Core i7-8700B vs Ryzen 3 3100

CPU

GPU

Core i7-8700B

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2018

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Ryzen 3 3100

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

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Core i7-8700B vs Ryzen 3 3100 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-8700B

6 / 12

11,795

0.0%

11,928

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

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 i7-8700B vs Ryzen 3 3100 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 i7-8700B vs Ryzen 3 3100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700B

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 3100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,795 vs 11,928).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.9 vs 120.5 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 3100

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $204 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 209.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.5 vs 38.9 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 3100 better than Core i7-8700B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700B is ahead with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 3100 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 3100 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 3100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 3 3100 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 3100 comes in $204 cheaper on MSRP at $99 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8700B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 209.5% better value on MSRP (120.5 vs 38.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 3 3100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700B vs Ryzen 3 3100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700B

The Core i7-8700B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,795 points. Launch price was $303.

Ryzen 3 3100

The Ryzen 3 3100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,928 points. Launch price was $99.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-8700B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-8700B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700B versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-8700B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700B scores 11,795 against the Ryzen 3 3100's 11,928 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 3100. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8700B vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3100.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Ryzen 3 3100
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+18%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	11,795	11,928+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700B versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 3100 — the Ryzen 3 3100 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 3 3100 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700B) vs 24 (Ryzen 3 3100) — the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Ryzen 3 3100
Socket	BGA1440	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700B) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 3100). The Core i7-8700B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 3100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700B targets Mobile, Ryzen 3 3100 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Ryzen 3 3100
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700B was priced at $303, while the Ryzen 3 3100 came in at $99. On launch pricing ($303 vs $99), Ryzen 3 3100 was $204 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700B delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 3100 — making the Ryzen 3 3100 the 102.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Ryzen 3 3100
MSRP	$303	$99-67%
Performance per Dollar	38.9	120.5+210%
Release Date	2018	2020

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