AMD Ryzen 3 3100 vs Intel Core i3-10105T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10105T and AMD Ryzen 3 3100 are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors aimed at entry-level builds, but they take fundamentally different approaches. The Intel part comes from the Comet Lake generation, built on a 14nm process with a 35W TDP and integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD chip is a Zen 2 design on a 7nm process from TSMC, rated at 65W with no integrated graphics. Benchmark results show the Ryzen 3 3100 dominates the Intel chip in every head-to-head test, with its average benchmark score of 2055 trailing the Intel’s 2058 by only 0.1%, yet winning the multi-core and single-core workloads decisively. The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy, though the Intel part’s lower power envelope and integrated graphics give it a distinct role in specific system configurations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-10105T operates at 3.00 GHz. Both chips share the same 3.90 GHz boost clock.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105T has an average benchmark score of 2058, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 scores 2055. The deltaPct between them is 0.2% from Intel's perspective, indicating the two are statistically tied in overall performance.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has no integrated graphics (null field), requiring a discrete GPU. The Intel Core i3-10105T includes UHD Graphics 630, allowing for basic display output without a separate graphics card.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 supports 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is higher than the Intel Core i3-10105T's 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 features 16 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the Intel Core i3-10105T. The AMD part also has double the L2 cache per core at 512 KB versus 256 KB.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier (true), enabling overclocking. The Intel Core i3-10105T is locked (false), meaning its multiplier cannot be adjusted.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 wins in every benchmark category where both processors have data. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 991 versus Intel's 670, a 32.4% advantage. The single-core gap is even larger, with the Ryzen scoring 178 against Intel's 94, representing a 47.2% lead. Geekbench results follow the same pattern, with AMD leading by 25.5% in multi-core (4898 vs 3649) and 9.3% in single-core (1395 vs 1265). The Ryzen 3 3100 also posts strong 3DMark results, including 3001 in the 16-thread test and 660 in single-thread, though no comparable Intel data exists for those workloads.

The Intel Core i3-10105T has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head comparisons, but its strengths lie outside raw compute. With a 35W TDP, it draws significantly less power than the 65W Ryzen part, making it suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 provides a fallback display output, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic office or media tasks. Its launch MSRP of $134 is higher than the Ryzen's $99, but the Intel part's lower power consumption and iGPU capability can reduce overall system cost in specific builds.

For gaming or productivity workloads where CPU performance is the bottleneck, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the clear choice, given its substantial multi-core and single-core leads. For silent or low-power HTPC builds where integrated graphics and efficiency matter more than peak throughput, the Intel i3-10105T holds an advantage. The Ryzen's unlocked multiplier also appeals to enthusiasts seeking overclocking headroom, while the Intel chip's locked design prioritizes stability and power efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-10105T is built on Comet Lake, a refinement of the Skylake architecture, using a 14nm process from Intel's own foundry. It features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost of 3.90 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. It uses the Intel Socket 1200 platform and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics come in the form of UHD Graphics 630, and the chip is fabricated with a 35W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 employs the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, manufactured on TSMC's 7nm process. It also has 4 cores and 8 threads, but with a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and the same 3.90 GHz boost. The L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core, but L2 doubles to 512 KB per core, and L3 expands to 16 MB shared. Memory bandwidth reaches 51.2 GB/s over dual-channel DDR4, and the chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes. There is no integrated graphics, and the TDP is 65W. The die size is 74 mm² with 3,800 million transistors, reflecting the denser 7nm process.

These architectural differences explain the performance gap. The Zen 2 design's larger caches and higher memory bandwidth provide more data to the cores, while the 7nm process allows for higher clock speeds at similar power levels. Intel's 14nm Comet Lake is a mature design optimized for power efficiency at low TDPs, but it cannot match the IPC improvements of Zen 2. The AMD chip's lack of integrated graphics frees up die space for compute resources, contributing to its benchmark dominance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock is 3.00 GHz for the Intel part versus 3.60 GHz for the AMD, while boost clocks match at 3.90 GHz. TDP is a major split: 35W for Intel, 65W for AMD. The process node is 14nm (Intel) versus 7nm (TSMC), and the foundry is Intel versus TSMC. The AMD chip has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while Intel data for those fields is null. L2 cache is 256 KB per core on Intel, 512 KB per core on AMD; L3 cache is 6 MB shared versus 16 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 3 on Intel and Gen 4 on AMD. Integrated graphics are present on Intel (UHD 630) but absent on AMD. The multiplier is locked on Intel and unlocked on AMD. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1200 versus AMD Socket AM4. Release dates are March 2021 for Intel and April 2020 for AMD, with launch MSRP of $134 and $99 respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 991 against Intel's 670, a delta of -32.4% from Intel's perspective, meaning AMD is 32.4% faster. The single-core test is even more lopsided: AMD scores 178, Intel 94, for a 47.2% deficit for Intel. Geekbench multi-core results show AMD at 4898 versus Intel's 3649, a 25.5% gap, while single-core sees AMD at 1395 and Intel at 1265, a 9.3% lead for AMD.

The largest relative win for AMD is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it nearly doubles Intel's score. This suggests the Zen 2 architecture has a substantial per-core performance advantage over Comet Lake, despite similar boost clocks. The multi-core gap in Cinebench R15 (32.4%) is larger than in Geekbench (25.5%), indicating workload-specific scaling differences. The smallest margin is in Geekbench single-core at 9.3%, still a clear win for AMD.

The Ryzen 3 3100 also has 3DMark results that Intel lacks, including 3001 in 16-thread, 2214 in 4-thread, and 660 in single-thread tests. These scores reinforce the AMD chip's multi-threaded strength, particularly in gaming-related workloads that scale with thread count. The Intel i3-10105T has Cinebench R20 and R23 scores in its own benchmark list (2795 and 6656 multi-core, 394 and 939 single-core), but no head-to-head comparison data exists for those tests against the Ryzen.

Given that the AMD chip wins all four head-to-head tests by margins ranging from 9.3% to 47.2%, the data unequivocally positions the Ryzen 3 3100 as the superior performer. The Intel part's only compensations are its lower TDP, integrated graphics, and earlier availability in the comparison timeframe. For pure computational throughput, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the definitive choice based on these benchmark results.