Core 3 100HL vs Ryzen 7 4980U

Core 3 100HL vs Ryzen 7 4980U Performance Spectrum

Core 3 100HL

8 / 12

17,586

+0.7%

17,469

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 3 100HL vs Ryzen 7 4980U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 3 100HL vs Ryzen 7 4980U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 3 100HL

2024

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $306 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 4980U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Ryzen 7 4980U

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,469 vs 17,586).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core 3 100HL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 3 100HL better than Ryzen 7 4980U?

Yes. Core 3 100HL is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 3 100HL is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 3 100HL is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 3 100HL is the better buy right now. Core 3 100HL comes in at an unclear MSRP at $306 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (57.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 3 100HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FP6, 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 100HL vs Ryzen 7 4980U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 3 100HL

The Core 3 100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,586 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 4980U

The Ryzen 7 4980U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,469 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 100HL packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 4980U's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 3 100HL versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 4980U — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core 3 100HL (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 3 100HL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 4980U uses Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 100HL scores 17,586 against the Ryzen 7 4980U's 17,469 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 3 100HL. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 3 100HL vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 4980U.

Feature	Core 3 100HL	Ryzen 7 4980U
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+5%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021)
PassMark	17,586	17,469

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 100HL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 4980U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.