AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the Intel Core 5 221E occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum, and the recorded benchmark data makes that division starkly clear. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile part built on the older Zen+ architecture, while the Core 5 221E is a 14-core, 20-thread desktop processor using the newer Bartlett Lake design. Across all eleven head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel part wins every single test. The data shows a processor that is not merely faster, but often several times faster, with the smallest gap appearing in single-threaded workloads and the largest gaps in floating-point and integer math. This analysis examines what those numbers mean for potential users, how the architectures differ, and where each processor still holds a distinct role.

The Verdict

The benchmark results point to a clear split in purpose. The Intel Core 5 221E is the dominant performer in every measured category, with an average benchmark score of 40,144 compared to the Ryzen 3 3100U's 6,247. That places the Intel part in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part sits at the 62nd percentile. The Intel processor also aligns closely with high-end rivals: its nearest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which scores 40,081 and is only 0.2% behind, and the Intel Core i9-13905H, which scores 40,313 and is 0.4% ahead. The Ryzen 3 3100U, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which scores 6,231 and is 0.3% behind, and the AMD EPYC 7272, which scores 6,186 and is 1% behind.

Who should pick which? The data indicates that the Core 5 221E is the choice for anyone needing heavy compute throughput, multi-threaded workloads, or high single-thread performance. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver a multithread score of 30,510, which is roughly nine times higher than the Ryzen's 3,348. The Intel part also dominates in integer math, scoring 117,813 versus 8,873, and in floating-point math, scoring 79,028 versus 5,854. The Ryzen 3 3100U, on the other hand, is a low-power mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP, designed for basic tasks where efficiency matters more than raw speed. Its 62nd percentile ranking shows it is not a weak chip by any means, but it is clearly not built for the same class of work. The verdict is simple: the Core 5 221E for demanding applications, the Ryzen 3 3100U for lightweight, power-conscious mobile use.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is built on the 12 nm process node at GlobalFoundries, using the Picasso codename and the Zen+ architecture. It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip is fabricated with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and uses PCIe Gen 3. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8, and the socket is AMD Socket FP5, indicating a mobile platform.

The Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop part built on the 10 nm process at Intel, using the Bartlett Lake codename. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The cache hierarchy is different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 257 mm², though the transistor count is not recorded in the database. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, which is more than double the AMD part. It also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730, and the socket is Intel Socket 1700.

These architectural differences explain the performance gap. The Core 5 221E has seven times the cores, ten times the threads, a much larger L3 cache, and a significantly higher boost clock. The process node is smaller, and the memory bandwidth is nearly 2.5 times higher. The Ryzen 3 3100U compensates with a far lower TDP: 15 watts versus 65 watts, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where heat and battery life are critical.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core 5 221E. There are no wins for the AMD part in any of the eleven recorded tests. The largest margin comes in floating-point math, where the Intel scores 79,028 against the Ryzen's 5,854, a delta of -92.6%. That means the Intel processor delivers over 13 times the floating-point throughput, a result that reflects its higher core count and newer architecture. Integer math shows a similar pattern: 117,813 versus 8,873, a delta of -92.5%. These two tests are the most lopsided, indicating that the Core 5 221E is particularly strong in arithmetic-heavy workloads.

The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, where the Intel scores 4,147 against the Ryzen's 1,592, a delta of -61.6%. This is still a decisive advantage, but it is much closer than the multi-threaded results. The single-thread gap suggests that the Core 5 221E's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 3.20 GHz, gives it a significant edge even when only one core is active. The multithread test shows the Intel at 30,510 versus 3,348, a delta of -89%, meaning the Intel part is about nine times faster when all cores are engaged.

Other tests follow the same trend. Data compression shows 324,285 versus 38,455, a delta of -88.1%. Data encryption shows 19,205 versus 1,972, a delta of -89.7%. Extended instructions show 18,216 versus 2,116, a delta of -88.4%. Prime number finding shows 173 versus 18, a delta of -89.6%. Physics shows 2,230 versus 232, a delta of -89.6%. Random string sorting shows 37,686 versus 4,666, a delta of -87.6%. In every case, the Intel processor wins by a wide margin, with the smallest delta still at -61.6% and the largest at -92.6%.

FAQ

Q: Why does the Intel Core 5 221E win every benchmark?

A: The data shows a combination of factors: it has 14 cores versus 2, 20 threads versus 2, a boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, and a larger 24 MB L3 cache versus 4 MB. These hardware advantages translate directly into higher scores across all tests.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U completely useless compared to the Intel part?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP, while the Intel part uses 65 watts. The Ryzen is designed for low-power environments, and its 62nd percentile ranking shows it is still above average among all CPUs. It simply cannot match the desktop-class performance of the Core 5 221E.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E. In the passmark_single_thread test, it scores 4,147 versus 1,592 for the Ryzen, a delta of -61.6%. This is the closest margin between the two, but it is still a substantial Intel advantage.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Ryzen 3 3100U supports 38.4 GB/s. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the Ryzen only supports DDR4.

Q: Does the Intel processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Core 5 221E has ECC memory support, while the Ryzen 3 3100U does not. This makes the Intel part more suitable for error-sensitive workloads like servers or data processing.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E is nearly identical in average score to the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which is 0.2% behind, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, which is also 0.2% behind. The Ryzen 3 3100U is similarly close to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which is 0.3% behind, and the AMD EPYC 7272, which is 1% behind.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every benchmark category recorded, but the magnitude of those wins varies. For users who need maximum computational throughput, the Intel part is the clear choice. Its multithread score of 30,510 is nearly nine times higher than the Ryzen's 3,348, making it far superior for video rendering, compilation, simulation, or any workload that scales with cores and threads. The integer and floating-point math scores, 117,813 and 79,028 respectively, show that the Intel processor excels in scientific computing and financial modeling. The data encryption score of 19,205 versus 1,972 is also notable, indicating strong performance in security-related tasks. The physics score of 2,230 versus 232 points to better performance in physics simulations and certain game engines.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, despite losing every benchmark, still has a role. Its 15-watt TDP is a major advantage for mobile devices, where power consumption and heat dissipation are limited. The Ryzen is built for basic productivity, web browsing, and light multitasking. Its single-thread score of 1,592 is not impressive compared to the Intel part, but it is sufficient for everyday tasks. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics also offer a level of GPU capability that may be adequate for casual use, though the data does not include graphics benchmarks. The Ryzen's 62nd percentile ranking means it is not a low-end chip; it sits above many older or less capable processors in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The core count is 2 for the AMD and 14 for the Intel. Threads are 2 versus 20. Base clock is 1.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and boost clock is 3.20 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP is 15 watts versus 65 watts. The socket is AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel Socket 1700. The codename is Picasso versus Bartlett Lake. The process node is 12 nm versus 10 nm. The foundry is GlobalFoundries versus Intel. The Ryzen has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel has no recorded transistor count but a 257 mm² die.

Cache differs significantly: L1 is 96 KB per core for AMD versus 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 is 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 is 4 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 for AMD versus DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is false for AMD and true for Intel. PCIe is Gen 3 for AMD and Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 versus UHD Graphics 730. The market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Release dates are 2026-05-31 for AMD and 2025-01-12 for Intel, though the AMD date appears later in the database. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232, which is recorded once here. The AMD part has no launch MSRP. The Ryzen is unlocked for overclocking? The data shows multiplierUnlocked is false for both. The part numbers are YM3100C4T2OFG for AMD and SRQDVQ659 for Intel.