Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen Z2 Go

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen Z2 Go Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 3100

4 / 8

11,928

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Z2 Go

4 / 8

12,188

+2.2%

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U

Ryzen 9 8945H

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

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 Z2 Go 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 Z2 Go: 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: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,928 vs 12,188).
❌Launch MSRP is still $99 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Go mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen Z2 Go can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen Z2 Go

2025

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 680M, while Ryzen 3 3100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 3100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z2 Go better than Ryzen 3 3100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 3100 is ahead with a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Z2 Go pulls ahead with 2.2% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 3100 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Z2 Go is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen Z2 Go is still the better call for a fresh build. Ryzen Z2 Go comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.2% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 3100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 11,928 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Ryzen Z2 Go makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with a newer socket and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Ryzen Z2 Go 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 Z2 Go

The Ryzen Z2 Go is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 8 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 12,188 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 3 3100 and Ryzen Z2 Go share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Go — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Go (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3100 uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 Go uses Rembrandt R (2025) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 11,928 against the Ryzen Z2 Go's 12,188 — a 2.2% lead for the Ryzen Z2 Go. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3100 vs 8 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Go.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3100	Ryzen Z2 Go
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.3 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+100%	8 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB
Process	7 nm	6 nm-14%
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Rembrandt R (2025)
PassMark	11,928	12,188+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	5,802
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,842
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,073

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 3100 versus LPDDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Z2 Go — the Ryzen Z2 Go supports 100% 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: 24 (Ryzen 3 3100) vs 16 (Ryzen Z2 Go) — the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 3 3100) and Rembrandt-R (Ryzen Z2 Go).

Feature	Ryzen 3 3100	Ryzen Z2 Go
Socket	AM4	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-6400+100%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+50%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 3 3100) vs SVM (Ryzen Z2 Go). The Ryzen Z2 Go includes integrated graphics (Radeon 680M), while the Ryzen 3 3100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 3 3100 targets Desktop, Ryzen Z2 Go targets Budget. Direct competitor: Ryzen Z2 Go rivals Core Ultra 5 135U.