AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i5-14500 Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the Intel Core i5-14500. The Intel processor dominates every single recorded workload, with the AMD chip failing to secure a win in any of the 11 head-to-head comparisons. The average benchmark score for the Intel Core i5-14500 is 38,531, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6,247, sitting in the 62nd percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest performance gap appears in floating-point math, where the Intel Core i5-14500 scores 79,576 against the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's 5,854, a delta of -92.6%. This indicates a massive advantage for the Intel part in scientific and engineering calculations that rely heavily on FPU throughput. Integer math follows a similar pattern, with Intel scoring 108,124 versus AMD's 8,873, a -91.8% difference, confirming that the Intel architecture delivers far superior raw arithmetic performance across both integer and floating-point domains.

Data compression benchmarks show the Intel processor achieving 371,294 compared to the AMD's 38,455, a -89.6% delta. This workload benefits from the Intel chip's higher core count and thread count, allowing it to process more data streams in parallel. The encryption test reveals an even wider margin: Intel scores 21,457 versus AMD's 1,972, a -90.8% difference, indicating that cryptographic workloads are almost an order of magnitude faster on the Intel platform.

The multi-threaded PassMark score of 30,777 for Intel versus 3,348 for AMD (-89.1%) underscores the fundamental disparity in parallel processing capability. The Intel Core i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U provides only 2 cores and 2 threads. The physics test, which often reflects real-world simulation performance, shows Intel at 1,746 versus AMD's 232, a -86.7% gap.

Single-thread performance is the closest comparison, though Intel still leads decisively. The PassMark single-thread score is 3,952 for Intel versus 1,592 for AMD, a -59.7% delta. This narrower gap suggests that while the Intel architecture has a higher clock speed (5.00 GHz boost versus 3.20 GHz boost), the AMD chip's Zen+ cores are not entirely uncompetitive in lightly-threaded tasks, though they remain significantly behind.

Extended instructions testing shows Intel at 22,473 versus AMD's 2,116 (-90.6%), and random string sorting shows Intel at 40,980 versus AMD's 4,666 (-88.6%). The prime number finding test, often a proxy for pure integer loop performance, shows Intel at 106 versus AMD's 18, a -83% delta. Across all 11 recorded benchmarks, the Intel Core i5-14500 wins every test, with the smallest margin being the single-thread tests at -59.7%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ architecture, and is manufactured on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-14500 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, based on the Raptor Lake architecture, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel. Its die size is 215 mm², though the transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache configuration differs substantially. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor offers 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, six times the capacity of the AMD chip, helps explain its superior performance in workloads with large working sets that benefit from data reuse.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-14500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, though its bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not.

PCI Express capabilities highlight generational differences. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel platform significantly higher I/O bandwidth potential for expansion cards and storage devices.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-14500 includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip targets the mobile segment with a 15 W TDP, while the Intel chip is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not win any of the 11 recorded head-to-head benchmark tests. Its only potential advantage lies in its lower TDP of 15 W, which makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices where power consumption and heat generation are primary constraints. The 12 nm process and Zen+ architecture deliver modest performance that is sufficient for basic productivity tasks, but the data shows no workload where it outperforms the Intel part.

The Intel Core i5-14500 wins every benchmark category. Its most significant advantages appear in floating-point math (-92.6%), integer math (-91.8%), and data encryption (-90.8%). These results indicate that the Intel processor is better suited for content creation, scientific computing, financial modeling, and any application that involves heavy number crunching. The multi-threaded score of 30,777 versus 3,348 shows that the Intel chip excels in rendering, video encoding, and compile workloads that can utilize its 20 threads.

For single-threaded tasks, the Intel chip's 5.00 GHz boost clock provides a clear edge over the AMD's 3.20 GHz boost. The -59.7% delta in single-thread tests suggests that the Intel architecture's higher clock speed, combined with its more efficient core design, delivers faster response in legacy applications that rely on one or two threads.

The Intel Core i5-14500 also demonstrates advantages in data compression (371,294 versus 38,455) and random string sorting (40,980 versus 4,666). These workloads benefit from the larger L3 cache and higher core count, allowing the Intel processor to maintain higher throughput when processing large datasets.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts represent the most significant specification difference. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U offers 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14500 provides 14 cores and 20 threads. This 12-core difference translates directly into the multi-threaded performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

Clock speeds differ substantially. 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 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part's higher base and boost clocks contribute to its single-thread advantage.

The process node differs, with AMD using 12 nm and Intel using 10 nm. The cache hierarchy differs as noted earlier, with the Intel chip providing 1.25 MB L2 per core versus 512 KB per core on the AMD chip, and 24 MB shared L3 versus 4 MB shared L3.

The market segment differs: AMD targets mobile with a 15 W TDP, while Intel targets desktop with a 65 W TDP. The sockets differ (FP5 versus 1700), and the memory support differs (DDR4 only versus DDR4/DDR5). The ECC support differs (no versus yes), and the PCIe generation differs (Gen 3 versus Gen 5).

The release dates show a significant gap. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a release date of 2026-05-31, while the Intel Core i5-14500 has a release date of 2024-01-07. The database lists the Intel chip's launch MSRP as $232. The AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500 scores 3,952 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 59.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's score of 1,592.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-14500 does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Core i5-14500 has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports only DDR4 memory.

Q: What are the cache capacities?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Intel Core i5-14500 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-14500 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every recorded benchmark, with deltas ranging from -59.7% in single-thread tests to -92.6% in floating-point math. The Intel processor's 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.00 GHz boost clock, and 24 MB L3 cache provide a comprehensive advantage across all workload types.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U serves a different purpose. Its 15 W TDP and mobile socket designation indicate it is designed for portable devices where battery life and thermal constraints take priority over raw performance. Its 62nd percentile ranking places it above the average CPU, but its 2-core configuration limits its ability to handle modern multi-threaded applications.

For desktop computing, content creation, scientific workloads, or any application that benefits from high clock speeds and many cores, the Intel Core i5-14500 is the clear choice based on benchmark results. Its 86th percentile ranking and 38,531 average score place it among the top performers in the database, while the AMD chip's 6,247 average score places it in the lower-middle range.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (0.3% delta) and AMD EPYC 7272 (1% delta), indicating its performance class. The Intel Core i5-14500 competes with the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T (-0.1% delta) and Intel Xeon w3-2525 (0.4% delta), showing it sits in a much higher performance tier.

Users requiring ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5, or DDR5 memory will need to choose the Intel processor, as the AMD chip lacks these features. The Intel chip's larger L3 cache and higher core count make it suitable for demanding professional workloads, while the AMD chip's low power draw makes it appropriate for basic mobile computing tasks. The benchmark data contains no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U emerges as the superior performer.