AMD Ryzen 3 7320C vs AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U edges out the Ryzen 3 7320C by a razor-thin margin. The 3501U averages 14320, while the 7320C averages 14277 — a difference of just 0.3%. Both CPUs sit at the 69th percentile among all CPUs, making them effectively peers in overall performance.

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

A: The Ryzen 3 7320C is clearly ahead. In the PassMark single-thread test, the 7320C scores 2439 versus the 3501U's 2136, a 12.4% advantage. This gap reflects the newer Zen 2 architecture and higher boost clock of the 7320C.

Q: Which processor handles multi-threaded workloads better?

A: The Ryzen 3 7320C wins decisively. It scores 8265 in PassMark multithread against the 3501U's 7071 — a 14.4% lead. The 7320C has 8 threads versus 4 on the 3501U, which explains much of this advantage.

Q: Are there any tests where the Ryzen 5 3501U wins?

A: Yes, but only two out of eleven head-to-head tests. The 3501U wins in data encryption (5580 vs 5443, a 2.5% margin) and in finding prime numbers (21 vs 18, a 16.7% margin). These are narrow victories that don't offset the 7320C's broader dominance.

Q: What are the architectural differences between these two chips?

A: The 3501U uses the older Zen+ architecture (codenamed Picasso) on a 12nm GlobalFoundries process, while the 7320C uses Zen 2 (codenamed Mendocino) on TSMC's 6nm node. The 7320C also supports faster LPDDR5 memory with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth versus the 3501U's DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Ryzen 3 7320C is far ahead. It supports LPDDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus delivering 88.0 GB/s, more than double the 38.4 GB/s of the Ryzen 5 3501U's DDR4 configuration. This directly benefits memory-sensitive workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD's mobile lineup, and the architectural gap is significant. The Ryzen 5 3501U is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, and manufactured on GlobalFoundries' 12nm process. The Ryzen 3 7320C uses the newer Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Mendocino, on TSMC's 6nm node. This process shrink from 12nm to 6nm brings substantial efficiency and density improvements, as reflected in the die sizes: the 3501U measures 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors, while the 7320C is just 100 mm² (transistor count not listed).

Core configuration differs in an important way. Both have 4 physical cores, but the 3501U has only 4 threads (no SMT), while the 7320C has 8 threads. This means the 7320C can process two threads per core, effectively doubling its parallel throughput in threaded workloads. Clock speeds also favor the newer chip: the 7320C has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz, versus the 3501U's 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost.

Cache layout shows a tradeoff. The 3501U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, while the 7320C has 64 KB per core. Both have 512 KB L2 per core and 4 MB shared L3, so the total cache pools are similar, but the per-core L1 difference reflects architectural changes between Zen+ and Zen 2.

Memory support is another major divergence. The 3501U uses DDR4 with dual-channel at 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The 7320C uses LPDDR5, also dual-channel, but at 88.0 GB/s — more than double the bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the 7320C has only 4 lanes (CPU only), which could limit expansion options compared to the 3501U.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the 3501U has Radeon Vega 8, while the 7320C has Radeon 610M. Sockets are incompatible (FP5 vs FT6), and the 3501U's release date is listed as 2026-05-31, while the 7320C launched 2023-05-22. Both are active production parts with locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for most buyers: the Ryzen 3 7320C is the better processor. It wins 9 of 11 head-to-head benchmarks, and its wins are often large — 39.5% in data compression, 38.6% in random string sorting, 18.4% in integer math. The 7320C also has the advantage of 8 threads, higher clocks, newer architecture, and vastly superior memory bandwidth. For anyone running threaded workloads, memory-intensive tasks, or single-threaded applications, the 7320C is simply the stronger part.

The Ryzen 5 3501U has a narrow niche. It wins in data encryption and prime number finding, and it has more L1 cache per core. But these are small victories (2.5% and 16.7%) in specialized tests, and they don't compensate for the 7320C's broad lead elsewhere. The 3501U's 4 threads are a structural handicap in multithreaded scenarios, and its DDR4 memory limits bandwidth-sensitive tasks.

