AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600F Comparison

AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600F: a comparison that pairs a low-power mobile part from the 3000 series against a desktop-focused 5000 series chip. The benchmark database records a clear hierarchy, with the Ryzen 5 5600F winning every single head-to-head test. The Ryzen 3 3100U, a 2-core, 2-thread Picasso-based APU, is positioned for efficiency, while the Ryzen 5 5600F, a 6-core, 12-thread Vermeer desktop processor, targets raw throughput. The average benchmark scores reflect this divide: the 5600F posts an average score of 36,945, while the 3100U manages 6,247. This places the 5600F in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the 3100U sits at the 62nd percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data from the database shows a decisive sweep. Across all 11 recorded benchmark comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F delivers a higher score. The margins vary by workload, from a modest single-thread gap to a massive multi-thread chasm.

In single-thread performance, measured by both `passmark_single_thread` and `passmark_singlethread`, the 5600F scores 2,872 against the 3100U's 1,592. That is a 44.6% deficit for the 3100U. This is the closest contest in the entire set, yet it still demonstrates a significant architectural advantage for the newer Zen 3 core. The 3100U's older Picasso design, based on Zen+, cannot close the gap even on a single core.

The multi-thread tests show a far larger separation. In `passmark_multithread`, the 5600F scores 19,236, while the 3100U manages 3,348, a delta of 82.6%. The 3100U falls behind by 15,888 points. This result is expected given the core count difference: the 5600F has six physical cores and twelve threads, while the 3100U has only two cores and two threads. The 5600F's score is 5.7 times higher.

Integer math offers another stark example. The `passmark_integer_math` test sees the 5600F at 59,339, against the 3100U's 8,873. The delta here is 85%, meaning the 5600F delivers roughly 6.7 times the integer throughput. Similarly, `passmark_floating_point_math` shows the 5600F at 34,548 versus 5,854, an 83.1% difference. The 5600F's advantage in floating-point operations is 5.9 times.

Data compression and encryption workloads follow the same pattern. In `passmark_data_compression`, the 5600F scores 232,836, while the 3100U scores 38,455, a delta of 83.5%. For `passmark_data_encryption`, the 5600F's 13,839 dwarfs the 3100U's 1,972, a delta of 85.8%. The 5600F's encryption throughput is 7 times higher, indicating a substantial edge in cryptographic workloads.

The `passmark_extended_instructions` test, which measures SIMD and AVX performance, shows the 5600F at 16,266 versus the 3100U's 2,116, a delta of 87%. This is the largest percentage gap in the data set. The 5600F's support for newer instruction sets and wider execution resources delivers a 7.7 times advantage.

Physics calculations, captured by `passmark_physics`, show the 5600F scoring 1,043 against 232, a delta of 77.8%. Random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive test, sees the 5600F at 23,422 and the 3100U at 4,666, a delta of 80.1%. Finally, prime number generation (`passmark_find_prime_numbers`) has the 5600F at 120 versus 18, a delta of 85%. The 5600F generates 6.7 times more primes per unit time.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F records an average benchmark score of 36,945, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U records 6,247. The 5600F's score is nearly six times higher.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5600F compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: The 5600F sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, has an average score of 36,938, a delta of 0.0%. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is 0.2% behind, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 is 0.4% behind.

Q: What is the single-thread performance gap between the two processors?

A: In the `passmark_single_thread` test, the 5600F scores 2,872, while the 3100U scores 1,592. The 5600F leads by 44.6%, the smallest margin of any benchmark in the comparison.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 3100U win any benchmark?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the 3100U. The Ryzen 5 5600F wins all 11 head-to-head tests.

Q: What is the largest percentage difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is 87% in the `passmark_extended_instructions` test. The 5600F scores 16,266, and the 3100U scores 2,116.

Q: How does the Ryzen 3 3100U compare to its own nearest rivals?

A: The 3100U is at the 62nd percentile. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, has an average score of 6,231, a delta of 0.3%. The AMD EPYC 7272 is 1.0% behind, while the Intel Core i9-10920X is 1.6% ahead.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every recorded benchmark. The 5600F's average score of 36,945 versus 6,247 places it in a different performance class entirely. The 3100U's only notable result is its 62nd percentile ranking, which is respectable for a mobile part, but it is not competitive with the 5600F's 85th percentile placement.

For workloads that rely on multi-threaded throughput, such as data compression, integer math, or encryption, the 5600F is the clear choice. Its six cores and twelve threads provide a 5.7 times advantage in the multithread test. Even for single-threaded tasks, the 5600F's newer Zen 3 architecture delivers a 44.6% lead. The 3100U's strengths, if any, would be limited to power-constrained environments, given its 15-watt TDP. The 5600F carries a 65-watt TDP, but the performance delta justifies the higher power draw for any compute-intensive application.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600F has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the 3100U and 3.00 GHz for the 5600F. Boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 4.00 GHz, respectively. TDP ratings are 15 watts for the 3100U and 65 watts for the 5600F.

The cache hierarchy diverges significantly. The 3100U uses 96 KB of L1 cache per core, while the 5600F uses 64 KB per core. Both share 512 KB of L2 per core. The L3 cache is a major difference: the 3100U has 4 MB shared, while the 5600F has 32 MB shared, an eight-fold increase. Memory bandwidth is also distinct, with the 3100U at 38.4 GB/s and the 5600F at 51.2 GB/s. Both support DDR4 dual-channel memory. ECC memory is supported by the 5600F but not the 3100U.

The 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5 and has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The 5600F uses AMD Socket AM4 and has no integrated graphics. The 5600F has an unlocked multiplier, while the 3100U does not. PCIe support differs: the 3100U is Gen 3, and the 5600F is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is generational. The Ryzen 3 3100U is based on the Picasso codename, which uses the Zen+ microarchitecture. The Ryzen 5 5600F uses the Vermeer codename, based on Zen 3. The 3100U is manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the 5600F uses a 7 nm process at TSMC. The die size reflects the node difference: the 3100U has a 210 mm² die with 4,940 million transistors, while the 5600U has a 74 mm² die with 4,150 million transistors.

The 3000 series part is a mobile APU with integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, whereas the 5000 series desktop part is a CPU-only chip. The 5600F's Zen 3 architecture brings a redesigned core layout and a unified 32 MB L3 cache, which the data shows translates to higher single-thread and multi-thread scores. The 3100U's Zen+ design, while efficient, lacks the IPC improvements of Zen 3. The 5600F also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the 3100U. The PCIe generation difference, Gen 3 versus Gen 4, affects expansion bandwidth for GPUs and NVMe drives.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 5600F wins in every conceivable compute scenario in the database. It is the superior processor for any workload that benefits from higher core counts, higher clock speeds, or larger caches. Multi-threaded tasks, such as video encoding, compilation, and scientific computing, will see a 5.7 times improvement in the multithread benchmark. Single-threaded applications, like many games or lightly threaded productivity tools, will still favor the 5600F with its 44.6% lead. The 5600F's performance profile is suited for a desktop system where power consumption is secondary to throughput.

The Ryzen 3 3100U has no benchmark wins, but its specification sheet points to a different role. With a 15-watt TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, and a mobile socket, it is designed for low-power laptops and compact systems. In such form factors, the 5600F is not an option due to socket incompatibility and higher power requirements. The 3100U's 62nd percentile ranking indicates it is not a weak processor, just one that is outclassed by the 5600F. For users who require basic computing without a discrete GPU and prioritize battery life, the 3100U remains a functional choice. For anyone comparing raw performance, the 5600F is the definitive winner in this matchup.