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

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen 5 5600XT operates at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Ryzen 5 5600XT has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U does not support ECC memory, whereas the Ryzen 5 5600XT does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node and foundry for each chip?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 5 5600XT uses a 7 nm process fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Do both processors include integrated graphics?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, while the Ryzen 5 5600XT has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and design philosophies. The Ryzen 5 3501U is part of the 3000 series, codenamed Picasso, and uses the Zen+ architecture. It is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 5 5600XT belongs to the 5000 series, codenamed Vermeer, and uses the Zen 3 architecture. It is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The process shrink delivers a substantial improvement in density and power characteristics, though the desktop chip also has a much higher thermal envelope.

The Ryzen 5 3501U is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, while the Ryzen 5 5600XT is a desktop part rated at 65 W TDP. That difference in power budget explains much of the performance gap. The mobile chip uses AMD Socket FP5, while the desktop chip uses AMD Socket AM4. The 5600XT also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, which the 3501U does not support.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The 3501U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The 5600XT has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger shared L3 cache on the 5600XT is a key architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from high-speed data reuse across cores.

Memory support also differs. Both support DDR4 and dual-channel memory, but the 5600XT has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s compared to 38.4 GB/s for the 3501U. The 5600XT also supports ECC memory, while the 3501U does not. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator: the 3501U uses PCIe Gen 3, while the 5600XT uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The transistor counts and die sizes reflect the different process technologies and design goals. The 3501U has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The 5600XT has 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The smaller die on the newer process shows the efficiency gain from the 7 nm node.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The Ryzen 5 5600XT wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database. Out of the 11 recorded comparisons, the 5600XT takes 11 wins, with the 3501U taking none.

The Ryzen 5 3501U is a mobile processor designed for low-power systems. Its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it suitable for compact laptops and portable devices where power consumption is a primary concern. Its average benchmark score of 14320 places it at the 69th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and the Intel Core i5-10400F, with score deltas of -0.1% and 1%, respectively.

The Ryzen 5 5600XT is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP and no integrated graphics. Its average benchmark score of 28940 places it at the 81st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are high-end mobile and desktop parts such as the Intel Core i9-13900H, the Intel Core i5-12600H, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H, with deltas of 0.2%, 0.2%, and -0.5%, respectively.

For a user building a desktop system with an existing discrete GPU, the 5600XT is the obvious choice based on raw performance metrics. For a user seeking a low-power mobile solution with integrated graphics, the 3501U fills that role, but the benchmark data shows it is far behind in every measured workload. There is no scenario in the recorded data where the 3501U outperforms the 5600XT.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT |

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

| Series | 3000 series | 5000 series |

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 4 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Zen+ (Picasso) | Zen 3 (Vermeer) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 4,150 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 74 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 5 5600XT dominates every benchmark recorded in the database. The largest margin comes in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the 5600XT scores 143 against 21 for the 3501U, a delta of -85.3%. This test is heavily dependent on single-thread performance and clock speed, both of which favor the 5600XT.

In passmark_extended_instructions, the 5600XT scores 17450 versus 3274 for the 3501U, a delta of -81.2%. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that use modern instruction set extensions. The passmark_floating_point_math test shows a score of 40537 for the 5600XT against 12707 for the 3501U, a delta of -68.7%. The passmark_multithread test shows 22283 against 7071, a delta of -68.3%.

The passmark_data_compression test shows the 5600XT at 257118 versus 87380 for the 3501U, a delta of -66%. The passmark_data_encryption test shows 15944 versus 5580, a delta of -65%. The passmark_physics test shows 1322 versus 483, a delta of -63.5%. The passmark_integer_math test shows 71063 versus 26321, a delta of -63%. The passmark_random_string_sorting test shows 26693 versus 10414, a delta of -61%.

The single-thread tests show the smallest relative gap, but it is still substantial. The passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread tests both show scores of 3469 for the 5600XT and 2136 for the 3501U, a delta of -38.4%. This is the closest margin in the entire dataset, yet it still represents a clear win for the newer desktop chip.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The 5600XT averages 28940, while the 3501U averages 14320. That is roughly double the average score, reinforcing the conclusion that these processors are in different performance tiers.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 5600XT wins in every measured category. There is no benchmark in the database where the 3501U takes the lead. The 5600XT is superior in multi-threaded workloads, single-threaded workloads, floating-point math, integer math, encryption, compression, physics calculations, and random string sorting.

The 5600XT is the better choice for desktop workloads that demand high throughput. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 4.70 GHz boost clock and 32 MB of L3 cache, make it well-suited for rendering, compilation, data compression, and encryption tasks. The 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and PCIe Gen 4 support further enhance its capability in memory-intensive and I/O-heavy scenarios.

The Ryzen 5 3501U, while losing every benchmark, still has a defined role. Its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it a functional option for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and heat are more important than raw performance. The 69th percentile ranking shows it is not a weak processor in absolute terms; it sits near the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and the Intel Core i5-10400F in average score. However, in direct comparison with the 5600XT, the mobile chip is outclassed in every recorded metric.

For a desktop build with a discrete GPU, the 5600XT is the only sensible pick from this data. For a mobile device that needs integrated graphics and low power consumption, the 3501U is the only one of the two that can serve that purpose, since the 5600XT has no integrated graphics. The choice ultimately comes down to platform and power requirements, not performance, because the performance data is entirely one-sided.