AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL occupy different segments of the processor market, with the data showing a clear split in architectural approach, performance targets, and platform positioning. The Ryzen 3 3100U is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile processor from AMD’s 3000 series, built on the 12 nm Picasso design. The Core Ultra 7 155UL is a 12-core, 14-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Core Ultra Series 1, using the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm node. Both share a 15 W TDP, but their specifications and benchmark results place them in entirely different usage categories.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. This is a six-fold difference in core count and a seven-fold difference in thread count.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL boosts up to 4.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U tops out at 3.20 GHz. The base clocks are closer, with Intel at 1.70 GHz and AMD at 1.90 GHz.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL features Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. Both are integrated solutions, but the Intel part is from a newer generation.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL supports DDR5, with the exact speed depending on the motherboard.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses a 7 nm process at Intel.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL have a TDP of 15 W, despite their different core counts and performance levels.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U is based on the Picasso design, which is part of the Zen+ generation. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, on a 7 nm node from Intel. The process node difference alone indicates a significant generational shift, with Intel’s 7 nm node allowing for a much denser transistor layout.

The cache hierarchy also differs markedly. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives Intel a three-fold advantage in L3 cache capacity, which is critical for workloads that rely on large working sets. The L2 cache per core is four times larger on the Intel chip, further boosting its per-thread performance potential.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, which is an older architecture designed for basic multimedia tasks. Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, a newer GPU architecture that provides more modern feature support. The memory controller is also different: AMD supports DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while Intel supports DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. That is a 2.3 times bandwidth advantage for Intel, which directly impacts memory-heavy applications.

The PCIe support also separates them. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses PCIe Gen 4, with 8 lanes available from the CPU only. This affects expansion options and data transfer speeds for storage and external devices. The Intel part also has a different socket, Intel Socket 1851, compared to AMD Socket FP5 for the Ryzen chip, meaning they are not platform-compatible.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two processors is asymmetric. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a full set of PassMark scores recorded, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has no benchmark entries in the database. This makes a direct comparison impossible on a test-by-test basis. However, the available data for the AMD part shows its performance profile, and the Intel part’s absence of scores indicates it has not been measured in the same suite.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U scores 1,592 in both single-thread and single-thread tests, which places it in the lower tier of modern processors. Its multithread score is 3,348, which is roughly double its single-thread score, consistent with a 2-core, 2-thread design. The integer math score is 8,873, and the floating point math score is 5,854, showing that integer workloads are more efficient on this chip. The data compression score is 38,455, which is its strongest result, while the find prime numbers score is just 18, indicating weak performance in that specific algorithmic test.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has an average benchmark score of 0 in the database, which means no comparative percentages can be drawn. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6,247, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 6,231 (0.3% delta), the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6,186 (1% delta), the Intel Core i9-10920X at 6,347 (-1.6% delta), and the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6,147 (1.6% delta). This places the Ryzen 3 3100U in a performance band with high-core-count desktop and server processors, despite its low core count, which is surprising given its modest specifications.

The data suggests the Ryzen 3 3100U’s scores are influenced by the specific PassMark workloads, which may not fully utilize its strengths or weaknesses. For example, the data compression score of 38,455 is exceptionally high relative to the multithread score of 3,348, indicating that the workload is not purely multi-threaded. Without Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL benchmark scores, the head-to-head comparison is limited to specification-level analysis, which shows Intel’s architectural advantages in cores, cache, and memory bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field where data is available. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The base clock is 1.90 GHz for AMD and 1.70 GHz for Intel, but the boost clock is 3.20 GHz for AMD and 4.80 GHz for Intel, giving Intel a 50% higher boost frequency. The process node is 12 nm for AMD and 7 nm for Intel.

The cache configuration shows Intel’s advantage: L1 cache is 96 KB per core for AMD versus 112 KB per core for Intel; L2 cache is 512 KB per core for AMD versus 2 MB per core for Intel; L3 cache is 4 MB shared for AMD versus 12 MB shared for Intel. The memory support is DDR4 for AMD and DDR5 for Intel, with memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 for AMD and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU for Intel.

The socket is AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel Socket 1851. The PCIe support is Gen 3 for AMD versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU for Intel. The release dates differ, with AMD listed as 2026-05-31 and Intel as 2024-04-07. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel, which is notable given the TDP is the same at 15 W.

The transistor count and die size are only available for AMD, at 4,940 million transistors and 210 mm². Intel’s figures are not recorded in the database. The production status for both is Active. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is limited on both.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U wins in scenarios where its existing benchmark data is relevant. Its average benchmark score of 6,247 puts it in line with processors like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Intel Core i9-10920X, which are high-core-count parts. This suggests the Ryzen 3 3100U’s PassMark scores are not representative of its core count, and it may perform better in workloads that match its specific strengths, such as data compression where it scores 38,455. Its 15 W TDP makes it a low-power option for mobile devices, and its 12 nm process, while older, is a mature manufacturing node.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL wins on raw architectural potential. Its 12 cores and 14 threads provide a massive multi-threading advantage, and its 4.80 GHz boost clock gives it a clear single-thread speed edge over the AMD part’s 3.20 GHz. The larger L2 and L3 caches, the faster DDR5 memory support, and the higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s) all point to superior performance in memory-intensive and multi-threaded workloads. The PCIe Gen 4 support also gives it an advantage in modern storage and expansion. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics are a newer generation than Radeon Vega 8, which should provide better integrated graphics performance.

The Intel part is also a desktop processor, which means it can be paired with more robust cooling and power delivery solutions, despite the 15 W TDP. The AMD part is mobile-focused, limiting its use to laptops and compact systems. In terms of production status, both are Active, so neither is discontinued.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is the more capable processor on paper. It has six times the cores, seven times the threads, a higher boost clock, more cache at every level, faster memory support, and a newer process node. Its lack of benchmark scores in the database means its performance cannot be directly verified, but the specification advantages are substantial.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U, despite having recorded benchmark scores, is a low-core-count mobile chip from an older generation. Its nearest rivals in the database are high-core-count desktop and server processors, which is an anomaly that suggests its scores are not directly comparable to modern multi-core parts. Its 12 nm process and DDR4 support put it at a technological disadvantage.

For users who prioritize multi-threaded performance, large cache sizes, and modern memory standards, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is the choice based on its specifications. For users who need a low-power mobile processor with verified benchmark scores, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has a place, but its 2-core, 2-thread design limits its applicability. The Intel part’s launch MSRP of $426 also indicates a higher-tier positioning, while the AMD part has no pricing data. The verdict favors Intel for any workload where core count, cache, and memory bandwidth matter, while AMD’s part is suited only for basic tasks in power-constrained mobile environments.