AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a complete sweep in favor of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. Across all 11 shared Passmark tests, the Threadripper 9980X wins every single matchup, with the Ryzen 3 3100U failing to claim a single victory. The scale of the margin is the defining characteristic of this comparison.

The largest deltas appear in the throughput-oriented tests. In passmark_integer_math, the Threadripper 9980X scores 872071 against the 3100U's 8873, a 99% gap. The floating_point_math test tells the same story: 559003 versus 5854, also a 99% difference. Extended instructions show 228959 versus 2116, a 99.1% delta, the largest percentage gap in the entire head-to-head set. These are not incremental differences; the Threadripper processor delivers roughly two orders of magnitude more compute in these heavily parallel workloads.

Data compression and encryption workloads follow the same pattern. The 9980X records 2974534 in passmark_data_compression, compared to 38455 for the 3100U, a 98.7% delta. Data encryption shows 157137 versus 1972, also 98.7%. Random string sorting lands at 292083 versus 4666, a 98.4% gap. These workloads scale with core count and memory bandwidth, both areas where the Threadripper part holds an overwhelming advantage.

The multithreaded Passmark score is 141641 for the 9980X versus 3348 for the 3100U, a 97.6% delta. The physics test shows 8001 versus 232, a 97.1% gap. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both core count and integer throughput, records 769 versus 18, a 97.7% delta.

The single-threaded results narrow the gap considerably, though the Threadripper still wins decisively. In passmark_single_thread, the 9980X scores 4537 against 1592 for the 3100U, a 64.9% delta. This is the smallest percentage difference in the entire comparison, indicating that while the Threadripper's per-core performance is far ahead, the architectural gap is less extreme in single-core workloads than in multi-core scaling.

The average benchmark score reflects the overall dominance: the Threadripper 9980X sits at 321753, while the 3100U averages 6247. The Threadripper's percentile ranking of 99 versus the 3100U's 62 places these parts in entirely different performance tiers within the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different eras of AMD design. The Ryzen 3 3100U is built on the Zen+ architecture, specifically the Picasso generation, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Threadripper 9980X uses Zen 5 architecture under the Shimada Peak codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. This process node difference alone accounts for substantial efficiency and density advantages for the newer part.

Core configuration separates the two dramatically. The 3100U provides 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Threadripper 9980X provides 64 cores and 128 threads. This 32x core count difference and 64x thread count difference drives the massive multi-threaded benchmark deltas. The 3100U is a mobile part in the 3000 series, while the 9980X is a desktop HEDT part in the 9000 series.

Cache hierarchies differ in both per-core allocation and total capacity. The 3100U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper 9980X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of L3. Total L3 capacity is 64 times higher on the Threadripper part, which materially helps in large working-set workloads.

Clock speeds favor the Threadripper as well. The 9980X has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, versus 1.90 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost for the 3100U. The boost delta of 2.20 GHz explains why even single-threaded performance is 64.9% higher on the Threadripper.

Memory architecture is a different class entirely. The 3100U supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, a 5.33x bandwidth advantage. ECC memory is supported on the Threadripper part but not on the 3100U. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the 3100U uses Gen 3, while the 9980X provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes for the CPU.

Integrated graphics differentiate the parts. The 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The 3100U's transistor count is 4,940 million on a 210 mm² die, while the Threadripper uses 66,520 million transistors across an 8-chiplet configuration with 70.6 mm² per chiplet. The multiplier is locked on the 3100U and unlocked on the 9980X.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 3 3100U wins in exactly one category: none of the benchmark tests. However, the 3100U does have attributes that matter outside raw performance. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Threadripper's 350 W, making it suitable for thermally constrained mobile systems. It includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, so a discrete GPU is unnecessary for basic display output. The 3100U also uses AMD Socket FP5, a mobile platform, and supports DDR4 memory, which is a mature and widely available standard.

The Threadripper 9980X wins every benchmark in the comparison, and the database shows its strengths are most pronounced in parallel workloads. The multithreaded score of 141641 versus 3348 indicates the 9980X is built for heavily threaded applications. Data compression, encryption, and extended instruction workloads all show deltas above 98%, meaning the Threadripper's 64 cores and 128 threads translate directly into near-linear scaling in these tests.

Single-threaded performance is also firmly in the Threadripper's favor. The 4537 score versus 1592 represents a 64.9% lead, driven by the higher boost clock and Zen 5 architectural improvements. This means even lightly threaded workloads will run faster on the Threadripper, though the percentage advantage is smaller than in multi-core tests.

The Threadripper 9980X also supports ECC memory, quad-channel DDR5, and PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes, making it appropriate for memory-intensive and I/O-intensive workstation workloads. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, which the locked 3100U cannot offer. The production status for both parts is listed as Active, and the Threadripper has a launch MSRP of $4999.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: In the passmark_multithread test, the Threadripper 9980X scores 141641 versus 3348 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a 97.6% delta in favor of the Threadripper.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The single-threaded tests show the smallest gap. In passmark_single_thread, the Threadripper 9980X scores 4537 versus 1592 for the 3100U, a 64.9% delta.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 3100U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Threadripper 9980X supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 3 3100U does not support ECC memory.

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

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The 3100U provides 38.4 GB/s over dual-channel DDR4, while the Threadripper 9980X provides 204.8 GB/s over quad-channel DDR5.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field in the database. The 3100U is part of the 3000 series, while the 9980X belongs to the 9000 series. Core count differs from 2 to 64, and threads from 2 to 128. Base clock is 1.90 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, and boost clock is 3.20 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. TDP is 15 W versus 350 W.

Sockets differ: the 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the 9980X uses AMD Socket sTR5. The architecture field is null for the 3100U, while the 9980X lists Zen 5. Codename is Picasso versus Shimada Peak. Generation is Ryzen 3 (Zen+ (Picasso)) versus Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 5 (Shimada Peak)). Process node is 12 nm versus 4 nm, with foundries GlobalFoundries and TSMC respectively.

Transistor count is 4,940 million versus 66,520 million. Die size is 210 mm² for the 3100U versus 8x 70.6 mm² for the 9980X. L1 cache is 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core. L2 cache is 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core. L3 cache is 4 MB shared versus 256 MB.

Memory support is DDR4 versus DDR5. Memory bus is dual-channel versus quad-channel. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s. ECC memory support is false versus true. PCIe is Gen 3 versus Gen 5 with 80 lanes for the CPU. Integrated graphics is Radeon Vega 8 versus N/A. Market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Release date is 2026-05-31 versus 2025-07-29. The launch MSRP for the 9980X is $4999, while the 3100U has no listed MSRP. Multiplier unlocked is false versus true. Part numbers are YM3100C4T2OFG and 100-000001593.