AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents a completely one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not win a single head-to-head benchmark among the eleven tests recorded in the database. The Intel Core 3 100U wins all eleven, which makes the use-case split straightforward: the Intel part dominates every measured workload category.

Breaking the results down by workload type, the Intel Core 3 100U shows its largest advantages in floating-point math and integer math. In floating-point math, the Intel chip scores 28322 against the AMD part's 5854, a delta of -79.3% for the AMD side. Integer math shows a similar pattern: 39580 versus 8873, a delta of -77.6%. These two tests represent the core computational throughput of the processors, and the Intel part is far ahead in both.

Memory-intensive operations also favor Intel heavily. Random string sorting, which stresses memory access patterns and sorting algorithms, shows the Intel Core 3 100U at 15191 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U at 4666, a delta of -69.3%. Data compression, another memory-heavy workload, sees Intel score 136497 against AMD's 38455, a delta of -71.8%. Data encryption follows the same trend: 8128 versus 1972, a delta of -75.7%.

Single-threaded performance, often critical for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications, also belongs to Intel. The single-thread test shows 3506 for the Intel part versus 1592 for the AMD part, a delta of -54.6%. This is the smallest percentage gap in the entire head-to-head set, but it is still a substantial margin. Extended instructions, which measures the efficiency of newer instruction set extensions, show Intel at 7894 against AMD's 2116, a delta of -73.2%.

The multithread test, which reflects overall throughput across all cores and threads, confirms the same conclusion. Intel scores 12522, AMD scores 3348, a delta of -73.3%. Physics simulation, a workload that often combines floating-point and integer operations, shows Intel at 876 versus AMD's 232, a delta of -73.5%. Prime number finding, a purely integer workload, shows 52 versus 18, a delta of -65.4%.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has no winning category in the recorded data. Every workload type, from single-threaded to multithreaded, from integer to floating-point, from compression to encryption, is won by the Intel Core 3 100U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, which the database places in the Ryzen 3 generation based on the Zen+ architecture. It is built on a 12 nm process node at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake-U codename and is based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel.

The transistor and die size data only exist for the AMD part. The Ryzen 3 3100U contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The database does not record transistor count or die size for the Intel Core 3 100U, so no direct comparison is possible on those physical characteristics.

Cache organization differs substantially. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 100U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more L2 per core and more than double the L3 cache, which likely contributes to its performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Core and thread counts also differ. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part also has a higher boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. The base clock is lower on Intel at 1.20 GHz versus 1.90 GHz on AMD, but the boost ceiling is much higher.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD part supports DDR4 memory only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The database records a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s for the AMD part, but no memory bandwidth figure for the Intel part.

PCI Express support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses PCIe Gen 3. The Intel Core 3 100U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes available from the CPU only. This gives the Intel platform newer connectivity options.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD part uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 64EU. Both are integrated solutions for mobile platforms, and both processors target the mobile market segment. Both are currently active in production status.

The release dates show the Intel part launched earlier: January 7, 2024 versus May 31, 2026 for the AMD part. The AMD part has a launch MSRP field, but the value is null, so no launch price is recorded. The Intel Core 3 100U has a launch MSRP of $426.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data in the database records eleven benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Core 3 100U wins all of them. The deltas for the AMD part range from -54.6% to -79.3%, meaning the AMD chip trails by more than half in every test.

The single-thread test shows the closest margin. Intel scores 3506, AMD scores 1592, a delta of -54.6%. This indicates that even in purely single-core performance, where the AMD part's 3.20 GHz boost clock might have been expected to help, the Intel part's higher 4.70 GHz boost clock and architectural efficiency produce a large advantage.

The floating-point math test shows the largest gap. Intel scores 28322, AMD scores 5854, a delta of -79.3%. This is the biggest percentage difference in the recorded set. Floating-point throughput is important for scientific computing, some content creation workloads, and certain simulation tasks.

Integer math shows the second-largest gap at -77.6%, with Intel at 39580 and AMD at 8873. This workload is representative of general-purpose computing, including office productivity, code compilation, and many everyday applications. The gap here suggests the Intel part handles general computational tasks far more efficiently.

