AMD Ryzen 5 3500X vs Intel Core i3-1215U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear overall winner, but the story is more nuanced than the raw win count suggests. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X takes 15 of the 19 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-1215U secures 4 wins. The margins, however, tell two very different stories about where each processor excels.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X dominates every single iteration. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD scores 11196 against Intel's 6644, a delta of -40.7%. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (4702 vs 2790, -40.7%) and Cinebench R15 multicore (1128 vs 669, -40.7%). The single-core Cinebench results are equally lopsided: R23 single-core shows 1580 for AMD versus 938 for Intel, a -40.6% gap, while R20 single-core (663 vs 393) and R15 single-core (159 vs 94) both sit at -40.7%. These are remarkably consistent margins, suggesting a fundamental throughput advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

Geekbench paints a slightly different picture. The multicore result favors AMD at 6331 versus 4365, a -31.1% delta. The single-core result, however, is much closer: 1539 for AMD versus 1485 for Intel, a mere -3.5% difference. This narrow single-core margin hints that the Intel architecture can compete when the workload stays within a single thread, even though it falls behind in multi-threaded scenarios.

The PassMark suite reveals the Intel chip's actual strengths. In PassMark single-thread, the Intel Core i3-1215U scores 3218 against AMD's 2502, a 28.6% advantage. This is the largest win for Intel in any category. Floating point math also goes Intel's way: 25379 versus 23095, a 9.9% edge. Integer math follows with 35534 versus 32564, a 9.1% margin. These three wins show that the Intel part is genuinely competitive, even superior, in certain single-threaded and math-heavy workloads.

The remaining PassMark tests all favor AMD, often by large margins. Extended instructions show AMD at 14053 versus Intel's 6868, a -51.1% delta. Physics goes to AMD at 1234 versus 583, a -52.8% gap. Find prime numbers is the most extreme: 130 versus 32, a -75.4% difference. Data compression (143701 vs 116705, -18.8%), random string sorting (16263 vs 13046, -19.8%), multithread (13172 vs 10472, -20.5%), and data encryption (7276 vs 7041, -3.2%) round out the AMD victories.

The data indicates a processor that wins decisively in broad multi-threaded workloads, while the challenger holds specific single-thread and math niches.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-1215U uses the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node, and carries the Alder Lake-U codename. It is a mobile part, designed for the Intel BGA 1744 socket with a 15 W TDP. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X, by contrast, uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Matisse codename, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It is a desktop processor on the AMD Socket AM4 platform with a 65 W TDP.

Both chips have 6 physical cores, but thread counts differ. The Intel part supports 8 threads, meaning it has Hyper-Threading enabled on some cores. The AMD part runs 6 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This thread advantage does not translate into benchmark superiority for Intel, as the AMD chip wins most multi-threaded tests despite having fewer threads.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Intel Core i3-1215U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's L3 cache is more than three times larger, which helps explain its strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads like extended instructions and physics tests.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database. PCIe lanes differ as well: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, AMD provides Gen 4 with 24 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel side, with UHD Graphics 64EU. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has no integrated graphics listed, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for display output. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD processor also lists transistor count at 3,800 million and die size at 74 mm², while the Intel part has no such figures recorded.

Clock speeds favor AMD in base frequency: 3.60 GHz versus 1.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with Intel at 4.40 GHz and AMD at 4.10 GHz. The lower base clock on the Intel chip is typical for a low-power mobile part, but the boost clock shows it can reach competitive single-thread speeds when needed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

The PassMark single-thread test shows the Intel Core i3-1215U ahead with 3218 versus 2502, a 28.6% advantage. However, the Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X ahead with 1580 versus 938, a -40.6% delta for Intel. Results vary by benchmark methodology.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X leads by 40.7% across all three Cinebench multicore tests (R15, R20, R23). In Geekbench multicore, the gap narrows to 31.1%. PassMark multithread shows a 20.5% difference.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

Yes, the Intel Core i3-1215U includes UHD Graphics 64EU. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has no integrated graphics listed in the database, so it requires a separate graphics card.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-1215U has 10 MB of shared L3. Per-core L1 and L2 are larger on the Intel part.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

Yes, both the Intel Core i3-1215U and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X are listed as Active production status in the database.

Q: What are the socket requirements?

The Intel Core i3-1215U uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, indicating a soldered mobile design. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X uses the AMD Socket AM4, a standard desktop socket.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1215U | AMD Ryzen 5 3500X |

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

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Series | None listed | 3000 series |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base clock | 1.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-U | Matisse |

| Generation | Core i3 (Alder Lake-U) | Ryzen 5 (Zen 2, Matisse) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 3,800 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 74 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 512 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 10 MB shared | 32 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 4, 24 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2022-02-22 | 2019-09-23 |

| Unlocked multiplier | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRLFU | 100-000000158 |

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X as the stronger overall processor. It wins 15 of 19 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench test and the majority of PassMark workloads. The margins are often large: 40.7% in Cinebench multicore, 51.1% in extended instructions, 75.4% in find prime numbers. The AMD chip also holds a 31.1% lead in Geekbench multicore and a 20.5% lead in PassMark multithread.

The Intel Core i3-1215U is not without merit. Its 28.6% lead in PassMark single-thread is significant, and it wins floating point math by 9.9% and integer math by 9.1%. These wins show that the Intel architecture has superior per-thread execution in certain math-heavy scenarios. The Geekbench single-core result, where Intel trails by only 3.5%, reinforces this.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 12604, while the AMD chip sits at 12000. Both processors occupy the 67th percentile against all CPUs in the database. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Atom x7809C at 12607 (0% delta), the Intel Core i3-10105F at 12644 (-0.3%), the Intel Core i5-1230U at 12559 (0.4%), and the AMD EPYC 9174F at 12536 (0.5%). The AMD chip's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U at 12019 (-0.2%), the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U at 12026 (-0.2%), the Intel Core i3-12100 at 12054 (-0.4%), and the Intel Core i7-7700 at 11914 (0.7%).

The intended use cases differ sharply. The Intel part is a 15 W mobile processor for laptops, while the AMD part is a 65 W desktop chip. The AMD chip's higher TDP and desktop socket allow sustained multi-threaded performance, which the benchmarks reflect. The Intel chip's low TDP and mobile design prioritize power efficiency, yet it still manages to win in single-thread PassMark tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is the choice for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, shows it ahead by roughly 40%. Geekbench multicore adds another 31.1% advantage. PassMark multithread confirms the trend with a 20.5% lead. Users running rendering, compilation, physics simulation, or extended instruction workloads should favor the AMD chip based on this data.

The Intel Core i3-1215U wins in specific single-thread and math scenarios. PassMark single-thread shows a 28.6% lead, floating point math a 9.9% lead, and integer math a 9.1% lead. The Geekbench single-core score of 1485 versus 1539 shows the Intel chip can nearly match the AMD part in that test. For workloads that rely on single-thread responsiveness or heavy floating point and integer calculations, the Intel chip has the edge.

The AMD chip also wins in data compression (18.8% lead), random string sorting (19.8%), data encryption (3.2%), and physics (52.8%). The Intel chip has no wins in any of these categories. The overall pattern is clear: choose the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X for general desktop computing and multi-threaded tasks, choose the Intel Core i3-1215U for power-constrained mobile systems where single-thread PassMark performance and integrated graphics are priorities.