AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Intel Core i3-1305U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unusually lopsided contest. Across every single head-to-head benchmark recorded, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X emerges victorious, with a consistent deltaPct of -86.6% applied to the Intel Core i3-1305U's scores. This uniformity is striking. The Intel i3-1305U scores 723 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Threadripper 3970X posts 5,405. In single-core R15, the gap is equally stark: 102 versus 762. The Threadripper's advantage is not confined to multi-threaded workloads; it dominates single-threaded performance as well, which is surprising given the i3's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i3-1305U manages 3,016 in multi-core, against the Threadripper's 22,524. In single-core R20, the scores are 425 and 3,179, respectively. The most dramatic disparity appears in Cinebench R23, where the Threadripper 3970X achieves a multi-core score of 53,630, dwarfing the i3's 7,183. Even in R23 single-core, the Threadripper's 7,571 more than septuples the i3's 1,014. The data suggests the Threadripper is not merely faster; it is in a different performance class altogether, with the i3 trailing by roughly 86.6% in every measured test.

Where Each One Wins

The win distribution is absolute: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. There is no benchmark category where the Intel Core i3-1305U takes the lead. For the Threadripper, the wins span both multi-core and single-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This indicates a comprehensive performance advantage in rendering and CPU-intensive tasks, which is expected given its 32 cores and 64 threads versus the i3's 5 cores and 6 threads.

For the Intel i3-1305U, the data offers no benchmark victories. However, its average benchmark score of 11,200 is higher than the Threadripper's 10,841, suggesting that in aggregate workloads outside the head-to-head set, the i3 may hold its own. The i3's percentile rank is 66, identical to the Threadripper's, which places both in the same overall performance bracket despite the Threadripper's dominance in the tested Cinebench scenarios. The i3 also shows strength in Passmark tests like data compression (92,767) and integer math (27,925), though these are not part of the head-to-head comparison, so they do not factor into the win count.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the choice is unambiguous for raw performance: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the superior processor. The 86.6% lead in every Cinebench test, from single-core R15 to multi-core R23, demonstrates overwhelming superiority in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads. Users who prioritize maximum CPU throughput for tasks like 3D rendering, video encoding, or scientific computing should select the Threadripper 3970X without hesitation.

The Intel Core i3-1305U, despite its losses, serves a different purpose. Its average benchmark score is 11,200, which is 3.3% higher than the Threadripper's 10,841, and it ties the Threadripper's 66th percentile rank among all CPUs. This suggests that in a broader set of tests—including Passmark's integer math and data compression—the i3 can be competitive. However, the i3's 15W TDP and mobile market segment indicate it is designed for efficiency and portability, not peak performance. For users requiring a low-power processor for everyday tasks, the i3 is the logical pick. For anyone needing maximum compute power, the data unequivocally favors the Threadripper.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, with a score of 7,571, compared to the Intel Core i3-1305U's 1,014, a difference of 86.6%.

Q: What is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R20?

A: The Threadripper 3970X scores 22,524, while the i3-1305U scores 3,016, giving the Threadripper a 86.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel i3-1305U win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No, the data shows zero wins for the Intel i3-1305U across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel i3-1305U has an average benchmark score of 11,200, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X's 10,841.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel i3-1305U and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X are in the 66th percentile when compared to all CPUs.

Q: What is the Threadripper's score in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X achieves a score of 5,405 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, versus the i3-1305U's 723.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i3-1305U uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has 5 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with PCIe Gen 4 (8 lanes from the CPU). It integrates UHD Graphics 64EU and is designed for the mobile segment, fitting the Intel BGA 1744 socket.

In contrast, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is based on Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It features 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Threadripper's cache is notably different: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. It supports only DDR4 memory but in a quad-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Threadripper lacks integrated graphics, uses PCIe Gen 4, and is a desktop processor on the AMD Socket TRX4. Its transistor count is 15,200 million, spread across a die size of 4x 74 mm², and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The release dates differ significantly: the i3 launched on January 3, 2023, while the Threadripper debuted on November 24, 2019.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two are extensive. The Intel Core i3-1305U has 5 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 32 cores and 64 threads. The i3's base clock is 1.60 GHz, compared to the Threadripper's 3.70 GHz, though both share a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The TDP is a major divergence: the i3 is rated at 15W, while the Threadripper is rated at 280W. The sockets also differ, with the i3 using Intel BGA 1744 and the Threadripper using AMD Socket TRX4.

Cache configurations are distinct: the i3 has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, versus the Threadripper's 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache is 10 MB shared on the i3, while the Threadripper has 128 MB. Memory support differs, with the i3 accepting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel, while the Threadripper accepts only DDR4 in quad-channel. The Threadripper has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i3. The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, whereas the Threadripper has none. The i3's PCIe is Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Threadripper is Gen 4 without a lane count specified. The process node is 10 nm (Intel) for the i3 and 7 nm (TSMC) for the Threadripper, with the latter having a transistor count of 15,200 million and a die size of 4x 74 mm². The i3's launch MSRP is $309, and the Threadripper's is $1999. The multiplier is locked on the i3 but unlocked on the Threadripper. The market segments are mobile for the i3 and desktop for the Threadripper.