Topology
If you look at the fact that both the Ryzen 3 3300X and Ryzen 3 3100 have the same TDP and core count, yet different frequencies, you might assume they are the same CPU. However, this is not the case at all. The two CPUs are very different in CCD/CCX layout.
The Ryzen 3 3300X contains one 7nm CCX within the CCD with a total of 4 cores/8 threads. It has 16MB of L3 cache inside the same CCX module. There is a blank, empty, 7nm CCX that is unused in the CCD. This one CCX then talks to the I/O die. This means the Ryzen 3 3300X has less core-to-core latency than the Ryzen 3 3100 and a unified cache for all cores and threads. AMD states this does translate into more performance and eliminates the CCX cross-talk latency.
The Ryzen 3 3100, on the other hand, contains 2 7nm CCX’s inside the CCD. Each CCX has 2 cores and 4 threads and 8MB of L3 cache. These CCX’s have to talk to each other, and then the I/O and combine their data. AMD calls this a 2+2 configuration versus the Ryzen 3 3300X’s 4+0 configuration.
In terms of performance, AMD is actually proposing the fact that the Ryzen 3 3300X can also compete with, and is faster than, the popular Intel i7-7700K. If so, that is a major leap in progress to have performance and core count/thread count in a $120 CPU that use to cost $305 (MSRP) when the i7-7700K launched. According to AMD, it has up to 20% gaming performance at 1080p gaming versus the competition and up to 75% better creator performance.
Installation
Installation went smoothly, we didn’t need a new BIOS, the latest one on the website for this motherboard was sufficient.
Upon installation here is the default information on the CPU provided by CPUz, HWiNFO and Aida64.