Data encryption shows a delta of -75.7%, with Intel at 8128 and AMD at 1972. Encryption workloads often benefit from dedicated instruction set extensions, and the Intel part's advantage here is substantial. Extended instructions show a delta of -73.2%, with Intel at 7894 and AMD at 2116, which aligns with the encryption result.

The multithread test shows a delta of -73.3%, with Intel at 12522 and AMD at 3348. Given that the Intel part has 6 cores and 8 threads versus 2 cores and 2 threads on the AMD part, the multithread advantage is expected, but the magnitude is worth noting. The physics test shows a delta of -73.5%, with Intel at 876 and AMD at 232.

Data compression shows a delta of -71.8%, with Intel at 136497 and AMD at 38455. Random string sorting shows a delta of -69.3%, with Intel at 15191 and AMD at 4666. Prime number finding shows the second-smallest gap at -65.4%, with Intel at 52 and AMD at 18.

The average benchmark score in the database reflects the same hierarchy. The Intel Core 3 100U has an average benchmark score of 16148, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average of 6247. The Intel part sits at the 70th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part sits at the 62nd percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The core count difference is significant: 2 cores on the AMD part versus 6 cores on the Intel part. Thread counts follow: 2 threads versus 8 threads. The Intel part supports simultaneous multithreading, while the AMD part does not, based on the equal core and thread counts.

Clock speeds differ in both directions. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a higher base clock at 1.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 100U has a lower base clock at 1.20 GHz. The boost clock reverses this: Intel reaches 4.70 GHz, AMD reaches only 3.20 GHz. Both parts have a TDP of 15 watts, so the power envelope is identical.

Cache specifications differ in all three levels. L1 cache is 96 KB per core on AMD versus 80 KB per core on Intel. L2 cache is 512 KB per core on AMD versus 1.25 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 4 MB shared on AMD versus 10 MB shared on Intel. The Intel part has more cache at every level.

Memory support differs. The AMD part supports DDR4 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded as 38.4 GB/s for AMD, but no figure is recorded for Intel. The memory bus is dual-channel for both.

PCIe support differs. AMD uses PCIe Gen 3, Intel uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU only. This means the Intel platform supports a newer PCIe generation.

The process node differs: 12 nm for AMD at GlobalFoundries, 10 nm for Intel at Intel's own foundry. The AMD part has recorded transistor count and die size: 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. No such figures exist for the Intel part.

Socket types differ: AMD Socket FP5 for the AMD part, Intel BGA 1744 for the Intel part. These are not interchangeable, and each processor requires its respective platform. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 8 on the AMD part, UHD Graphics 64EU on the Intel part. Both are integrated solutions for mobile processors.

The release dates differ by roughly two years, with Intel launching on January 7, 2024, and AMD launching on May 31, 2026. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $426; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core 3 100U scores 3506 in the single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1592. The AMD part trails by -54.6%.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 100U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 only.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6247. The Intel Core 3 100U has an average benchmark score of 16148.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Intel Core 3 100U has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 3 100U outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every benchmark test in the database, with deltas ranging from -54.6% to -79.3% in favor of Intel. The Intel part wins all eleven head-to-head comparisons, and its average benchmark score of 16148 is roughly 2.6 times the AMD part's 6247.

The Intel Core 3 100U also holds advantages in several specification categories. It has more cores, more threads, more L2 and L3 cache, a higher boost clock, DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, and a more recent architecture in Raptor Lake. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U counters with a higher base clock, a recorded memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s, and a larger L1 cache per core, but none of these advantages translate into a benchmark win.

The percentile data reinforces the gap. The Intel part sits at the 70th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part sits at the 62nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i7-10850H, Intel Core i5-10600KF, Intel Core i7-1260U, and AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, all with average scores within 1.2% of the Core 3 100U. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, AMD EPYC 7272, Intel Core i9-10920X, and Intel Core i9-7940X, with deltas between -1.6% and 1.6%.

For workloads measured in the database, which include data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multithreaded tasks, physics simulation, random string sorting, and single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core 3 100U is the stronger processor in every category. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not record a single winning benchmark, so no workload category in the data favors it. The verdict from the recorded measurements is unambiguous: the Intel Core 3 100U delivers higher performance across the board.