AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Core 5 120UL represent two distinct approaches to low-power processing, with the database showing a decisive performance gap between them. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a 3000 series mobile chip built on the Picasso architecture, while the Core 5 120UL is a Raptor Lake-PS desktop processor. Across every recorded benchmark comparison, the Intel part finishes ahead, though the magnitude of that lead varies significantly by workload. The data confirms a clear hierarchy, but the specific margins reveal where the AMD chip remains functional versus where it falls substantially behind.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database, but the margins are not uniform. The smallest gap appears in single-threaded performance. In the passmark_single_thread test, the Intel chip scores 2080 against 1592 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, a delta of -23.5 percent relative to the Intel result. That 488-point advantage shows the Core 5 120UL has a meaningful but not overwhelming edge in lightly threaded work.

The gap widens considerably in multi-threaded workloads. In passmark_multithread, the Intel chip records 10558 points versus 3348 for the AMD part, a delta of -68.3 percent. The Intel processor delivers more than three times the throughput. A similar pattern appears in passmark_integer_math, where the Core 5 120UL scores 38060 against 8873, a delta of -76.7 percent. In passmark_floating_point_math, the Intel part reaches 26311 points while the Ryzen 3 3100U manages 5854, a delta of -77.8 percent. These are the largest proportional gaps in the recorded data.

The Intel advantage extends to more specialized tasks as well. In passmark_data_compression, the Core 5 120UL scores 109090 against 38455, a delta of -64.7 percent. In passmark_data_encryption, the Intel chip records 7685 versus 1972, a delta of -74.3 percent. For passmark_extended_instructions, the gap is -59.3 percent with scores of 5203 and 2116. The passmark_find_prime_numbers test shows 47 for Intel and 18 for AMD, a delta of -61.7 percent. In passmark_random_string_sorting, the Intel part scores 13610 against 4666, a delta of -65.7 percent. The passmark_physics test shows 807 for Intel and 232 for AMD, a delta of -71.3 percent.

The closest proportional result outside of single-thread comes from extended instructions and prime number finding, both sitting just under 60 percent deltas. The floating point and integer math tests show the largest deficits for the AMD chip, indicating its computational throughput is the weakest area relative to the Intel competitor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ (Picasso) generation, and is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel chip.

Core configuration differs sharply. The AMD processor has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel chip has 10 cores and 12 threads. This explains the large multi-threaded benchmark gaps. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip offers triple the L3 capacity and substantially more L2 per core.

Clock speeds favor the Intel part. The AMD chip has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Intel chip has a lower base clock of 1.30 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Both processors carry a 15 W TDP rating, placing them in the same power envelope despite the Intel chip's larger core count. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD processor supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, though the database lists no specific bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD chip uses Gen 3, while the Intel chip uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the CPU only. Neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differentiate the two. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core 5 120UL includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segments also differ, with the AMD part listed as Mobile and the Intel part listed as Desktop, despite the Intel chip's 15 W TDP. Release dates show the Intel chip launched in April 2024, while the AMD chip is dated May 2026 in the database, though both are listed as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core 5 120UL is the stronger processor in every measured workload. Its average benchmark score of 13594 places it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6247 and sits in the 62nd percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494 and a delta of 0.7 percent, the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 with a 0.8 percent delta, and the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 with a 1.1 percent delta. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 6231 with a 0.3 percent delta and the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6186 with a 1 percent delta. These comparisons show each processor is competitive within its own performance tier.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, integer math, or floating point operations, the Intel chip is clearly superior, often by margins exceeding 70 percent. For workloads that depend on single-thread speed, the Intel chip still leads by 23.5 percent, which is significant but less dramatic. The AMD chip does not win a single recorded benchmark, so there is no workload category in the data where it comes out ahead. The choice is not about trade-offs but about whether the Intel chip's performance is necessary or whether the AMD chip's lower output is acceptable for the intended use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has an average benchmark score of 13594, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average score of 6247.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 2080 in the passmark_single_thread test versus 1592 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, a delta of -23.5 percent relative to the Intel chip.

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

A: The largest gap is in passmark_floating_point_math, where the Intel chip scores 26311 and the AMD chip scores 5854, a delta of -77.8 percent.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 only, while the Intel Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, and the Intel Core 5 120UL is built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database, so there is no workload where the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U takes the lead. The Intel chip's advantages are most pronounced in floating point math (77.8 percent ahead), integer math (76.7 percent ahead), and data encryption (74.3 percent ahead). These results indicate the Intel part is better suited for computational tasks, scientific calculations, and encryption-heavy workloads.

The Intel chip also dominates in multi-threaded scenarios, with a 68.3 percent lead in passmark_multithread and a 71.3 percent lead in passmark_physics. Its 10-core, 12-thread configuration provides a clear advantage over the AMD chip's 2-core, 2-thread setup for parallel workloads. In data compression, the Intel chip leads by 64.7 percent, and in random string sorting it leads by 65.7 percent.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's narrowest deficit is in single-threaded performance, where it trails by 23.5 percent. This means the AMD chip is comparatively least disadvantaged in lightly threaded applications, though it still loses. The AMD chip's integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics may offer a different feature set than the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks to compare them.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for AMD and 1.30 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 3.20 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. Both have a 15 W TDP.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip is built on the Picasso codename with a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel chip uses the Raptor Lake architecture with a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip has a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors; the Intel chip has no listed die size or transistor count.

Cache configurations differ. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support shows AMD with DDR4 only and Intel with DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; the Intel chip has no listed bandwidth. PCIe support is Gen 3 for AMD and Gen 4 with 8 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 for AMD and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for Intel. The AMD part is listed as Mobile, while the Intel part is listed as Desktop. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.