After a long time, AMD launches a Zen+ chip, featuring just two cores without hyperthreading, which appears to be targeting entry-level laptops.
AMD Launches Picasso Ryzen 3 3100U and Ryzen 5 3501U Entry-Level Chips With Radeon Vega 8 Graphics for Laptops
AMD can surprise at any time with newer chips from older Zen generations, and while it has transitioned to newer Zen 4 and Zen 5 chips already, it's not yet done with older Ryzen chips. AMD has released a large number of SKUs in the Ryzen 5000 series, but older Zen, Zen+, and Zen 2 generations are still seeing newer launches.
As spotted by @Olrak29_, AMD has quietly launched two new chips under the Zen+ Picasso family. The Ryzen 3000U family debuted in 2019, so it's almost 7 years since the initial launch. AMD has quietly added two new processors under the same family, as shown on the official website. The first one is the Ryzen 3 3100U, a new dual-core CPU that has no hyperthreading. It features a 2-core/2-thread configuration with a base clock of 1.9 GHz and a boost clock of 3.2 GHz.
The processor boasts 4 MB of L3 cache and a TDP of just 15W, positioning it as an entry-level, low-power chip for cheap laptops. The processor boasts Radeon Vega 8 graphics, featuring 8 GPU cores at a 1.2 GHz clock speed. The second one is the Ryzen 5 3501U, which is a mid-range but still a power-efficient CPU with 4 cores and 8 threads. It brings a base/boost clock of 2.1 GHz/3.7 GHz and a L3 cache of 4 MB.
The operating TDP and integrated graphics for both processors are identical, and both appear to be newer solutions for entry-level laptops. Looks like many chip makers are suddenly caring about the entry-level segment, but AMD's newly released chips are nowhere near the newly launched Wildcat Lake chips, which target the entry-level segment and offer much stronger compute and integrated graphics, while retaining excellent power efficiency.
| CPU/Specs | Architecture | Core/Thread | Clocks | L3 Cache | TDP | iGPU | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 3 3100U | Zen+ | 2/2 | 1.9/3.2 GHz | 4 MB | 15 W | Vega 8 | Q2 2026 |
| Ryzen 5 3501U | Zen+ | 4/8 | 2.1/3.7 GHz | 4 MB | 15 W | Vega 8 | Q2 2026 |
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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