AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Intel Core i3-8100 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Intel Core i3-8100 represent opposite extremes of the desktop processor market. The Threadripper is a 32-core, 64-thread workstation-class part built for massive parallel workloads, while the Core i3-8100 is a modest quad-core, four-thread chip aimed at everyday computing. The benchmark data shows a complete sweep: the Threadripper wins all eight recorded head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from a narrow 7.3% in single-core Geekbench to a staggering 634% in Cinebench R15 single-core. These results are not close. The Threadripper is in a different performance class, but the Core i3 still holds its own in specific scenarios where power efficiency and single-thread simplicity matter.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the clear choice for heavily parallel workloads. Its 32 cores and 64 threads give it an overwhelming advantage in multi-threaded rendering, content creation, and scientific computing. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 27370 against the Core i3's 3769, a 626.2% advantage. The Geekbench multi-core test shows a similar story: 11821 versus 3458, a 241.8% lead. For any task that scales across cores, from video encoding to 3D rendering, the Threadripper is the dominant processor. Its 64 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel memory support further reinforce its suitability for data-heavy professional workloads.

The Intel Core i3-8100 wins in scenarios where raw core count is less important than power consumption and integrated graphics. With a 65 W TDP compared to the Threadripper's 250 W, the Core i3 is far more efficient for light desktop use, office productivity, and basic web browsing. It also includes UHD Graphics 630, meaning it can run a display without a discrete GPU, something the Threadripper cannot do. For a small form factor or budget-oriented build where the workload is light and single-threaded, the Core i3's lower power draw and integrated graphics make it the practical choice, despite its massive performance deficit in compute-heavy tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. The Intel Core i3-8100 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The Threadripper leads in every recorded single-core benchmark. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1303 versus the Core i3's 1214, a 7.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Threadripper scores 3864 against the Core i3's 532, a 626.3% lead.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Core i3 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Does the Core i3 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-8100 includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has a larger process node?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100 uses a 14 nm process from Intel. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is listed as Active. The Intel Core i3-8100 is listed as End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test sets the tone. The Threadripper scores 2758, while the Core i3 manages only 379, a 627.7% advantage. This is the largest margin in the multi-core tests. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows the same pattern: 11495 versus 1582, a 626.6% lead. The R23 multi-core test shows 27370 against 3769, a 626.2% difference. These results are consistent across generations of the Cinebench benchmark and confirm that the Threadripper's core advantage translates directly into rendering performance.

Single-core results are more surprising. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Threadripper scores 389 versus the Core i3's 53, a 634% advantage. This is the largest single-core delta in the entire dataset. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1622 versus 223, a 627.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with 3864 versus 532, a 626.3% advantage. The pattern here is clear: the Threadripper's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the Core i3's fixed 3.60 GHz, gives it a decisive edge even when only one thread is active.

Geekbench offers a different picture. In the multi-core test, the Threadripper scores 11821 against 3458, a 241.8% lead. This is the smallest multi-core margin in the dataset, but still a dominant win. The single-core test is the closest result of all: 1303 versus 1214, a 7.3% advantage for the Threadripper. This narrow margin shows that in a purely single-threaded, non-vectorized workload, the Core i3 can come close to the Threadripper's performance. The Core i3's base clock of 3.60 GHz is high, and its older architecture does not hold it back in this specific test.

The Threadripper wins all eight head-to-head benchmarks. The average score across all benchmarks is 7578 for the Threadripper and 8123 for the Core i3, but this average is skewed by the Core i3's PassMark results, which are not part of the head-to-head set. The median experience, based on the Cinebench and Geekbench tests, is a complete rout.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most obvious: 32 cores and 64 threads for the Threadripper, versus 4 cores and 4 threads for the Core i3. The Threadripper's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Core i3 has a fixed base clock of 3.60 GHz and no boost clock. The Threadripper has a TDP of 250 W, the Core i3 a TDP of 65 W. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, the Core i3 uses Intel Socket 1151.

Memory support differs significantly. The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Core i3 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Threadripper does not support ECC memory, while the Core i3 does. PCIe lane counts also differ: the Threadripper provides 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i3 provides 16.

The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Core i3 is locked. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics, while the Core i3 includes UHD Graphics 630. The launch MSRP for the Threadripper was $1799, and for the Core i3 it was $117. The Threadripper was released on 2018-08-12, the Core i3 on 2017-10-04.

Architecture Differences

The Threadripper is built on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Colfax, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 19,200 million transistors spread across four dies, each measuring 213 mm². The Core i3 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 126 mm². The Threadripper's cache configuration includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The Core i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The Threadripper is part of the 2000 series and the Ryzen Threadripper generation, while the Core i3 is part of the Core i3 generation under Coffee Lake. The Threadripper's production status is Active, while the Core i3 is End-of-life. The Threadripper's part number is YD299XAZUIHAF, and the Core i3's is SR3N5. The data shows a processor built for a completely different class of workload: the Threadripper's architecture is designed to feed 64 threads with massive cache and memory bandwidth, while the Core i3's simpler design prioritizes low power and ease of integration.