AMD Ryzen 3 4100 vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1315U and AMD Ryzen 3 4100 present a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies, with benchmark results revealing a near-perfect split in performance dominance. The data shows the Intel part securing 8 benchmark wins against the AMD processor’s 9, yet the margins in these victories are wildly asymmetric, ranging from negligible 0.2% differences to swings exceeding 78%. Both processors occupy the 69th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they serve a similar performance tier, though their architectural paths to that position are entirely distinct. The Intel Core i3-1315U leverages a hybrid core layout and higher boost clocks to dominate single-threaded workloads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 counters with superior efficiency in memory-sensitive and compression tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core i3-1315U scores 41 against the AMD Ryzen 3 4100’s 23, yielding a massive 78.3% advantage. This workload, which stresses integer arithmetic and branch prediction, clearly favors Intel’s architecture. The Intel processor also posts a commanding 41.2% lead in floating point math, scoring 27012 versus 19128, and a 25.4% advantage in physics calculations with scores of 706 and 563 respectively.

Single-thread performance is another decisive Intel victory. The i3-1315U achieves 3380 in the PassMark single thread test, a full 33.5% ahead of the Ryzen 3 4100’s 2531. This gap is consistent with the clock speed disparity: the Intel part boosts to 4.50 GHz compared to the AMD’s 4.00 GHz. In integer math, Intel maintains a 16.5% edge (37644 vs 32307), and in the multithread PassMark test, it wins by 3.9% (11482 vs 11050), despite having fewer physical cores. Interestingly, in the Cinebench suite, the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 wins every single test, but by margins so slim they are effectively statistical noise: the R20 multicore test shows 3945 versus 3937 (a 0.2% difference), and the R23 singlecore test shows 1326 versus 1323 (also 0.2%). The R15 multicore test is nearly identical at 946 versus 944.

The AMD processor’s most significant wins come in data-centric workloads. It crushes the Intel chip in data compression with a score of 149609 versus 126436, a 15.5% advantage. Data encryption shows a 17% lead (9133 vs 7583), and extended instructions yield a 25.3% margin (9923 vs 7413). Random string sorting also favors AMD, with a 11% edge (15760 vs 14028). These results suggest that the Ryzen 3 4100’s Zen 2 architecture handles memory bandwidth and data manipulation tasks with greater efficiency, a hypothesis supported by its explicit 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth figure versus the Intel part’s unspecified bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1315U is the clear choice for workloads that depend on raw single-thread speed and mathematical throughput. The 33.5% lead in PassMark single thread performance and the 41.2% advantage in floating point math indicate superiority in tasks like legacy spreadsheet calculations, basic image processing, and any application that relies on a single fast core. The 25.4% physics score advantage further positions this chip for simulation workloads that are not heavily multi-threaded. The 78.3% victory in prime number finding suggests that number-theoretic computations, often used in cryptography and certain scientific algorithms, run significantly faster on the Intel architecture.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 dominates in data movement and encryption scenarios. The 17% lead in data encryption makes it preferable for tasks involving file encryption, VPN processing, or secure data handling. The 15.5% advantage in data compression is directly relevant for archiving software, database operations, and file transfer utilities. The 25.3% edge in extended instructions indicates that AMD’s implementation of SSE/AVX instructions is more efficient for certain vectorized operations. The 11% win in random string sorting points to better cache and memory subsystem performance for non-sequential data access patterns.

Notably, the Cinebench results show that multi-core rendering performance is essentially a tie, with the AMD part winning by only 0.2% in R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. This is remarkable given that the Intel chip has 6 cores and 8 threads versus the AMD’s 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel processor also wins the PassMark multithread test by 3.9%, suggesting that its 10 MB of shared L3 cache and higher boost clock compensate for the core count disadvantage in some multi-threaded workloads, though not in Cinebench’s specific rendering algorithm.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these processors is stark. The Intel Core i3-1315U is built on Intel’s 10 nm process and uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename. It features 6 cores and 8 threads, a configuration that implies a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, though the fact pack does not explicitly label them as such. Its base clock is a low 1200 MHz, but it boosts aggressively to 4.50 GHz, which explains its single-thread dominance. The chip uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, totaling 10 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and its integrated UHD Graphics 64EU provides a significant advantage for systems without a discrete GPU.

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100, in contrast, is a desktop part built on TSMC’s 7 nm process using the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is smaller per core: 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, with 8 MB of shared L3. The chip is fabricated from 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, whereas the Intel part does not disclose transistor count or die size. The AMD processor supports only DDR4 memory, but its memory bandwidth is explicitly specified at 51.2 GB/s. It has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and is designated for the mobile segment, while the AMD part uses the AM4 socket for desktops. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Intel chip does not. The Intel processor also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the AMD chip is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U is significantly ahead, scoring 3380 in the PassMark single thread test versus 2531 for the AMD Ryzen 3 4100, a 33.5% advantage.

Q: Is there a meaningful difference in multi-core rendering performance?

A: No. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 scores 9394 and the Intel Core i3-1315U scores 9374, a difference of just 0.2%. The R15 and R20 multicore tests show similarly negligible margins.

Q: Which CPU is better for data compression tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is clearly superior, scoring 149609 in PassMark data compression versus 126436 for the Intel chip, a 15.5% lead.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-1315U includes UHD Graphics 64EU, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What is the difference in process technology?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i3-1315U uses a 10 nm process from Intel’s own foundry.

Q: Can the AMD processor be overclocked?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i3-1315U does not.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split recommendation based on use case. For users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness, mathematical computation, and integrated graphics capability, the Intel Core i3-1315U is the data-backed choice. Its 33.5% single-thread lead and 41.2% floating point advantage are decisive, and the inclusion of UHD Graphics 64EU makes it a self-contained solution for basic systems. The 78.3% margin in prime number finding further cements its superiority for number-crunching tasks.

For workloads centered on data manipulation, encryption, and compression, the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is the clear winner. Its 17% encryption lead, 15.5% compression advantage, and 25.3% extended instructions margin demonstrate a more efficient memory subsystem and instruction pipeline for these tasks. The unlocked multiplier also offers flexibility for enthusiasts willing to accept the lack of integrated graphics and the higher 65W TDP versus the Intel part’s 15W TDP.

The Cinebench results indicate that for pure rendering workloads, the choice is arbitrary, as both processors perform within 0.2% of each other. The Intel processor’s higher core count is offset by the AMD part’s superior per-core efficiency in that specific benchmark. Ultimately, the Intel Core i3-1315U suits mobile users needing versatility and single-thread speed, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 serves desktop builders focused on data-centric applications and overclocking. The benchmark data offers no universal victor, only distinct strengths for distinct purposes.