Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 3100

4 / 8

11,928

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600

6 / 12

11,875

0.0%

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.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 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.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 3 3100

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $120 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
✅Delivers 122.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.5 vs 54.2 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 3100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,875 vs 11,928).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.2 vs 120.5 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 3100 better than Ryzen 5 PRO 1600?

Yes. Ryzen 3 3100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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, Ryzen 3 3100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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, Ryzen 3 3100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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 $120 cheaper on MSRP at $99 MSRP versus $219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 122.2% better value on MSRP (120.5 vs 54.2 PassMark/$), 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 2017) 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.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 Technical Specifications

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

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	Yes	—
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

At launch, the Ryzen 3 3100 was priced at $99, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 came in at $219. On launch pricing ($99 vs $219), Ryzen 3 3100 was $120 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 3100 delivers 120.5 pts/$ vs 54.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 — making the Ryzen 3 3100 the 75.9% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3100	Ryzen 5 PRO 1600
MSRP	$99-55%	$219
Performance per Dollar	120.5+122%	54.2
Release Date	2020	2017

Search Ryzen 3 3100 on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.