AMD Ryzen 3 3100 vs Intel Core i5-8259U Comparison

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is the outright performance winner in every recorded head-to-head benchmark, taking all four shared tests. The Intel Core i5-8259U, despite being a mobile part with integrated graphics and a higher launch MSRP, trails significantly in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The Ryzen 3 3100 leads by margins ranging from 13.5% to 47.2% depending on the test, making it the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance. The i5-8259U should only be considered by users who specifically need an integrated GPU (the Iris Pro Plus 655) or a lower thermal envelope, as its 28W TDP is less than half of the Ryzen's 65W. For desktop builders with a discrete GPU, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the data-backed selection. For ultraportable or all-in-one systems where a separate graphics card is impossible, the i5-8259U is the only one of the two that can function without an add-in card.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-U variant, built on Intel's 14nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². It is a mobile part with a 28W TDP, soldered to the Intel BGA 1526 socket, and was released in April 2018. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, built on TSMC's 7nm process node with a die size of just 74 mm² and containing 3,800 million transistors. It is a desktop part with a 65W TDP, using the AMD Socket AM4, and was released in April 2020.

Both CPUs feature 4 cores and 8 threads, so the core count is identical. The cache hierarchies differ notably. Each core on both chips has 64 KB of L1 cache, but the L2 cache per core is 256 KB on the Intel versus 512 KB on the AMD. The L3 cache is a significant differentiator: the i5-8259U has 6 MB shared, while the Ryzen 3 3100 has 16 MB shared, nearly three times as much. Memory bandwidth also favors AMD: the Ryzen supports dual-channel DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s, whereas the Intel part reaches 38.4 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory and neither supports ECC.

The integrated graphics situation is a major split. The Intel part includes Iris Pro Plus 655, making it a self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Intel CPU provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the AMD CPU provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The Ryzen 3 3100 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i5-8259U is locked. The Intel part is end-of-life, whereas the AMD part is still active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 across all four shared tests. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD scores 178 against the Intel's 94, a delta of -47.2% (meaning the Intel is 47.2% behind). This is a massive single-threaded deficit for the Intel part, likely reflecting both the lower boost clock (3.80 GHz vs 3.90 GHz) and the architectural efficiency of Zen 2.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 991 versus 667 for the i5-8259U, a delta of -32.7%. That is a 48.6% raw score advantage for the AMD chip. The multi-core advantage is consistent with the Ryzen's higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2.30 GHz), larger L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth. The Intel part's lower TDP of 28W likely constrains sustained multi-core performance.

Geekbench results tell a similar but slightly narrower story. In Geekbench multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 4898 against 4168 for the Intel, a delta of -14.9%. In Geekbench single-core, the AMD scores 1395 against 1207, a delta of -13.5%. These Geekbench margins are much smaller than the Cinebench margins, suggesting that the Intel part is relatively more competitive in workloads that resemble Geekbench's mix. Still, the AMD wins every test.

The benchmark record also includes additional AMD-only scores that are not directly comparable to the Intel part: 3DMark scores of 3001 for 16 threads, 1267 for 2 threads, 2214 for 4 threads, 2972 for 8 threads, 2970 for max threads, and 660 for single thread. These show the Ryzen 3 3100 scaling well from 4 to 8 threads, with an 8-thread score nearly double the 4-thread score. The Intel part has no equivalent 3DMark entries in the database, so no direct comparison is possible. The Intel part does have Cinebench R20 and R23 scores (2781 multi-core and 392 single-core for R20; 6622 multi-core and 934 single-core for R23), but the AMD lacks those tests, so they cannot be compared head-to-head.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 wins every single-threaded test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 178 versus 94 for the Intel, a 47.2% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1395 versus 1207, a 13.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8259U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel part includes Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a separate GPU to output video.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has substantially more L3 cache: 16 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the Intel. The AMD also has 512 KB of L2 per core versus 256 KB per core on the Intel. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 overclockable?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Intel Core i5-8259U has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-8259U has a TDP of 28W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has a TDP of 65W. The Intel part is designed for mobile systems with tighter thermal limits.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 was released in April 2020, while the Intel Core i5-8259U was released in April 2018. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is still active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 wins all four recorded head-to-head benchmarks, so it is the performance pick without qualification. Its largest advantage is in Cinebench R15 single-core (47.2% ahead), which suggests it has a significant edge in lightly threaded applications like older games, office productivity, and general desktop responsiveness. The 32.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core indicates strong performance in rendering, video encoding, and other multi-threaded workloads. The smaller but still decisive margins in Geekbench (13.5% single-core, 14.9% multi-core) show that the AMD chip is more balanced and does not rely on one specific workload type.

The Intel Core i5-8259U has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data. Its only advantages are qualitative: it has integrated graphics, a much lower TDP (28W versus 65W), and a smaller physical footprint for mobile integration. It is the only choice for fanless or low-power designs, or for systems where adding a discrete GPU is impossible. The Intel part also has a higher launch MSRP of $320, though the database does not record a current price for either chip. The Ryzen 3 3100, at a launch MSRP of $99, is also the more economical option on paper, but pricing analysis is outside the scope of this benchmark comparison.

For desktop users building a new system with a dedicated GPU, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the obvious choice. Its 65W TDP is manageable with a standard air cooler, and its unlocked multiplier allows additional performance headroom. For laptop or embedded designs where integrated graphics are mandatory, the i5-8259U is the only viable option of the two. The data does not support any scenario where the Intel part outperforms the AMD part in compute tasks.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Manufacturer: Intel versus AMD
• Base clock: 2.30 GHz (Intel) versus 3.60 GHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 3.80 GHz (Intel) versus 3.90 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 28W (Intel) versus 65W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1526 versus AMD Socket AM4
• Architecture: Coffee Lake versus Zen 2
• Codename: Coffee Lake-U versus Matisse
• Process node: 14 nm (Intel) versus 7 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• Transistors: Not recorded for Intel versus 3,800 million for AMD
• Die size: 126 mm² (Intel) versus 74 mm² (AMD)
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core (Intel) versus 512 KB per core (AMD)
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared (Intel) versus 16 MB shared (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s (Intel) versus 51.2 GB/s (AMD)
• PCIe version: Gen 3 (Intel) versus Gen 4 (AMD)
• Integrated graphics: Iris Pro Plus 655 (Intel) versus none (AMD)
• Market segment: Mobile (Intel) versus Desktop (AMD)
• Production status: End-of-life (Intel) versus Active (AMD)
• Release date: April 2018 (Intel) versus April 2020 (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $320 (Intel) versus $99 (AMD)
• Multiplier unlocked: No (Intel) versus Yes (AMD)
• Part number: SRCKBSRCUU (Intel) versus 100-000000284 (AMD)
• Generation: Core i5 (Coffee Lake-U) versus Ryzen 3 (Zen 2, Matisse)

The two chips share identical core counts (4 cores, 8 threads), L1 cache (64 KB per core), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (dual-channel), and ECC support (false for both). All other recorded specifications differ as listed above.