AMD Ryzen 3 5125C vs Intel Core i3-9100F Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100F and AMD Ryzen 3 5125C occupy nearly the same spot in the aggregate performance hierarchy, separated by a 0.1% delta in average benchmark score. Despite this statistical tie, the two processors are engineered for entirely different environments, with the data revealing a clear split between raw computational throughput and power-constrained mobile operation. The Intel part is a desktop Coffee Lake quad-core, while the AMD part is a mobile Zen 3 dual-core with integrated graphics, and their benchmark results reflect these divergent design goals.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-9100F wins every benchmark category for which data exists in this comparison. In the Geekbench multicore test, the i3-9100F scores 3962 against the Ryzen 3 5125C’s 2566, a 54.4% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is closer but still favors Intel, with the i3-9100F posting 1378 versus 1237 for the Ryzen, an 11.4% lead. The wins tally is 2-0 in favor of Intel across the head-to-head benchmarks provided.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C does not win a single benchmark in this dataset. However, its competitive positioning comes from its efficiency and feature set rather than raw speed. The Ryzen operates at a 15W TDP, compared to the Intel’s 65W, and includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, whereas the i3-9100F has no integrated graphics listed. The Ryzen also supports 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, half the Intel’s 16, and offers a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.

For use-case analysis, the data suggests the Intel part wins for any workload where Geekbench scores correlate with performance — both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks. The Ryzen’s domain is not represented in the benchmarks; it would be chosen for compact, low-power systems or where integrated graphics are required, despite its lower benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The Intel Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry, with a die size of 126 mm². It packs 4 cores and 4 threads, running at a 3.60 GHz base clock with a 4.20 GHz boost. Cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C is built on the Zen 3 architecture, specifically the Cezanne-U codename, using a 7 nm process from TSMC. The die size is larger at 180 mm², and the transistor count is listed at 10,700 million, though no transistor figure is provided for the Intel part. The Ryzen has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a 3.00 GHz base clock and no boost clock listed. Its cache includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core (double Intel’s per-core L2), and 8 MB shared L3 (2 MB more than Intel’s).

Memory support differs in bandwidth: the Ryzen offers 51.2 GB/s dual-channel DDR4, while Intel manages 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics; Intel has none. ECC memory support is present on the Intel but absent on the AMD. The Ryzen’s socket is AMD Socket FP6 (mobile), while Intel uses Socket 1151 (desktop). The Ryzen is a 15W part; Intel is 65W. The Intel chip is marked end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Geekbench multicore test delivers the largest margin in this matchup. Intel scores 3962, AMD scores 2566, yielding a 54.4% delta in Intel’s favor. This is a dominant result, roughly reflecting the Intel’s doubling of physical cores (4 vs 2). The Ryzen’s 4 threads cannot compensate for the core deficit in this multi-threaded workload.

The Geekbench singlecore test narrows the gap considerably. Intel leads with 1378 against AMD’s 1237, an 11.4% advantage. This is a notable result given the Ryzen’s newer Zen 3 architecture and 7 nm process. The Intel’s higher 3.60 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost likely contribute to this win, but the margin is modest compared to the multicore blowout.

For context, both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1903 for Intel and 1902 for AMD. The nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3, scores 1907, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE scores 1910. These figures reinforce that the two chips are statistical peers in aggregate, even though the individual Geekbench results show a clear Intel advantage in the tests available.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100F scores 3962 in Geekbench multicore, which is 54.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C’s 2566.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C outperforms the Intel Core i3-9100F?

A: In the provided head-to-head data, the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C wins 0 of 2 benchmarks. The Intel Core i3-9100F wins both the Geekbench multicore and singlecore tests.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100F has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100F has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i3-9100F has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C supports 51.2 GB/s dual-channel DDR4, while the Intel Core i3-9100F supports 38.4 GB/s dual-channel DDR4.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for performance: the Intel Core i3-9100F is the faster processor in both multi-core and single-core Geekbench tests. Its 54.4% multicore lead and 11.4% single-core lead make it the pick for anyone prioritizing raw compute in these workloads. The Intel also offers ECC memory support, 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5125C is not competitive on raw benchmark scores, but it is not designed to be. Its 15W TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, and 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth target a different class of system — thin-and-light laptops or low-power embedded devices. The Ryzen’s 7 nm process and larger 8 MB L3 cache indicate architectural efficiency, but this does not translate into benchmark wins in this dataset.

Choosing between them depends entirely on the platform. For a desktop build where power consumption is secondary, the Intel Core i3-9100F delivers superior performance. For a mobile or low-power application requiring integrated graphics, the AMD Ryzen 3 5125C is the only viable option, despite its lower scores. The Intel part is end-of-life; the AMD part is active production, which may influence availability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-9100F | AMD Ryzen 3 5125C |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | Not listed |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Cezanne-U |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 10,700 million |

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

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 3 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Launch MSRP | $122 | Not listed |