AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i5-13500E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Core i5-13500E occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum: one is a 15-watt mobile part built for efficiency, the other a 65-watt desktop chip aimed at sustained multi-threaded work. The database records an average benchmark score of 6247 for the AMD part and 6586 for the Intel part, placing both in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs tracked. That percentile match is notable, but the underlying workloads and architectural approaches could hardly be more different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two processors were tested with different benchmark suites, so direct score comparisons are limited to the overall averages. The Intel Core i5-13500E posts an average benchmark score of 6586, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U records 6247. That puts the Intel part ahead in the aggregate, though the gap is modest given the massive difference in core counts and power envelopes.

Looking at the individual tests available, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U shows its strongest results in PassMark data compression with a score of 38455, and integer math at 8873. Its floating point math score is 5854, and random string sorting comes in at 4666. The single-thread score is 1592, which appears twice in the database, and the multithread score is 3348. The weakest results for the AMD chip are in find prime numbers at 18 and physics at 232, which reflect its limited two-core, two-thread configuration.

The Intel Core i5-13500E was evaluated with Cinebench tests. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 22772, and the single-core score is 3214. In Cinebench R20, it records 9564 multicore and 1349 single-core. The older R15 test shows 2295 multicore and 323 single-core. These scores indicate strong scaling across its 14 cores and 20 threads, particularly in rendering workloads that benefit from parallel execution.

The data shows that the Intel part dominates in multi-threaded rendering tasks, while the AMD part has specific strengths in data compression and integer operations. The AMD chip's data compression score of 38455 is its standout result, but without a comparable test for the Intel chip, it is difficult to place that number in context. Similarly, the Intel chip's Cinebench scores have no direct AMD counterpart. The average benchmark score remains the only common metric, and it favors Intel by a margin that is meaningful but not overwhelming.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP, designed for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency is paramount. Its two cores and two threads are sufficient for basic productivity tasks, and its integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics provide a capable visual solution for everyday use. The database shows its best performance in data compression and integer math, which are common in file archiving and spreadsheet calculations. For users who prioritize battery life and portability over raw compute, the AMD part is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i5-13500E is a desktop processor with a 65-watt TDP, aimed at systems that need sustained multi-threaded performance. Its 14 cores and 20 threads make it well suited for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and other heavily parallel workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 22772 is a strong indicator of its capability in these areas. The single-core score of 3214 also shows solid performance in lightly threaded tasks like web browsing and office applications.

The use-case split is clear: the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U wins in mobile, low-power scenarios, while the Intel Core i5-13500E wins in desktop, high-throughput scenarios. The AMD chip's lower TDP and mobile socket make it unsuitable for desktop builds, and the Intel chip's higher TDP and desktop socket make it impractical for laptops. Each processor is optimized for its intended market segment, and the benchmark data reflects those design goals.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is based on the Picasso architecture, which uses the Zen+ microarchitecture. It is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-13500E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ dramatically. The AMD chip has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel chip has 14 cores and 20 threads. This reflects the hybrid design of Raptor Lake, which combines performance cores and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact core mix. The cache hierarchy also differs: the AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Intel part is a significant advantage for workloads that benefit from frequent data reuse.

Memory support is another differentiator. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not. PCIe support differs as well: the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes available to the CPU.

Integrated graphics are present on both chips. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-13500E includes UHD Graphics 770. The database does not provide performance scores for these iGPUs, so a direct comparison is not possible. The market segments are also different: the AMD chip is classified as Mobile, while the Intel chip is Desktop. The release dates differ, with the Intel chip released on 2023-01-03 and the AMD chip on 2026-05-31, though the latter date appears unusual for a Zen+ based part.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

• Cores: AMD 2, Intel 14
• Threads: AMD 2, Intel 20
• Base Clock: AMD 1.90 GHz, Intel 2.40 GHz
• Boost Clock: AMD 3.20 GHz, Intel 4.60 GHz
• TDP: AMD 15 W, Intel 65 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FP5, Intel Socket 1700
• Process Node: AMD 12 nm, Intel 10 nm
• Foundry: GlobalFoundries, Intel
• Die Size: AMD 210 mm², Intel 215 mm²
• L1 Cache: AMD 96 KB per core, Intel 80 KB per core
• L2 Cache: AMD 512 KB per core, Intel 1.25 MB per core
• L3 Cache: AMD 4 MB shared, Intel 24 MB shared
• Memory Support: AMD DDR4, Intel DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD 38.4 GB/s, Intel not recorded
• ECC Memory: AMD false, Intel true
• PCIe: AMD Gen 3, Intel Gen 5 with 16 lanes
• Integrated Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8, Intel UHD Graphics 770
• Market Segment: AMD Mobile, Intel Desktop
• Release Date: AMD 2026-05-31, Intel 2023-01-03
• Transistor Count: AMD 4,940 million, Intel not recorded

These differences highlight the fundamental design split between a low-power mobile chip and a high-performance desktop chip. The Intel part has more cores, higher clocks, a larger cache, and newer memory and PCIe standards, all of which contribute to its higher average benchmark score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 watts, and the Intel Core i5-13500E has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Intel Core i5-13500E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6247, and the Intel Core i5-13500E has an average benchmark score of 6586.