AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Review: Best Budget Processor For Gaming?

Hundreds of alternatives make building a gaming desktop more complex than ever in 2023. A new technology is launched every three months, making things more challenging. Therefore, you need to read this AMD Ryzen 3 3100 review immediately if you want to assemble a low-cost gaming system.
It has enough power to be on your wishlist in 2023, even if this CPU was introduced in 2020 as an entry-level mid-range processor. Therefore, read this review page before selecting whether this $99 processor will be the best for you.
AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Specifications And Features
The primary specifications of the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 are:
Socket | AMD Socket AM4 |
Generation | Zen 2 |
Transistor Size | 7 nm |
Transistor Count | 3,800 million |
Frequency (Base Clock Speed0 | 3.6 GHz |
Turbo Clock | 3.9 GHz |
Base Clock | 100 MHz |
TDP | 65 W |
Memory | DDR4 (3200 MHz) |
Channels | Dual Channel |
PCIe Compatability | 4.0 (16 lanes) |
Number of Cores | 4 |
Number of Threads | 8 |
L1 Cache Memory | 256 kb |
L2 Cache Memory | 2 MB |
L3 Cacher Memory | 16 MB (shared) |
Integrated Graphics | None |
Overclocking Support | Yes |
Thermals (Cooling Fan) | AMD Wraith Stealth |
Release Date | May 2020 |
Price (2023) | $99 |
Architecture And Chipset
The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 3.6 GHz architecture is based on the Zen 2 architecture. This is a significant step up from the previous Ryzen 3 Zen 2 processors like the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X and the AMD Ryzen 3200G.
This results from the last two CPUs being constructed using the outdated Zen+ 12nm design. Built on the 7 nm Zen+ architecture is the Ryzen 3 3100. But what effect will this improvement have?
First off, the CPU may increase its clock speed while still retaining the precise power needed by using the SMT function. As a result, the 3100 can increase its clock speed to 3.9 GHz while still operating at 65 W TDP.
Clock Speed
The Ryzen 3100 has a 3.6 GHz base clock speed that may be increased to 3.9 GHz. The finest aspect is that overclocking this processor doesn’t require a separate application or BIOS tweaks. With the AMD Ryzen Control Center program, you can complete all of them!
The clock speed is significantly lower than other expensive competitors like the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X, Intel Core i3 10320, Intel Core i5 9400F, and the Intel Core i7 7700K. However, it’s necessary to understand that the 3100 is cheaper than all the aforementioned processors.
Cache Memory
Additionally, upgraded from the Ryzen 3 2300X is the cache memory. Actually, it has been doubled at this point. It surpasses the Intel Core i3 9100 in power. As a result, this 3100 should perform better than the aforementioned CPUs when it comes to gaming.
Compatible Motherboards
Only a few available motherboards will support the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 processor. This is so because different chipset and socket types found on motherboards also determine the sorts of processors that may be supported.
Accordingly, there will be several sorts of motherboards based on the processors (AMD or Intel) and generational ranges that they support.
Therefore, you must get an X570 or B550 motherboard if you want this processor. Here, the B550 is a less expensive option.
Cooling Fan
A cooling fan was inside the processor’s box when I opened it. This fan, known as the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler, makes almost no noise. This fan is also simple to install. Just remember to use thermal paste!
Driver Support
AMD has continued driver support for this processor, which I expect will continue until 2025. The latest version of this driver is the AMD Ryzen Store MI v 2.1.0.2018, released on February 2023 for Windows 11. The Windows 10 version is known as the Ryzen Master.
AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Test: Multitasking & Gaming Performance
Is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 good for gaming?
After slotting in the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 processor on my AMD desktop for testing, I was ready. Here are the specifications of the AMD gaming desktop that I used:
Operating System | Windows 11 |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 3 3100 |
Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB |
Memory | 32 GB DDR5 |
Storage | 1 TB SSD |
Cooler | AMD Wraith Stealth |
Motherboard | Aorus Master X570 |
Power Supply | Phanteks RevoltX 1200 |
Multitasking
When it comes to multitasking, AMD Ryzen processors have an advantage over most Intel CPUs in terms of speed and cost due to their multi-threaded capability. Ryzen chips outperform Intel on the strength of every single core, but when you add them all together, Intel wins.
I tested my ability to multitask by installing one game while updating another, playing games while broadcasting my gaming on Discord, and having over 20 tabs open in Chrome.
I was surprised to find out everything went that well. However, installing and upgrading two different games at once did cause my PC to be sluggish. I was relieved that the “blue screen of death” did not occur on my computer.
Additionally, I used Adobe Premiere Pro to create an 8-minute 4k film, which was rendered in less than 10 minutes. Its rendering speed astounded me. Making incredibly intricate 3D models using Blender also felt slick and lag-free.
Gaming
I tried seven games to test the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 gaming support. Im played all these games at maximum settings at 1080p resolution. Here’s a table stating what average FPS I got for each of them:
Metro: Exodus | 95 |
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Special Edition) | 101 |
Cyberpunk 2077 | 62 |
Elden Ring | 85 |
Red Dead Redemption II | 68 |
Valorant | 256 |
DOTA II | 272 |
All of the games offered respectable frame rates, as you can see from the aforementioned frame rates. Because NVIDIA Ray Tracing was enabled, Cyberpunk 2077 maintained a frame rate of 60 or more, only infrequently dipping below 40.
This CPU will efficiently run multiplayer online games like Valorant, Rainbow Six: Siege, Apex Legends, and more, even on devices with less RAM and low-end GPUs.
However, you can anticipate that AAA single-player games will function pretty well at 1080p resolution. While these games can handle s, running them at 2K or 4K resolution will cause the GPU to cap out.
Final Verdict: Should I Buy The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Processor In 2023?
The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU is a better option than other AMD and Intel processors for gamers looking for a processor for around $100. For the amount you are paying, it offers outstanding performance. However, I would advise investing an additional $20 to acquire the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X, which offers a significant performance boost.
PROS | CONS |
⦿ Great value for money (performance to cost) ⦿ Affordable price ($99) ⦿ Lower TDP (65 W) | ⦿ Will bottleneck higher-end graphics cards. ⦿ You can p[ay slightly more for a drastically better processor (Rycen 3 3300X) ⦿ The Wraith Stealth cooler could be better. |
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