AMD Ryzen 3 7320U vs Intel Core i3-9100F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U and Intel Core i3-9100F are evenly matched in benchmark wins, each taking three tests, but they win in very different ways. The Ryzen 3 7320U dominates in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests, while the Intel Core i3-9100F counters with strong multi-core results in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench. The data shows a split personality: AMD’s mobile chip excels in short, lightly threaded workloads, while Intel’s desktop part pulls ahead in sustained multi-threaded and memory-sensitive tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 3 7320U scores 162.4 against the i3-9100F’s 80, a 103% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests the Zen 2 architecture delivers far superior per-thread performance in this legacy test. The Ryzen also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 790 versus 574, a 37.6% lead. That result is surprising given the i3-9100F’s higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but the AMD chip’s 8 threads versus 4 threads likely compensates in this older benchmark.

Cinebench R23 flips the script. The Intel i3-9100F scores 5697 multi-core versus the Ryzen’s 4809, a 15.6% margin. This is a notable reversal from R15, indicating that the newer R23 workload scales better with the Intel chip’s higher sustained clocks and larger 6 MB shared L3 cache. In single-core R23, however, the Ryzen 3 7320U wins again at 1095 versus 804, a 36.2% advantage, confirming that AMD’s per-core efficiency persists across Cinebench versions.

Geekbench results favor Intel overall. The i3-9100F leads multi-core at 3962 versus 3536, a 10.8% gap, and single-core at 1378 versus 1103, a 20% margin. The single-core Geekbench result is particularly telling because it contradicts the Cinebench R23 single-core outcome, suggesting the two benchmarks measure different aspects of the CPU. Geekbench likely rewards the i3-9100F’s 4.20 GHz boost clock, while Cinebench R23 may benefit from the Ryzen’s newer architecture and memory bandwidth.

Overall, the Ryzen 3 7320U wins 3 benchmarks, and the i3-9100F wins 3 benchmarks. However, the magnitude of wins is asymmetric: AMD’s largest win is 103% in R15 single-core, while Intel’s largest is only 20% in Geekbench single-core. This means the AMD part has more decisive victories, but the Intel part is more consistently ahead in modern workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U has an average benchmark score of 1916, while the Intel Core i3-9100F scores 1903, a difference of just 13 points.

Q: How do their overall percentiles compare?

A: Both CPUs sit at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall performance ranking.

Q: Which CPU is better for single-core tasks?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Ryzen 3 7320U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 103% and R23 single-core by 36.2%, but the i3-9100F wins Geekbench single-core by 20%.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100F supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U does not.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: The Ryzen 3 7320U supports LPDDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, while the i3-9100F supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i3-9100F has no integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, fabricated on a 6 nm process by TSMC. This is a mobile-focused design with a 15 W TDP, prioritizing power efficiency. The Intel Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake Refresh, on Intel’s 14 nm process with a 65 W TDP, targeting desktop performance.

The process node difference is stark: 6 nm versus 14 nm. This explains why the Ryzen 3 7320U can achieve a smaller die size of 100 mm² versus Intel’s 126 mm², despite both having 4 physical cores. The AMD chip also has more L2 cache per core at 512 KB versus Intel’s 256 KB, but Intel has more shared L3 cache at 6 MB versus AMD’s 4 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core.

Threading is a critical architectural divergence. The Ryzen 3 7320U supports 8 threads via simultaneous multithreading, while the i3-9100F is limited to 4 threads with no hyper-threading. This gives AMD a theoretical multi-threading advantage, which is visible in the Cinebench R15 multi-core win. However, Intel’s higher base and boost clocks (3.60 GHz / 4.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz / 4.10 GHz) help compensate in other workloads.

Memory architecture also differs significantly. The Ryzen 3 7320U uses LPDDR5 with dual-channel support and a bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, while the i3-9100F uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. AMD’s memory bandwidth is more than double Intel’s, which likely contributes to its strong single-core Cinebench results. The i3-9100F supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not, and uses a different PCIe configuration: 4 lanes versus 16 lanes, both Gen 3.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is market segment: the Ryzen 3 7320U is a mobile processor, while the i3-9100F is a desktop processor. This drives their TDPs, with AMD at 15 W and Intel at 65 W. The sockets differ accordingly: AMD Socket FT6 versus Intel Socket 1151.

Clock speeds are higher on the Intel part. The i3-9100F has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the Ryzen’s 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. Thread count favors AMD at 8 threads versus 4 threads, while core count is equal at 4.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. The Ryzen has 512 KB L2 per core and 4 MB shared L3, while the Intel has 256 KB L2 per core and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5 for AMD and DDR4 for Intel, with bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.

The Ryzen 3 7320U has integrated Radeon 610M graphics; the i3-9100F has none. ECC memory support is present only on the Intel chip. PCIe lanes differ: 4 lanes on AMD versus 16 lanes on Intel, both Gen 3. Production status also varies, with AMD listed as active and Intel as end-of-life. The release dates are 2022-09-19 for AMD and 2019-04-22 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $122.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U wins in legacy Cinebench R15 tests, both single-core and multi-core, with margins of 103% and 37.6% respectively. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 36.2%. These wins suggest the AMD chip is superior for older software, lightly threaded applications, and any workload that benefits from high memory bandwidth. Its LPDDR5 support and 8 threads make it a better fit for mobile multitasking and power-sensitive environments.

The Intel Core i3-9100F wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 15.6%, Geekbench multi-core by 10.8%, and Geekbench single-core by 20%. These modern workload victories indicate the Intel chip is stronger for current generation multi-threaded applications, general desktop productivity, and tasks that rely on higher clock speeds. Its larger L3 cache and ECC support also make it suitable for workstation-style use cases.

For gaming, the i3-9100F’s higher boost clock and 16 PCIe lanes provide a more capable platform for discrete GPUs, despite lacking integrated graphics. The Ryzen 3 7320U’s integrated Radeon 610M makes it a self-contained option for basic graphics needs, but its 4 PCIe lanes limit expansion. The data does not include gaming benchmarks, so these conclusions are drawn from the architectural and specification differences.

The Verdict

The benchmark data does not declare a single winner—each CPU wins exactly 3 of 6 tests, and both sit at the 43rd percentile. The choice depends on workload priority. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U is the clear choice for single-core Cinebench performance and legacy multi-threaded tests, offering massive margins in R15 and a strong R23 single-core result. Its 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 8 threads make it ideal for mobile computing, light productivity, and tasks that favor rapid data access.

The Intel Core i3-9100F is the better pick for modern multi-threaded workloads and Geekbench performance. It wins the two most contemporary tests (R23 multi-core and Geekbench multi-core) and also takes Geekbench single-core. Its higher clocks, larger L3 cache, and ECC support make it a more robust desktop option for sustained workloads, content creation, and memory-reliable computing. The end-of-life status of the Intel part, however, means it is a legacy platform, while the AMD chip remains active.

For a mobile user needing integrated graphics and power efficiency, the Ryzen 3 7320U is the data-backed recommendation. For a desktop builder prioritizing modern multi-core performance and expansion, the i3-9100F wins. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1916 versus 1903), so the final decision should hinge on which benchmark suite matches your intended use case.