AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 5 40 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and AMD Ryzen 5 40 are both low-power mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they occupy different performance tiers. The Ryzen 5 40 wins every single head-to-head test recorded in the database. The Ryzen 3 3100U’s average benchmark score is 6247, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 40 scores 15882 on average, landing in the 70th percentile. This gap is substantial, and the individual test results clarify where the largest differences lie.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 40 comes in data compression. It scores 141533 against the Ryzen 3 3100U’s 38455, a delta of -72.8% from the perspective of the older chip. This means the Ryzen 5 40 processes compressed data nearly four times faster. Integer math shows a similar pattern: the Ryzen 5 40 posts 31598 versus 8873, a -71.9% difference. Encryption workloads also favor the newer processor heavily, with the Ryzen 5 40 scoring 6646 compared to 1972, a -70.3% gap.

Random string sorting is another area where the Ryzen 5 40 dominates, scoring 15124 against 4666, a -69.1% difference. Extended instructions follow at 6437 versus 2116, a -67.1% delta. The multithread test shows the Ryzen 5 40 at 9341, while the Ryzen 3 3100U manages 3348, a -64.2% difference. Floating point math is also lopsided: 15194 for the Ryzen 5 40 versus 5854 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a -61.5% gap.

The smallest margin in the entire comparison is in the prime number test, where the Ryzen 5 40 scores 20 and the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 18, a -10% difference. The physics test shows the Ryzen 5 40 at 432 against 232, a -46.3% gap. Single-thread performance is the closest major category: the Ryzen 5 40 scores 2477, while the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1592, a -35.7% difference. The Ryzen 3 3100U does not win any of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests.

For context on where these chips sit among their peers, the Ryzen 3 3100U’s average score of 6247 puts it within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (6231), 1% above the AMD EPYC 7272 (6186), and 1.6% above the Intel Core i9-7940X (6147). It trails the Intel Core i9-10920X (6347) by 1.6%. The Ryzen 5 40’s average of 15882 puts it within 0.1% of the AMD EPYC 75F3 (15859), 0.4% above the AMD EPYC 9354P (15826), and 0.4% below the AMD EPYC 9334 (15940). It also sits 0.2% below the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U (15910).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, based on the Zen+ architecture, and is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 5 40 uses the Mendocino codename, based on Zen 2, and is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The die sizes reflect this: the Ryzen 3 3100U has a 210 mm² die with 4,940 million transistors, while the Ryzen 5 40 has a 100 mm² die, with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 5 40 doubles the core count and quadruples the thread count. Clock speeds also favor the Ryzen 5 40: its base clock is 2.80 GHz and boost clock is 4.30 GHz, versus 1.90 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost for the Ryzen 3 3100U.

Cache layouts are similar in capacity but differ per core. Both have 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. The Ryzen 5 40 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. Neither chip supports 3D V-Cache.

Memory support is a major point of divergence. The Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, more than double the older chip’s bandwidth. Both have PCIe Gen 3, though the Ryzen 5 40’s implementation is listed as 4 lanes CPU only, while the Ryzen 3 3100U’s lane details are not specified in the database.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Ryzen 5 40 uses Radeon 610M. Both are mobile parts with a 15 W TDP. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Ryzen 5 40 uses AMD Socket FT6. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has an average benchmark score of 15882, compared to the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U’s 6247. The Ryzen 5 40’s score places it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 3 3100U sits in the 62nd percentile.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 40 in single-threaded workloads?

A: In the passmark single-thread test, the Ryzen 5 40 scores 2477, while the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1592. This is a -35.7% difference, making the Ryzen 5 40 about 55.6% faster in that specific test.

Q: Do the two processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 3100U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Ryzen 5 40 is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Ryzen 5 40 also has a smaller die at 100 mm² versus 210 mm².

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

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 40’s memory bandwidth is more than double.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Ryzen 5 40 has double the cores and four times the threads.

Q: How do the two compare in the physics benchmark?

A: The Ryzen 5 40 scores 432 in the passmark physics test, while the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 232. The delta is -46.3%, meaning the Ryzen 5 40 is roughly 86% faster in this workload.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, as recorded in the database.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3100U | AMD Ryzen 5 40 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 2 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Architecture | Zen+ (Picasso) | Zen 2 (Mendocino) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 100 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Radeon 610M |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not recorded |

Fields that are identical include the 15 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, 512 KB L2 cache per core, 4 MB shared L3 cache, lack of ECC support, PCIe Gen 3, mobile market segment, active production status, and locked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 40 as the stronger processor in every measurable way. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score by a wide margin, and sits in a higher percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 40 delivers roughly 2.5 times the average benchmark score of the Ryzen 3 3100U. Its lead in multithreaded work is particularly large, driven by double the cores and four times the threads, plus higher clock speeds and a newer architecture.

The Ryzen 3 3100U is not without context. Its average score of 6247 places it near desktop-class processors like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (6231) and Intel Core i9-7940X (6147), according to the nearest rivals data. But within this direct comparison, the Ryzen 5 40 is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing performance. The Ryzen 5 40’s nearest rivals include server-class parts like the AMD EPYC 75F3 (15859) and AMD EPYC 9354P (15826), which shows it punches far above its mobile positioning in the database’s measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins every recorded workload category. Its largest advantages are in data compression (-72.8%), integer math (-71.9%), and encryption (-70.3%). These are workloads that benefit from more threads and higher per-core throughput. The Ryzen 5 40 also wins in extended instructions (-67.1%), random string sorting (-69.1%), and floating point math (-61.5%), making it the better fit for scientific, analytical, and data-heavy tasks.

The Ryzen 5 40’s smallest wins are in the prime number test (-10%) and single-thread performance (-35.7%). While still ahead, these narrow margins suggest that in lightly threaded, simple workloads the Ryzen 3 3100U is relatively closer in performance. The physics test shows a -46.3% gap, meaning the Ryzen 5 40 is still far ahead but not by the same margin as in memory-heavy tasks.

The Ryzen 3 3100U has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its role is limited to scenarios where the platform matters more than raw performance, such as requiring DDR4 support or the specific AMD Socket FP5. The Ryzen 5 40, with its LPDDR5 memory support and higher bandwidth, is the superior part for modern mobile workloads across the board.