AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Core 7 251TE occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile chip from AMD’s 3000 series, built on a 12 nm process with a 15 W TDP. The Intel Core 7 251TE is a 24-core, 32-thread desktop part from Intel’s Bartlett Lake generation, using a 10 nm process with a 45 W TDP. The benchmark data records a decisive sweep: the Intel chip wins all 11 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 55.4% to 93.2% in its favor. This analysis breaks down the architectural differences, the benchmark results, and the practical implications for each processor’s intended workload.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, a 22-core and 30-thread advantage.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The AMD chip has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, giving it a 2.20 GHz higher maximum frequency.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part also has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core versus 512 KB per core for AMD.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 memory only. The Intel Core 7 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s compared to 38.4 GB/s for AMD.

Q: Do they support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the market segment for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is classified as a Mobile processor. The Intel Core 7 251TE is classified as a Desktop processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, part of the Zen+ architecture, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 12 nm process. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 7 generation, fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm process. The AMD chip has a die size of 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors. The Intel chip has a die size of 215 mm², but the database does not record its transistor count.

Cache organization differs sharply. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 pool. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB L3 pool. The Intel L3 cache is nine times larger, which benefits workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip has a TDP of 15 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light mobile systems. The Intel chip has a TDP of 45 W, reflecting its desktop orientation and higher performance envelope.

PCIe support diverges as well. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the CPU. Memory support follows: AMD only accepts DDR4, while Intel accepts both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel chip’s memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s more than doubles AMD’s 38.4 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows no wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U across the 11 recorded tests. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins every category. However, the magnitude of the wins varies, and the AMD chip’s profile still suggests specific use cases.

The Intel chip dominates multithreaded and highly parallel workloads. Its passmark_multithread score of 30022 versus 3348 for AMD (an 88.8% delta) indicates it handles rendering, compilation, and scientific computation far better. The passmark_integer_math score of 125739 versus 8873 (92.9% delta) and passmark_floating_point_math of 85607 versus 5854 (93.2% delta) reinforce this pattern. These tests exercise raw arithmetic throughput, where the Intel chip’s 24 cores and 32 threads provide overwhelming parallelism.

For single-threaded tasks, the Intel chip still wins, but by a smaller margin. Its passmark_single_thread score of 3568 versus 1592 (55.4% delta) shows a 2.24x advantage. This comes from the higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. The AMD chip’s lower single-thread score means it will lag in lightly threaded applications like legacy games or simple office macros.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, with its 15 W TDP, remains a low-power mobile option. Its 2 cores and 2 threads are sufficient for basic productivity, web browsing, and light media playback. The data shows it delivers a passmark_data_compression score of 38455, which is its strongest relative showing, though still 88.5% behind Intel’s 334399. In a portable device with limited cooling and battery constraints, the AMD chip’s efficiency may be more valuable than raw speed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads; the Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD base clock is 1.90 GHz; the Intel base clock is 1.40 GHz. The AMD boost clock is 3.20 GHz; the Intel boost clock is 5.40 GHz.

TDP is a major split: 15 W for AMD versus 45 W for Intel. The socket types differ completely: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel Socket 1700. The process node is 12 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The foundry is GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for Intel.

Cache specifications diverge. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support: AMD only accepts DDR4; Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s for AMD versus 89.6 GB/s for Intel.

ECC memory is not supported by AMD but is supported by Intel. PCIe generation differs: Gen 3 for AMD, Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes for Intel. The integrated GPU is Radeon Vega 8 for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel.

The release dates also differ. The AMD chip was released on 2026-05-31, while the Intel chip was released on 2025-01-12. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $384. The AMD chip’s launch MSRP is not recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous. In all 11 tests, the Intel Core 7 251TE wins, with the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U trailing by significant percentages.

The closest contest is passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, both showing the same result: AMD scores 1592, Intel scores 3568, a delta of 55.4% in Intel’s favor. This indicates that even in single-threaded performance, the Intel chip’s 5.40 GHz boost clock provides a substantial edge.

The largest gap appears in passmark_floating_point_math. AMD scores 5854, Intel scores 85607, a delta of 93.2%. The passmark_integer_math test shows a similar story: AMD at 8873, Intel at 125739, a 92.9% delta. These tests measure raw arithmetic throughput, and the Intel chip’s 24 cores and 32 threads process many more operations per second.

The passmark_data_encryption test has AMD at 1972 and Intel at 22176, an 91.1% delta. The passmark_data_compression test shows AMD at 38455 and Intel at 334399, an 88.5% delta. The passmark_extended_instructions test has AMD at 2116 and Intel at 16974, an 87.5% delta. The passmark_find_prime_numbers test shows AMD at 18 and Intel at 140, an 87.1% delta.

The passmark_physics test has AMD at 232 and Intel at 1938, an 88% delta. The passmark_random_string_sorting test shows AMD at 4666 and Intel at 39643, an 88.2% delta. The passmark_multithread test has AMD at 3348 and Intel at 30022, an 88.8% delta.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this gap. The AMD chip has an average score of 6247, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X with an average score of 6231 (0.3% delta), the AMD EPYC 7272 with 6186 (1% delta), and the Intel Core i9-7940X with 6147 (1.6% delta). The Intel Core 7 251TE has an average score of 41650, placing it in the 88th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with 41621 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i7-14650HX with 41576 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i7-12850HX with 41779 (-0.3% delta).

The percentile difference of 26 points (62 versus 88) places these chips in entirely different performance classes. The Intel chip sits among high-end desktop processors, while the AMD chip sits near much older and larger parts.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear choice based on workload and platform. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the superior processor for virtually all compute-intensive tasks. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, and 36 MB L3 cache deliver benchmark scores that are 55% to 93% higher than the AMD chip across every recorded test. The 5.40 GHz boost clock gives it strong single-threaded performance, and the 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth supports data-heavy applications. The 45 W TDP and desktop socket position it for systems with adequate cooling and power delivery. Its 88th percentile ranking among all CPUs confirms it belongs in high-performance desktop builds.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, with its 15 W TDP and 2 cores, serves a narrow purpose. It is a mobile processor that prioritizes low power consumption over speed. Its 62nd percentile ranking reflects modest absolute performance, but its 12 nm process and Picasso architecture are designed for efficiency in compact laptops. The data shows no scenario where it outperforms the Intel chip, so any user requiring maximum throughput must choose Intel.

The practical decision hinges on the platform. For a desktop system with a Socket 1700 motherboard, the Intel Core 7 251TE is the only sensible choice. It supports DDR4 and DDR5, provides ECC memory capability, and uses PCIe Gen 5. The $384 launch MSRP positions it as a mid-range desktop processor. For a mobile device with an AMD Socket FP5, the Ryzen 3 3100U remains an option, but its performance ceiling is low. Users who need basic computing in a low-power envelope may find it adequate; users who need rendering, compilation, or scientific workloads should seek higher-core-count alternatives.

The benchmark record is one-sided. The Intel chip wins all 11 tests, with its smallest victory being 55.4% in single-threaded work and its largest being 93.2% in floating-point math. This gap is not incremental; it represents a generational and architectural chasm between a low-end mobile part and a high-core-count desktop part. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Intel Core 7 251TE is the higher-performing processor by every measured metric, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U serves only the most power-constrained mobile scenarios.