AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U are both mobile processors from AMD, but they belong to entirely different eras of design. The Ryzen 5 150 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses the older Zen+ architecture on a 12 nm process. This generational gap shows up clearly in the recorded benchmark data, where the newer chip wins every single head-to-head test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen 5 150 also supports simultaneous multithreading, which the Ryzen 5 3501U lacks.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The Ryzen 5 150 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.55 GHz. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen 5 150 runs at higher frequencies across the board.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 150 has an average benchmark score of 34881, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14320, placing it in the 69th percentile. This is a difference of over 140% in average performance.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Ryzen 5 150 is built on a 6 nm process by TSMC, while the Ryzen 5 3501U is built on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The smaller process node allows the Ryzen 5 150 to pack more transistors and operate more efficiently.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The newer chip has double the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Ryzen 5 150 records a single-thread score of 3155, while the Ryzen 5 3501U records 2136. The Ryzen 5 150 leads by 47.7% in this metric, which indicates better performance in lightly threaded applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Ryzen 5 150 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso. The Ryzen 5 150 is manufactured on a 6 nm process by TSMC, whereas the Ryzen 5 3501U is manufactured on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This process difference is substantial, as the smaller node enables higher clock speeds and improved power efficiency.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen 5 150 supports simultaneous multithreading, which allows each core to handle two threads. The Ryzen 5 3501U does not have this capability, so it processes only one thread per core. This gives the Ryzen 5 150 a 2x advantage in thread count.

Cache layouts also separate the two. The Ryzen 5 150 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 150 has four times more L3 cache, which helps with data-heavy workloads.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 5 150 uses the Radeon 660M, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Radeon Vega 8. The Ryzen 5 150 also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Ryzen 5 3501U supports PCIe Gen 3. The socket types are different: the Ryzen 5 150 uses AMD Socket FP7, and the Ryzen 5 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5.

The thermal design power (TDP) is another key difference. The Ryzen 5 150 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has a TDP of 15 watts. This means the Ryzen 5 150 is designed for higher performance with greater power consumption, while the Ryzen 5 3501U is optimized for lower power draw, likely for thinner laptops.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 150 across all 11 benchmark categories. The Ryzen 5 150 wins every test, with deltas ranging from 47.7% to 348.2%.

The largest margin comes in the extended instructions test, where the Ryzen 5 150 scores 14675 against 3274 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 348.2%. This test measures CPU extensions and specialized instruction sets, and the newer architecture clearly handles them far more efficiently.

In floating point math, the Ryzen 5 150 scores 35118 while the Ryzen 5 3501U scores 12707, a delta of 176.4%. This indicates much stronger mathematical throughput, likely due to the combination of more cores, higher clocks, and a newer instruction pipeline.

The multithread test shows the Ryzen 5 150 at 17492 versus 7071 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 147.4%. This reflects the core and thread advantage, as the Ryzen 5 150 can process 12 threads simultaneously versus only 4 for the older chip.

Data compression results are also lopsided: 211289 for the Ryzen 5 150 versus 87380 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 141.8%. Encryption work shows a similar pattern, with scores of 13425 and 5580 respectively, a delta of 140.6%.

Integer math sees the Ryzen 5 150 at 62151 and the Ryzen 5 3501U at 26321, a delta of 136.1%. Random string sorting results are 22382 versus 10414, a delta of 114.9%. Prime number finding scores are 47 and 21, a delta of 123.8%.

The physics test shows a smaller but still significant advantage: 806 for the Ryzen 5 150 versus 483 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 66.9%. The single-thread test is the closest margin at 47.7%, with scores of 3155 and 2136. Even here, the Ryzen 5 150 holds a clear lead, which suggests its higher boost clock and newer architecture deliver better per-core performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.55 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

The process node is 6 nm for the Ryzen 5 150 and 12 nm for the Ryzen 5 3501U. The foundry is TSMC for the newer chip and GlobalFoundries for the older one. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a listed transistor count of 4,940 million, while the Ryzen 5 150 does not have this data recorded. Both have a die size of 210 mm².

