AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i7-12800HE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-12800HE is the clear choice for any workload that demands heavy parallel processing, large cache pools, or modern platform features. With 14 cores and 20 threads, it delivers multi-threaded performance that places it among desktop-class processors. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, by contrast, is a dual-core, dual-thread part built for efficiency and basic tasks. It wins in raw single-thread integer throughput in one specific test, but its overall compute capability is far below the Intel part.

Pick the i7-12800HE if you need a mobile processor that can handle content creation, compilation, or any multi-threaded workload without hesitation. Pick the Ryzen 3 3100U only if your priority is a low-power, passively cooled or lightweight laptop where the workload is limited to light office work, web browsing, or legacy software that cannot use more than two threads. The data shows no contest in multi-core performance; the Intel part is in a completely different class.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and process generations. The Intel Core i7-12800HE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel foundries, using the Alder Lake-H architecture. It features a hybrid core layout common to Alder Lake, with 14 physical cores and 20 threads, indicating a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, based on the Picasso codename, which is a Zen+ derivative. It has only 2 cores and 2 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading.

Cache allocations differ substantially. The Intel part provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a large 24 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip's much larger L3 is a major advantage for workloads that reuse data sets, as it reduces trips to memory.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel i7-12800HE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ryzen 3 3100U supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the AMD part has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part's bandwidth is not recorded. The Intel chip also uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, whereas the AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3 with no lane count specified.

Integrated graphics are present on both, but they differ: the Intel part uses Iris Xe with 96 execution units, while the AMD part uses Radeon Vega 8. Both are mobile processors, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a die size of 217 mm², the AMD part is 210 mm² and contains 4,940 million transistors.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12800HE wins in every multi-threaded benchmark recorded. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, it scores 2253, 9391, and 22360 respectively. These are massive scores for a mobile processor, reflecting the benefit of 14 cores and 20 threads. The Ryzen 3 3100U has no Cinebench scores in the database, so direct comparison on those tests is impossible, but its Passmark multi-thread score of 3348 shows its limited parallel capability.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U shows a single bright spot: in Passmark's integer math test, it scores 8873. The Intel part has no Passmark scores in the database, so we cannot compare that specific metric. However, the AMD part's single-thread Passmark score is 1592, which is modest. The Intel part's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3156 indicates far stronger single-thread performance, as Cinebench R23 single-core scores in that range are typical of high-end desktop chips.

For data compression, the AMD part scores 38455 in Passmark, which is a strong result for a dual-core chip. But again, without an Intel Passmark score, we cannot declare a win. The Intel part wins in all Cinebench tests by virtue of having data and the AMD part having none. The practical interpretation: the Intel part is for demanding applications, the AMD part is for basic throughput tasks where its higher integer math score might help in specific legacy workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel part boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the AMD part boosts to 3.20 GHz. The base clocks are 2.40 GHz and 1.90 GHz respectively.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports only DDR4.

Q: How much L3 cache does each have?

A: The Intel part has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has a TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both are listed as Active in production status. The AMD part has a release date of 2026-05-31, while the Intel part has no recorded release date.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries between these two processors, and the recorded wins are zero for each. However, comparing the available scores from each part's benchmark suite tells a clear story.

The Intel Core i7-12800HE posts Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22360. This is an exceptional result. For context, its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon D-2796TE with an average score of 6510 (0.7% lower), the Intel Xeon W-2191B at 6531 (1% lower), and the Intel Core i9-7960X at 6533 (1% lower). The AMD EPYC 7551 scores 6391, which is 1.2% higher than the Intel part's average benchmark score of 6467. These rivals are all server or high-end desktop processors, showing that the i7-12800HE sits in that performance tier despite being a mobile chip.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6247. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 6231 (0.3% lower), the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6186 (1% lower), and the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6147 (1.6% lower). The Intel Core i9-10920X scores 6347, which is 1.6% higher. This means the Ryzen 3 3100U, despite having only two cores, has an average score comparable to high-core-count server chips. That is an anomaly driven by the Passmark integer math score of 8873 and data compression score of 38455, which inflate its average.

In single-thread performance, the Intel part's Cinebench R23 single-core score is 3156, and its R20 single-core score is 1325. The AMD part's Passmark single-thread score is 1592. These tests are not directly comparable, but the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3156 is typical of processors that would score well above 2000 in Passmark single-thread. The AMD part's 1592 is far lower. In multi-threaded Cinebench R15, the Intel part scores 2253, which is roughly seven times the AMD part's Passmark multi-thread score of 3348 in raw terms, though again the tests differ.

The biggest wins for the Intel part are in Cinebench R23 multi-core (22360) and R20 multi-core (9391), where its core count dominates. The AMD part's biggest win is in Passmark integer math (8873) and data compression (38455), but those are narrow, specialized tests. For any general-purpose computing, the Intel part is ahead by a wide margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every key specification.

Process and Foundry: Intel uses a 10 nm process at Intel; AMD uses a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries.

Cores and Threads: Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads; AMD has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Clocks: Intel base is 2.40 GHz, boost is 4.60 GHz; AMD base is 1.90 GHz, boost is 3.20 GHz.

TDP: Intel is 45 watts; AMD is 15 watts.

Socket: Intel uses Intel BGA 1744; AMD uses AMD Socket FP5.

Cache: Intel L1 is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, L3 is 24 MB shared. AMD L1 is 96 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, L3 is 4 MB shared.

Memory: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5; AMD supports DDR4 only. Both are dual-channel. AMD has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; Intel has none recorded.

PCIe: Intel is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only); AMD is Gen 3 with no lane count.

Integrated Graphics: Intel has Iris Xe 96EU; AMD has Radeon Vega 8.

Transistors and Die Size: AMD has 4,940 million transistors and a 210 mm² die. Intel has no transistor count but a 217 mm² die.

Part Number: Intel is SRLE6; AMD is YM3100C4T2OFG.

Release Date: AMD is 2026-05-31; Intel has none recorded.

Multiplier: Both are locked (unlocked multiplier is false for each).

ECC Memory: Neither supports ECC memory.

In summary, the Intel Core i7-12800HE is a high-core-count, high-power mobile processor with modern memory and PCIe support. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is a low-power dual-core part with older PCIe Gen 3 and DDR4-only memory. The choice depends entirely on whether you need compute muscle or minimal power draw. The benchmark data strongly favors the Intel part for any serious work.