multi-threaded workloads favor the desktop part. The higher base clock of 3.60 GHz means consistent performance without relying on boost states. The 16 MB of L3 cache helps in workloads that benefit from larger cache pools. The PCIe Gen 4 support and 16 lanes make this chip suitable for systems with modern GPUs and NVMe storage. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which can extend its lead further.

The Ryzen 5 4500U wins in mobile and power-constrained scenarios. Its 15-watt TDP is a fraction of the Ryzen 3 3100's 65-watt rating. For laptops and compact systems, this power efficiency is the defining characteristic. The integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors means no separate GPU is required for basic display output. The LPDDR4 memory support enables thinner memory configurations. The 6 cores provide a slight core-count advantage in workloads that scale with physical cores, even without SMT.

The benchmark data does not include direct tests for gaming, battery life, or thermal behavior. However, the architectural differences imply that the Ryzen 3 3100 is better suited for stationary systems where power draw is not a constraint, while the Ryzen 5 4500U is designed for mobility and efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has an average benchmark score of 2055, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has an average of 2035. The difference is 20 points, or less than 1%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: In the Cinebench R15 singlecore test, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 178 against the Ryzen 5 4500U's 174, a 2.3% advantage. The Ryzen 5 4500U has a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz compared to 3.90 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 4500U have more cores than the Ryzen 3 3100?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ryzen 3 3100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 3 3100 supports simultaneous multithreading, while the Ryzen 5 4500U does not.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ryzen 5 4500U has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the Ryzen 5 4500U significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen 5 4500U includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors. The Ryzen 3 3100 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare between the two?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 4500U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 4 (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 6 (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Threads: 8 (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 6 (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Base Clock: 3.60 GHz (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 2.30 GHz (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Boost Clock: 3.90 GHz (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 4.00 GHz (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• TDP: 65 watts (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 15 watts (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Socket: AM4 (Ryzen 3 3100) versus FP6 (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Codename: Matisse (Ryzen 3 3100) versus Renoir (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Transistors: 3,800 million (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 9,800 million (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Die Size: 74 mm² (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 156 mm² (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• L3 Cache: 16 MB shared (Ryzen 3 3100) versus 8 MB shared (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (Ryzen 3 3100) versus DDR4 and LPDDR4 (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 16 Lanes (Ryzen 3 3100) versus Gen 3, 12 Lanes (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Integrated Graphics: None (Ryzen 3 3100) versus Radeon Graphics 384SP (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Market Segment: Desktop (Ryzen 3 3100) versus Mobile (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Release Date: April 23, 2020 (Ryzen 3 3100) versus January 5, 2020 (Ryzen 5 4500U)
• Multiplier Unlocked: Yes (Ryzen 3 3100) versus No (Ryzen 5 4500U)

The launch MSRP for the Ryzen 3 3100 was $99. No launch MSRP is recorded for the Ryzen 5 4500U.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward choice based on platform and power constraints.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is the stronger performer in the recorded head-to-head benchmarks. It wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 11.1% and singlecore by 2.3%. Its average benchmark score of 2055 edges out the Ryzen 5 4500U's 2035. The desktop chip offers higher base clocks, more L3 cache, PCIe Gen 4 support, and an unlocked multiplier. It is the better choice for a desktop system where power draw is not a primary concern and where sustained performance matters.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is the better choice for mobile or low-power applications. Its 15-watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops and compact devices. The integrated Radeon Graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The 6 cores provide a physical core advantage, though the lack of SMT limits its thread count to 6. The LPDDR4 memory support and FP6 socket target thin-and-light designs.

The benchmark data shows these chips are close in overall capability, with less than 1% difference in average score. The deciding factors are not raw performance but platform fit: AM4 desktop with power to spare versus FP6 mobile with efficiency as the priority. Users building a desktop should choose the Ryzen 3 3100. Users needing a mobile processor with integrated graphics should choose the Ryzen 5 4500U.