AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U vs Intel Core i3-10100 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10100 and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target different market segments. The i3-10100 is a desktop part built on Intel’s Comet Lake architecture, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is a mobile processor based on AMD’s Zen (Raven Ridge) design. The benchmark data reveals a sharp split: AMD dominates in Cinebench tests, while Intel wins decisively in Geekbench. This analysis walks through those results, what they mean for real-world use, and which processor is better suited for specific tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a stark contrast between the two processors depending on the benchmark suite. In Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U outperforms the Intel Core i3-10100 across every single test. The most extreme difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD scores 5971 against Intel’s 2564. That represents a 57.1% advantage for the Ryzen part. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with AMD at 2507 and Intel at 1076, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD scores 601 versus Intel’s 258. In all three multi-core Cinebench tests, the delta is identical: the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U outperforms the i3-10100 by 57.1%. This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in how the AMD chip handles Cinebench’s rendering workload.

The single-core Cinebench results tell a more nuanced story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Core i3-10100 wins with a score of 88 versus AMD’s 84, a 4.8% lead. However, that is the only Cinebench test Intel wins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD scores 354 against Intel’s 152, a 57.1% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 843 versus Intel’s 362, again a 57.1% edge. So while Intel takes a narrow lead in the older R15 single-core test, the AMD processor is dramatically faster in the newer R20 and R23 single-core benchmarks. The consistency of the 57.1% gap in these newer tests suggests that the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has a clear efficiency advantage in this specific workload.

Geekbench flips the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i3-10100 scores 4495, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U scores 2519. That is a 78.4% lead for Intel, the largest margin in any head-to-head test. In Geekbench single-core, Intel scores 1350 versus AMD’s 843, a 60.1% advantage. These are massive differences. The Geekbench suite often emphasizes memory latency, integer operations, and certain cryptographic workloads, and the Intel Comet Lake architecture clearly excels in these areas. The i3-10100’s higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz, compared to AMD’s 2.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, likely play a role in this performance delta, though the data does not specify exactly which factor matters most.

Looking at the overall win count, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U wins 5 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i3-10100 wins 3. However, the magnitude of those wins matters. Intel’s Geekbench victories are massive (78.4% and 60.1%), while AMD’s Cinebench victories are consistent but slightly less extreme (57.1% in most cases). The average benchmark score still places Intel ahead: the i3-10100 has an average score of 1742, and the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has an average score of 1715. The Intel’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U (matching at 1742), the Intel Core i5-6600 at 1744 (0.1% ahead), and the Intel Core i3-1315UE at 1739 (0.2% behind). The AMD’s nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-4910MQ at 1716, the Intel Core i7-990X at 1713, and the Intel Core i7-4860HQ at 1720. Both processors sit at the 41st percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are in the same overall performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates a clear use-case split. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is the dominant choice for Cinebench workloads. Cinebench is a standard benchmark for 3D rendering, ray tracing, and other multithreaded content-creation tasks using the Cinema 4D engine. The AMD’s 57.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the same lead in R20 multi-core, means that any workload that scales well across cores and uses rendering or physics simulation will heavily favor the AMD. The 4 MB shared L3 cache on the AMD may help in these scenarios, though the Intel has a larger 6 MB shared L3. The AMD’s 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, fabricated by GlobalFoundries, may contribute to its efficiency in these tests, but the data does not isolate those effects.

The Intel Core i3-10100 wins decisively in Geekbench, which covers a broader mix of everyday tasks, including machine learning, encryption, and image processing. The 78.4% lead in Geekbench multi-core and 60.1% lead in single-core is substantial. This suggests the Intel is better for general-purpose applications, such as office work, web browsing, and software development, where Geekbench’s workload mix is more representative. The Intel’s higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz, versus AMD’s 3.80 GHz, likely helps these latency-sensitive tasks. The Intel’s memory bandwidth is also higher at 42.7 GB/s versus AMD’s 38.4 GB/s, which could contribute to the Geekbench results.

In terms of single-threaded performance specifically, the Intel wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test (88 vs 84, a 4.8% lead) and the Geekbench single-core test (1350 vs 843, a 60.1% lead). The AMD, however, wins the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. This inconsistency is crucial. If a user relies on older single-threaded benchmarks, the Intel looks better. If they use the current Cinebench versions, the AMD is far ahead. The data suggests that the AMD’s Zen architecture handles the newer instruction sets or memory patterns in Cinebench much better, while the Intel’s Comet Lake is superior for other single-threaded tasks.

From a power perspective, the AMD has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel has a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD is a mobile processor (Socket FP5), and the Intel is a desktop processor (Socket LGA1200). This means the AMD is designed for laptops and other low-power devices, while the Intel is meant for desktop systems. The AMD’s much lower TDP is reflected in its lower clock speeds, but the benchmark data shows it does not sacrifice performance in Cinebench. The Intel’s higher TDP allows for higher sustained clocks, which helps in Geekbench.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload. If the primary use case is rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that resembles Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is the superior choice. Its 57.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and R20 multi-core is a massive margin. It also leads in the newer single-core Cinebench tests, making it a more future-proof choice for those who use the latest Cinebench versions. The AMD’s 15 W TDP also means it can be deployed in thin, power-constrained devices without needing a large thermal solution.

