AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Celeron N5100 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and Intel Celeron N5100 are both low-power mobile processors, but they occupy different performance tiers despite their similar aggregate benchmark scores. The Ryzen 7 3700U, a Zen+ based part, delivers significantly higher multi-threaded performance, while the Celeron N5100 offers a more modern 10nm process and a much lower thermal design point. This analysis compares their specifications and benchmark results to clarify where each processor excels.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is dramatically faster. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, it scores 672 points compared to the Celeron N5100's 282 points, a 138.3% advantage.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U has a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.80 GHz on the Celeron. However, the Celeron N5100 scores 396 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Ryzen 7 3700U has no single-core score listed for that specific test, making a direct comparison in that benchmark impossible.

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

A: Both have 4 physical cores. The Ryzen 7 3700U supports 8 threads via Simultaneous Multi-Threading, while the Celeron N5100 has only 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a more advanced manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Celeron N5100 is built on a 10 nm process, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U uses a 12 nm process. The Intel chip also has a smaller die size at 63.8 mm² compared to 210 mm².

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Intel Celeron N5100 has a significantly lower TDP of 6 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the Celeron more energy-efficient in terms of raw power draw.

Q: Which processor has a higher aggregate benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U has an average benchmark score of 968, which is just barely ahead of the Celeron N5100's 966. The performance difference is only 0.2%, placing them in the same percentile (26th) of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is based on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, and is part of AMD's 3000 series. It is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 12 nm process, with a transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm². In contrast, the Intel Celeron N5100 uses the Tremont architecture, codenamed Jasper Lake, which is built on Intel's 10 nm process. The die size is significantly smaller at 63.8 mm², and Intel does not list a transistor count for this chip.

The cache configurations also differ. The Ryzen 7 3700U features a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 512 KB, along with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The Celeron N5100 has a smaller L1 cache at 64 KB per core but uses a shared 1.5 MB L2 cache and also has a 4 MB shared L3 cache. This difference in cache hierarchy reflects their different design philosophies: the Ryzen chip is built for higher performance per core, while the Celeron is optimized for efficiency and lower power consumption.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 7 3700U includes Radeon Vega 10 graphics, while the Celeron N5100 has Intel UHD Graphics with 24 execution units. Both support DDR4 memory, but the Celeron also supports LPDDR4 and has a listed memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, a figure not provided for the AMD part. The Ryzen 7 3700U uses the AMD Socket FP5, whereas the Celeron N5100 uses Intel BGA 1338. Both are mobile processors with PCIe Gen 3 support, though the Celeron's PCIe support is limited to 8 lanes for the CPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct head-to-head benchmark available is Cinebench R15 multi-core, and the results are lopsided. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672 points, while the Intel Celeron N5100 manages only 282 points. This gives the AMD processor a 138.3% advantage in this multi-threaded rendering test. The Ryzen 7 3700U's superior thread count (8 vs 4) and higher boost clock (4.00 GHz vs 2.80 GHz) are the primary drivers of this massive performance gap.

However, the benchmark picture is incomplete. The Celeron N5100 has results for Cinebench R20 and R23, while the Ryzen 7 3700U does not. In Cinebench R20, the Celeron scores 1179 multi-core and 166 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 2809 multi-core and 396 single-core. The Ryzen 7 3700U, on the other hand, has results for Cinebench R15 single-core (139) and Geekbench (2377 multi-core, 682 single-core), which the Celeron lacks. While direct comparisons are limited, the overall average benchmark scores show these processors are nearly identical: 968 for the Ryzen 7 3700U and 966 for the Celeron N5100, a difference of just 0.2%.

The nearest rivals list for each chip confirms their close overall standing. The Ryzen 7 3700U's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-2400S with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Xeon X5570 at 0.1%, the Celeron N5100 at 0.2%, and the AMD PRO A8-9600 at -0.3%. The Celeron N5100's list shows the Xeon X5570 at -0.1%, the Ryzen 7 3700U and Core i5-2400S both at -0.2%, and the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T at 0.3%. The data suggests that while the Ryzen 7 3700U has a decisive win in one specific heavy multi-threaded benchmark, the Celeron N5100's performance across other tests is enough to keep it competitive in the aggregate.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The most critical distinction is in thread count: the Ryzen 7 3700U has 8 threads, while the Celeron N5100 has 4. Base clocks are also widely different, with the Ryzen 7 3700U running at 2.30 GHz and the Celeron N5100 at a much lower 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz). Boost clocks show a similar gap: 4.00 GHz for the AMD part versus 2.80 GHz for the Intel part.

The thermal design power is another key differentiator. The Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Celeron N5100 is rated at just 6 watts, making it significantly more power-efficient. The manufacturing process differs as well, with the Ryzen 7 3700U on 12 nm and the Celeron N5100 on 10 nm. The die size is drastically different, with the AMD chip at 210 mm² and the Intel chip at just 63.8 mm². The transistor count is only listed for the AMD chip (4,940 million).

Cache layouts are also distinct. While both have a 4 MB shared L3 cache, the L1 and L2 caches differ. The Ryzen 7 3700U has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Celeron N5100 has 64 KB of L1 per core and a shared 1.5 MB L2 cache. The integrated graphics are different (Radeon Vega 10 vs UHD Graphics 24EU), and they use different sockets (AMD Socket FP5 vs Intel BGA 1338). The Celeron N5100 also supports LPDDR4 memory in addition to DDR4 and has a listed memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. Finally, the production status differs: the Ryzen 7 3700U is listed as "Active," while the Celeron N5100 is "End-of-life."

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is the clear winner in scenarios that demand high multi-threaded throughput. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 672 versus 282 for the Celeron N5100 makes it the superior choice for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that can take advantage of its 8 threads. The 138.3% performance lead in this test is decisive. Additionally, the Ryzen 7 3700U's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz gives it an edge in lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core's peak speed, although its single-core score in Cinebench R15 (139) is the only data point available for comparison.

The Intel Celeron N5100 wins on efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 6-watt TDP is less than half of the Ryzen 7 3700U's 15-watt TDP, making it ideal for fanless designs, ultra-portable laptops, or always-on devices where power draw and heat generation are critical constraints. The 10 nm process and smaller die size also suggest a more modern and compact implementation. While its multi-core performance is far behind, the Celeron N5100's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2809 and single-core score of 396 indicate it handles basic productivity, web browsing, and office tasks adequately, especially given its low power requirements.

In terms of overall performance parity, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical (968 vs 966), meaning that for general, mixed-use workloads, neither chip has a significant advantage in the aggregate. The Ryzen 7 3700U is for users who need occasional bursts of heavy computational power, while the Celeron N5100 is for those who prioritize battery life, low heat, and passive cooling over raw speed. The Ryzen 7 3700U also remains an active product, whereas the Celeron N5100 is end-of-life, which may be a consideration for long-term availability.