AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X vs Intel Core i3-1210U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1210U and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X represent polar opposites in the CPU spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i3-1210U posting 12795 and the Threadripper 3990X posting 12786. That is a difference of only 0.1%, placing both in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. This is a classic case where the aggregate score obscures wildly different performance profiles: the 1210U is a 9W mobile part with 6 cores and 8 threads, while the 3990X is a 280W desktop flagship with 64 cores and 128 threads. The data shows a 64-core processor and a 6-core processor averaging nearly the same result, but the head-to-head benchmark results reveal the true nature of their performance split.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides the clearest picture of the performance gap. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Threadripper 3990X scores 68124, which is 87.7% higher than the i3-1210U's 8413. That is an enormous margin, and it is consistent across all Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the 3990X scores 28612 versus the i3-1210U's 3533, again an 87.7% difference. The R15 multicore test shows the same story: 6866 for the 3990X versus 847 for the i3-1210U. The Threadripper wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with the same 87.7% delta in every single test.

The single-core results are just as decisive, but the margin is the same. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Threadripper 3990X scores 9617, while the i3-1210U scores 1187. That is an 87.7% advantage for the Threadripper. The same pattern holds for Cinebench R20 single-core (4039 versus 498) and Cinebench R15 single-core (969 versus 119). The Threadripper's single-core lead is just as large as its multicore lead, which is surprising for a processor with a 2.90 GHz base clock and 4.30 GHz boost clock. The i3-1210U has a 1000 MHz base clock and a 4.40 GHz boost clock, yet it still loses by nearly 88% in single-threaded workloads.

What makes these numbers striking is that the Threadripper's boost clock is actually lower than the i3-1210U's, yet the older Zen 2 architecture still dominates. The 3990X also has a much larger cache hierarchy, with 256 MB of L3 cache versus the i3-1210U's 10 MB shared L3. The Threadripper's L1 cache is 64 KB per core, and its L2 is 512 KB per core, while the i3-1210U has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Despite the i3-1210U's larger per-core L2 on paper, the Threadripper's raw core count and memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s over quad-channel DDR4) simply overwhelm the mobile chip.

The 3DMark results, which only exist for the Threadripper, show scaling from 695 in single-thread to 18441 in max-threads. The 16-thread score is 9975, which is more than double the 8-thread score of 5182. This demonstrates that the 3990X scales exceptionally well with thread count, which is expected for a 64-core part designed for heavy parallel workloads.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X wins every benchmark where both processors are tested. The i3-1210U does not have a single win in the head-to-head comparison, with a 0-6 record. If you need raw multi-threaded performance, the 3990X is the only choice, delivering 87.7% more performance in Cinebench R23 multicore. The i3-1210U is not competitive in any measured workload, whether single-core or multicore.

However, the story changes when you consider the context. The i3-1210U is a mobile processor with a 9W TDP, designed for thin-and-light laptops. The Threadripper 3990X is a desktop processor with a 280W TDP, designed for workstation towers. The 3990X has a launch MSRP of $3990, while the i3-1210U has no listed launch MSRP. The average benchmark scores are within 0.1% of each other, which means that for the aggregate metric, they are effectively tied. But no one is choosing between these two for the same build. The 3990X is for a professional workstation, while the 1210U is for an ultraportable laptop.

From the data alone, the 3990X is the superior processor in every benchmark. The i3-1210U's only advantage is its lower power consumption and mobile form factor, but neither is reflected in the benchmark scores. If you are building a desktop and need maximum compute, the 3990X is the winner. If you are buying a laptop and need a low-power chip, the 1210U is the only option, but it will not match the 3990X in any measured test.

Where Each One Wins

The Threadripper 3990X wins in every benchmark category where both are tested, but the use cases are distinct. The 3990X is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 68124 is 87.7% higher than the i3-1210U's 8413, making it the only choice for workloads that can use 64 cores and 128 threads. The 3990X also wins in single-threaded tasks, despite having a lower boost clock, which indicates that Zen 2's IPC is far ahead of Alder Lake-U's efficiency-focused design.

