AMD Ryzen 3 3100 vs AMD Ryzen 7 1700X Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two AMD desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins the multi-core tests, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 dominates every single-threaded test. With the head-to-head benchmark wins tied at 2 each, the choice depends entirely on workload priority.

The Ryzen 7 1700X is the pick for heavily threaded productivity. Its 8 cores and 16 threads deliver a 55.1% advantage over the Ryzen 3 3100 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and a 14% lead in Geekbench multi-core. The data suggests this chip is for rendering, compilation, or any task that scales across all cores.

The Ryzen 3 3100 is the pick for single-thread responsiveness. It beats the 1700X by 13.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 21.1% in Geekbench single-core. Its newer Zen 2 architecture and higher clocks push it ahead in lightly threaded workloads. For everyday use, gaming, or applications that rely on one or two fast cores, the 3100 has the edge.

Both processors sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Their average benchmark scores are close: 2094 for the 1700X and 2055 for the 3100. The 1700X's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-8350K, scores 2096, a delta of -0.1%. The 3100's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-8705G, scores 2058, also a delta of -0.1%. These numbers indicate that despite their architectural differences, the two CPUs land in a similar overall performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 1700X belongs to the 1000 series, built on the Zen architecture with the codename Summit Ridge. It uses a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. The die size is 213 mm², containing 4,800 million transistors. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The TDP is 95 watts.

The Ryzen 3 3100 belongs to the 3000 series, built on the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Matisse. It uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC. The die size is 74 mm², containing 3,800 million transistors. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The TDP is 65 watts.

Cache configurations differ per core. The 1700X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, while the 3100 has 64 KB per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 cache per core. L3 cache is 16 MB shared on both chips.

Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel on both. The 1700X has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the 3100 achieves 51.2 GB/s. The 1700X supports ECC memory, the 3100 does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the 1700X provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, the 3100 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

Both processors use the AMD Socket AM4, have unlocked multipliers, and lack integrated graphics. The 1700X was released with a launch MSRP of $399; the 3100's launch MSRP was $99.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, higher than the Ryzen 7 1700X's 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen 7 1700X has 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has newer PCIe support?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100 supports PCIe Gen 4, while the Ryzen 7 1700X supports PCIe Gen 3.

Q: Which processor scores higher in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100 scores 1395, beating the Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100 by 21.1%.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields. Core count: 8 vs 4. Thread count: 16 vs 8. Base clock: 3.40 GHz vs 3.60 GHz. Boost clock: 3.80 GHz vs 3.90 GHz. TDP: 95 vs 65 watts.

The architecture differs completely: Zen vs Zen 2. The codename differs: Summit Ridge vs Matisse. The process node differs: 14 nm vs 7 nm. The foundry differs: GlobalFoundries vs TSMC. Transistor count differs: 4,800 million vs 3,800 million. Die size differs: 213 mm² vs 74 mm².

L1 cache differs: 96 KB per core vs 64 KB per core. L2 cache is the same at 512 KB per core. L3 cache is the same at 16 MB shared. Memory bandwidth differs: 42.7 GB/s vs 51.2 GB/s. ECC support differs: true vs false. PCIe generation differs: Gen 3 vs Gen 4.

Release dates differ: March 2017 for the 1700X, April 2020 for the 3100. Launch MSRP differs: $399 vs $99. Part numbers differ: YD170XBCAEWOF vs 100-000000284.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the largest gap. The Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537, while the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 991. This is a 55.1% win for the 1700X. The extra four cores and eight threads make a substantial difference in this fully threaded workload.

The Geekbench multi-core test confirms the 1700X's lead, but by a smaller margin. The 1700X scores 5584, the 3100 scores 4898. That is a 14% advantage. The gap narrows here compared to Cinebench, suggesting the 3100's architectural efficiency helps close some of the core-count deficit.

In single-threaded tests, the results flip. The Cinebench R15 single-core test has the 3100 scoring 178, the 1700X scoring 154. The 3100 wins by 13.5%. The higher boost clock and newer Zen 2 design show up clearly in this test.

The Geekbench single-core test shows an even larger single-thread gap. The 3100 scores 1395, the 1700X scores 1100. That is a 21.1% win for the 3100. This is the biggest single-core advantage in the head-to-head data.

The 3DMark results are only recorded for the 3100. It scores 3001 in 16 threads, 1267 in 2 threads, 2214 in 4 threads, 2972 in 8 threads, 2970 in max threads, and 660 in single thread. These numbers give a broader picture of the 3100's scaling, but no comparable data exists for the 1700X.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 1700X wins in multi-threaded rendering and compute. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1537 versus 991 makes it the clear choice for CPU-heavy rendering tasks. The Geekbench multi-core score of 5584 versus 4898 reinforces this. Any workload that can use 16 threads will benefit from the 1700X's core count. The 55.1% delta in Cinebench is the decisive factor.

The Ryzen 3 3100 wins in single-thread performance and lightly threaded tasks. The Geekbench single-core score of 1395 versus 1100 is the strongest evidence. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 178 versus 154 also supports this. The 3100's 21.1% lead in Geekbench single-core suggests it handles everyday applications, web browsing, and older games better. Its lower TDP of 65 watts versus 95 watts also indicates lower power draw under load.

The 3100 also has advantages in platform features. Its PCIe Gen 4 support and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s make it more future-proof for newer storage and graphics cards. The 1700X supports ECC memory, which matters for users building a stable workstation.

The average benchmark scores tell the overall story. The 1700X averages 2094, the 3100 averages 2055. The 1700X's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-8350K at 2096, with a delta of -0.1%. The 3100's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-8705G at 2058, also with a delta of -0.1%. These deltas show that both chips perform very close to their respective rivals.

The percentile ranking at 46 for both CPUs confirms they occupy the same overall performance tier. For users who need maximum multi-thread throughput, the 1700X is the data-backed choice. For users who prioritize snappy single-core response and modern platform features, the 3100 is the clear winner.