AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a decisive performance gap between these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, with no benchmark favoring the older chip. The average benchmark score for the Ryzen 5 220 sits at 22289, placing it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14320, ranking in the 69th percentile.

The largest margin appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ryzen 5 220 scores 15512 against 3274 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 373.8%. This suggests the newer architecture handles advanced instruction sets far more efficiently, likely benefiting workloads like encryption, media encoding, and scientific computation. Data compression shows a 143.5% advantage (212739 versus 87380), indicating substantially faster file archiving and database workloads.

Multi-threaded performance reveals the core and thread disparity clearly. The Ryzen 5 220 delivers 18582 in PassMark multithread versus 7071 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a 162.8% lead. Floating point math shows a 179.4% gap (35500 versus 12707), while integer math trails at 120.3% (57987 versus 26321). These margins reflect both the 6-core/12-thread configuration of the Ryzen 5 220 against the 4-core/4-thread layout of the Ryzen 5 3501U, as well as the generational IPC improvements.

Single-thread performance also favors the Ryzen 5 220, scoring 3646 against 2136 in PassMark single thread, a 70.7% advantage. Physics simulation follows a similar pattern with 983 versus 483, a 103.5% lead. Prime number finding shows 65 versus 21, a 209.5% gap, while random string sorting delivers 25433 versus 10414, a 144.2% difference. Data encryption rounds out the list with 12493 versus 5580, a 123.9% advantage.

The nearest rivals in the database contextualize these scores. The Ryzen 5 220 sits just 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10700K (22230) and 1.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X (21992), while trailing the Intel Core i5-13500H by 0.8% and the Intel Core i7-1270P by 0.9%. The Ryzen 5 3501U, by contrast, lands within 1% of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, Intel Core 7 160UL, and Intel Core i5-10400F, confirming its position in a lower performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design generations. The Ryzen 5 220 uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Ryzen 5 3501U relies on the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, fabricated on GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process. This process gap alone explains much of the efficiency and clock speed difference: the Ryzen 5 220 reaches a boost clock of 4.90 GHz from a base of 3.20 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 3501U tops out at 3.70 GHz from a 2.10 GHz base.

Transistor counts illustrate the complexity gap. The Ryzen 5 220 integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the Ryzen 5 3501U packs just 4,940 million transistors on a larger 210 mm² die. The newer process allows dramatically higher density, which directly feeds into the performance differences observed in benchmarks.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Ryzen 5 220 offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 5 3501U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. While the older chip has more L1 per core, the Ryzen 5 220's quadruple L3 capacity and double L2 per core give it a substantial advantage for workloads that repeatedly access larger datasets.

Memory support also differs by generation. The Ryzen 5 220 uses DDR5 with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 3501U uses DDR4, also dual-channel, but with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. That 51.2 GB/s difference represents more than double the memory throughput, which can bottleneck or accelerate everything from gaming to content creation depending on how memory-hungry the task is.

PCIe connectivity shows the same generational split. The Ryzen 5 220 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen 5 3501U is limited to PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. Socket compatibility also differs: the Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8, the Ryzen 5 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5, meaning they are not interchangeable in existing laptop designs.

Integrated graphics follow the architecture split. The Ryzen 5 220 pairs with Radeon 740M, while the Ryzen 5 3501U carries Radeon Vega 8. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the performance delta there remains unquantified, but the underlying process and memory bandwidth advantages of the Ryzen 5 220 suggest the newer iGPU has more headroom.

Power envelopes differ as well, with the Ryzen 5 220 rated at 28W TDP versus 15W for the Ryzen 5 3501U. The production status for both remains Active, and neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The Ryzen 5 220 carries part number 100-000001611; the Ryzen 5 3501U uses YM3501C4T4MFG.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Ryzen 5 3501U does not win a single recorded test.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 scores 18582 in PassMark multithread versus 7071 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a 162.8% advantage. This reflects the 6-core/12-thread configuration versus 4-core/4-thread.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 scores 3646 in PassMark single thread against 2136 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a 70.7% lead. The newer Zen 4 architecture and higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz contribute to this gap.

Q: How do memory capabilities compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 has 16 MB of shared L3 and 1 MB of L2 per core. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 and 512 KB of L2 per core. The Ryzen 5 3501U has more L1 cache per core at 96 KB versus 64 KB.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Ryzen 5 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28W | 15W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen+ |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Picasso |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1 MB | 512 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 16 MB | 4 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Part Number | 100-000001611 | YM3501C4T4MFG |

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous outcome. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in every benchmark category measured, with deltas ranging from 70.7% in single-thread performance to 373.8% in extended instructions. The average benchmark score of 22289 versus 14320 places the Ryzen 5 220 in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 3501U sits in the 69th percentile. The nearest rival comparisons confirm the positioning: the Ryzen 5 220 trades within 1% of desktop-class processors like the Intel Core i7-10700K and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, while the Ryzen 5 3501U aligns with lower-power embedded and mobile chips.

The architectural gap explains the results. Zen 4 on a 4 nm process with 20,900 million transistors, 16 MB of L3, DDR5 support, and a 4.90 GHz boost clock fundamentally outclasses Zen+ on 12 nm with 4,940 million transistors, 4 MB of L3, and DDR4. The Ryzen 5 3501U does offer a lower 15W TDP versus 28W, which may matter for fanless designs or extreme battery-life configurations, and its larger 96 KB L1 per core represents a minor cache advantage. Those factors do not appear in the benchmark scores, however, and the performance deltas are too large to be offset by efficiency considerations in most usage scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 220 wins in all measured compute categories. Multi-threaded workloads show the largest practical advantages: data compression at 143.5% faster, multithread at 162.8%, and floating point math at 179.4%. Users who run video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation, or scientific simulations would see the most benefit from the Ryzen 5 220. The 12 threads versus 4 threads alone explains a substantial portion of these gains, and the higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s removes a bottleneck that could otherwise throttle memory-intensive tasks.

Single-threaded performance also favors the Ryzen 5 220 by 70.7%, which translates into faster application launch times, snappier web browsing, and smoother responsiveness in lightly threaded software. The extended instructions margin of 373.8% suggests workloads that use AVX or similar instruction sets would see outsized gains on the newer chip. Physics simulation at 103.5% ahead indicates better performance in game physics and engineering simulation.

The Ryzen 5 3501U holds no benchmark wins, but its specification sheet offers one clear advantage: the 15W TDP versus 28W. For ultraportable laptops where thermal headroom is minimal and battery life is paramount, the lower power draw could be the deciding factor despite the performance deficit. The 210 mm² die size and 12 nm process suggest a simpler, cheaper manufacturing approach, though the database does not record pricing. The older chip also uses PCIe Gen 3, which may suffice for basic peripherals, and its compatibility with Socket FP5 platforms could matter for users upgrading an existing system without replacing the motherboard.

The Ryzen 5 220 is the correct choice for anyone prioritizing compute performance in a mobile form factor. The Ryzen 5 3501U only makes sense when the 15W power envelope is a hard requirement and the workload is limited to basic productivity, web browsing, and light media consumption. The data does not support any other conclusion.