The i3-1210U has no benchmark wins, so its only advantage is qualitative. It is a 9W mobile chip with integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, making it suitable for basic laptop workloads like web browsing, office applications, and light media consumption. The 3990X has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU. The 1210U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, while the 3990X supports only DDR4 in quad-channel mode. The 1210U has a 10 nm process node from Intel, while the 3990X uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, but that does not translate into a performance win for the mobile chip.

For a desktop workstation, the 3990X is the only rational choice. For a laptop, the 1210U is the only option, but it will not outperform the 3990X in any benchmark. The 3990X also has an unlocked multiplier, so it can be overclocked, while the 1210U is locked. The 3990X has 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the 1210U has Gen 4 support but no lane count specified. The 3990X's memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s is far higher than the 1210U's unspecified bandwidth, which is a key advantage for memory-intensive workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-1210U has an average benchmark score of 12795, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has an average score of 12786. The i3-1210U is ahead by 0.1%, which is effectively a tie.

Q: How much faster is the Threadripper 3990X in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Threadripper 3990X scores 68124 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 87.7% higher than the i3-1210U's score of 8413.

Q: Does the i3-1210U win any head-to-head benchmarks?

A: No. The i3-1210U loses all six head-to-head benchmarks to the Threadripper 3990X, with a 0-6 record.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The i3-1210U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Threadripper 3990X has 64 cores and 128 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Threadripper 3990X?

A: The Threadripper 3990X has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s over quad-channel DDR4, while the i3-1210U supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 with no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i3-1210U has integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Threadripper 3990X has no integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i3-1210U uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It is a hybrid design with 6 cores and 8 threads, and it is built for mobile devices with a 9W TDP. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X uses Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC. It is a monolithic design with 64 cores and 128 threads, built for desktop workstations with a 280W TDP.

The cache structures are notably different. The i3-1210U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper 3990X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Threadripper's 256 MB L3 cache is more than 25 times larger than the i3-1210U's 10 MB L3, which is a massive advantage for workloads that benefit from large working sets.

The memory support also differs. The i3-1210U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Threadripper 3990X supports DDR4 in quad-channel mode with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Threadripper also has 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the i3-1210U supports PCIe Gen 4 but does not specify lane count. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-1210U is locked. The Threadripper uses the AMD Socket TRX4, while the i3-1210U uses Intel BGA 1781.

The manufacturing details are also distinct. The Threadripper 3990X has 30,400 million transistors and a die size of 8x 74 mm², while the i3-1210U has no listed transistor count or die size. The Threadripper is from the 3000 series with the codename Castle Peak, while the i3-1210U is from the Alder Lake-U family. These architectural differences explain why the 64-core Threadripper can achieve the same average score as the 6-core i3-1210U: the mobile chip relies on higher IPC and efficiency, while the desktop chip relies on raw core count and cache capacity.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the core and thread counts. The i3-1210U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Threadripper 3990X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The base clock differs as well: the i3-1210U runs at 1000 MHz, and the Threadripper 3990X runs at 2900 MHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the i3-1210U at 4.40 GHz and the Threadripper at 4.30 GHz. The TDP is a major difference: 9W for the i3-1210U versus 280W for the Threadripper.

The sockets are incompatible. The i3-1210U uses Intel BGA 1781, while the Threadripper 3990X uses AMD Socket TRX4. The process node differs, with the i3-1210U on Intel's 10 nm and the Threadripper on TSMC's 7 nm. The foundry is also different: Intel for the i3-1210U and TSMC for the Threadripper. The Threadripper has a listed transistor count of 30,400 million and a die size of 8x 74 mm², while the i3-1210U has neither listed.

The cache sizes are different across all levels. The i3-1210U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3. The Threadripper has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. The memory support differs, with the i3-1210U supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Threadripper supports DDR4 in quad-channel mode with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-1210U has integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Threadripper has no integrated graphics. The market segment is Mobile for the i3-1210U and Desktop for the Threadripper. The release dates are different: 2022-02-22 for the i3-1210U and 2020-02-06 for the Threadripper. The Threadripper has a launch MSRP of $3990 and an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-1210U has no listed MSRP and is locked. The Threadripper also has a part number (100-000000163100-100000163WOF), while the i3-1210U has none listed.