AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 5 230 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the AMD Ryzen 5 230 are both mobile processors, but the recorded benchmark data places them in entirely different performance classes. The Ryzen 5 230 wins every single head-to-head test in the database, with a wins tally of 11 to 0 over the Ryzen 3 3100U. The average benchmark score for the Ryzen 5 230 is 25,782, compared to 6,247 for the Ryzen 3 3100U. This places the Ryzen 5 230 in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 3 3100U sits in the 62nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show no overlap in workload strengths. The Ryzen 3 3100U does not claim a single victory in any recorded test, so its role is limited to lower-end computing tasks where its modest specifications are sufficient. The data indicates it is a dual-core, dual-thread part with a 15 W TDP, making it suitable for basic productivity and light workloads. Its best relative performance appears in single-threaded work, where the delta is smallest, but it still loses by a wide margin.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 dominates across every category measured. It delivers its largest advantages in integer math, extended instructions, and floating-point math, with deltas of -86.8%, -86.5%, and -85% respectively. The Ryzen 5 230 also leads in memory-sensitive tasks like data compression and random string sorting, with deltas of -82.4% and -82.1%. The data shows this processor is built for heavier multi-threaded workloads, as indicated by its 6 cores, 12 threads, and 28 W TDP. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-11700K, with an average score of 25,812 and a delta of -0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, with an average score of 25,981 and a delta of -0.8%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and foundries. The Ryzen 3 3100U is based on the Picasso codename, which uses the Zen+ architecture, while the Ryzen 5 230 uses the Hawk Point codename with the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 3 3100U is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, whereas the Ryzen 5 230 uses a 4 nm process at TSMC. The transistor count differs significantly: the Ryzen 3 3100U has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Ryzen 5 230 has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 230 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is another major divider: the Ryzen 3 3100U uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Ryzen 5 230 uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 230 also moves to PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, compared to PCIe Gen 3 on the older part.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Ryzen 5 230 uses Radeon 760M. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The sockets are different: the Ryzen 3 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Ryzen 5 230 uses AMD Socket FP8.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show a consistent pattern of dominance by the Ryzen 5 230. In PassMark data compression, the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 38,455 against 218,588 for the Ryzen 5 230, a delta of -82.4%. Data encryption shows a score of 1,972 versus 13,280, a delta of -85.2%. Extended instructions tests show 2,116 versus 15,618, a delta of -86.5%.

Prime number finding is one of the closer results, with the Ryzen 3 3100U scoring 18 and the Ryzen 5 230 scoring 66, a delta of -72.7%. Floating-point math shows 5,854 versus 38,993, a delta of -85%. Integer math is the largest gap: 8,873 versus 67,257, a delta of -86.8%. Multi-thread performance shows 3,348 versus 19,411, a delta of -82.8%. Physics tests show 232 versus 958, a delta of -75.8%. Random string sorting shows 4,666 versus 26,019, a delta of -82.1%.

The smallest gap in the entire dataset is in single-thread performance. The Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1,592, and the Ryzen 5 230 scores 3,558, a delta of -55.3%. This still represents a substantial advantage for the newer processor, but it is the area where the older chip comes closest to matching it. The Cinebench results for the Ryzen 5 230 further confirm its multi-core capability: Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 17,857, Cinebench R20 multi-core scores 7,499, and Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 1,799. Single-core Cinebench results for the Ryzen 5 230 are 2,521 in R23, 1,058 in R20, and 253 in R15.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 230 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the Ryzen 3 3100U and 3.50 GHz for the Ryzen 5 230. Boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. The TDP is 15 W for the Ryzen 3 3100U and 28 W for the Ryzen 5 230.

The Ryzen 3 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Ryzen 5 230 uses AMD Socket FP8. Process nodes are 12 nm and 4 nm. The die size is 210 mm² for the Ryzen 3 3100U and 178 mm² for the Ryzen 5 230. L1 cache is 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core, L2 cache is 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core, and L3 cache is 4 MB shared versus 16 MB shared. Memory support moves from DDR4 to DDR5, with bandwidth increasing from 38.4 GB/s to 89.6 GB/s. PCIe support moves from Gen 3 to Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics change from Radeon Vega 8 to Radeon 760M. The release dates also differ, with the Ryzen 5 230 appearing in the database with a 2025 release date and the Ryzen 3 3100U with a 2026 release date.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How does single-thread performance compare?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1,592 and the Ryzen 5 230 scores 3,558, a delta of -55.3% in favor of the Ryzen 5 230. This is the smallest performance gap between the two processors in the recorded data.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 230 supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Ryzen 5 230 uses AMD Socket FP8.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6,247, while the Ryzen 5 230 has an average benchmark score of 25,782. The Ryzen 5 230 sits in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 62nd percentile for the Ryzen 3 3100U.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: For the Ryzen 3 3100U, the nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X with an average score of 6,231 and a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core i9-10920X with an average score of 6,347 and a delta of -1.6%. For the Ryzen 5 230, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11700K with an average score of 25,812 and a delta of -0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 with an average score of 25,981 and a delta of -0.8%.