AMD Ryzen 3 4100 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is the clear performance winner over the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in every benchmark recorded, with the data showing an 11-0 sweep in head-to-head tests. While both processors land at the 69th percentile among all CPUs, the Ryzen 3 4100’s desktop-oriented design, newer architecture, and higher power envelope deliver commanding leads that range from modest single-thread gains to dramatic multi-thread and instruction-heavy advantages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 3 4100 dominates across the board, but the magnitude of its victories varies significantly by workload. The largest differential appears in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the Ryzen 3 4100 scores 9,923 against the Ryzen 5 3501U’s 3,274 — a 203.1% advantage. This suggests the newer Zen 2 architecture handles complex instruction sets far more efficiently than the older Zen+ design.

Data compression shows a similarly lopsided result, with the Ryzen 3 4100 posting 149,609 versus 87,380 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a 71.2% lead. Encryption performance follows the same pattern: 9,133 versus 5,580, a 63.7% gap. These workloads benefit directly from the Ryzen 3 4100’s 8 threads against the 3501U’s 4 threads, combined with its higher 3.80 GHz base clock versus 2.10 GHz.

Multi-threaded performance tells a consistent story. The PassMark multithread score favors the Ryzen 3 4100 at 11,050 versus 7,071, a 56.3% margin. Floating-point math shows a 50.5% lead (19,128 vs 12,707), while random string sorting runs 51.3% faster (15,760 vs 10,414). Integer math is comparatively closer but still decisively in favor of the Ryzen 3 4100: 32,307 versus 26,321, a 22.7% advantage.

Single-thread performance narrows the gap but does not change the outcome. The Ryzen 3 4100 scores 2,531 in the PassMark single-thread test versus 2,136 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, an 18.5% lead. Physics simulation shows a 16.6% edge (563 vs 483), and the prime number search test is nearly tied at 23 versus 21, a 9.5% difference. Even the smallest win favors the Ryzen 3 4100, reinforcing its overall superiority in this matchup.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and are built on different process nodes. The Ryzen 3 4100 uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, fabricated on TSMC’s 7 nm process. The Ryzen 5 3501U relies on the older Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, built on GlobalFoundries’ 12 nm node. This generational gap explains much of the performance delta, particularly in instruction-heavy workloads.

Transistor counts and die sizes reinforce the architectural divide. The Ryzen 3 4100 packs 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has just 4,940 million transistors spread across a larger 210 mm² die. The denser, more modern 7 nm process allows the Ryzen 3 4100 to fit more transistors in less space, enabling higher performance per watt.

Cache configurations also differ meaningfully. Both processors share 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but the Ryzen 3 4100 provides 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 4 MB on the Ryzen 5 3501U. The L1 cache is larger per core on the 3501U (96 KB vs 64 KB), but the doubling of L3 cache on the 4100 provides a greater overall benefit for data-heavy workloads.

Thread counts are a critical differentiator. The Ryzen 3 4100 offers 4 cores with 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3501U offers 4 cores with only 4 threads — no simultaneous multithreading. This effectively doubles the parallel processing capacity of the 4100 in multi-threaded scenarios, as reflected in the PassMark multithread and compression benchmarks.

Clock speeds and power targets further separate the two. The Ryzen 3 4100 runs at a 3.80 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, while the Ryzen 5 3501U operates at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The 4100 carries a 65 W TDP versus 15 W for the 3501U, reflecting its desktop positioning versus the 3501U’s mobile design. The Ryzen 3 4100 also supports an unlocked multiplier, while the 3501U is locked.

Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen 3 4100 at 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the 3501U, both using dual-channel DDR4. The 4100 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 3501U specifies PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count. The 3501U includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, whereas the 4100 has no integrated graphics. The 4100 uses the desktop AM4 socket; the 3501U uses the mobile FP5 socket.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 wins every benchmark category in the data set, so the analysis focuses on the degree of victory rather than the direction. Its largest leads come in extended instructions (203.1%), data compression (71.2%), and encryption (63.7%) — workloads that leverage both the newer architecture and the extra threads. For users running compression tools, encryption software, or compute-heavy scripts, the 4100 is overwhelmingly superior.

Multi-threaded applications favor the 4100 substantially. The 56.3% lead in multithread score, 50.5% in floating-point math, and 51.3% in random string sorting indicate strong parallel scaling. Video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing tasks that use all available threads will see major benefits from the 4100’s 8-thread capability.

The Ryzen 5 3501U has no benchmark wins, but its profile suggests a different use case. With a 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, it is designed for thin-and-light mobile systems where power efficiency matters more than peak performance. Its lower base clock of 2.10 GHz and 4 threads make it more suitable for light productivity, web browsing, and battery-conscious operation rather than demanding compute tasks.

The 3501U’s closer results in single-thread tests (18.5% gap) and prime number search (9.5% gap) suggest that for basic, lightly threaded tasks, the performance difference narrows considerably. Users who prioritize portability and integrated graphics over raw compute throughput would find the 3501U adequate for everyday workloads, even if it trails in every measured benchmark.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 for any user who prioritizes compute performance. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 9.5% to 203.1%. The 4100’s modern Zen 2 architecture, 8 threads, larger L3 cache, and higher clock speeds combine to deliver superior results in every test recorded. The only launch MSRP provided is $99 for the 4100, making it the more powerful option in this comparison.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is the choice only when its specific advantages matter: a 15 W TDP for low-power mobile systems, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics for systems without a discrete GPU, and a smaller physical footprint via the FP5 socket. Its 69th percentile ranking matches the 4100, but the actual benchmark scores are consistently lower. For desktop users building a value-oriented system, the 4100 is the obvious pick. For mobile users who need integrated graphics and low power consumption, the 3501U serves a different purpose that the benchmark data does not capture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100, with a PassMark multithread score of 11,050 versus 7,071 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a 56.3% advantage.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 leads with a PassMark single-thread score of 2,531 versus 2,136 for the 3501U, an 18.5% difference.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The extended instructions test shows the largest gap, with the Ryzen 3 4100 scoring 9,923 versus 3,274 for the 3501U, a 203.1% lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores, but the Ryzen 3 4100 has 8 threads while the Ryzen 5 3501U has only 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 4 MB found on the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 4100 | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U |

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

| Series | 4000 series | 3000 series |

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen+ |

| Codename | Renoir | Picasso |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |