AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X occupy opposite ends of AMD’s product spectrum. One is a 15-watt mobile chip with two processing cores, the other is a 180-watt desktop flagship with sixteen. The database records for both processors show a shared percentile rank of 62 among all CPUs, yet their average benchmark scores differ substantially. The Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6247 points, while the Threadripper 2950X averages 6647 points, a gap of exactly 400 points. That difference, however, hides the true scale of their performance separation, because the two processors were tested with entirely different benchmark suites. The Ryzen 3 3100U has PassMark results across eleven workloads, while the Threadripper 2950X has Cinebench and Geekbench results across eight workloads. Direct comparisons require careful reading of the recorded data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two chips share no identical benchmark tests in the database, so a direct score-by-score comparison is impossible. Instead, the data reveals their respective strengths through the workloads each was measured on. The Ryzen 3 3100U delivers its best PassMark result in data compression with a score of 38455. That single number dwarfs all its other PassMark scores, including integer math at 8873, floating point math at 5854, and random string sorting at 4666. The data compression score is more than four times its multithread score of 3348 and more than twenty times its single-thread score of 1592. This suggests the 3100U’s integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics or some hardware acceleration path contributes heavily to that specific workload, as no 2-core, 2-thread processor could achieve such a result through CPU cores alone.

The Threadripper 2950X shows its dominance in multi-core rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 25040, which is 2.38 times its Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10516 and roughly 9.9 times its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2523. The R23 single-core score of 3535 is also notable, coming in 2.38 times higher than the R20 single-core score of 1484 and 9.93 times higher than the R15 single-core score of 356. The scaling between these Cinebench versions is consistent across both single and multi-core tests, indicating the processor maintains its relative performance across different rendering engines.

In Geekbench, the Threadripper 2950X scores 8469 in multi-core and 1255 in single-core. The multi-core score is 6.75 times the single-core score, which aligns with a 16-core, 32-thread processor where parallel workloads scale effectively. The Ryzen 3 3100U has no Geekbench or Cinebench entries, so cross-suite comparisons rely on the average benchmark scores. The Threadripper 2950X’s average of 6647 exceeds the Ryzen 3 3100U’s average of 6247 by 6.4%. But that margin understates the real difference, because the Threadripper’s benchmarks are far more demanding. Cinebench R23 multicore and Geekbench multicore stress all 32 threads, while PassMark multithread on the 3100U only exercises two threads.

The nearest rival data for each processor provides additional context. The Ryzen 3 3100U sits within 1.6% of the Intel Core i9-7940X, which scores 6147, and within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which scores 6231. It trails the Intel Core i9-10920X, which scores 6347, by 1.6%. These rival comparisons use average benchmark scores, so the 3100U’s 6247 average places it among much larger desktop processors despite its mobile origins. The Threadripper 2950X, meanwhile, is within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-9940X, which scores 6657, and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13400E, which scores 6638. It also leads the Intel Core i9-12900E, which scores 6611, by 0.5% and the Intel Pentium Gold G6405, which scores 6605, by 0.6%. These tight margins show the Threadripper 2950X sits in a dense performance cluster, where small score differences separate several competing processors.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 3 3100U wins in scenarios that favor its low power envelope and integrated graphics. Its 15-watt TDP allows deployment in thin-and-light laptops, and its Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics provides display output without a discrete GPU. The PassMark data compression score of 38455 stands as its single strongest recorded result, suggesting hardware-accelerated compression or decompression tasks perform exceptionally well on this chip. Its other PassMark scores, such as extended instructions at 2116 and data encryption at 1972, indicate modest compute capability for security-related workloads. The 3100U’s 62nd percentile ranking, identical to the Threadripper 2950X’s ranking, reflects that its average score of 6247 is competitive with much larger processors in the database’s aggregate metric.

The Threadripper 2950X wins in every multi-threaded rendering and productivity scenario recorded. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25040 positions it as a serious content-creation processor, and its Geekbench multicore score of 8469 confirms strong parallel performance. The 32-thread configuration, enabled by 16 cores and 32 threads, allows it to handle heavily parallel workloads such as video rendering, 3D simulation, and scientific computing. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2523 and R20 multicore score of 10516 both show linear scaling typical of high-core-count processors. Single-core performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3535 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1255, though these are not its primary strength.

The architecture differences explain the workload split. The 3100U’s two cores with two threads limit its parallel ceiling, but its low TDP makes it suitable for battery-powered devices. The Threadripper 2950X’s sixteen cores with thirty-two threads require a 180-watt power budget, which is only feasible in desktop systems with robust cooling and power delivery. The recorded data shows no overlap in their benchmark suites, but the average scores and percentile ranks place both in the same performance tier for aggregated metrics, even though their real-world use cases diverge completely.

Architecture Differences

The most obvious architectural gap is core count. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. This is an eightfold difference in cores and a sixteenfold difference in threads. Clock speeds also differ significantly: the 3100U runs at a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Threadripper 2950X runs at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Threadripper’s base clock is 84% higher than the 3100U’s base clock, and its boost clock is 37.5% higher.

The process nodes are identical at 12 nm, and both use GlobalFoundries as the foundry. However, the transistor counts and die sizes diverge sharply. The 3100U contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Threadripper 2950X contains 9,600 million transistors across two 213 mm² dies, for a total of 426 mm². The Threadripper uses a dual-die design, which is consistent with its high core count, while the 3100U uses a single monolithic die.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both processors have 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is drastically different: the 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Threadripper 2950X has 32 MB of L3 cache. That is an eightfold difference in L3 capacity, which directly impacts performance in workloads that benefit from large shared caches, such as database operations and certain scientific simulations.

Memory support follows the same pattern. Both support DDR4, but the 3100U uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Threadripper 2950X uses a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Threadripper’s memory bandwidth is 144% higher, which matters for memory-intensive workloads like video editing and large-scale data processing. Neither processor supports ECC memory, according to the database records.

PCIe support also differs. The 3100U supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Threadripper 2950X supports PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes from the CPU. The 3100U’s PCIe lane count is not specified in the database, but its mobile segment suggests fewer lanes than the desktop Threadripper. The Threadripper also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the 3100U does not. The integrated graphics situation is reversed: the 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Threadripper 2950X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The sockets are incompatible. The 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, a mobile socket, while the Threadripper 2950X uses AMD Socket SP3r2, a desktop HEDT socket. Their codenames are Picasso and Colfax respectively, both based on the Zen+ architecture, but they target entirely different platforms. The 3100U belongs to the 3000 series with a release date recorded as May 31, 2026, while the Threadripper 2950X belongs to the 2000 series with a release date of August 30, 2018. The Threadripper’s launch MSRP is $899, stated once here as recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What are the clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: How does the cache size compare?

A: Both processors have 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 32 MB of L3 cache.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U uses a dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X uses a quad-channel memory bus with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6247. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has an average benchmark score of 6647. Both are ranked at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes the choice straightforward for users who need raw multi-threaded performance. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25040, a Geekbench multicore score of 8469, and a Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10516. These numbers place it firmly in desktop workstation territory, suitable for rendering, simulation, and parallel compute tasks. Its 32 threads and 32 MB of L3 cache, combined with quad-channel memory at 93.9 GB/s, provide the resources needed for heavy workloads. Its 180-watt TDP and SP3r2 socket require a serious desktop platform, but the performance data justifies the power draw for users who need it.

The Ryzen 3 3100U is the correct choice for mobile devices where power efficiency matters more than core count. Its 15-watt TDP allows it to operate in laptops, and its Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. Its PassMark data compression score of 38455 is the single highest recorded score across both processors, indicating strong performance in that specific workload. Its average benchmark score of 6247, while lower than the Threadripper’s 6647, still places it in the 62nd percentile, matching the Threadripper’s percentile ranking. For users who need a low-power chip with integrated graphics and adequate performance for everyday tasks, the 3100U is the data-supported pick.

Users who require maximum single-thread performance should note the Threadripper 2950X’s Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3535, which is high for its generation. Users who need a compact, low-power system should note the 3100U’s 15-watt TDP and mobile socket. The two processors are not substitutes for each other; they serve different platforms, different power budgets, and different workload profiles. The database shows both as active products with a 62nd percentile ranking, but the Threadripper 2950X is the clear leader in multi-threaded benchmarks, while the 3100U is the only one with integrated graphics and mobile compatibility. The choice depends entirely on the target system and workload.