AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i9-10940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data places the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the Intel Core i9-10940X in starkly different performance tiers, despite both landing at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile part, while the Core i9-10940X is a 14-core, 28-thread desktop flagship. Their benchmark suites do not overlap directly, so the comparison relies on aggregate scores and nearest-rival deltas rather than identical test runs.

The Intel Core i9-10940X posts an average benchmark score of 6605, which places it within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-12900E and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13500E. It trails the Intel Core i5-13400E by 0.5%. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U posts an average score of 6247, which is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and 1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7272. It sits 1.6% behind the Intel Core i9-7940X and 1.6% behind the Intel Core i9-10920X. These deltas show that the 3100U, despite being a low-power mobile chip, lands within a narrow band of much larger desktop and server parts in the database’s aggregate metric.

Looking at the specific workload scores, the 3100U’s best results come from data compression, where it scores 38,455 in PassMark data compression. That figure dwarfs its other results and suggests a specialized strength in that particular routine. Its integer math score is 8,873, floating point math is 5,854, and random string sorting is 4,666. Single-thread performance is measured at 1,592, while multithreaded performance drops to 3,348. The find prime numbers test yields a very low score of 18, and physics processing is 232. Extended instructions score 2,116, and data encryption is 1,972.

The Core i9-10940X, by contrast, shows its strength in multi-core rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23, it scores 23,520 in multi-core and 3,320 in single-core. Cinebench R20 yields 9,878 multi-core and 1,394 single-core. Cinebench R15 shows 2,370 multi-core and 334 single-core. Geekbench results are 10,464 in multi-core and 1,556 in single-core. The single-core Geekbench score of 1,556 is close to the 3100U’s PassMark single-thread score of 1,592, though these are different test suites and not directly comparable. The 10940X’s multi-core numbers, however, are orders of magnitude higher than the 3100U’s multithread score of 3,348, reflecting the 14-core versus 2-core divide.

The database shows no head-to-head benchmarks between these two parts, which is expected given their completely different market segments. The wins tally is zero for both, meaning no direct comparison test exists. Instead, the data reveals that the 3100U’s average score of 6,247 is only 5.4% lower than the 10940X’s 6,605, a surprisingly small gap given the core count disparity. This is likely because the 3100U’s compression score heavily inflates its average, while the 10940X’s average is pulled down by its single-core results relative to its multi-core might.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-10940X has an average benchmark score of 6,605, which is 358 points higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U’s 6,247. The 10940X’s score places it level with the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 at a 0% delta, while the 3100U is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-thread performance?

A: The 3100U scores 1,592 in PassMark single-thread tests, while the 10940X scores 1,556 in Geekbench single-core and 1,394 in Cinebench R20 single-core. The 10940X’s highest single-core result is 3,320 in Cinebench R23. Since the tests differ, direct comparison is limited, but the 10940X’s Cinebench R23 single-core figure is roughly double the 3100U’s PassMark single-thread score.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Intel Core i9-10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. This means the 10940X has 7 times as many cores and 14 times as many threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-10940X has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The 10940X also has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 1.90 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the Intel Core i9-10940X have ECC memory support marked as false in the database.

Q: What is the market segment for each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is listed as a Mobile segment processor, while the Intel Core i9-10940X is listed as a Desktop segment processor. The 3100U has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the 10940X has no integrated graphics listed.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of roles. For multi-core rendering and heavy parallel workloads, the Intel Core i9-10940X is the obvious choice, with Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 23,520 that the 2-core 3100U cannot approach. The 10940X’s 28 threads and 4.80 GHz boost clock give it a massive throughput advantage in any threaded task.

For mobile or low-power scenarios, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is the only viable option, with a 15 W TDP compared to the 10940X’s 165 W TDP. The 3100U is designed for laptops and compact systems, while the 10940X requires a desktop Socket 2066 platform. The 3100U’s integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics also mean it can run without a discrete GPU, which the 10940X cannot do.

The average benchmark scores are closer than the core counts suggest, with the 3100U at 6,247 and the 10940X at 6,605. However, this aggregate metric masks the workload-specific reality. The 3100U’s strength is in data compression, where it scores 38,455, while the 10940X excels in multi-core rendering. A user who prioritizes compression and low power consumption might find the 3100U adequate, but anyone needing sustained multi-core performance should choose the 10940X.

The database’s percentile ranking places both at the 62nd percentile, but this ranking is relative to different peer groups. The 3100U’s nearest rivals include desktop and server parts like the Threadripper 1950X and EPYC 7272, while the 10940X’s rivals are modern mainstream desktop CPUs like the Core i5-13400E and Core i9-12900E. The 10940X is competitive with those newer parts, sitting within 0.5% of all of them.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core i9-10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the 3100U and 3.30 GHz for the 10940X. Boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 4.80 GHz, respectively. Thermal design power is 15 W for the 3100U and 165 W for the 10940X.

The sockets are completely different: the 3100U uses AMD Socket FP5, while the 10940X uses Intel Socket 2066. The 3100U has a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, while the 10940X uses a 14 nm process from Intel. The 3100U has a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors; the 10940X has no die size or transistor count listed. The 3100U has 96 KB L1 cache per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while the 10940X has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core. L3 cache is 4 MB shared for the 3100U and 19.25 MB shared for the 10940X.

Memory support differs: both support DDR4, but the 3100U has a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the 10940X has a quad-channel memory bus with no bandwidth figure listed. Both support PCIe Gen 3. The 3100U has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics; the 10940X has no integrated graphics. The 3100U has a locked multiplier, while the 10940X has an unlocked multiplier. The 3100U has a part number of YM3100C4T2OFG; the 10940X has no part number listed.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is based on the Picasso codename, which is part of the Ryzen 3 generation built on the Zen+ architecture. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a transistor count of 4,940 million on a 210 mm² die. The 3100U’s cache hierarchy includes 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. It has no 3D V-Cache listed. The architecture is designed for mobile efficiency, with a 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, making it a complete system-on-chip solution.

The Intel Core i9-10940X is based on the Cascade Lake-X codename, part of the Core i9 X-Series 10th generation. Its architecture is Cascade Lake, built on a 14 nm process from Intel. The 10940X has no transistor count or die size listed. Its cache layout is 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 19.25 MB shared L3. The architecture targets high-end desktop workloads, with 14 cores, 28 threads, and a 165 W TDP. It has no integrated graphics, relying on a discrete GPU.

The key architectural difference is the node: 12 nm for the 3100U versus 14 nm for the 10940X. The 3100U’s smaller node gives it a transistor density advantage despite being a lower-power part. The 10940X compensates with a much larger core count and higher clock speeds. The 3100U’s cache per core is smaller in L1 but larger in L2, while the 10940X has a significantly larger shared L3 pool. The 3100U’s Picasso architecture is an older design focused on efficiency, while Cascade Lake-X is a server-derived architecture focused on throughput. The 3100U also includes a memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s, while the 10940X’s quad-channel setup has no measured bandwidth in the database. Both are active production parts, but the 3100U has a release date in 2026, while the 10940X was released in 2019.