AMD Ryzen 5 3500U vs Intel Core i3-1305U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1305U and AMD Ryzen 5 3500U are near-identical in overall average benchmark score, with the Intel part scoring 11200 and the AMD part scoring 11176, a difference of only 0.2%. Despite this statistical tie, the two processors have completely opposite performance profiles. The Intel Core i3-1305U wins 9 of the 13 shared benchmark comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins only 4. The data shows a clear split: Intel dominates in raw compute and single-threaded tasks, while AMD holds narrow leads in specific memory and encryption workloads. Both sit at the 66th percentile of all CPUs, making them equivalent in overall standing, but the nature of their wins dictates very different use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-1305U’s largest victory comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 36 against the AMD’s 15, a massive 140% delta. This is not a marginal edge; it is a categorical difference in integer-heavy scalar processing. Similarly, in floating-point math, Intel scores 19687 versus AMD’s 12485, a 57.7% advantage. These two results alone establish that the Intel part is far stronger in mathematical and physics-based computations.

Single-thread performance is another Intel stronghold. In PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 3115 versus AMD’s 1924, a 61.9% lead. This same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel scores 102 against AMD’s 143 — but here the AMD part wins by 28.7%. That is a notable reversal, suggesting the older Cinebench R15 test favors AMD’s architecture in ways the newer PassMark suite does not.

Multi-threaded workloads show a mixed picture. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel wins with 723 versus 650, an 11.2% edge. In PassMark multithread, Intel’s lead expands to 27.5%, scoring 8747 against 6858. The Intel part also wins PassMark integer math by 12.9% (27925 vs 24732) and PassMark physics by 42.5% (523 vs 367). Extended instructions go to Intel as well, with a 47.2% advantage (5240 vs 3560).

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U’s wins are narrower but consistent in specific areas. It edges out Intel in PassMark data compression by 1.9% (94555 vs 92767) and in data encryption by 2% (6013 vs 5895). Random string sorting also goes to AMD, with a 1.3% lead (11029 vs 10889). These are all single-digit percentage margins, indicating that AMD’s advantages are real but modest, confined to memory-heavy and cryptographic workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1305U is the clear choice for compute-intensive applications. Its 57.7% lead in floating-point math and 140% lead in prime number finding make it suitable for scientific calculations, financial modeling, and any workload that relies on heavy number crunching. The 61.9% single-thread advantage in PassMark also suggests superior responsiveness in everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and running single-threaded legacy applications. The 42.5% physics score lead points to better performance in simulation and game physics engines, though the integrated graphics situation is separate from CPU compute.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins in data compression, encryption, and string sorting. The 2% encryption lead (6013 vs 5895) and 1.9% compression lead (94555 vs 92767) are small, but they indicate that AMD’s architecture handles memory-intensive data manipulation more efficiently. The 1.3% random string sorting win reinforces this. For users dealing with file archiving, database operations, or VPN/encryption tasks, the AMD part offers a slight but measurable edge. The AMD part also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 28.7%, which is a significant margin in that specific benchmark, suggesting that certain legacy single-threaded applications may run better on the AMD chip.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 11200 for Intel and 11176 for AMD — but the distribution of wins is not. Intel wins 9 benchmarks, AMD wins 4. This means the Intel part is more versatile across a broader range of workloads, while the AMD part is specialized in a narrow set of memory-centric tasks.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i3-1305U for general-purpose computing and any workload that benefits from raw processing power. The data shows it is ahead by 57.7% in floating-point math, 140% in prime number finding, 61.9% in single-thread performance, and 42.5% in physics. These are not small margins; they are dominant advantages that will be felt in real-world applications. The 27.5% lead in PassMark multithread also means the Intel part handles multi-threaded productivity tasks better. If you are running spreadsheets, compiling code, processing images, or doing any kind of scientific or engineering work, the Intel Core i3-1305U is the superior processor.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U only if your primary workloads are data compression, encryption, or string manipulation. The AMD part wins these by 1.9%, 2%, and 1.3% respectively — real but small edges. The AMD part also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 28.7%, which is notable for legacy software compatibility. However, given that the Intel part wins 9 of 13 benchmarks and dominates in every major compute category, the AMD part is only preferable in niche scenarios. For most users, the Intel Core i3-1305U is the better buy based on benchmark data alone, despite the near-identical average scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-1305U has an average benchmark score of 11200, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U scores 11176. The Intel part is ahead by 0.2%.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i3-1305U in single-threaded PassMark?

A: The Intel Core i3-1305U scores 3115 in PassMark single-thread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U scores 1924. This gives Intel a 61.9% advantage.

Q: In which benchmarks does the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U outperform the Intel Core i3-1305U?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (143 vs 102), PassMark data compression (94555 vs 92767), PassMark data encryption (6013 vs 5895), and PassMark random string sorting (11029 vs 10889).

Q: What is the difference in multi-threaded PassMark scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-1305U scores 8747 in PassMark multithread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U scores 6858. Intel leads by 27.5%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in floating-point math?

A: The Intel Core i3-1305U scores 19687 in PassMark floating-point math, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U scores 12485. Intel has a 57.7% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-1305U and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U are at the 66th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-1305U is built on Intel’s 10 nm process node and uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-U. It is fabricated by Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries and is based on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Picasso. The Intel part has 5 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads. Intel’s cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD’s cache configuration is 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has a disclosed transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm², while the Intel part does not have these figures listed. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Intel’s PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while AMD uses Gen 3. The Intel integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 64EU, and the AMD integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i3-1305U has 5 cores and 6 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U’s 4 cores and 8 threads. Intel’s base clock is 1600 MHz with a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while AMD’s base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Both have a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket FP5. Intel’s process node is 10 nm, while AMD’s is 12 nm.

Cache sizes differ substantially: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3, while AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as well — Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports only DDR4. PCIe generation also differs: Intel is Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, AMD is Gen 3. The integrated graphics are different, with Intel using UHD Graphics 64EU and AMD using Radeon Vega 8. The release dates are also different: Intel was released on 2023-01-03, while AMD was released on 2019-01-05. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. The Intel part number is SRMLT, and the AMD part number is YM3500C4T4MFG.