AMD Ryzen 5 4600H vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H and Intel Core 3 100U represent two very different philosophies for mobile computing, yet their average benchmark scores land them in the same performance tier. The AMD part, a 2020-era 45W Zen 2 design, focuses on raw multi-threaded throughput, while the Intel part, a 2024-era 15W Raptor Lake-U chip, emphasizes single-core speed and efficiency. The data shows a near-total split: AMD wins 8 of 15 head-to-head tests, Intel wins 7, and the overall average benchmark score difference is a razor-thin 1.2% in AMD's favor (16341 vs 16148). This is not a clear generational victory for the newer chip; it is a trade-off between two distinct performance profiles.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 16341, compared to the Intel Core 3 100U's 16148. This places the AMD part 1.2% ahead in overall average score, though both sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How significant is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U is decisively faster in single-threaded workloads. It leads by 31% in PassMark single-thread tests (3506 vs 2418) and by 23.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1499 vs 1142.5). The boost clock difference (4.70 GHz vs 4.00 GHz) supports this advantage.

Q: Does the AMD chip win in multi-threaded workloads?

A: Yes, but the results are mixed. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 33.2% (1425 vs 1070) and PassMark multi-thread by 13.6% (14228 vs 12522). However, the Intel Core 3 100U wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 24% (10624 vs 8072), showing the newer Intel chip can outperform in certain multi-threaded rendering tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both CPUs have 6 physical cores. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H supports 12 threads via SMT, while the Intel Core 3 100U supports 8 threads. This 4-thread advantage helps AMD in heavily parallelized tasks.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has a TDP of 45W, while the Intel Core 3 100U has a TDP of 15W. Despite the lower TDP, the Intel chip delivers comparable or better performance in single-threaded and some multi-threaded tests.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H features Radeon RX Vega 6, while the Intel Core 3 100U features UHD Graphics 64EU. The benchmark data does not include a direct GPU comparison, so the relative graphics performance cannot be determined from the provided facts.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is built on TSMC's 7 nm process using the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir. It is a 4000-series mobile part with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. The Intel Core 3 100U uses Intel's 10 nm process with the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-U. The Intel chip is smaller and newer, but the fact pack does not list its die size or transistor count.

The cache hierarchy differs significantly. The AMD chip allocates 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip uses 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 10 MB of shared L3. This gives Intel a larger total cache footprint, which supports its higher single-thread performance.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H supports only DDR4 memory with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 100U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access, though its memory bandwidth is not listed. Additionally, the Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP6, while Intel uses BGA 1744. The release dates are far apart, with the AMD part launching on 2020-01-05 and the Intel part on 2024-01-07. The Intel Core 3 100U has a launch MSRP of $426, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H dominates in integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. Its largest win is in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 12942 against Intel's 7894, a 63.9% advantage. It also crushes Intel in data encryption (12217 vs 8128, +50.3%) and data compression (202030 vs 136497, +48%). These are substantial, double-digit margins that highlight AMD's strength in general-purpose compute.

The AMD chip also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 1425 versus 1070, a 33.2% lead. Its PassMark integer math score of 45698 beats Intel's 39580 by 15.5%. The AMD part leads in random string sorting by 42.8% (21689 vs 15191) and in PassMark multi-thread by 13.6% (14228 vs 12522). Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to AMD, with a 17.3% margin (176 vs 150).

The Intel Core 3 100U strikes back hard in single-threaded and floating-point tests. Its biggest win is PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3506 against AMD's 2418, a 31% advantage. The same margin appears in the duplicate PassMark singlethread test. Intel also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 23.8% (1499 vs 1142.5) and Cinebench R23 multi-core by 24% (10624 vs 8072).

In PassMark physics, Intel leads by 28.2% (876 vs 629), and in floating-point math it edges out AMD by 5% (28322 vs 26909). The Intel chip also wins PassMark find prime numbers by a wide margin: 52 vs 28, a 46.2% difference. These wins show Intel's newer architecture is far more efficient per clock and per watt, though it cannot match AMD's raw multi-threaded grunt in older benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is the choice for users who prioritize multi-threaded throughput and data-heavy workloads. Its wins in encryption, compression, extended instructions, and multi-thread tests are decisive, often exceeding 40% margins. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result reinforces this, with AMD leading by 33.2%.

The Intel Core 3 100U is the choice for users who prioritize single-thread speed and modern rendering performance. Its 31% lead in PassMark single-thread and 23.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core are substantial. More importantly, the Intel chip wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 24%, suggesting its newer architecture handles the latest rendering workloads better despite fewer threads and a 30W lower TDP.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with AMD just 1.2% ahead. This means neither CPU is a clear overall winner. The decision hinges on workload: AMD for legacy multi-threaded and data-integer tasks, Intel for single-thread and modern Cinebench workloads. The Intel chip also offers DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 4, and a lower TDP, making it more suitable for thin-and-light systems, while the AMD chip's 45W TDP suggests it belongs in larger, performance-oriented laptops.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 100U has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The TDP difference is stark: 45W for AMD versus 15W for Intel.

The process node differs: AMD uses 7 nm (TSMC), Intel uses 10 nm (Intel). The AMD chip has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die; Intel's transistor count and die size are not listed. Cache sizes differ, with Intel having larger per-core L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (1.25 MB vs 512 KB), plus more shared L3 (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Memory support diverges: AMD only supports DDR4, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but AMD lists a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s while Intel does not. PCIe support also differs: AMD uses Gen 3, Intel uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon RX Vega 6, Intel has UHD Graphics 64EU.

The release dates are far apart: 2020-01-05 for AMD, 2024-01-07 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426, while the AMD part has none listed. Both are active production parts, both use BGA-style sockets (FP6 for AMD, BGA 1744 for Intel), and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H wins in 8 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks. These wins cluster around data processing and integer math. It is the better choice for tasks like encryption, compression, random string sorting, and extended instruction workloads, where its margins range from 15.5% to 63.9%. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core, plus PassMark multi-thread, making it a solid pick for older multi-threaded applications and general productivity.

The Intel Core 3 100U wins 7 benchmarks, focused on single-thread speed and modern rendering. It is the better choice for applications that rely on high clock speeds and per-core efficiency, such as web browsing, office work, and lightly threaded software. Its wins in PassMark physics and floating-point math suggest it handles simulation and scientific workloads well. The Cinebench R23 victories, both single and multi-core, indicate it is the better option for the latest video rendering and 3D modeling tools.

The tie in overall wins (8-7) reflects a genuine performance split. Users who run legacy multi-threaded benchmarks or data-crunching tools should favor AMD. Users who run modern rendering workloads or value single-thread responsiveness should favor Intel. The Intel chip's lower TDP (15W vs 45W) also makes it more appropriate for portable devices, but the data does not include battery life or thermal tests, so that advantage is inferred from the TDP specification alone.