AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 7 250H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 7 250H is in a different performance class than the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U. Across all 11 head-to-head benchmark tests, the Intel part wins, with an average benchmark score of 35728 versus 6247 for the AMD processor. The Intel Core 7 250H sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Ryzen 3 3100U ranks at the 62nd percentile.

The Intel Core 7 250H should be the choice for any workload that demands serious compute throughput. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 (average score 35719, 0% difference), the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (35670, 0.2% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (35909, 0.5% behind). This places the Core 7 250H firmly in high-end mobile territory, competitive with desktop-class processors.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, by contrast, is a low-power dual-core part that sits alongside the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (average score 6231, 0.3% difference) and the AMD EPYC 7272 (6186, 1% difference) in the database's scoring. It is a capable entry-level mobile processor, but the data shows its role is limited to basic computing tasks. For any heavy multi-threaded work, the Intel Core 7 250H is the only rational choice from these two.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 250H wins every recorded benchmark category. There are zero wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in the head-to-head data. The most decisive margin is in floating-point math and integer math, where the Intel part leads by 91% in both cases. The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, yet even there the Intel Core 7 250H is 61.6% ahead.

The Intel Core 7 250H dominates in data compression (303269 versus 38455, an 87.3% advantage), data encryption (18206 versus 1972, 89.2% ahead), and extended instructions (17318 versus 2116, 87.8% ahead). Its multithread score of 27030 versus 3348 represents an 87.6% lead, and physics simulation shows 1824 versus 232, an 87.3% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has no benchmark category where it outperforms the Intel part. Its only meaningful strength is its 15W TDP, which is dramatically lower than the Intel part's 45W. For fanless or ultra-low-power designs where battery life is the top priority, the Ryzen 3 3100U is the more appropriate silicon, but the performance data shows it sacrifices nearly everything for that efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design eras. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ architecture at a 12nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The chip contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Core 7 250H uses the Raptor Lake architecture (specifically Raptor Lake Refresh) on a 10nm process from Intel. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The cache design differs substantially: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD part supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe connectivity differs, with the AMD part using Gen 3 while the Intel part uses Gen 5 with 8 CPU-only lanes.

Integrated graphics differentiate the pair as well. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core 7 250H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Intel part's socket is BGA 1744, whereas the AMD part uses Socket FP5. Both processors are mobile-market parts, both are currently in active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 7 250H in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel part scores 4148 in the PassMark single-thread test, compared to 1592 for the AMD part, a 61.6% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Core 7 250H has a TDP of 45W.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 250H support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD part 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, while the Intel Core 7 250H scores 35728.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H boosts to 5.40 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U boosts to 3.20 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the head-to-head data is in floating-point math, where the Intel Core 7 250H scores 65094 against the AMD part's 5854, a 91% lead. Integer math shows the identical 91% margin: 99100 versus 8873. These results indicate the Intel part handles arithmetic-heavy workloads with roughly ten times the throughput.

Data encryption shows an 89.2% advantage for the Intel part: 18206 versus 1972. Extended instructions follow at 87.8%: 17318 versus 2116. Data compression is 87.3% in favor of Intel: 303269 versus 38455. The multithread score shows 27030 versus 3348, an 87.6% gap. Physics simulation gives 1824 versus 232, an 87.3% difference. Random string sorting shows 34136 versus 4666, an 86.3% lead for Intel. Prime number finding gives 106 versus 18, an 83% margin.

The single-thread tests are the closest contest, but the Intel part still wins decisively: 4148 versus 1592, a 61.6% advantage in both the PassMark single-thread and PassMark single-threaded tests. Even the AMD part's best relative showing cannot close the gap to below 60%.

The database places the Intel Core 7 250H among processors like the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350, Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845, and AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, all within 0.5% of its average score. 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 ranging from 1.6% behind to 1.6% ahead.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most fundamental spec gap: 2 cores and 2 threads for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U versus 14 cores and 20 threads for the Intel Core 7 250H. Clock speeds differ substantially, with the Intel part's base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost of 5.40 GHz exceeding the AMD part's 1.90 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.

Cache allocation differs per core and in total. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's total L3 cache is six times larger than the AMD part's.

Process technology separates the two: 12nm for AMD's Picasso versus 10nm for Intel's Raptor Lake-H. The AMD part specifies 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die; the Intel part has no recorded transistor count or die size. The foundries differ, with GlobalFoundries producing the AMD chip and Intel producing its own.

Memory support shows the Intel part supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD part supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD part records a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; the Intel part has no recorded bandwidth. PCIe generation also differs: Gen 3 for AMD, Gen 5 for Intel (8 CPU lanes).

The integrated graphics differ in branding and execution units: Radeon Vega 8 for the AMD part, Iris Xe Graphics with 96 EU for the Intel part. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel BGA 1744. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 7 250H is $502; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked), both target the mobile market, and both are listed as active in production. The release dates differ, with the Intel part released in December 2024 and the AMD part dated later in the database.