AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is completely one-sided. The Intel Core 5 211E wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U records zero wins. This is not a close contest by any metric in the database. The Intel part dominates every category, from single-thread performance to multi-thread workloads, from data compression to physics calculations.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not hold a single advantage in any measured test. Its best relative showing comes in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Intel part leads by 58.1 percent, a smaller margin than in most other tests but still a decisive loss. The AMD chip's closest performance gap is in this prime-number search workload, yet even there it trails by more than half.

For users examining pure workload types, the Intel Core 5 211E is the clear choice across the board. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U belongs to the 3000 series mobile segment, whereas the Intel Core 5 211E targets desktop use. The data indicates no scenario where the AMD chip wins a benchmark, so any use-case analysis must focus on how large the Intel advantage is in each category rather than where the AMD part might compete.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and manufacturing approaches. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename based on Zen+ architecture, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry.

The core count difference is substantial. The AMD chip offers 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel part provides 10 cores and 16 threads. This 8-core gap explains much of the multi-thread performance disparity. The Intel chip also runs higher clocks: a 2.70 GHz base clock and 4.90 GHz boost clock, compared to 1.90 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost on the AMD side.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD 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 211E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's total L3 cache is five times larger, which contributes to its superior data-heavy workload performance.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD chip supports DDR4 only with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, exactly double the AMD figure. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD chip's die size is 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors; the Intel die measures 257 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Manufacturing nodes and foundry choices reflect different strategies: AMD outsources to GlobalFoundries at 12 nm, while Intel fabricates in-house at 10 nm. The Intel processor operates at 65 W TDP, considerably higher than the AMD part's 15 W TDP, which aligns with their respective mobile and desktop market segments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin comes in passmark_floating_point_math. The Intel Core 5 211E scores 66,402 against the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's 5,854, a 91.2 percent lead for Intel. This workload, which stresses mathematical throughput, shows the massive computational advantage of the Intel chip's 10 cores and higher clock speeds.

Passmark_extended_instructions shows a 90.2 percent Intel advantage: 21,592 versus 2,116. The Intel chip is roughly ten times faster in this test. Passmark_integer_math follows closely with an 89.9 percent gap, as Intel scores 88,117 against AMD's 8,873. Data encryption shows an 89 percent difference, with Intel at 17,938 versus 1,972.

Data compression results show Intel leading by 88.9 percent: 346,757 versus 38,455. The Intel chip's larger L3 cache and higher core count drive this result. Random string sorting shows an 86.4 percent Intel advantage, and multi-thread performance shows an 86 percent gap, with Intel at 23,833 versus 3,348.

Single-thread performance still favors Intel by 60.3 percent: 4,006 versus 1,592. This indicates the Intel architecture delivers superior per-core efficiency alongside its core-count advantage. Physics calculations show a 67 percent Intel lead, and prime-number finding shows the smallest gap at 58.1 percent, though Intel still wins decisively.

The average benchmark score in the database confirms the overall picture. The Intel Core 5 211E averages 37,829 across all tests, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6,247, placing it in the 62nd percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 with a 0.1 percent difference and the Intel Core i9-14901E at 0.2 percent. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 0.3 percent and the Intel Core i9-10920X at 1.6 percent.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E scores 4,006 in passmark_single_thread against 1,592 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, a 60.3 percent Intel advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 only, while the Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E offers 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, exactly double the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's 38.4 GB/s.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core 5 211E uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which processor has the larger shared L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 4 MB on the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz, both favoring Intel.

TDP ratings differ substantially: 15 W for the AMD chip versus 65 W for the Intel chip. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes are 12 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD chip's die size is 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors; the Intel die is 257 mm² with no recorded transistor count.

L1 cache per core is 96 KB on AMD versus 80 KB on Intel. L2 cache per core is 512 KB on AMD versus 2 MB on Intel. Shared L3 cache is 4 MB on AMD versus 20 MB on Intel. Memory support is DDR4-only on AMD versus DDR4 and DDR5 on Intel. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s on AMD versus 76.8 GB/s on Intel. ECC memory is unavailable on AMD and available on Intel.

PCIe support is Gen 3 on AMD versus Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes on Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 on AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. The AMD chip targets mobile, while the Intel chip targets desktop. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $221; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel chip released in January 2025, while the AMD chip's recorded release date is May 2026.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 5 211E outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every benchmark recorded. The Intel chip wins all 11 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 58.1 percent to 91.2 percent. Its average benchmark score of 37,829 places it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip's 6,247 average places it in the 62nd percentile.

The Intel part's advantages stem from its architecture: 10 cores versus 2, higher clock speeds, double the memory bandwidth, five times the L3 cache, and support for newer DDR5 memory. The AMD chip's only potential advantages are its lower 15 W TDP and smaller die size, which matter for mobile power efficiency but do not translate into any benchmark win.

For workloads that benefit from multi-threading, data compression, encryption, or floating-point math, the Intel Core 5 211E is the only choice according to the recorded measurements. Even in single-thread tests, the Intel chip leads by 60.3 percent. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U cannot compete on any measured performance metric, making it suitable only for scenarios where its lower power draw and mobile form factor take priority over raw compute capability. The database contains no evidence of any workload where the AMD chip wins.