AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F wins every single benchmark in the comparison, 11 out of 11. The largest gaps appear in compute-heavy workloads. In extended instructions, the Ryzen 7 9700F scores 33,688 against the Ryzen 3 3100U’s 2,116, a delta of -93.7%. Floating point math shows a similar chasm: 77,955 versus 5,854, which is -92.5%. Integer math delivers 120,788 versus 8,873, a -92.7% difference. These are not close contests; the Ryzen 7 9700F is roughly an order of magnitude faster in raw arithmetic.

The smallest relative gap is in single-thread performance. The Ryzen 7 9700F posts 4,691 in the single-thread test, while the Ryzen 3 3100U manages 1,592. That delta is -66.1%, still a massive lead, but notably smaller than the multi-threaded deltas. This indicates the Ryzen 3 3100U’s per-core efficiency, while far behind, is less disadvantaged than its scaling across cores.

Data compression shows 421,988 versus 38,455, a -90.9% delta. Data encryption follows at 21,488 versus 1,972, a -90.8% delta. Random string sorting yields 45,890 versus 4,666, a -89.8% delta. The physics test, which often reflects gaming and simulation workloads, shows 2,122 versus 232, a -89.1% delta. Prime number finding, a classic integer-heavy task, delivers 183 versus 18, a -90.2% delta. The multithread score, which aggregates overall parallel performance, is 36,470 versus 3,348, a -90.8% delta.

The Ryzen 3 3100U’s average benchmark score sits at 6,247, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 6,231 (0.3% delta), the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6,186 (1% delta), and the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6,147 (1.6% delta). On the other side, the Intel Core i9-10920X at 6,347 is -1.6% from the Ryzen 3 3100U. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 7 9700F averages 69,996, landing in the 94th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX at 69,875 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i7-14700KF at 70,163 (-0.2% delta), the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at 69,515 (0.7% delta), and the Intel Core i7-14700K at 69,355 (0.9% delta). The average score gap between the two processors is over 63,000 points.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is the superior processor in every measured category. For any workload that relies on CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Ryzen 7 9700F delivers roughly 10 times the performance in most tests. The only scenario where the Ryzen 3 3100U comes closer is single-thread execution, but even there it trails by 66.1%.

The Ryzen 3 3100U’s nearest rivals are high-core-count server and HEDT parts like the Threadripper 1950X and EPYC 7272, which indicates its average score sits in a segment populated by older, wider chips. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 9700F competes with recent flagship desktop and mobile processors, such as the Ryzen 9 7950X and the Core i7-14700K, and it slightly edges them in average score.

For a user choosing between these two, the deciding factor is not whether the Ryzen 7 9700F is faster, but whether the workload justifies the difference. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, designed for low-power laptops. The Ryzen 7 9700F is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, built for sustained performance. The benchmark scores reflect that split: the Ryzen 7 9700F wins every test, often by 90% or more. The Ryzen 3 3100U does not win any test in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different eras and design philosophies. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso architecture, which is based on Zen+ and built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Ryzen 7 9700F uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8,315 million transistors onto a much smaller 70.6 mm² die.

The core counts differ sharply. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 9700F has 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds also favor the newer chip: the Ryzen 3 3100U has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 9700F runs at 3.80 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost.

Cache configurations are distinct. The Ryzen 3 3100U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 7 9700F offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The L3 cache is eight times larger on the Ryzen 7 9700F, which helps with data-heavy workloads.

Memory support differs by generation. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses DDR4 with dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 7 9700F uses DDR5 with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported on the Ryzen 3 3100U but is supported on the Ryzen 7 9700F.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses PCIe Gen 3. The Ryzen 7 9700F uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are present on the Ryzen 3 3100U as Radeon Vega 8, while the Ryzen 7 9700F has no integrated graphics (N/A). The Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP5, while the Ryzen 7 9700F is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM5. The multiplier is locked on the Ryzen 3 3100U and unlocked on the Ryzen 7 9700F.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in single-threaded workloads?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Ryzen 7 9700F scores 4,691 versus 1,592 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a delta of -66.1%.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 3100U support ECC memory?

A: No, the Ryzen 3 3100U does not support ECC memory. The Ryzen 7 9700F does support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Ryzen 7 9700F has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 7 9700F is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Ryzen 7 9700F has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks. Its largest margins are in extended instructions (-93.7%), floating point math (-92.5%), integer math (-92.7%), and data compression (-90.9%). It also leads heavily in multithread (-90.8%), data encryption (-90.8%), and prime number finding (-90.2%). The smallest margin is in single-thread performance at -66.1%, which is still a decisive advantage.

The Ryzen 3 3100U does not win any benchmark in this comparison. However, its profile suggests it is suited for low-power mobile use cases. With a 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, it can operate in thin-and-light laptops without a discrete GPU. Its 62nd percentile ranking places it near older high-core-count server chips, meaning it holds its own against much older hardware but not against modern desktop parts.

The Ryzen 7 9700F, with a 65 W TDP and no integrated graphics, is a desktop-only part. Its 94th percentile ranking puts it among the fastest CPUs in the database, slightly ahead of the Ryzen 9 7950X and the Core i7-14700K in average score. For workloads like data compression, encryption, and physics simulation, the Ryzen 7 9700F is roughly 90% faster than the Ryzen 3 3100U.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3100U | AMD Ryzen 7 9700F |

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

| Cores | 2 | 8 |

| Threads | 2 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Zen+ (Picasso) | Zen 5 (Granite Ridge) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 8,315 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2025-09-15 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $289 |