AMD Ryzen 3 210 vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 3 210, which takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i5-1235U manages four wins, but they are concentrated in specific workload types. The most dramatic result in the entire comparison is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Intel part scores 954 against just 49 for the AMD chip, a staggering 1846.9% advantage. This is not a subtle difference; it is a workload where the Intel architecture is overwhelmingly dominant.

Another significant Intel victory comes in floating point math, where the Core i5-1235U scores 43303 versus 23649 for the Ryzen 3 210, a 83.1% lead. This is a substantial margin in a compute-heavy category. The Intel chip also wins integer math with 48553 against 37933, a 28% advantage. Data encryption is the fourth Intel win, with a score of 9347 compared to 8607, a 8.6% edge. These results indicate that the Intel processor retains strengths in math-heavy and encryption-oriented tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 3 210, however, dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD chip scores 11198 versus 9774 for Intel, a 12.7% deficit for the Intel part. The single-core result in R23 is similarly one-sided: 1581 for AMD against 1379 for Intel, a 12.8% gap. This pattern repeats across the older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multicore, AMD leads 4703 to 4105, and in single-core the margin is 664 versus 579, both around 12.7% to 12.8% behind for Intel. Cinebench R15 tells the same story: 1128 versus 985 in multicore and 159 versus 138 in single-core, with the Intel chip trailing by 12.7% and 13.2% respectively.

The AMD chip also wins the more general PassMark multithread test, scoring 13585 against 12923, a 4.9% lead. In PassMark physics, the Ryzen 3 210 posts 821 versus 686, a 16.4% advantage. Random string sorting goes to AMD with 19454 against 17050, a 12.4% edge. The single-threaded PassMark result favors AMD at 3724 versus 3151, a 15.4% lead. Data compression is a closer affair, with AMD winning 152017 to 147450, a 3% margin. The largest AMD win in percentage terms comes in extended instructions, where the Ryzen 3 210 scores 11464 versus 8176, a 28.7% advantage.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark score, the AMD Ryzen 3 210 sits at an average of 17321, placing it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-1235U averages 16770, which puts it in the 70th percentile. The raw difference in average score is modest, but the distribution of wins matters. The AMD chip's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (within 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G (0.2% ahead of the AMD part), the Intel Core 7 150U (0.4% behind), and the Intel Core i5-12450H (0.5% behind). The Intel Core i5-1235U, by contrast, sits near the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U (0.1% difference), the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (0.3% behind), the Intel Core i3-12100E (0.5% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U (0.6% ahead). These percentile and rival data points suggest both chips are extremely close in overall standing, despite the lopsided head-to-head win count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-1235U wins 4.

Q: How large is the AMD chip's lead in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 scores 11198 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 12.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1235U's 9774.

Q: In what type of workload does the Intel Core i5-1235U show its biggest advantage?

A: The Intel chip's largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 954 versus 49 for the AMD Ryzen 3 210, a 1846.9% advantage.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has an average benchmark score of 17321, while the Intel Core i5-1235U averages 16770. The AMD chip also sits in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, one point higher than the Intel part's 70th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any math-related tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-1235U wins PassMark floating point math with 43303 versus 23649, an 83.1% lead, and PassMark integer math with 48553 versus 37933, a 28% advantage.

Q: Which processor is faster in PassMark single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 leads in PassMark single-thread with a score of 3724, which is 15.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1235U's 3151.

The Verdict

The data supports the AMD Ryzen 3 210 for users who prioritize consistent multi-threaded and single-threaded performance across the Cinebench suite. The AMD chip is ahead in every Cinebench test, with margins hovering between 12.7% and 13.2%. It also wins PassMark multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. For general productivity, rendering, and everyday responsiveness, the recorded benchmarks point to the Ryzen 3 210 as the stronger choice.

The Intel Core i5-1235U is the better pick for specific math-intensive workloads. Its 1846.9% lead in find prime numbers is extraordinary, and its 83.1% advantage in floating point math and 28% edge in integer math are substantial. If the workload involves heavy numerical computation, encryption (where it leads by 8.6%), or similar tasks, the Intel part is clearly preferable.

For the average user, the AMD Ryzen 3 210's 13 wins out of 17 benchmarks, combined with its higher average score of 17321 and 71st percentile ranking, make it the default recommendation. The Intel chip's wins are real but narrower in scope. The data does not show a scenario where the Intel part is the all-around winner. The verdict from the database is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins the majority of tests and holds the higher aggregate score.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are markedly different: the Intel chip runs at 1300 MHz, the AMD chip at 3000 MHz. Boost clocks also favor AMD, with 4.40 GHz for Intel and 4.70 GHz for AMD. Thermal design power differs as well, with Intel at 15 W and AMD at 28 W. The Intel processor uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP7. Process nodes diverge: Intel is on a 10 nm process from its own foundry, while AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The AMD chip has a documented transistor count of 20,900 million and a die size of 137 mm²; no transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part. Cache hierarchies are not identical: the Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs, with Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is given for Intel. PCIe connectivity is not equal: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with Intel using Iris Xe 80EU and AMD using Radeon 740M. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part was released on 2022-02-22, while the AMD part was released on 2025-01-05. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the mobile market segment.

Architecture Differences

The architectural story is one of contrasting design philosophies. Intel's Core i5-1235U is built on Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-U generation, and uses a 10 nm process manufactured by Intel. AMD's Ryzen 3 210 is a Zen 4 part from the Hawk Point codename family, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The AMD chip's transistor count of 20,900 million on a 137 mm² die indicates a dense, modern implementation, though no comparable figures exist for the Intel chip in the database.

Core count and thread count differences reflect fundamentally different approaches. Intel uses 10 cores and 12 threads, while AMD uses 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip wins the multicore Cinebench tests, which points to higher per-core efficiency and higher clock speeds. The Intel chip's base clock of 1300 MHz is much lower than AMD's 3000 MHz, and the boost clocks show AMD ahead at 4.70 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. The higher TDP of the AMD chip, 28 W versus 15 W, likely contributes to its sustained performance advantage.

Cache architecture differs in both size and organization. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel side does not translate into a multicore win, which underscores the impact of the AMD chip's newer process node and higher clocks. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while AMD is limited to DDR5, and the AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lane counts also differ, with Intel offering 20 Gen 4 lanes versus AMD's 14 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics solutions are distinct as well, with Intel pairing Iris Xe 80EU and AMD pairing Radeon 740M. The release dates reflect a generational gap, with Intel launching in 2022 and AMD in 2025, which aligns with the architectural differences observed in the benchmark data.