AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core i9-7960X Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-7960X and the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U occupy completely different performance tiers, and the benchmark data reflects that starkly. The i9-7960X dominates in every multi-threaded workload in the database, leveraging its 16 cores and 32 threads to produce scores that are orders of magnitude higher than the Ryzen 3 3100U. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-7960X scores 23,413, while the Ryzen 3 3100U does not have a comparable Cinebench entry; instead, its Passmark multi-thread score is 3,348. The i9-7960X is clearly the workstation-class part, designed for rendering, compilation, and heavy parallel processing.

The Ryzen 3 3100U, conversely, wins in efficiency-oriented scenarios. Its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it a mobile-focused chip, and the data shows it holds its own in single-threaded Passmark tests, scoring 1,592, which is respectable for a low-power part. It also has a Passmark data compression score of 38,455, which is surprisingly high relative to its other results, suggesting it handles compression workloads well. However, the Ryzen 3 3100U does not compete in raw compute; it wins on the basis of being a complete, low-power package with graphics included, not on benchmark supremacy.

In terms of benchmark wins, the i9-7960X wins all head-to-head comparisons by default, since the head-to-head benchmark list is empty and the winsA field is 0. The recorded data shows the i9-7960X has an average benchmark score of 6,533, while the Ryzen 3 3100U averages 6,247, a difference of only 4.6%. This narrow gap in average score is misleading, as the two chips are tested with entirely different benchmark suites: the i9 uses Cinebench and Geekbench, while the Ryzen uses Passmark variants. The i9-7960X's percentile rank is 62, and the Ryzen 3 3100U also sits at percentile 62, placing both in the same percentile tier despite their architectural differences.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast. The Intel Core i9-7960X is built on Intel's 14 nm process node, with a die size of 484 mm², and uses the Skylake-X architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 22 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-7960X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. It has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, and its TDP is 165 W, requiring a beefy cooling solution.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is a completely different beast. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. It has only 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its cache consists of 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 3100U supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and its PCIe is Gen 3, though the lane count is not specified. It includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the i9-7960X lacks entirely. The Ryzen's TDP is just 15 W, and its multiplier is locked.

The i9-7960X is a desktop part on Intel Socket 2066, released in 2017 and now end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 3100U is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP5, released in 2026 and still active. The i9-7960X belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 7th Gen, while the Ryzen 3 3100U is in the Ryzen 3 3000 series, using Zen+ (Picasso) architecture. Neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are not available in the database, so the analysis must rely on each chip's individual benchmark results. The Intel Core i9-7960X shows overwhelming strength in Cinebench and Geekbench tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2,359 multi-core and 333 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 9,833 multi-core and 1,388 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 23,413 multi-core and 3,305 single-core. These numbers indicate a processor that excels at heavily threaded workloads, with multi-core scores roughly seven times its single-core scores.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's Passmark scores reveal a different profile. Its best result is Passmark data compression at 38,455, which is its highest single score. Its Passmark integer math score is 8,873, floating point math is 5,854, and extended instructions is 2,116. The Ryzen's Passmark multi-thread score is 3,348, and its single-thread score is 1,592. The Passmark find prime numbers score is just 18, indicating very weak performance in that specific workload. The Ryzen's Passmark physics score is 232, and random string sorting is 4,666.

The i9-7960X's Geekbench scores are 10,307 multi-core and 1,324 single-core. The Ryzen 3 3100U has no Geekbench entries in the database, so direct comparison is impossible. However, the i9-7960X's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,413 versus the Ryzen's Passmark multi-thread of 3,348 gives a sense of the scale of difference, even though the tests are not identical. The i9-7960X's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2191B with an average score of 6,531 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core i5-13500E with an average score of 6,586 and a delta of -0.8%. The Ryzen 3 3100U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X with an average score of 6,231 and a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core i9-7940X with an average score of 6,147 and a delta of 1.6%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-7960X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i9-7960X has a TDP of 165 W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Does either chip include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i9-7960X has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-7960X has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each?

A: The Intel Core i9-7960X supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i9-7960X has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a locked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-7960X is the performance king in this pairing. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and boost clock of 4.40 GHz deliver Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 23,413, which is the highest recorded score across both chips. Any workload that scales with core count, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or scientific simulation, will be vastly faster on the i9-7960X. The benchmark results indicate that this processor belongs in a high-end desktop workstation, where its 165 W TDP and lack of integrated graphics are non-issues.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is not a competitor in raw compute; its 2 cores and 2 threads cap its performance at Passmark multi-thread of 3,348, which is in a different universe from the i9's scores. However, the Ryzen 3 3100U has its own strengths: a 15 W TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, and a release date of 2026, meaning it is a current product. Its Passmark data compression score of 38,455 shows it can handle specific tasks surprisingly well, and its single-thread Passmark score of 1,592 is respectable for a mobile chip.

Who should pick which? For anyone building a desktop workstation or needing maximum multi-core throughput, the Intel Core i9-7960X is the only choice. Its percentile rank of 62 places it in the same tier as the Ryzen 3 3100U, but that is due to the different benchmark suites; the i9's Cinebench and Geekbench results are far superior. For a mobile or low-power system, the Ryzen 3 3100U is the obvious pick, offering integrated graphics and a fraction of the power draw. The two chips serve entirely different markets, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-7960X | AMD Ryzen 3 3100U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 2 |

| Threads | 32 | 2 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 165 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen+ (Picasso) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 210 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,940 million |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 22 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2017-08-31 | 2026-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $1699 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR3RR | YM3100C4T2OFG |

The i9-7960X has a larger die, more cache, and significantly higher memory bandwidth. The Ryzen 3 3100U has a smaller die, more L1 cache per core, and integrated graphics. Both support DDR4 memory, and neither supports ECC. The i9-7960X is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 3100U is active. The i9's launch MSRP was $1699, while the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP.