AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs Intel Core 3 201E Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 and Intel Core 3 201E serve distinctly different segments despite both being active production parts. The Ryzen 5 150 is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP7 with a 35 TDP, while the Core 3 201E is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1700 with a 60 TDP. Benchmark data shows the AMD part wins 7 of 11 head-to-head comparisons, including the heavier multithreaded workloads, while the Intel chip takes 4 wins concentrated in single-thread and physics tests. The recorded average benchmark score tells the larger story: the Ryzen 5 150 posts 34881 versus 19056 for the Core 3 201E, a gap that places the AMD chip at the 84th percentile of all CPUs compared to the Intel part's 73rd percentile. Buyers needing a mobile solution with strong parallel throughput should choose the Ryzen 5 150. Desktop builders prioritizing peak single-core response and ECC memory support should select the Core 3 201E. The Intel part also carries a launch MSRP of $134, which can be stated once as a reference point.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge at the silicon level. AMD uses a 6 nm process from TSMC with a die size of 210 mm², built on the Zen 3+ architecture with the Rembrandt-R codename. Intel counters with a 10 nm process from its own foundry, a 163 mm² die, and the Bartlett Lake codename. The Ryzen 5 150 packs 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 3 201E offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache configurations differ substantially: AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel side compensates partially for its smaller L3 pool. Memory support splits cleanly: the Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 only, while the Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both run dual-channel memory with identical 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is available only on the Intel part. PCIe connectivity favors Intel with Gen 5 and 16 lanes, versus Gen 4 and 20 lanes for AMD. Integrated graphics differ as well: Radeon 660M on the AMD side against UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. Both processors have locked multipliers, and both are listed as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 150 in data encryption, where it scores 13425 against 8931 for the Intel chip, a 50.3% advantage. Integer math shows a 41.6% lead for AMD with 62151 versus 43894. Extended instructions favor AMD by 33%, with scores of 14675 and 11035. Data compression gives AMD a 28.7% win at 211289 versus 164160. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 25.9%, recording 22382 against 17783. Multithread performance favors AMD by 17.9%, with 17492 versus 14839. Floating point math is the closest AMD win at 5.6%, posting 35118 against 33260. The Intel Core 3 201E claims its biggest victory in physics tests, scoring 1141 versus 806, a 29.4% margin in its favor. Single-thread performance goes to Intel by 9.4%, with 3482 against 3155 on both single-thread listings. Find prime numbers is the final Intel win at 57 versus 47, a 17.5% margin. The pattern is clear: AMD dominates in throughput-heavy tasks, while Intel excels in latency-sensitive and physics-oriented workloads. The Ryzen 5 150's 12 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel tests, but the Intel chip's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz (versus 3.30 GHz and 4.55 GHz for AMD) help it win the single-threaded comparisons.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across every major specification field. Core count: 6 for AMD, 4 for Intel. Threads: 12 versus 8. Base clock: 3.30 GHz for AMD, 3.60 GHz for Intel. Boost clock: 4.55 GHz for AMD, 4.80 GHz for Intel. TDP: 35 watts for AMD, 60 watts for Intel. Socket: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process node: 6 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Die size: 210 mm² versus 163 mm². L1 cache per core: 64 KB on AMD, 80 KB on Intel. L2 cache per core: 512 KB on AMD, 1.25 MB on Intel. L3 cache: 16 MB shared on AMD, 12 MB shared on Intel. Memory support: DDR5 only on AMD, DDR4 and DDR5 on Intel. ECC memory: false on AMD, true on Intel. PCIe generation: Gen 4 on AMD, Gen 5 on Intel. PCIe lanes: 20 on AMD, 16 on Intel. Integrated graphics: Radeon 660M on AMD, UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. Market segment: Mobile on AMD, Desktop on Intel. Release date: September 30, 2025 for AMD, January 12, 2025 for Intel. Part numbers: 100-000000990(FP7r2) for AMD, SRVTR for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $134; the AMD part has no listed MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multithreaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 wins the passmark multithread test with 17492 against 14839 for the Intel Core 3 201E, a 17.9% advantage. AMD also holds a 6-core, 12-thread configuration versus Intel's 4-core, 8-thread setup.

Q: Is the Intel Core 3 201E faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: Yes, the Intel part scores 3482 in the passmark single-thread test compared to 3155 for AMD, a 9.4% lead. Intel's higher base and boost clocks contribute to this result.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 3 201E supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 does not list ECC support in its specifications.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 3 201E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD also offers more L3 per core due to its higher core count.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it broader compatibility with existing memory modules.

Q: Which processor offers faster PCIe connectivity?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Intel's Gen 5 interface provides higher per-lane bandwidth, though AMD offers more total lanes.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 records an average benchmark score of 34881, placing it at the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 201E averages 19056, placing it at the 73rd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 is the clear choice for workloads that scale with thread count and parallel execution. Its wins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, multithread, floating point math, and random string sorting cover the majority of compute-heavy tasks. The 50.3% lead in data encryption and 41.6% lead in integer math are the standout margins. Mobile users benefit from the 35 TDP, which suits thin-and-light designs, and the Radeon 660M integrated graphics offer a more capable iGPU solution than Intel's UHD Graphics 730. The 6 nm process efficiency and 16 MB L3 cache support sustained multi-core loads. The 84th percentile ranking versus 73rd for Intel reinforces the overall performance advantage.

The Intel Core 3 201E wins where single-thread responsiveness and specific instruction patterns matter. Its 9.4% single-thread lead and 29.4% physics test victory indicate strengths in latency-bound scenarios. The 57 versus 47 score in prime number finding shows an edge in workloads with branch-heavy, non-parallel patterns. Desktop builders gain from the Socket 1700 platform, ECC memory support for reliability-sensitive systems, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity for current-generation GPUs and storage. The dual DDR4/DDR5 memory support allows reuse of existing DDR4 modules, reducing platform transition friction. The 4.80 GHz boost clock is the highest frequency in this comparison, and the 60 TDP gives the desktop chip more thermal headroom than the mobile AMD part. For users prioritizing physics simulations, legacy software that favors high clock speeds, or systems requiring ECC, the Core 3 201E delivers those specific capabilities. The 163 mm² die and 10 nm process are older technology, but the architecture compensates with larger per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB versus 512 KB on AMD.