AMD EPYC 9224 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 3500U vs AMD EPYC 9224

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is a 15-watt mobile processor built for thin-and-light laptops, while the AMD EPYC 9224 is a 200-watt server/workstation part with 24 cores and 48 threads. These two CPUs occupy opposite ends of the AMD spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores land within 0.5% of each other (11176 vs 11118), placing both at the 66th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows a clear story: the EPYC 9224 crushes the 3500U in every head-to-head benchmark, but the 3500U's compact power envelope and integrated graphics make it a purpose-built mobile solution where the EPYC cannot compete.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data contains only two shared tests, both from Cinebench R15, and the AMD EPYC 9224 wins both by decisive margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 9224 scores 3874 against the Ryzen 5 3500U's 650, a delta of -83.2% from the EPYC's perspective — meaning the 3500U delivers only about 17% of the EPYC's multi-threaded performance. This is exactly what you would expect from a 24-core/48-thread Zen 4 server chip versus a 4-core/8-thread Zen+ mobile chip. The EPYC's 6x core count and 6x thread count translate into a 5.96x raw performance advantage in this multi-threaded workload.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap narrows but remains substantial. The EPYC 9224 scores 546, while the 3500U scores 143, a delta of -73.8%. This 3.82x single-thread advantage reflects the massive architectural leap from Zen+ (12nm, 2019) to Zen 4 (5nm, 2022). Even at the same 3.70 GHz boost clock, the EPYC's newer architecture extracts far more instructions per clock. The single-core result is particularly telling because it shows that the EPYC's superiority is not merely a function of core count — even one EPYC core outperforms one 3500U core by nearly four times.

Beyond the head-to-head tests, the broader benchmark suites tell the same story. The EPYC 9224's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38439 and single-core score of 5426 dwarf anything the 3500U could produce in those workloads. The 3500U's own benchmark results — Geekbench multi-core 2508, PassMark multi-thread 6858, and PassMark integer math 24732 — are respectable for a 15-watt mobile chip, but they sit in a different performance class entirely. The EPYC's average benchmark score of 11118 is nearly identical to the 3500U's 11176, but that average is pulled down by the EPYC's limited benchmark set (only Cinebench tests), while the 3500U's average includes many lighter-load PassMark tests where its low power draw helps relative performance.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen 5 3500U has a slightly higher average benchmark score at 11176, compared to the EPYC 9224's 11118. The difference is 0.5%, with the 3500U listed as a nearest rival to the EPYC with a deltaPct of -0.5% (from the EPYC's perspective). Both CPUs sit at the 66th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the EPYC 9224 in multi-core Cinebench R15?

A: The EPYC 9224 scores 3874 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 5.96x higher than the 3500U's 650. The deltaPct is -83.2%, meaning the 3500U scores about 83.2% lower than the EPYC in this test.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both the Ryzen 5 3500U and the EPYC 9224 have a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. However, their base clocks differ: the 3500U runs at 2.10 GHz base, while the EPYC 9224 runs at 2.50 GHz base.

Q: Does the EPYC 9224 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the EPYC 9224 supports ECC memory and uses DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 3500U does not support ECC memory and uses dual-channel DDR4.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Ryzen 5 3500U has integrated graphics, featuring the Radeon Vega 8. The EPYC 9224 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server/workstation processor.

Q: What is the release date difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 5 3500U was released on January 5, 2019, while the EPYC 9224 was released on November 9, 2022 — a gap of nearly four years. This explains the architectural generation difference: Zen+ (Picasso) versus Zen 4 (Genoa).

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 3500U is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, using a 12nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The EPYC 9224 uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Genoa, fabricated by TSMC on a 5nm process, with 26,280 million transistors spread across a 4x 72 mm² chiplet design. The process node shrink from 12nm to 5nm is a generational leap that explains much of the single-core performance gap — the EPYC achieves 546 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus the 3500U's 143, a 3.82x difference despite identical boost clocks.

Cache layouts differ dramatically. The 3500U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 9224 has 64 KB of L1 per core (smaller per-core, but the total is larger with 24 cores), 1 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 64 MB of shared L3 cache — 16 times more L3 than the 3500U. The larger L3 cache on the EPYC is critical for server workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. The 3500U supports dual-channel DDR4 with no ECC, while the EPYC 9224 supports twelve-channel DDR5 with ECC and a rated memory bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s. The EPYC also offers PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only), versus the 3500U's PCIe Gen 3. The EPYC's twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s bandwidth are designed for memory-intensive server tasks, while the 3500U's dual-channel DDR4 is sufficient for mobile productivity.

The foundries also differ: GlobalFoundries produces the 3500U, while TSMC fabricates the EPYC. The 3500U's integrated Radeon Vega 8 GPU is a feature the EPYC lacks entirely. Both CPUs have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | AMD EPYC 9224 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 200 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket SP5 |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 26,280 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 4x 72 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Twelve-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 460.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2019-01-05 | 2022-11-09 |

| Launch MSRP | Not provided | $1825 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 9224 is the far more powerful processor. It wins both head-to-head benchmarks outright — Cinebench R15 multi-core at 3874 versus 650 (83.2% delta) and Cinebench R15 single-core at 546 versus 143 (73.8% delta). The EPYC's 24 cores and 48 threads, paired with Zen 4's architectural efficiency, deliver roughly 6x multi-threaded performance and nearly 4x single-threaded performance over the 3500U. For any workload that can use multiple cores — rendering, compilation, database queries, scientific computing — the EPYC 9224 is the clear choice.

However, the verdict is not purely about raw performance. The Ryzen 5 3500U operates at a 15-watt TDP, a fraction of the EPYC's 200-watt TDP. The 3500U is designed for mobile devices with its FP5 socket, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, and dual-channel DDR4 support. The EPYC 9224, with its SP5 socket, DDR5 twelve-channel memory, and no integrated graphics, is built for rack-mounted servers and workstations. The fact that both CPUs land at the 66th percentile of all CPUs, with average benchmark scores within 0.5% of each other, is a statistical artifact of the different benchmark sets — the EPYC's scores come only from Cinebench tests, while the 3500U's include lighter PassMark workloads.

The launch MSRP of the EPYC 9224 is $1825, and it is an active production part. The 3500U has no listed launch MSRP. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. The EPYC's 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and 460.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it a server-class I/O powerhouse, while the 3500U's PCIe Gen 3 is adequate for mobile peripherals. Choose the EPYC 9224 for server/workstation workloads that demand maximum throughput; choose the 3500U for a laptop that needs a balance of modest performance and minimal power consumption.

Where Each One Wins

AMD EPYC 9224 wins on: Multi-threaded performance — Cinebench R15 multi-core 3874 versus 650, a 5.96x advantage. Single-threaded performance — Cinebench R15 single-core 546 versus 143, a 3.82x advantage. Memory bandwidth — 460.8 GB/s over twelve-channel DDR5 versus unspecified dual-channel DDR4. ECC memory support — critical for data integrity in servers. PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes versus Gen 3. L3 cache — 64 MB versus 4 MB, a 16x difference. Core and thread count — 24 cores/48 threads versus 4 cores/8 threads. Process technology — 5nm TSMC versus 12nm GlobalFoundries, yielding better performance per clock. Server-grade features like the SP5 socket and 200W TDP for sustained high-load operation.

AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins on: Power efficiency — 15W TDP versus 200W, making it suitable for battery-powered laptops. Integrated graphics — Radeon Vega 8 provides display output without a discrete GPU, which the EPYC lacks entirely. Compact socket — FP5 supports thin-and-light form factors versus the large SP5 server socket. Lower transistor count — 4,940 million versus 26,280 million, reflecting its smaller, simpler design. Earlier release date — January 2019 versus November 2022, meaning more mature mobile ecosystem support. The 3500U's average benchmark score of 11176 edges out the EPYC's 11118, though this reflects benchmark composition rather than real-world superiority.