AMD Ryzen 3 4100 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a decisive picture: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins every single head-to-head test in the database, taking all 8 recorded matchups. The Ryzen 3 4100 does not secure a win in any of the eight comparisons.

The largest gaps appear in multi-core workloads, where the Threadripper PRO 3975WX’s massive core count dominates. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 52895 against the Ryzen 3’s 9394, a delta of -82.2% for the smaller chip. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar story: 22215 versus 3945, also -82.2%. Cinebench R15 multi-core follows the same pattern, with 5331 versus 946, a -82.3% difference. The multi-core Geekbench test is comparatively closer but still heavily favors the Threadripper: 16922 versus 5310, a -68.6% delta.

Single-core results narrow the gap considerably, though the Threadripper PRO 3975WX still leads in every instance. In Geekbench single-core, the Threadripper scores 1570 versus the Ryzen 3’s 1423, a margin of just -9.4%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger separation: 7467 versus 1326, which is -82.2%. Cinebench R20 single-core sees 3136 versus 556, again -82.3%. Cinebench R15 single-core is 752 versus 133, also -82.3%. The pattern is consistent: even in lightly threaded tests, the higher boost clock of the Threadripper PRO 3975WX (4.20 GHz versus 4.00 GHz) gives it an edge, though the single-core Geekbench result indicates that the architecture is not dramatically faster per clock in all workloads.

For context on where these scores place each chip, the database shows the Ryzen 3 4100 sits at the 69th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 14505. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 4300G at 14503 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon 6315P at 14574 (-0.5%), and the AMD EPYC 7473X at 14574 (-0.5%). The Threadripper PRO 3975WX, despite its overwhelming wins here, ranks at the 68th percentile with an average score of 13786. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 (0.3%), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (-0.6%), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (-1.1%). The percentile difference is small, but the average score gap favors the Ryzen 3 4100 slightly, which reflects the fact that the Threadripper’s benchmark profile is heavily skewed toward extreme multi-core tasks that not all tests reward equally.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on AMD’s Zen 2 architecture and use the same 7 nm process node from TSMC, but that is where the similarity ends. The Ryzen 3 4100 is a 4-core, 8-thread part with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. It belongs to the 4000 series, codenamed Renoir, and uses the AMD Socket AM4. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX is a 32-core, 64-thread monster with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. It is part of the 3000 series, codenamed Castle Peak, and uses the AMD Socket WRX8.

The transistor counts and die sizes tell the physical story. The Ryzen 3 4100 packs 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX houses 15,200 million transistors across a multi-die design of 4x 74 mm², which is 296 mm² in total. This explains the massive core count difference, but also the power envelope.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is dramatically different: the Ryzen 3 4100 has 8 MB shared, while the Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 128 MB. That 16x difference in L3 capacity is a major factor in multi-threaded workloads that repeatedly access shared data.

Memory support also separates the two. Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen 3 4100 uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and does not support ECC memory. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX uses an eight-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The 4x bandwidth advantage is substantial for memory-bound rendering and simulation tasks.

PCIe connectivity is another clear differentiator. The Ryzen 3 4100 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Threadripper PRO 3975WX offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). That is a 16x increase in lane count and a full generation newer PCIe standard, which matters for workstation GPUs, NVMe storage arrays, and high-speed networking.

The Threadripper PRO 3975WX has a TDP of 280 W, while the Ryzen 3 4100 is rated at 65 W. The release dates differ as well: the Ryzen 3 4100 launched on 2022-04-03, and the Threadripper PRO 3975WX launched on 2020-07-13. The Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Threadripper PRO 3975WX does not.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins all single-core tests in the database. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1570 versus the Ryzen 3 4100’s 1423, a -9.4% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is much larger: 7467 versus 1326, a -82.2% delta.

Q: How much faster is the Threadripper PRO 3975WX in multi-core rendering?

