AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F wins all 11 recorded head-to-head tests against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. The largest margin comes in the find prime numbers test, where the 5600F scores 120 versus 21, a 82.5% advantage. Extended instructions show a similar gap, with the 5600F at 16266 against 3274, a 79.9% lead. These two tests highlight the raw computational advantage of the newer architecture.

The multithread score confirms the pattern. The 5600F posts 19236, while the 3501U manages 7071, a 63.2% deficit. Data compression follows closely, with the 5600F at 232836 versus 87380, also a 62.5% gap. Floating point math shows the same 63.2% difference, as the 5600F reaches 34548 against 12707. The encryption test delivers 13839 on the 5600F versus 5580 on the 3501U, a 59.7% margin.

The smallest relative win for the 5600F appears in single-thread performance. The 5600F scores 2872, compared to 2136 for the 3501U, a 25.6% advantage. This is still a substantial lead, but it shows the 3501U is comparatively less disadvantaged in lightly threaded workloads. Integer math sees a 55.6% gap (59339 versus 26321), random string sorting a 55.5% gap (23422 versus 10414), and physics a 53.7% gap (1043 versus 483). Every recorded metric favors the 5600F, with no exceptions.

The average benchmark score reinforces this dominance. The 5600F averages 36945, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. The 3501U averages 14320, sitting in the 69th percentile. The nearest rival to the 5600F is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 at 36938, a 0% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 37018, which is 0.2% higher. The 3501U's closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, scores 14336, just 0.1% above it, while the Intel Core i5-10400F trails by 1%.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F win every benchmark against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U?

A: Yes. The head-to-head data records 11 wins for the 5600F and 0 wins for the 3501U. The smallest margin is 25.6% in single-thread tests, and the largest is 82.5% in find prime numbers.

Q: How much faster is the 5600F in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The multithread score for the 5600F is 19236, while the 3501U scores 7071. This represents a 63.2% advantage for the 5600F.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The closest result is in the single-thread test, where the 5600F scores 2872 and the 3501U scores 2136, a 25.6% difference. This is still a clear win for the 5600F.

Q: How do the two processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The 5600F's average score of 36945 is within 0.5% of the Intel Core i9-12900T (37112) and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37093). The 3501U's average of 14320 is within 1% of the Intel Core i5-10400F (14185).

Q: Does the 3501U have any benchmark where it is competitive?

A: No recorded benchmark shows the 3501U ahead. Its best relative performance is in single-thread tests, where it trails by 25.6%, whereas in extended instructions it trails by 79.9%.

Q: What percentile ranking does each processor hold?

A: The 5600F is in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the 3501U is in the 69th percentile. This reflects the 5600F's higher average score of 36945 versus 14320.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The 3501U uses the Picasso codename, based on the Zen+ microarchitecture, and is manufactured on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The 5600F uses the Vermeer codename, based on Zen 3, and is built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. This process shrink is directly reflected in the die size: the 3501U measures 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors, while the 5600F measures 74 mm² with 4,150 million transistors. The smaller die with fewer transistors still delivers substantially higher performance, confirming the architectural efficiency gain.

The cache hierarchy differs significantly. The 3501U provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The 5600F provides 64 KB of L1 per core and the same 512 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache jumps to 32 MB. This eightfold increase in L3 capacity is a major factor in the 5600F's superior performance in data-heavy workloads, as evidenced by the data compression score of 232836 versus 87380.

Core and thread counts also differ. The 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the 5600F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 5600F's simultaneous multithreading doubles its thread count relative to its core count, whereas the 3501U has no such feature. The 5600F also offers a higher clock range, with a base of 3.00 GHz and a boost of 4.00 GHz, compared to the 3501U's 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost.

The 5600F is an unlocked multiplier processor, while the 3501U is locked. The 5600F supports ECC memory, which the 3501U does not. The 3501U includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the 5600F has no integrated graphics. The 5600F uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 3501U uses PCIe Gen 3.

Specification Differences

The specification tables show clear separations across nearly every field. The 5600F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The 5600F carries a 65 W TDP, while the 3501U is rated at 15 W, reflecting their desktop versus mobile market segments.

The sockets differ completely: the 5600F uses AMD Socket AM4, and the 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5. Process nodes are 7 nm (TSMC) for the 5600F and 12 nm (GlobalFoundries) for the 3501U. The L3 cache is 32 MB shared on the 5600F versus 4 MB shared on the 3501U. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s on the 5600F versus 38.4 GB/s on the 3501U.

The 5600F supports ECC memory, the 3501U does not. The 5600F has no integrated graphics, the 3501U has Radeon Vega 8. The 5600F is PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, the 3501U is PCIe Gen 3. The 5600F has an unlocked multiplier, the 3501U does not. The 5600F is marked as Desktop segment, the 3501U as Mobile. The codenames are Vermeer versus Picasso, and the generations are Zen 3 versus Zen+.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a single conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Its average score of 36945 is more than double the 3501U's 14320, and it ranks in the 85th percentile versus the 69th percentile. The 5600F wins all 11 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 25.6% in single-thread performance to 82.5% in prime number calculation.

The 3501U does have one distinct advantage: its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it suitable for compact mobile systems where power consumption and onboard display output are priorities. However, in terms of raw compute performance, the 5600F's 6 cores, 12 threads, 32 MB L3 cache, and higher clocks deliver decisive wins across the board. The 5600F also supports ECC memory and an unlocked multiplier, features absent from the 3501U.

For any workload that benefits from multi-core throughput, the 5600F is the clear choice. The data compression score of 232836 versus 87380, the multithread score of 19236 versus 7071, and the floating point score of 34548 versus 12707 all demonstrate a level of performance the 3501U cannot approach. The 5600F's nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, scores 36938, essentially identical, confirming the 5600F sits at a competitive performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F wins in every compute benchmark category recorded. It leads in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread performance, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. The largest relative wins come in extended instructions (79.9%) and prime numbers (82.5%), indicating strong performance in mathematically intensive and instruction-heavy workloads. The smallest win, at 25.6% in single-thread, still represents a solid lead for lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win any recorded benchmark. Its only advantages are qualitative: a 15 W TDP versus 65 W, integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics versus none, and a mobile market segment designation. These features make the 3501U suitable for low-power portable systems where the 5600F's desktop socket and higher power draw would be inappropriate. The 3501U also uses PCIe Gen 3, which is less demanding on platform power delivery.

For desktop systems with an available discrete graphics card, the 5600F is the appropriate choice. Its ECC memory support and unlocked multiplier add flexibility for workstation and enthusiast configurations. For thin-and-light laptops where battery life and heat dissipation matter more than raw throughput, the 3501U's 15 W envelope gives it a purpose, even though its benchmark scores are far behind. The data shows no scenario where the 3501U outperforms the 5600F in processing speed.