Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
Ryzen 3 3100
Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 3 3100
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($75) | ✅ More affordable ($45) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen (2017−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+66%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($75) | ✅ More affordable ($45) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 3 3100 and Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
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.
Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 11,875 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 3 3100 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 — a 8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 3100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3100 uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 11,928 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's 11,875 — a 0.4% lead for the Ryzen 3 3100. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+8% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) | Zen (2017−2020) |
| PassMark | 11,928 | 11,875 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 3 3100) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 1600). Primary use case: Ryzen 3 3100 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 3 3100 launched at $99 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 debuted at $219. At current prices ($75 vs $45), the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 3100 delivers 159.0 pts/$ vs 263.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 the 49.6% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 3100 | Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $99-55% | $219 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $75 | $45-40% |
| Performance per Dollar | 159.0 | 263.9+66% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2017 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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