Pick the Ryzen 5 3501U only if you specifically need its socket (FP5) or its particular integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8). Otherwise, the Ryzen 3 7320C is the data-backed recommendation. Both sit at the same 69th percentile, but the 7320C achieves that with a newer design and more headroom.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | AMD Ryzen 3 7320C |

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

| Series | 3000 series | 7000 series |

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Codename | Picasso | Mendocino |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso)) | Ryzen 3 (Zen 2 (Mendocino)) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 100 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not listed |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | LPDDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Radeon 610M |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2023-05-22 |

| Part Number | YM3501C4T4MFG | 100-000000774 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 3 7320C dominates the benchmark comparison, winning 9 of 11 tests. Its largest victory comes in PassMark data compression, where it scores 144465 versus the 3501U's 87380 — a 39.5% advantage. This is a massive gap that highlights the 7320C's superior memory bandwidth and threading capability.

Random string sorting shows a similar pattern. The 7320C scores 16973 against 10414, a 38.6% lead. This test is highly memory-latency sensitive, and the 7320C's LPDDR5 support at 88.0 GB/s clearly pays off. Integer math also favors the 7320C significantly: 32247 versus 26321, an 18.4% margin. Multithread performance follows with a 14.4% lead (8265 vs 7071), directly reflecting the 7320C's 8 threads versus 4.

Single-thread performance is less lopsided but still favors the 7320C. It scores 2439 versus 2136, a 12.4% advantage. This comes from the higher boost clock (4.10 vs 3.70 GHz) and the newer Zen 2 architecture. Extended instructions also go to the 7320C (3663 vs 3274, 10.6% ahead), as does floating-point math (14071 vs 12707, 9.7% ahead). Physics is a closer call: 500 vs 483, just 3.4% in favor of the 7320C.

The Ryzen 5 3501U's two wins are narrow and specialized. In data encryption, it scores 5580 versus 5443, a 2.5% edge. In finding prime numbers, it scores 21 versus 18, a 16.7% margin — its largest win. These results suggest the 3501U has some algorithmic advantages in specific integer operations, but they don't translate to broader performance.

Average scores confirm the near-parity: 14320 for the 3501U and 14277 for the 7320C, a 0.3% difference. The 7320C's closest rival is the Ryzen Embedded V2546 (14336, -0.4%), while the 3501U's nearest rival is the same V2546 (14336, -0.1%). Both CPUs also sit near the Intel Core 7 160UL (14232) and Intel Core i5-10400F (14185), placing them in a dense performance cluster.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 3 7320C wins in nearly every practical scenario. Its 8 threads make it the clear choice for multitasking, content creation, and any workload that scales with parallel execution. The 39.5% lead in data compression and 38.6% lead in random string sorting make it ideal for file archiving, database operations, and text processing. The 18.4% advantage in integer math benefits general productivity and compilation tasks. Single-thread wins of 12.4% mean faster response in everyday applications, web browsing, and office suites. The 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth gives it a decisive edge in memory-bound workloads like large spreadsheets or virtual memory paging.

The Ryzen 5 3501U has a much narrower set of advantages. Its 2.5% win in data encryption suggests it handles cryptographic operations slightly better, which could matter for VPN software or disk encryption. Its 16.7% win in prime number finding is interesting for mathematical or scientific computing that relies on prime generation, though this is a niche workload. The larger L1 cache (96 KB vs 64 KB per core) may help in tight loops that fit in L1, but the benchmark data doesn't show a broad benefit. For most users, the 3501U's wins are too isolated to justify choosing it over the 7320C.

The verdict from the data is unambiguous: if your workload touches any of the 9 tests the 7320C wins — which covers most real-world computing — the Ryzen 3 7320C is the better buy. The 3501U only makes sense for those with specific encryption or prime-number needs, or those locked into the FP5 socket.