AMD Ryzen 3 3100 vs Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous outcome: the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is the superior processor in this comparison. It wins both head-to-head benchmark tests, and its average benchmark score of 2055 exceeds the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5's 2029 by 1.3%. The Ryzen 3 3100 also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking among all CPUs, at 46th percentile compared to the Xeon's 45th.

The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5, however, is not without its place. Its 45-watt TDP makes it the lower-power option, and it supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the AMD chip. The data suggests the Xeon is a legacy server or workstation part, now end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 3100 is an active desktop processor. For anyone building a new system where raw performance is the priority, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the clear choice. For those maintaining older platforms that require ECC memory support or the specific Intel Socket 1151 compatibility, the Xeon E3-1260L v5 remains a relevant, albeit less powerful, option.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, and belongs to the Ryzen 3 generation. It is manufactured on a 7 nm process node by TSMC. The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5, in contrast, uses the Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-DT, and is built on a 14 nm process node by Intel.

These process differences manifest in physical characteristics. The AMD chip packs 3,800 million transistors into a die size of 74 mm². The Intel chip has 1,750 million transistors across a larger 122 mm² die. This indicates the 7 nm process allows for a significantly denser and smaller chip.

Cache configurations also differ notably. Both have a 64 KB L1 cache per core, but the Ryzen 3 3100 has a 512 KB L2 cache per core, double the Xeon's 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is also different: the Ryzen 3 3100 has 16 MB shared, while the Xeon has 8 MB shared. This doubling of both L2 and L3 cache on the AMD side provides a substantial on-die memory advantage.

Connectivity and memory support differ as well. The Ryzen 3 3100 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory exclusively with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon's ECC memory support is a key architectural feature, as the Ryzen 3 3100 does not support ECC. Neither processor includes integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers two Cinebench R15 tests, and the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 wins both decisively.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 991, while the Xeon E3-1260L v5 scores 707. This is a 40.2% advantage for the AMD processor. This substantial margin reflects the combined benefits of the newer architecture, higher base clock, and larger cache.

The single-core test shows an even larger gap. The Ryzen 3 3100 scores 178, against the Xeon's 99. This is a 79.8% advantage for the AMD chip. This result is particularly striking because both processors have the same 3.90 GHz boost clock. The single-core deficit for the Xeon likely stems from its older Skylake architecture and the substantial difference in L2 and L3 cache sizes, which are critical for single-threaded performance.

These results indicate that the Ryzen 3 3100 is not just marginally faster; it is dramatically faster in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The Xeon's lower base clock of 2.90 GHz, compared to the Ryzen's 3.60 GHz, contributes to its performance disadvantage, especially when the boost clock is not sustained.

Specification Differences

The following table outlines the key specifications where the two processors differ, based solely on the recorded data.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Zen 2 (Matisse) | Skylake (Skylake-DT) |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 1,750 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 122 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2020-04-23 | 2015-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $99 | $294 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000284 | SR2LH |

The Xeon has a lower TDP of 45 W, making it more power-efficient on paper. The Ryzen 3 3100 has a higher 65 W TDP. The AMD chip is newer, released in 2020, while the Xeon was released in 2015 and is now end-of-life. The Ryzen processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is significantly faster. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, it scores 991 compared to the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5's 707, a 40.2% advantage.

Q: Is the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 better at single-core tasks?

A: No. The data shows the opposite. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test with a score of 178, versus 99 for the Xeon, which is a 79.8% advantage for the AMD chip.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 does not.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 was released on 2020-04-23, while the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 was released on 2015-10-18 and is now end-of-life.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 has a lower TDP of 45 W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 has a TDP of 65 W.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 3 3100: The data indicates the Ryzen 3 3100 is the outright performance winner. It dominates in both measured benchmarks, with a 40.2% lead in multi-core and a 79.8% lead in single-core performance. Its higher base clock, larger cache hierarchy, and newer 7 nm architecture contribute to these results. It is the recommended choice for any workload where CPU performance is the primary concern, such as general desktop use, gaming, or content creation. Its active production status and unlocked multiplier also make it a more flexible platform for builders.

Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5: The Xeon's advantages are specific to platform requirements rather than raw speed. Its primary win is its 45 W TDP, which is lower than the Ryzen's 65 W, making it a more power-efficient option for systems where energy consumption is critical. The support for ECC memory is a crucial feature for server or workstation environments where data integrity is paramount. Its compatibility with both DDR3 and DDR4 memory offers flexibility for systems with existing memory modules. Finally, its Intel Socket 1151 platform is a distinct ecosystem from the AMD Socket AM4, so it is the only choice for users maintaining a system based on that specific Intel platform.