Cache configurations differ in L1 and L3. The Ryzen 5 150 has 64 KB of L1 per core, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has 96 KB per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core. The L3 cache is 16 MB shared for the Ryzen 5 150 versus 4 MB shared for the Ryzen 5 3501U.

Memory support is different: the Ryzen 5 150 uses DDR5 with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both support dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe support differs, with the Ryzen 5 150 offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Ryzen 5 3501U offers Gen 3 (lane count not recorded). The integrated graphics are Radeon 660M for the Ryzen 5 150 and Radeon Vega 8 for the Ryzen 5 3501U.

The TDP is 35 watts for the Ryzen 5 150 and 15 watts for the Ryzen 5 3501U. The sockets are AMD Socket FP7 and AMD Socket FP5, respectively. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are 100-000000990(FP7r2) for the Ryzen 5 150 and YM3501C4T4MFG for the Ryzen 5 3501U.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantages are in extended instructions (348.2% ahead), floating point math (176.4% ahead), and multithread performance (147.4% ahead). These wins come from the combination of more cores, more threads, higher clock speeds, a newer architecture, and a larger L3 cache.

The Ryzen 5 150 is clearly the stronger choice for multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, data compression, encryption, and scientific computing. Its high integer math score of 62151 and floating point score of 35118 indicate robust performance in number-crunching tasks. The 12 threads allow it to handle parallel workloads far more effectively than the 4-thread Ryzen 5 3501U.

Single-thread performance also favors the Ryzen 5 150, with a 47.7% lead. This means it should handle everyday tasks, web browsing, and office applications with more responsiveness. The higher boost clock of 4.55 GHz versus 3.70 GHz contributes directly to this advantage.

The Ryzen 5 3501U does not win any benchmark category in this comparison. However, its lower TDP of 15 watts means it consumes less power than the 35-watt Ryzen 5 150. The database records no efficiency benchmarks, so the power efficiency difference cannot be quantified here beyond the TDP figures. The Ryzen 5 3501U also uses DDR4 memory, which may be more common in older systems.

In terms of market positioning, the Ryzen 5 150 sits in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 3501U sits in the 69th percentile. The Ryzen 5 150's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6349P (average score 34890, delta 0%), the Intel Core 7 253PTE (34962, -0.2%), the Intel Core i7-13800H (34988, -0.3%), and the Intel Core i9-12900HX (35003, -0.3%). The Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (14336, -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (14277, 0.3%), the Intel Core 7 160UL (14232, 0.6%), and the Intel Core i5-10400F (14185, 1%).

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is the superior processor in every measured performance category. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks, with an average score of 34881 compared to 14320 for the Ryzen 5 3501U. The 84th percentile ranking for the Ryzen 5 150 versus the 69th percentile for the Ryzen 5 3501U confirms that the newer chip sits in a higher performance tier overall.

For users who need processing power, the Ryzen 5 150 is the clear choice. Its 6 cores, 12 threads, higher clocks, DDR5 support, and 16 MB of L3 cache give it decisive advantages in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads alike. The 348.2% lead in extended instructions and 176.4% lead in floating point math show that the Zen 3+ architecture is a major step forward from the older Zen+ design.

The Ryzen 5 3501U, while lacking any benchmark wins, still has a role. Its 15-watt TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained designs, though the database does not provide efficiency metrics to quantify this benefit. Its 4,940 million transistor count and 12 nm process indicate an older but established design. For basic computing tasks, the 3501U could suffice, but the recorded data shows it trails the Ryzen 5 150 by significant margins in all tests.

The nearest rival data reinforces this separation. The Ryzen 5 150 competes with high-end mobile and server chips like the Intel Core i9-12900HX, while the Ryzen 5 3501U competes with lower-power parts like the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and Intel Core i5-10400F. These are different performance classes.

The verdict is straightforward: the Ryzen 5 150 delivers far better performance across the board, and the Ryzen 5 3501U is only distinguishable by its lower power draw and older DDR4 memory support. For any workload that benefits from more cores, faster clocks, or newer instructions, the Ryzen 5 150 is the better option based on the benchmark evidence.