AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core 5 320 across all eleven recorded PassMark tests, with the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U failing to win a single comparison. The most decisive margin appears in floating-point math, where Intel scores 42,440 against AMD's 5,854, a gap of 86.2 percent. Extended instructions follow closely, with Intel at 13,262 versus AMD's 2,116, representing an 84 percent deficit for the older chip.

Multithreaded performance tells a similar story. The Intel Core 5 320 delivers 15,450 in PassMark's multithread test, while the Ryzen 3 3100U manages only 3,348, a 78.3 percent difference. Physics simulation shows Intel at 1,221 against 232, an 81 percent margin. Data encryption results place Intel at 10,984 versus 1,972 for AMD, an 82 percent gap. Prime number finding runs 110 for Intel versus 18 for AMD, a 83.6 percent spread.

The narrowest relative margin comes from single-thread performance, though Intel still leads by a substantial 60.6 percent, scoring 4,045 against AMD's 1,592. Integer math shows Intel at 32,323 versus 8,873, a 72.5 percent advantage. Random string sorting yields 18,038 for Intel against 4,666 for AMD, a 74.1 percent gap. Data compression results show 148,779 for Intel versus 38,455 for AMD, a 74.2 percent difference.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. Intel's average sits at 18,023, placing it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. AMD's average is 6,247, which lands in the 62nd percentile. That percentile gap of ten points understates the raw performance differential, as the Intel part delivers roughly 2.9 times the average score of the AMD chip.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmark wins, the Intel Core 5 320 wins every single category in the database. The closest contest is single-threaded work, where Intel's advantage narrows to 60.6 percent, but it remains a clear victory. The data offers no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U emerges ahead.

For workloads that stress floating-point arithmetic, extended instruction sets, or encryption, Intel's advantage exceeds 80 percent, making those tasks heavily lopsided. Multithreaded and physics-based applications also show Intel dominance beyond 78 percent. Even in integer math, where the gap is smallest relative to other tests, Intel still leads by 72.5 percent.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not hold a single winning position in the head-to-head data. Users relying on this chip for any of the eleven measured workloads would see a lower score than the Intel alternative in every case. The only consolation for AMD is that its nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and AMD EPYC 7272, sit close to its average score. But those comparisons do not involve the Intel Core 5 320.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing eras. AMD uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while Intel fabricates the Core 5 320 on a 3 nm node from its own foundry. AMD's Picasso codename belongs to the Zen+ generation, whereas Intel's Wildcat Lake codename represents a newer Core 5 generation.

Core counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 3 3100U packs 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 provides 6 cores and 6 threads. Both chips target the mobile segment and share a 15 watt TDP, but the underlying transistor counts tell a different story. AMD's die contains 4,940 million transistors spread across a 210 mm² area. Intel does not report transistor count or die size in the database.

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip carries more total cache, which contributes to its higher throughput in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support differs substantially. AMD supports DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration, yet achieves 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth, a higher figure despite the narrower channel width. PCIe connectivity also favors Intel, which offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while AMD provides Gen 3 without a lane count in the database.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon Vega 8, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $340; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates show Intel arriving on 2026-04-15 and AMD on 2026-05-31, with both listed as active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: Which chip offers higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 lists 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth despite using a single-channel bus. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses dual-channel memory but reaches only 38.4 GB/s.

Q: What is the single-thread score difference?

A: Intel scores 4,045 in PassMark single-thread tests, while AMD scores 1,592, giving Intel a 60.6 percent advantage.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any benchmark category?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core 5 320 winning all 11 recorded tests, with AMD earning zero wins.

Q: What manufacturing processes do the two chips use?

A: AMD uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Intel's average is 18,023, placing it in the 72nd percentile. AMD's average is 6,247, placing it in the 62nd percentile.

The Verdict

The data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 320 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every measured category, with margins ranging from 60.6 percent in single-thread work to 86.2 percent in floating-point math. The Intel chip also carries more cores, more cache, faster memory support, and a more advanced 3 nm process node.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U remains a functional mobile processor, but its 2-core, 2-thread configuration and 12 nm process limit its ceiling. Its average benchmark score of 6,247 places it near older desktop parts like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and AMD EPYC 7272, which indicates it competes with earlier-generation hardware rather than modern mobile silicon.

For anyone choosing between these two based on the recorded data, the Intel Core 5 320 is the clear pick across all workload types. The AMD chip offers no advantage in any benchmark category, and its lower percentile ranking confirms the performance gap. The Intel part's higher launch MSRP of $340 reflects its superior specifications, but the performance differential far exceeds the price difference in raw benchmark terms.