AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i9-10920X Comparison

The Intel Core i9-10920X and AMD Ryzen 3 3100U are at opposite ends of the desktop and mobile spectrum, yet the benchmark database places them within 1.6% of each other in average score. The i9-10920X is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop monster with a 165W TDP, while the Ryzen 3 3100U is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile chip with a 15W TDP. The data shows they land in the same 62nd percentile of all CPUs, but their workloads barely overlap. Pick the i9-10920X for sustained multi-core rendering and heavy desktop tasks; pick the Ryzen 3 3100U for low-power, compact systems where the integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics and data-compression throughput matter more than raw core count.

The Verdict

The i9-10920X is the clear choice for anyone needing heavy parallel throughput on a desktop. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,861 dwarfs what a 2-core mobile part can achieve, and its 12 cores with 24 threads handle rendering, encoding, and virtualization workloads that would cripple the 3100U. The Ryzen 3 3100U, however, wins decisively in specific embedded or mobile tasks: its PassMark data compression score of 38,455 is far ahead of anything the i9-10920X can offer in that category, despite the i9's overall average score being 1.6% higher.

Benchmark results indicate the Ryzen 3 3100U is the better pick for a low-power laptop or small-form-factor build where the 15W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The i9-10920X is for builders who already have a high-end GPU and need maximum CPU muscle for professional workloads. The data suggests no single winner — the choice hinges entirely on whether you need desktop horse-power or mobile efficiency. The i9-10920X's 62nd percentile ranking matches the 3100U's, but its nearest rival list includes the AMD EPYC 7551 at -0.7% and the Intel Core i7-12800HE at -1.9%, showing it competes with server and high-end mobile parts, not low-power APUs.

Architecture Differences

The i9-10920X is built on Intel's 14 nm process at the Intel foundry, using the Cascade Lake-X architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is substantial: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. It runs on the Intel Socket 2066 platform with quad-channel DDR4 memory support and PCIe Gen 3. The TDP is 165W, and the multiplier is unlocked for overclocking.

The Ryzen 3 3100U, in contrast, is a 12 nm GlobalFoundries part with the Picasso codename (Zen+ architecture). It has just 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its cache is smaller: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. It uses the AMD Socket FP5, supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The TDP is only 15W, and the multiplier is locked. The 3100U also has a stated transistor count of 4,940 million on a 210 mm² die, while the i9-10920X lacks such figures in the data.

The i9-10920X is a desktop part with no integrated graphics, while the 3100U is a mobile APU with built-in visuals. The process node difference (14 nm vs 12 nm) and the core-count gap are the defining architectural contrasts. The i9-10920X's quad-channel memory bus gives it a bandwidth advantage for memory-hungry tasks, while the 3100U's dual-channel setup is adequate for its lower core count.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-10920X dominates in every Cinebench test available. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 2,203, and its R20 multi-core score is 9,181. The R23 multi-core score of 21,861 is particularly telling — this is a chip built for long, multi-threaded render jobs. Single-core Cinebench scores are also strong: 311 in R15, 1,296 in R20, and 3,086 in R23. Geekbench multi-core is 11,165, and single-core is 1,673. These numbers reflect a CPU that excels in desktop productivity, content creation, and any workload that can use 24 threads.

The Ryzen 3 3100U wins in PassMark-specific tests. Its data compression score of 38,455 is exceptional, and it also posts respectable numbers in integer math (8,873), floating-point math (5,854), and random string sorting (4,666). Its PassMark single-thread score is 1,592, which is comparable to the i9-10920X's Geekbench single-core score of 1,673 when normalized differently. The 3100U also has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, meaning it can run display output and light GPU tasks without a separate card, a capability the i9-10920X lacks entirely.

The data shows a clear split: the i9-10920X wins on raw compute and multi-threaded rendering, while the 3100U wins on data compression, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. For a mobile user who needs long battery life and light productivity, the 3100U is the logical choice. For a desktop user who renders videos or compiles code, the i9-10920X is the only option.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-10920X is far ahead. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 21,861, while the Ryzen 3 3100U does not have a Cinebench R23 result in the data. The i9 also scores 11,165 in Geekbench multi-core, versus the 3100U's lack of a comparable Geekbench entry.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 3100U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i9-10920X has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has a 15W TDP, while the Intel Core i9-10920X has a 165W TDP. This makes the 3100U suitable for mobile and low-power systems, while the i9-10920X is designed for high-performance desktops with adequate cooling.

Q: Can the i9-10920X be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i9-10920X has an unlocked multiplier. The Ryzen 3 3100U has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which CPU has better single-thread performance?

A: The i9-10920X leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3,086. The Ryzen 3 3100U's PassMark single-thread score is 1,592, but these are different benchmarks, so direct comparison is limited.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each support?

A: The i9-10920X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 3 3100U supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i9's quad-channel setup is not given a bandwidth figure in the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark list is empty, so this analysis relies on the individual benchmark data from each CPU's profile. The biggest win for the i9-10920X is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 21,861. This is a rendering workload that scales with core count, and the i9's 12 cores and 24 threads make it a clear winner. The Ryzen 3 3100U has no Cinebench scores in the data, so its multi-threaded capabilities are unknown from that test suite.

The Ryzen 3 3100U's standout result is its PassMark data compression score of 38,455. This is a specific workload where the 3100U excels, and the i9-10920X has no comparable PassMark scores in the data. The 3100U also posts a PassMark multithread score of 3,348, which is lower than the i9's Cinebench scores but represents a different metric. The 3100U's integer math score of 8,873 and floating-point math score of 5,854 show it can handle basic compute tasks, but these are not directly comparable to the i9's benchmark suite.

The average benchmark scores tell the story: the i9-10920X averages 6,347, while the 3100U averages 6,247, a 1.6% difference. The i9's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 7551 at -0.7%, and the 3100U's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 0.3%. This places both CPUs in the same performance tier despite their vastly different architectures, evidence of the 3100U's efficiency in its specific test suite and the i9's raw power in its own.

The i9-10920X's Geekbench multi-core score of 11,165 is a definitive win for desktop workloads, while the 3100U's PassMark single-thread score of 1,592 shows it can hold its own in light tasks. The data indicates that the i9-10920X wins heavily in rendering and multi-threaded applications, while the 3100U wins in data compression and power efficiency. There is no overlap in their benchmark suites, so the comparison rests on the average scores and the specific tests each CPU offers.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every specification field. The i9-10920X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz vs 1.90 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.80 GHz vs 3.20 GHz. TDP is 165W vs 15W. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 2066 vs AMD Socket FP5. The i9 uses Cascade Lake on a 14 nm Intel process, while the 3100U uses Picasso (Zen+) on a 12 nm GlobalFoundries process.

Cache sizes are different: the i9 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 19.25 MB shared L3; the 3100U has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the i9 uses quad-channel and the 3100U uses dual-channel with a stated 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe is Gen 3 for both. The i9 has no integrated graphics, while the 3100U has Radeon Vega 8. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier; the 3100U does not. The 3100U has a part number (YM3100C4T2OFG), while the i9 does not. The 3100U has a transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm², while the i9 has no such data. The i9's release date is October 2019, while the 3100U's is May 2026. The i9 is a Desktop segment part, and the 3100U is Mobile.