If the primary use case is general-purpose computing, including office work, web browsing, running virtual machines, or any application that uses Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i3-10100 is the better pick. Its 78.4% lead in Geekbench multi-core and 60.1% lead in single-core are decisive. The Intel also has higher memory bandwidth (42.7 vs 38.4 GB/s) and a larger L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), which may benefit larger data sets. The Intel’s 65W TDP is fine for a desktop, where a capable air cooler is standard.

For a mixed workload, the final decision depends on the specific software. The data shows no single winner across all categories. The Intel wins 3 benchmarks, the AMD wins 5. However, the Intel’s wins in Geekbench are by larger margins than AMD’s wins in Cinebench. In terms of average benchmark score, the Intel is slightly ahead at 1742 versus 1715, a difference of about 1.6%. This puts the Intel in a slightly higher overall tier, but the AMD’s performance in Cinebench cannot be ignored.

The production status of both is active, so both are available. The Intel is a desktop piece of 10th Gen, while the AMD is a 2000-series mobile part. The Intel’s higher TDP and desktop design makes it a better fit for stationary systems where power is not a concern. The AMD’s mobile design means it is likely already in a laptop, and its 15W TDP allows for long battery life. The Intel’s PCIe Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) is broader than AMD’s Gen 3, 8 Lanes, which matters if you plan to add multiple expansion cards.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U scores 5971, while the Intel Core i3-10100 scores 2564. The AMD leads by 57.1%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-10100 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel wins in Geekbench multi-core (4495 vs 2519, a 78.4% lead) and Geekbench single-core (1350 vs 843, a 60.1% lead). It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core (88 vs 84, a 4.8% lead).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-10100 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has a TDP of 15 watts. This reflects the Intel’s desktop and the AMD’s mobile design.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-10100 has an average benchmark score of 1742, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has an average of 1715. The Intel is about 1.6% higher, and both sit at the 41st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also both use DDR4 memory and have dual-channel memory buses, though the Intel has a higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s) than the AMD (38.4 GB/s).

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-10100 is based on the Comet Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process by Intel. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630. The Intel uses an Intel Socket 1200, and the PCIe connection is Gen 3 with 16 Lanes (CPU only). The TDP is 65 watts, and the production status is active.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is based on the Zen architecture, codename Raven Ridge, and it is also fabricated on a 14 nm process, but by GlobalFoundries. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The cache layout is different: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The processor has 4,950 million transistors on a die size of 210 mm². It uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is lower than the Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon RX Vega 10. The socket is AMD Socket FP5, and the PCIe is Gen 3 with 8 Lanes (CPU only), which is half the Intel’s lane count. The TDP is only 15 watts, reflecting its mobile design, and the production status is active.

The most striking difference is the market segment. The Intel is a desktop processor, the AMD is a mobile processor. This explains the TDP gap and the socket differences. The Intel’s larger L3 cache (6 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s) should benefit large data sets. The AMD’s larger L1 and L2 caches (96 KB and 512 KB per core) may help certain instruction sequences, but the benchmark data does not isolate that. The AMD’s die size and transistor count are specified, while the Intel’s are not. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Intel using UHD Graphics 630 and the AMD using Radeon RX Vega 10, though no graphics benchmarks are in the data.

The clock speeds are asymmetric in favor of the Intel. The Intel’s base clock is 3.60 GHz, which is 1.40 GHz higher than the AMD’s 2.20 GHz. The Intel’s boost clock is 4.30 GHz, which is 0.50 GHz higher than the AMD’s 3.80 GHz. Despite this, the AMD wins in Cinebench tests, which suggests that its Zen architecture and uncore design are more efficient for that specific workload. The Intel wins in Geekbench, which suggests its higher clocks and memory bandwidth help in other tasks. The AMD’s lower TDP (15 vs 65 watts) also means it is designed for sustained operation in a thin chassis, while the Intel is designed for a desktop with a higher power envelope. The AMD has no ECC memory support, and the Intel also has no ECC support, so they are equal in that regard.

The cache hierarchy is another differentiator. The Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with a 6 MB shared L3. The AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with a 4 MB shared L3. The AMD’s larger L1 and L2 are unusual for a mobile part, and they might help with the Cinebench results. The Intel’s larger L3 is shared across all cores, which could help in multi-threaded workloads that share data. Both support DDR4 memory, but the Intel’s memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus AMD’s 38.4 GB/s, a 11.2% difference. The PCIe lane count is also different: 16 lanes on the Intel versus 8 lanes on the AMD, which matters for expansion cards. The AMD’s transistor count of 4,950 million and die size of 210 mm² show that it is a relatively complex chip for a 15W part. The Intel does not have these details in the database.

The release dates differ as well. The Intel was released on April 29, 2020, while the AMD was released on January 7, 2019. The Intel is a newer part, but the production status is active for both. The Intel’s part number is SRH3N, and the AMD’s is YM270BC4T4MFB. Neither processor has a multiplier unlock, so overclocking is not supported. The Intel’s generation is Core i3 (Comet Lake), and the AMD’s generation is Ryzen 7 (Zen (Raven Ridge)). These architecture differences are the underlying explanation for the benchmark results. The Intel’s higher clocks and memory bandwidth win Geekbench, while the AMD’s Zen core and cache configuration win Cinebench.