AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 7 170 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and AMD Ryzen 7 170 occupy different ends of the mobile processor spectrum. The database records show a decisive performance gap across every measured workload, with the Ryzen 7 170 taking all 11 head-to-head benchmark wins. This analysis breaks down the recorded scores, architectural differences, and what the data means for specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every single recorded test. The largest margin appears in integer math, where the Ryzen 7 170 scores 79,738 against the Ryzen 3 3100U's 8,873, a delta of -88.9% from the perspective of the smaller chip. This indicates that the Ryzen 7 170 delivers roughly nine times the integer processing throughput.

Data compression shows a similar story. The Ryzen 7 170 records 265,920 points, while the Ryzen 3 3100U manages 38,455, a difference of -85.5%. Extended instructions follow with 18,107 versus 2,116, a delta of -88.3%. Floating-point math produces 44,979 for the Ryzen 7 170 against 5,854 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a -87% gap. Data encryption shows 16,078 versus 1,972, or -87.7%.

The multithreaded score, a broad indicator of parallel workload capability, sees the Ryzen 7 170 at 20,760 compared to the Ryzen 3 3100U's 3,348, a delta of -83.9%. Random string sorting follows with 27,804 versus 4,666, a -83.2% difference. Physics calculations produce 890 against 232, a -73.9% margin.

The closest relative contest appears in single-thread performance. Here the Ryzen 7 170 scores 3,128 against the Ryzen 3 3100U's 1,592, a delta of -49.1%. While still a substantial advantage, this is by far the smallest gap in the entire benchmark set. Prime number finding shows 49 versus 18, a -63.3% difference, which is the second-narrowest margin.

The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture. The Ryzen 7 170 records an average of 43,689, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6,247, sitting in the 62nd percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip confirm their respective performance tiers: the Ryzen 7 170 sits within 0.8% of the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 and 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, while the Ryzen 3 3100U trades within 1.6% of the Intel Core i9-7940X and 1.6% of the Intel Core i9-10920X.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins every category in the recorded data. There is no benchmark in the database where the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U comes out ahead. That said, the relative margins define distinct areas of strength for the larger chip.

The Ryzen 7 170 shows its most extreme advantages in integer math, extended instructions, data encryption, and floating-point math, all with deltas exceeding -87%. These workloads benefit from the combination of more cores, higher clock speeds, and a newer architecture. The multithreaded score, data compression, and random string sorting also show dominant margins above -83%, indicating that heavily parallel tasks are firmly in the Ryzen 7 170's territory.

The Ryzen 3 3100U's closest performance relative to the Ryzen 7 170 comes in single-thread work and prime number finding. The -49.1% single-thread delta and -63.3% prime number delta suggest that the gap narrows when workloads depend less on core count and more on per-core efficiency. Even so, the Ryzen 7 170 still leads in these tests by a wide absolute margin.

For use-case analysis, the Ryzen 7 170 is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption tasks, and any workload that scales with core count. The Ryzen 3 3100U, with its 2 cores and 2 threads, shows no recorded scenario where it outperforms the 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 170. The data indicates that the Ryzen 3 3100U is suited for light, single-threaded tasks where its lower power envelope and smaller footprint matter more than raw throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is built on the 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, using the Zen+ architecture with the codename Picasso. It belongs to the 3000 series and the Ryzen 3 generation. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the 6 nm process from TSMC, based on Zen 3+ architecture with the codename Rembrandt-R, and is a Ryzen 7 generation part.

Core counts differ substantially. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the Ryzen 3 3100U and 3.20 GHz for the Ryzen 7 170, with boost clocks of 3.20 GHz and 4.75 GHz respectively. This clock advantage compounds the core-count advantage.

Cache configurations also diverge. The Ryzen 3 3100U provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 170 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite the smaller per-core L1, the Ryzen 7 170's larger shared L3 pool benefits multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support marks a major generational split. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen 7 170 uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, exactly double. The Ryzen 7 170 also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen 3 3100U does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Ryzen 3 3100U supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Ryzen 7 170 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes available to the CPU. Integrated graphics are present in both: the Ryzen 3 3100U features Radeon Vega 8, and the Ryzen 7 170 features Radeon 680M.

Power and packaging also separate the two. The Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 watts and uses AMD Socket FP5. The Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts and uses AMD Socket FP7. Both are mobile parts with active production status. The Ryzen 3 3100U has a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors, while the Ryzen 7 170 also has a 210 mm² die size but no transistor count is recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a simple conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Its average score of 43,689 places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 3 3100U's 6,247 average sits in the 62nd percentile. The nearest rival comparisons confirm the tier separation: the Ryzen 7 170 runs within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 260 and within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, while the Ryzen 3 3100U trades within 1.6% of the Intel Core i9-7940X.

For workloads that demand multi-threaded performance, data compression, encryption, or heavy floating-point and integer math, the Ryzen 7 170 is the only choice based on the numbers. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, higher clocks, larger L3 cache, and doubled memory bandwidth all contribute to the recorded dominance. The Ryzen 3 3100U, with its 2 cores, 2 threads, and 15-watt TDP, delivers a much lower performance profile. The data shows no scenario where the Ryzen 3 3100U wins.

The Ryzen 3 3100U's lower TDP of 15 watts compared to 35 watts for the Ryzen 7 170 suggests a power-efficiency advantage for lighter tasks, but the benchmark scores do not reflect any performance win. Users who prioritize battery life over throughput might favor the Ryzen 3 3100U, but strictly on the recorded performance data, the Ryzen 7 170 is the stronger part. The single-thread gap of -49.1% is the closest any benchmark comes, yet still a decisive victory for the Ryzen 7 170.

FAQ

Q: How many benchmark wins does the AMD Ryzen 7 170 have over the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks recorded in the database, with zero wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 scores 79,738 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's 8,873, a delta of -88.9% from the smaller chip's perspective.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a single-thread score of 3,128, compared to 1,592 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, a delta of -49.1%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has an average benchmark score of 43,689, placing it in the 88th percentile, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average of 6,247, placing it in the 62nd percentile.