AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i5-14400 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Core i5-14400 occupy vastly different positions in the database, as evidenced by their average benchmark scores of 6247 and 32115, respectively. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile processor from AMD’s 3000 series, while the Core i5-14400 is a desktop part from Intel’s Core 14th Gen lineup. Their percentiles reinforce this gap, with the Ryzen 3 3100U sitting at the 62nd percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core i5-14400 reaches the 82nd percentile. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the nature of each processor’s strengths and the architectural reasoning behind them requires closer inspection.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results in the database are unequivocal: the Intel Core i5-14400 wins all eleven recorded comparisons, leaving the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U with zero wins. The largest margin appears in floating point math, where the Core i5-14400 scores 61549 against the Ryzen 3 3100U’s 5854, a delta of -90.5% from the AMD part’s perspective. This indicates that the Intel processor delivers more than ten times the floating-point throughput, a critical metric for scientific and analytical workloads.

Integer math shows a similar story, with the Core i5-14400 scoring 82017 versus 8873 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a -89.2% delta. Extended instructions follow, with Intel at 19816 and AMD at 2116, a -89.3% difference. Data encryption favors Intel heavily at 16731 versus 1972, a -88.2% delta, while data compression shows Intel at 314995 against AMD’s 38455, a -87.8% gap. These results collectively suggest that the Core i5-14400 is not merely faster but operates in a different performance class for compute-heavy tasks.

The multithreaded PassMark score for the Core i5-14400 is 25080, compared to 3348 for the Ryzen 3 3100U, a -86.7% delta. Physics simulation scores follow the trend: Intel records 1396 versus AMD’s 232, a -83.4% difference. Random string sorting shows Intel at 32346 and AMD at 4666, a -85.6% delta. Prime number generation is the closest relative contest, yet Intel still leads 80 to 18, a -77.5% delta, the smallest percentage gap in the dataset.

Single-thread performance narrows the divide considerably, though Intel still leads. The Core i5-14400 scores 3741 in both PassMark single-thread tests, while the Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1592, a -57.4% delta. This is the least lopsided comparison in the head-to-head data, suggesting that per-core efficiency is the area where the AMD part is least disadvantaged. The Cinebench and Geekbench results are recorded only for the Core i5-14400, with Cinebench R23 multicore at 21315 and single-core at 3009, while the Ryzen 3 3100U has no corresponding entries.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors explains the benchmark disparity. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. It employs the Zen+ microarchitecture, a mature design that prioritizes low power consumption. The Intel Core i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The database lists no transistor count for the Intel part, but the architectural generation is newer, being a Raptor Lake Refresh.

Core counts differ substantially. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. This 8-core and 14-thread difference is the primary driver of the multithreaded benchmark results. Cache configurations also diverge: the Ryzen 3 3100U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-14400 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Intel part’s larger L3 cache, 20 MB versus 4 MB, likely contributes to its superior data compression and encryption scores.

Clock speeds tell a complementary story. The Ryzen 3 3100U has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, whereas the Core i5-14400 operates at a base of 2.50 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The Intel part’s higher boost clock, combined with more cores, explains its single-thread advantage. Power envelopes are also distinct: the Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 watts, targeting mobile efficiency, while the Core i5-14400 has a TDP of 65 watts, reflecting its desktop orientation. The Ryzen 3 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Core i5-14400 uses Intel Socket 1700, making them platform-incompatible.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 3 3100U supports only DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it. ECC memory is supported by the Intel part, while the AMD part does not support it. PCIe capabilities are generationally apart: the Ryzen 3 3100U uses Gen 3, while the Core i5-14400 uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD part featuring Radeon Vega 8 and the Intel part featuring UHD Graphics 730.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the Intel Core i5-14400?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U boosts to 3.20 GHz, and the Intel Core i5-14400 boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14400 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 only, while the Intel Core i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has an average benchmark score of 32115, compared to 6247 for the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two processors are extensive and directly correlate with their benchmark outcomes. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the AMD part and 2.50 GHz for the Intel part, with boost clocks of 3.20 GHz and 4.70 GHz, respectively. TDP values are 15 watts versus 65 watts. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes are 12 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel, with foundries being GlobalFoundries and Intel, respectively.

Cache hierarchies differ in every level. The Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-14400 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for the AMD part versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the Intel part. Memory bandwidth is recorded as 38.4 GB/s for the AMD part, with no figure listed for the Intel part. ECC support is absent for AMD and present for Intel. PCIe generations are Gen 3 for AMD and Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 for the AMD part and UHD Graphics 730 for the Intel part. The market segments are Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel. Release dates differ, with the Ryzen 3 3100U listed as 2026-05-31 and the Core i5-14400 as 2024-01-07. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $221, while the AMD part has none listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14400 wins every benchmark category in the head-to-head dataset, making it the dominant choice for performance-sensitive applications. Its largest margins are in floating point math (-90.5% delta), extended instructions (-89.3%), and integer math (-89.2%), indicating a strong fit for computational workloads that rely on arithmetic throughput. The multithreaded score of 25080 versus 3348 points to clear advantages in parallel processing tasks, such as video rendering or data compilation. The single-thread score of 3741 versus 1592 also favors Intel, meaning even lightly threaded applications like legacy software or certain games would run faster on the Core i5-14400.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, despite losing all head-to-head comparisons, has its own profile. Its 15-watt TDP and mobile market segment suggest it is designed for battery-conscious laptops where sustained low power draw matters more than peak performance. Its smaller core count and lower clock speeds align with this role. The database does not show any benchmark where the Ryzen 3 3100U leads, but its 62nd percentile ranking indicates it is not a bottom-tier part in the broader CPU landscape. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at a 0.3% delta and the Intel Core i9-7940X at a 1.6% delta, showing that its average score is competitively placed against those high-core-count parts in aggregate terms.

The Core i5-14400’s nearest rivals are all mobile or older desktop parts, such as the Intel Core i7-12800H at a 0% delta and the Intel Core i9-11900 at a -0.3% delta. This places it in a performance tier that the Ryzen 3 3100U cannot approach. The single-thread test is the only area where the delta shrinks below 60%, suggesting that if the Ryzen 3 3100U has any relative strength, it is in per-core IPC rather than raw throughput.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-14400 is the superior processor for any workload recorded in the database. Its wins across all head-to-head benchmarks, combined with an average benchmark score of 32115 and an 82nd percentile ranking, make it the clear choice for users who need maximum compute performance. The Core i5-14400’s 10 cores, 16 threads, 20 MB of L3 cache, and 4.70 GHz boost clock provide the resources necessary for demanding desktop applications, and its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, along with ECC memory, adds flexibility for varied system configurations.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U should be considered for scenarios where its 15-watt TDP is the governing constraint. As a mobile processor with a 2-core, 2-thread configuration and a 3.20 GHz boost clock, it is suited for lightweight, power-efficient laptops where battery life takes precedence over benchmark scores. Its 62nd percentile ranking shows it performs adequately within its class, but the recorded data offers no evidence that it can compete with the Core i5-14400 in any performance metric. Users whose priorities align with the Ryzen 3 3100U’s mobile efficiency profile would find it adequate, while those who require the throughput demonstrated by the Core i5-14400 should select the Intel part.