AMD Ryzen 3 3100U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every single head-to-head test in the database, with the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U failing to claim a single victory across 11 recorded comparisons. The margins are substantial across all categories.

The largest gap appears in floating point math, where the Intel part scores 162692 against the AMD's 5854, a delta of -96.4%. This indicates the Intel processor handles floating point workloads with dramatically higher throughput. Integer math shows a similar story: Intel scores 125091 versus AMD's 8873, a -92.9% difference. These two results suggest the Intel chip has far more computational resources available for both integer and floating point operations.

Data compression and random string sorting both show deltas of -93.2%. The Intel part scores 568721 in data compression while the AMD manages 38455. Random string sorting sees Intel at 69090 versus AMD's 4666. These memory and cache intensive workloads favor the Intel architecture heavily.

In data encryption, the Intel processor scores 42144 against the AMD's 1972, a -95.3% delta. Extended instructions show the same -95.3% delta, with Intel at 44565 and AMD at 2116. The encryption result is particularly telling, as it often reflects both raw throughput and the efficiency of instruction-level parallelism.

The prime number search test, a classic single-threaded integer workload, shows Intel at 486 versus AMD's 18, a -96.3% delta. This is the largest percentage gap in the entire dataset. The physics test shows Intel at 3494 versus AMD's 232, a -93.4% delta, which correlates strongly with the multithreaded score.

Multithread performance shows Intel at 51596 versus AMD's 3348, a -93.5% delta. This aligns with the core count disparity, but the size of the gap exceeds what core count alone would predict. The single thread tests show the smallest relative gap, with Intel at 4757 versus AMD's 1592, a -66.5% delta. Even in the category where the AMD comes closest, the Intel processor still holds a commanding lead.

The average benchmark score tells the same story: Intel averages 66855, while AMD averages 6247. The Intel processor sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD sits in the 62nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the AMD EPYC 4465P at -0.1%, the Intel Xeon 6515P at -0.2%, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at -0.9%. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's nearest rivals are all older high-end desktop parts, including the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at +0.3% and the Intel Core i9-10920X at -1.6%.

Where Each One Wins

The data does not offer any benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U comes out ahead. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins across every recorded test. However, the nature of the workloads matters for interpretation.

The AMD's strongest relative showing is in single-threaded performance, where the delta narrows to -66.5%. This still represents a decisive Intel victory, but it is the closest margin in the dataset. For workloads that depend heavily on single-core responsiveness, the gap between these two parts is smaller than in heavily parallel tasks.

The Intel processor dominates in multithreaded, physics, and math workloads. The physics score of 3494 against 232 suggests the Intel part is far better suited to simulation and physics-based rendering tasks. The floating point and integer math scores reinforce this pattern. Data compression and random string sorting, which often benefit from large caches and high memory bandwidth, also fall firmly in Intel's favor.

The AMD's role in this comparison is defined by its absence of wins. Its 2 cores, 2 threads, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache place it in a fundamentally different performance class. The Intel part's 18 cores, 18 threads, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache give it resources that no single workload in the database can overcome.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design generations. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U uses the Picasso codename, part of the Zen+ architecture, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

The core configurations differ sharply. The AMD offers 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its TDP is 15 watts. The Intel part offers 18 cores and 18 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its TDP is 125 watts. The Intel chip has no hyperthreading in this configuration, as threads equal cores, while the AMD also has a 1:1 thread-to-core ratio.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The L3 cache difference alone, 30 MB versus 4 MB, helps explain the large gap in data compression and random string sorting scores.

Memory support also differs. The AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a maximum bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. That is a 3x difference in theoretical memory bandwidth, which directly impacts the math and data-heavy benchmarks. The Intel chip supports ECC memory, while the AMD does not.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD pairs with Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. PCIe support differs: the AMD offers Gen 3, while the Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD does not.

The market segments differ: the AMD is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1851. The release dates also diverge, with the Intel launching on 2026-03-10 and the AMD on 2026-05-31.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66855, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has an average of 6247.

Q: How large is the single-threaded performance gap?

A: In the passmark single thread test, the Intel scores 4757 and the AMD scores 1592, a delta of -66.5% for the AMD.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U does not.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus ranks in the 93rd percentile, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U ranks in the 62nd percentile.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear separation between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U in every benchmark category in the database, with the smallest margin being -66.5% in single-threaded performance and the largest being -96.4% in floating point math. The Intel part also claims the 93rd percentile ranking versus the AMD's 62nd.

The Intel processor's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4465P at -0.1%, the Intel Xeon 6515P at -0.2%, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at -0.9%. This places it in the company of server and high-end workstation parts. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U's nearest rivals are older desktop and server chips like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at +0.3% and the Intel Core i9-7940X at +1.6%.

The launch MSRP of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is $199. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100U has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The AMD's 2-core design, 15 watt TDP, and mobile socket suggest it targets low-power, compact systems. The data does not support it as a competitor to the Intel part in any measured workload. The Intel processor's 18 cores, 5.30 GHz boost clock, 30 MB L3 cache, and DDR5 support place it in a different performance tier entirely.

Users seeking maximum multithreaded throughput, high memory bandwidth, or top percentile ranking should look to the Intel part. The AMD part occupies a lower performance stratum, and the benchmark data provides no category where it takes the lead.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3100U | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

|----------------|--------------------|------------------------------|

| Cores | 2 | 18 |

| Threads | 2 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Picasso | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $199 |

| Part Number | YM3100C4T2OFG | SA4UZ |