CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the Intel Core i3-10320 and the AMD Ryzen 3 4100. AMD wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, taking 11 of 17, but Intel secures decisive victories in specific single-threaded and specialized workloads. The overall average benchmark scores are close, Intel at 14852 and AMD at 14505, placing both at the 69th percentile among all CPUs. The choice hinges on whether the workload favors AMD’s broad multicore and encryption strength or Intel’s specific advantages in prime-number finding, floating-point math, physics, and legacy single-thread tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is the clear winner for general productivity and rendering workloads. It leads in every Cinebench test, including a 9.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore (9394 vs 8486) and a 9.7% edge in single-core (1326 vs 1198). This dominance extends to the PassMark suite, where AMD wins data compression (149609 vs 140255, a 6.3% lead), extended instructions (9923 vs 9284, 6.4% ahead), integer math (32307 vs 31071, 3.8% ahead), and multithread (11050 vs 9982, 9.7% ahead). The most dramatic difference is in data encryption, where AMD scores 9133 versus Intel’s 3458, a staggering 62.1% advantage. For users running renders, compiling code, or handling encrypted data, the Ryzen 3 4100 is the superior choice.

The Intel Core i3-10320 wins where single-thread speed and specific instruction patterns matter more than raw core throughput. It takes PassMark single-thread with a 12.2% lead (2841 vs 2531) and shows a notable 22.4% advantage in PassMark physics (689 vs 563). Intel also wins floating-point math (19483 vs 19128, a narrow 1.9% lead), random string sorting (17821 vs 15760, 13.1% ahead), and find prime numbers (32 vs 23, a massive 39.1% lead). These results suggest Intel’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus AMD’s 4.00 GHz gives it an edge in latency-sensitive or lightly threaded tasks that cannot leverage AMD’s newer architecture.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is faster, scoring 9394 versus Intel’s 8486, a 9.7% lead. This pattern holds across all Cinebench versions tested, with AMD ahead by 9.5% to 9.8%.

Q: Does Intel win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes, Intel wins PassMark find prime numbers by 39.1% (32 vs 23) and data encryption is the opposite, AMD wins by 62.1% (9133 vs 3458). Intel also leads PassMark single-thread by 12.2% and physics by 22.4%.

Q: Are the two CPUs in the same performance tier overall?

A: The average benchmark scores are close, with Intel at 14852 and AMD at 14505, a difference of about 2.4%. Both have a 69th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include chips like the Intel Core i7-9750H (14886) for Intel and the AMD Ryzen 3 4300G (14503) for AMD.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-10320 boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 boosts to 4.00 GHz. Both have the same 3.80 GHz base clock.

Q: Is there a difference in integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-10320 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: Which CPU wins in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, versus Intel’s 42.7 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR4.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is in PassMark data encryption, where AMD’s 9133 score crushes Intel’s 3458, a 62.1% delta. This is the single largest gap in the entire comparison and indicates a fundamental architectural advantage for AMD in cryptographic workloads. The second-largest margin is Intel’s 39.1% win in PassMark find prime numbers (32 vs 23), which shows Intel’s strength in a specific integer operation pattern.

In the Cinebench suite, AMD wins every test by nearly identical margins. Cinebench R15 multicore shows AMD ahead by 9.6% (946 vs 855), R20 multicore by 9.7% (3945 vs 3564), and R23 multicore by 9.7% (9394 vs 8486). Single-core results follow the same trend: R15 single-core (133 vs 120, 9.8% lead), R20 single-core (556 vs 503, 9.5% lead), and R23 single-core (1326 vs 1198, 9.7% lead). This consistency suggests AMD’s Zen 2 architecture is uniformly faster in Cinebench’s rendering tasks.

PassMark multithread shows AMD with a 9.7% lead (11050 vs 9982), matching the Cinebench multicore delta. Intel’s wins in PassMark single-thread (2841 vs 2531, 12.2% ahead) and physics (689 vs 563, 22.4% ahead) are the largest Intel victories outside of prime numbers. The floating-point math test is close, with Intel leading by only 1.9% (19483 vs 19128), while AMD wins integer math by 3.8% (32307 vs 31071). Intel’s random string sorting win is 13.1% (17821 vs 15760), and its data compression loss is 6.3% (140255 vs 149609 for AMD).

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share the same core count (4) and thread count (8), but diverge on nearly every other spec. The Intel Core i3-10320 uses the Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 uses AMD Socket AM4. Intel’s process node is 14 nm at Intel foundry, whereas AMD uses TSMC’s 7 nm process. AMD has a higher transistor count at 9,800 million and a die size of 156 mm², while Intel’s transistor count and die size are not listed.

Clock speeds differ: both have a 3.80 GHz base, but Intel boosts to 4.60 GHz versus AMD’s 4.00 GHz. Intel’s TDP is 91 watts, significantly higher than AMD’s 65 watts. Cache configurations are similar in L1 (64 KB per core) and L3 (8 MB shared), but AMD has double the L2 cache at 512 KB per core versus Intel’s 256 KB per core. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 42.7 GB/s, though both support dual-channel DDR4 and neither supports ECC.

PCIe lanes differ: Intel offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has no integrated graphics. Intel’s multiplier is locked, whereas AMD’s is unlocked. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $99; no launch MSRP is listed for Intel. Release dates are about two years apart, with Intel launching on 2020-04-29 and AMD on 2022-04-03.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-10320 is built on the Comet Lake architecture, which is a 14 nm process from Intel. The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 uses the Zen 2 architecture (codename Renoir) on a 7 nm process from TSMC. This process advantage is a key factor behind AMD’s higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and lower TDP (65W vs 91W) despite similar core counts.

The L2 cache difference is notable: AMD has 512 KB per core, double Intel’s 256 KB per core. Both have the same L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L3 cache (8 MB shared). AMD’s architecture also includes a higher transistor count (9,800 million) on a smaller die (156 mm²), reflecting the denser 7 nm process. Intel’s architecture relies on a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz) to compete, but this comes at a higher power draw.

The AMD part has no integrated graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 630. AMD’s unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, whereas Intel’s is locked. The PCIe lane count favors Intel (16 lanes vs 8), which could matter for expandability, but AMD’s higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 cache suggest better data throughput in memory-intensive tasks.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is the better choice for users prioritizing rendering, encryption, and general multithreaded performance. It wins 11 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, with a 9.7% lead in both R23 multicore and single-core. Its 62.1% advantage in data encryption is decisive, and its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and 512 KB per-core L2 cache support its higher throughput. The lower 65W TDP and unlocked multiplier add further appeal for those building efficient or overclockable systems.

The Intel Core i3-10320 is the pick for workloads that are latency-sensitive or rely on specific single-thread patterns. It wins PassMark single-thread by 12.2% (2841 vs 2531) and physics by 22.4% (689 vs 563). Its 39.1% win in find prime numbers and 13.1% win in random string sorting show strengths in niche integer operations. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 is a practical advantage for systems without a discrete GPU, and the 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more expansion headroom.

Given the data, most users will find the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 the more capable processor due to its broader benchmark dominance. The Intel part’s wins are real but concentrated in fewer tests, and its 91W TDP is higher for no overall performance benefit in average score. Choose Intel only if the specific workload matches its single-thread or physics strengths, or if integrated graphics are essential. For everything else, the Ryzen 3 4100’s consistent leads in rendering, encryption, and multithreaded tasks make it the data-backed recommendation.