A: The Threadripper PRO 3975WX leads by roughly the same margin across all Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 52895 versus 9394, a -82.2% delta. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 22215 versus 3945, also -82.2%. In Geekbench multi-core, the lead is smaller but still decisive: 16922 versus 5310, a -68.6% delta.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each CPU support?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Threadripper also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 3 does not.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same L3 cache size?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 4100 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 128 MB of L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen 3 4100 has 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The Threadripper offers both more lanes and a newer PCIe generation.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 boosts to 4.00 GHz from a 3.80 GHz base. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX boosts to 4.20 GHz from a 3.50 GHz base. The Threadripper’s boost clock is 0.20 GHz higher.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification field. The Ryzen 3 4100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.00 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. TDP is 65 W versus 280 W. The sockets are different: AMD Socket AM4 versus AMD Socket WRX8.

Cache sizes differ: L1 is the same at 64 KB per core, L2 is the same at 512 KB per core, but L3 is 8 MB shared versus 128 MB. Memory bus width differs: dual-channel versus eight-channel. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the Ryzen 3 and present on the Threadripper. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 8 lanes versus Gen 4 with 128 lanes.

Transistor count is 9,800 million versus 15,200 million. Die size is 156 mm² versus 4x 74 mm². The series differs: 4000 series versus 3000 series. Codename differs: Renoir versus Castle Peak. Generation differs: Ryzen 3 (Zen 2 Renoir) versus Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 2 Castle Peak). Release dates differ: 2022-04-03 versus 2020-07-13. Multiplier unlock status differs: unlocked versus locked. Part numbers differ: 100-000000510100-100000510BOX versus 100-000000086100-100000086WOF.

Market segment is Desktop for both, production status is Active for both, and both lack integrated graphics. The average benchmark score is 14505 for the Ryzen 3 and 13786 for the Threadripper, with percentiles of 69 versus 68.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins all 8 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, there is no test category where the Ryzen 3 4100 comes out ahead. The data shows a complete sweep for the Threadripper. That said, the nature of the wins matters for use-case analysis.

The Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the clear pick for multi-core rendering, video encoding, scientific simulation, and any workload that scales with core count. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 52895 is more than 5.6 times the Ryzen 3 4100’s 9394. The 128 MB L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth support large working sets and heavy data movement. The 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes allow for high-bandwidth peripherals without bottlenecking.

The Ryzen 3 4100, while losing every benchmark, still occupies a distinct niche. Its 65 W TDP makes it a low-power option for basic desktop tasks, light productivity, and systems where cooling and electricity draw are constrained. Its single-core Geekbench score of 1423 is within 9.4% of the Threadripper’s 1570, meaning that for purely single-threaded, short-duration tasks, the performance difference is modest. The 8 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory are sufficient for typical consumer workloads.

The data also shows that the Ryzen 3 4100 has a higher average benchmark score (14505) than the Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13786), despite the Threadripper winning every head-to-head test. This is because the average score includes a broader set of workloads, some of which do not scale with core count. The Ryzen 3’s percentile rank of 69 versus the Threadripper’s 68 confirms that, across the entire CPU landscape, the smaller chip is not universally slower.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 in every single recorded test. If the question is purely about performance, the Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the only choice. Its 32 cores and 64 threads deliver multi-core scores that are roughly 5.6 times higher in Cinebench R23, and its single-core scores are also higher across all tests. The 128 MB L3 cache, eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it a workstation-class part.

However, the Ryzen 3 4100 is not without a role. Its 65 W TDP and 4-core, 8-thread configuration make it a sensible option for basic desktop systems where power draw is a primary concern. Its single-core Geekbench score of 1423 is only 9.4% behind the Threadripper’s 1570, so for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and light application use, the difference is small. Its lower average benchmark score compared to the Threadripper (14505 versus 13786) is a reminder that not all workloads benefit from massive core counts.

The decision comes down to workload. For content creators, engineers, and researchers running multi-threaded renderers, compilers, or simulations, the Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the overwhelming choice based on the data. For a budget desktop build focused on low power consumption and general productivity, the Ryzen 3 4100 offers adequate performance with a fraction of the power requirement. Buyers should note the Threadripper’s locked multiplier versus the Ryzen 3’s unlocked multiplier, and the significant platform differences in socket, memory channel count, and PCIe support. The recorded data shows no scenario where the Ryzen 3 4100 wins a benchmark, so the Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the performance pick in every measured category.