AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U vs Intel Core 3 100HL Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U and Intel Core 3 100HL are closely matched processors, with the AMD part taking the overall average benchmark score by a margin of 0.7%. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U records an average benchmark score of 23709, while the Intel Core 3 100HL scores 23545. Both chips sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The head-to-head data shows the AMD processor winning 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons, though the Intel part claims victory in a few specific workloads that reveal distinct strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive AMD victories come in the PassMark extended instructions and prime number tests. In extended instructions, the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U scores 15410 against the Intel Core 3 100HL’s 12463, a 23.6% advantage. The prime number test is even more lopsided in relative terms, with AMD scoring 66 versus Intel’s 48, a 37.5% lead. These results point to a substantial advantage in encryption and specialized instruction throughput for the AMD chip.

Across the Cinebench suite, the AMD processor holds a consistent 3.4% lead in every test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U scores 15456 versus 14948 for the Intel part. Single-core R23 shows 2182 against 2110, again a 3.4% edge. The pattern repeats in R20 and R15, where the AMD chip wins both multi-core and single-core by the same 3.4% margin. This uniformity suggests a clock-speed or architectural efficiency advantage that applies broadly across rendering workloads.

The PassMark multi-thread test shows the AMD processor ahead by 3.6%, scoring 18218 versus 17586. Physics simulation also favors AMD, with a 5.9% lead (983 versus 928). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 6.8% (24797 versus 23223). Data compression is closer, with AMD winning 205703 against 202225, a 1.7% margin. Data encryption shows a 3% AMD advantage (12319 versus 11964). Integer math is nearly a tie, with AMD at 56738 and Intel at 56308, a 0.8% difference.

The Intel Core 3 100HL wins three tests. Floating point math is its strongest showing, scoring 42108 against AMD’s 34865, a 17.2% advantage. The Intel part also wins both PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3735 against 3563, a 4.6% lead. These wins indicate that the Intel chip has a measurable edge in floating-point throughput and in certain single-threaded workloads, even though it loses the Cinebench single-core tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, and general productivity. Its consistent 3.4% lead across all four Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) makes it the better pick for 3D rendering and video encoding workloads that rely on those benchmarks. The 37.5% advantage in prime number finding and 23.6% lead in extended instructions suggest superiority in cryptographic hashing, scientific computing, and other instruction-heavy tasks. The 5.9% physics win and 6.8% random string sorting advantage further support its case for simulation and data-processing applications.

The Intel Core 3 100HL is the better option for floating-point mathematics. Its 17.2% advantage in that test is the largest margin of any benchmark in this comparison, indicating a clear specialization for scientific calculations, financial modeling, and other FPU-heavy workloads. The Intel chip also wins the PassMark single-thread test by 4.6%, which may translate to better responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications that depend on raw single-core speed, even though the Cinebench single-core results favor AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the Hawk Point codename. It integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 100HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture on Intel’s 10 nm process, with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. Intel does not disclose transistor count or die size for this part.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel part has more per-core cache but less total last-level cache. The AMD processor supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. Memory support also differs: AMD uses DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a memory bandwidth rating of 89.6 GB/s; Intel does not list a bandwidth figure.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U with the Radeon 740M, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units. The AMD chip is built for mobile platforms on AMD Socket FP7, whereas the Intel chip is a desktop part on Socket 1700. Both have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts present an interesting contrast. The Intel Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the AMD chip wins the majority of multi-threaded benchmarks, which indicates higher per-core efficiency.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel part has a much lower base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. The AMD chip also carries a lower TDP of 28 watts against Intel’s 45 watts, meaning it delivers better performance while drawing less power according to the specification sheets.

PCIe lane support differs. AMD provides 14 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides 8 Gen 4 lanes. This gives the AMD platform more bandwidth for expansion devices. The market segment also differs, with AMD targeting mobile and Intel targeting desktop. Release dates are close, with AMD launching on April 15, 2024, and Intel on April 7, 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 100HL boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL has 8 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: Which chip is better for Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U scores 15456 versus 14948 for the Intel Core 3 100HL, a 3.4% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel part have any benchmark wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 100HL wins floating point math by 17.2% and PassMark single-thread by 4.6%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U supports ECC memory; the Intel Core 3 100HL does not.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each?

A: The AMD chip has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U as the faster processor overall. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a 0.7% lead in average benchmark score. Its advantages in Cinebench multi-core (3.4%), extended instructions (23.6%), and prime number finding (37.5%) make it the clear choice for rendering, encryption, and scientific workloads. The lower TDP of 28 watts versus 45 watts adds an efficiency benefit, and the 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes offer more expansion headroom.

The Intel Core 3 100HL is not without merit. Its 17.2% win in floating point math is the largest margin in the entire comparison, making it the pick for FPU-heavy applications like certain simulations or financial calculations. The 4.6% PassMark single-thread win suggests it may feel snappier in some single-threaded desktop tasks, even though Cinebench single-core favors AMD. Its 8 physical cores and 2 MB L2 per core may also appeal to users who value those specifications on paper.

For buyers choosing between these two, the benchmark data favors AMD for the vast majority of workloads. The Intel part is a specialized alternative for floating-point-centric use cases. Given the AMD chip’s broader wins, lower power draw, and ECC support, the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is the more versatile processor according to the available numbers.