AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Xeon W-2170B Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and Intel Xeon W-2170B occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects that chasm. The 3100U is a 15-watt mobile chip, while the W-2170B is a 140-watt workstation behemoth. Their average benchmark scores are surprisingly close — 6247 for the AMD versus 5985 for the Intel — but that aggregate figure masks wildly different performance profiles.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two CPUs never directly face off in the same benchmark suite. The Ryzen 3 3100U has scores from PassMark tests, while the Xeon W-2170B has Cinebench runs. That makes a direct score comparison impossible, but the data reveals how each chip behaves under different workloads.

The Xeon W-2170B dominates in rendering and threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 20693 is its strongest showing. The R20 multicore result of 8691 and R15 multicore score of 2085 follow the same pattern. These are heavy multi-threaded numbers that speak to the 14-core, 28-thread design. In contrast, the Ryzen 3 3100U only manages a PassMark multithread score of 3348 with its 2 cores and 2 threads. That is a massive gap — the Xeon is roughly six times faster in raw multithreaded throughput.

Single-thread performance tells a different story. The Xeon W-2170B posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2921, with R20 and R15 scores of 1226 and 294 respectively. The Ryzen 3 3100U's PassMark single-thread score is 1592. These tests are not directly comparable, but the data suggests the Xeon has the edge in lightly-threaded tasks. The Xeon's boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus the Ryzen's 3.20 GHz helps explain that advantage.

Where the Ryzen 3 3100U actually shines is in specific integer and sorting workloads. Its PassMark integer math score of 8873 is respectable for a 2-core chip. The floating-point math score of 5854 and random string sorting score of 4666 are also solid. The data compression score of 38455 is surprisingly high — that is a strong result that likely reflects the efficiency of the Zen+ architecture on certain algorithms. The extended instructions score of 2116 and data encryption score of 1972 round out the PassMark suite.

The Ryzen's percentile ranking of 62 versus the Xeon's 61 is essentially a tie. Both sit in the same performance tier relative to all CPUs in the database. That is remarkable given the 14-core versus 2-core disparity. The average benchmark scores — 6247 for AMD, 5985 for Intel — also sit close, with the Ryzen actually ahead by about 4.4 percent. But this aggregate number hides the fact that the two chips excel at completely different things.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 3 3100U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, using the Picasso codename and Zen+ architecture. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Xeon W-2170B uses Intel's 14 nm process with Skylake-W architecture, and its die is much larger at 484 mm². Intel does not list a transistor count for the Xeon.

Core counts are the biggest divide. The AMD chip has 2 cores and 2 threads — no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 14 cores and 28 threads, meaning each core can handle two threads. That is a 7x difference in core count and a 14x difference in thread count. The cache hierarchy reflects this. The Ryzen has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a much larger 19.25 MB of shared L3.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen uses a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon uses a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s — more than double the bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both, but the Xeon offers 48 lanes from the CPU, versus the Ryzen's unspecified lane count. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8.

Power and packaging are starkly different. The Ryzen is a 15-watt TDP mobile chip on AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon is a 140-watt TDP server/workstation part on Intel Socket 2066. The production status also differs: the Ryzen is listed as Active, while the Xeon is End-of-life. The Xeon launched in December 2017; the Ryzen's release date is listed as May 2026, which appears to reflect a later availability window.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-2170B wins in any workload that scales with cores and threads. Rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, virtualization, and heavy multitasking all benefit from 28 threads. The Cinebench multicore scores — 20693 in R23, 8691 in R20, 2085 in R15 — indicate a chip that eats through parallel workloads. Its 19.25 MB of shared L3 and quad-channel memory bandwidth also help in data-intensive tasks. This is a processor for a workstation that stays busy.

The Ryzen 3 3100U wins in efficiency and portability. Its 15-watt TDP means it can live in a thin laptop without a massive cooling solution. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. Its PassMark integer math score of 8873 and data compression score of 38455 show it handles everyday productivity tasks competently. For web browsing, office work, and light media consumption, the Ryzen is more than adequate. Its 2-core configuration is not a liability for these workloads.

The percentile data reinforces this split. Both chips sit near the 61-62 percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are middle-of-the-pack overall. But the Ryzen achieves that ranking with a fraction of the power and physical footprint. The Xeon needs a massive cooler, a workstation motherboard, and a lot of electricity to hit similar aggregate scores. In a laptop, the Ryzen is the clear choice. In a server rack or rendering farm, the Xeon is the only option.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2170B has 14 cores and 28 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U has an average benchmark score of 6247, while the Xeon W-2170B scores 5985. The Ryzen is about 4.4 percent higher on this aggregate metric.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon W-2170B supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Xeon W-2170B offers 85.3 GB/s via a quad-channel DDR4 bus. The Ryzen 3 3100U provides 38.4 GB/s via a dual-channel bus.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 3100U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Xeon W-2170B has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: The Ryzen 3 3100U is listed as Active. The Xeon W-2170B is listed as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The data makes the choice straightforward: pick the Intel Xeon W-2170B if you need raw multithreaded muscle. Its 14 cores, 28 threads, and 19.25 MB of L3 cache deliver Cinebench R23 multicore scores of 20693. It is a workstation-class part for rendering, simulation, and heavy parallel workloads. The quad-channel memory and ECC support reinforce its server-grade positioning. Its 61st percentile ranking and 5985 average score are respectable for a chip that launched in 2017.

Pick the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U if you need a low-power mobile processor. Its 15-watt TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, and 62nd percentile ranking make it a sensible choice for laptops and compact systems. The PassMark integer math score of 8873 and data compression score of 38455 show it handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Its 12 nm process and 4,940 million transistors deliver competitive performance in a tiny 210 mm² die.

The two chips are not really competitors. The Ryzen is a thin-and-light companion; the Xeon is a heavy-duty workhorse. Their similar average benchmark scores are a statistical curiosity, not a practical equivalence. If you are building a workstation, the Xeon's 28 threads are the only answer. If you are buying a laptop, the Ryzen's efficiency and integrated graphics make it the practical pick. The data does not suggest either chip is "better" — it suggests they serve entirely different purposes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3100U | Intel Xeon W-2170B |

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

| Cores | 2 | 14 |

| Threads | 2 | 28 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 140 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Codename | Picasso | Skylake-W |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 484 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 19.25 MB (shared) |

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

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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