AMD Ryzen 3 8440U vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 3 100U takes 5. The overall average benchmark scores are close: 16663 for the AMD part versus 16148 for Intel, a gap of roughly 3.2%. Both chips sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database, but the distribution of wins tells a more interesting story.

The Cinebench suite is a uniform victory for AMD. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 3 8440U leads by margins between 2.4% and 2.7%. The multicore results show 1097 versus 1070 in R15, 4571 versus 4462 in R20, and 10884 versus 10624 in R23. Single-core results follow the same pattern: 154 versus 150 in R15, 645 versus 629 in R20, and 1536 versus 1499 in R23. These are consistent, narrow wins that point to a small but reliable advantage in both lightly threaded and fully loaded rendering workloads.

PassMark results reveal where each chip pulls ahead more decisively. The largest AMD win is in extended instructions, where the Ryzen 3 8440U scores 11059 against 7894 for the Core 3 100U, a 40.1% advantage. That is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison. AMD also wins data compression by 7.2% (146273 versus 136497) and random string sorting by 16.7% (17725 versus 15191). In the PassMark multithread test, AMD leads 12805 to 12522, a 2.3% margin. The single-thread test shows AMD ahead by 4.1%, scoring 3648 versus 3506.

Intel fights back in specific math-heavy workloads. The Core 3 100U wins floating point math with 28322 against 23017, an 18.7% margin. Physics shows the largest Intel edge at 21.8%, with 876 versus 685. Integer math goes Intel's way by 5.3% (39580 versus 37468), and prime number finding favors Intel by 17.3% (52 versus 43). Data encryption is nearly even, with Intel ahead by just 1.4% (8128 versus 8012).

What these numbers suggest is that the Ryzen 3 8440U has a broad, general-purpose advantage, especially in compression, sorting, and extended instruction workloads, while the Core 3 100U excels in pure arithmetic and physics simulation. The Cinebench results reinforce AMD's lead in rendering tasks, where every iteration of the test shows the same 2.4% to 2.7% margin.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U records an average benchmark score of 16663, while the Intel Core 3 100U averages 16148. Both are at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How large is the AMD lead in extended instruction workloads?

A: The Ryzen 3 8440U scores 11059 in the PassMark extended instructions test, which is 40.1% higher than the Core 3 100U's 7894. This is the largest performance gap between the two chips.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 3 100U outperform the AMD part?

A: Intel wins in five tests: data encryption (8128 versus 8012), prime number finding (52 versus 43), floating point math (28322 versus 23017), integer math (39580 versus 37468), and physics (876 versus 685). The physics margin is the largest at 21.8%.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 results for both processors?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U scores 10884 against 10624 for the Core 3 100U. In single-core, AMD scores 1536 versus 1499. Both deltas are 2.4% and 2.5% respectively.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U nor the Intel Core 3 100U supports ECC memory according to the recorded specifications.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core 3 100U?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has a launch MSRP of $426. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 100U is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, using a 10 nm process at Intel. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the AMD part manages to keep pace or pull ahead in most tests, which reflects the efficiency of the Zen 4 design and the higher base clock. The AMD base clock is 3.00 GHz, while Intel's base clock is only 1.20 GHz. Both chips boost to 4.70 GHz, so the peak single-thread ceiling is identical, but the AMD part starts from a much higher baseline.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 10 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has more total cache, which may contribute to its wins in integer and floating point math, where working sets can stay resident in L3.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U supports DDR5 only, on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 100U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for it. The AMD part draws its power from a 28 W TDP, while the Intel part is rated at 15 W, which may matter for sustained workloads in thin chassis.

PCIe connectivity also separates the two. AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 740M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 64EU. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP7, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specification fields. Core count: AMD has 4 cores, Intel has 6. Thread count is identical at 8. Base clock: AMD runs at 3.00 GHz, Intel at 1.20 GHz. Boost clock is the same for both at 4.70 GHz. TDP: AMD is 28 W, Intel is 15 W. Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FP7, Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. Architecture: AMD uses Zen 4, Intel uses Raptor Lake. Codename: Hawk Point versus Raptor Lake-U. Process node: 4 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Foundry: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel.

Transistors and die size are recorded only for AMD: 20,900 million transistors and 137 mm². No figures exist for Intel in the database. Cache sizes differ across all levels: L1 is 64 KB per core on AMD versus 80 KB per core on Intel; L2 is 1 MB per core on AMD versus 1.25 MB per core on Intel; L3 is 8 MB shared on AMD versus 10 MB shared on Intel. Memory support: AMD lists DDR5 only, Intel lists DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 89.6 GB/s. PCIe: AMD has Gen 4 with 14 lanes, Intel has Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 740M versus UHD Graphics 64EU. Release dates differ: AMD launched on 2023-12-05, Intel on 2024-01-07. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426; AMD has none recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the better choice for general productivity and rendering workloads. It wins every Cinebench test, which makes it the stronger option for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other workloads that scale with Cinebench performance. The 40.1% lead in extended instructions suggests a clear advantage in workloads that use modern instruction sets, including AVX and related extensions. Data compression and random string sorting also favor AMD, with margins of 7.2% and 16.7% respectively. These are common operations in file archiving, database workloads, and text processing. The 4.1% single-thread lead in PassMark reinforces AMD's edge in everyday responsiveness.

The Intel Core 3 100U is the better choice for math-heavy and simulation workloads. The 21.8% lead in physics and the 18.7% lead in floating point math point to advantages in scientific computing, physics simulation, and financial modeling. The 5.3% win in integer math and the 17.3% win in prime number finding suggest strength in cryptography, hashing, and other integer-bound tasks. The narrow 1.4% win in data encryption is small, but it is still a win. The lower 15 W TDP also makes Intel the more power-efficient option on paper, though no power consumption measurements are recorded in the database.

The Verdict

The data supports a nuanced conclusion. If the workload is rendering, compression, sorting, or general single-threaded responsiveness, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the stronger processor. Its consistent wins across all Cinebench versions and its decisive lead in extended instructions make it the default recommendation for users who value broad application performance. The 4.1% single-thread lead and the 2.3% multithread lead in PassMark further solidify its position.

If the workload is arithmetic-heavy, involving floating point math, physics simulation, or integer operations, the Intel Core 3 100U has the edge. Its 21.8% physics lead and 18.7% floating point lead are substantial and would be felt in real-world simulation tasks. The larger 10 MB L3 cache and the higher per-core L1 and L2 allocations likely contribute to these wins. The lower 15 W TDP also makes it a candidate for power-constrained designs.

Both processors occupy the 70th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are within 3.2% of each other. The AMD part wins 12 of 17 comparisons, but the Intel part wins the specific workloads where it matters most. Buyers should match the chip to the workload. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U for broad everyday performance and rendering, the Intel Core 3 100U for math-heavy simulation and arithmetic tasks. The recorded data does not point to a single universal winner, but it does point to clear strengths for each side.