AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs AMD Ryzen 7 8700F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and AMD Ryzen 7 8700F occupy opposite ends of the performance spectrum, and the recorded benchmark data confirms a decisive split. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 15-watt mobile part built for efficiency, while the Ryzen 7 8700F is a 65-watt desktop processor built for throughput. The database results show the Ryzen 7 8700F winning every single head-to-head comparison, often by margins exceeding 70 percent.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 7 8700F dominates the PassMark suite without exception. In the multithread test, it scores 30893 against the Ryzen 5 3501U’s 7071, a delta of -77.1 percent. That margin is consistent across nearly every workload. Data compression shows the 8700F at 378160 versus 87380, a -76.9 percent gap. Integer math follows the same pattern: 100371 against 26321, a -73.8 percent difference. Floating point math delivers 62629 versus 12707, putting the 8700F ahead by -79.7 percent.

The largest single delta in the dataset appears in extended instructions, where the 8700F scores 28474 and the 3501U scores 3274, a -88.5 percent gap. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that use AVX or similar instruction sets. Encryption performance shows a -74.8 percent delta, with the 8700F at 22117 and the 3501U at 5580. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both clock speed and memory latency, shows 98 versus 21, a -78.6 percent delta.

Single-thread performance is the closest contest, but the 8700F still wins by a wide margin. The 8700F scores 3872 in the PassMark single-thread test against the 3501U’s 2136, a -44.8 percent delta. Physics simulation shows 1553 versus 483, a -68.9 percent gap. Random string sorting, which tests memory bandwidth and cache efficiency, shows 45425 versus 10414, a -77.1 percent delta. The Ryzen 5 3501U records zero wins across all 11 shared benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso architecture, a Zen+ refinement, and is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 7 8700F uses Zen 4 on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The transistor counts reflect this gap: the 3501U packs 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the 8700F integrates 25,000 million transistors on a smaller 178 mm² die.

Core configuration differs sharply. The 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. The 8700F has 8 cores and 16 threads, doubling both the physical and logical core counts. Base and boost clocks reinforce the gap: the 3501U runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, while the 8700F runs at 4.10 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies are also different. The 3501U uses 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The 8700F uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 and L3 allocations on the 8700F contribute to its performance advantage in memory-intensive workloads.

Memory support diverges completely. The 3501U pairs with DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, yielding 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The 8700F uses DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, reaching 83.2 GB/s. That more than double the bandwidth directly explains the data compression and string sorting margins. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Platform differences matter for upgrades. The 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5, a mobile BGA socket, while the 8700F uses AMD Socket AM5, a desktop LGA socket. The 3501U has PCIe Gen 3, while the 8700F has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes on the CPU. The 3501U includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the 8700F has no integrated graphics at all. The 8700F has an unlocked multiplier; the 3501U does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 8700F wins everywhere in the recorded data, but the scale of the win varies by workload. Its largest advantages come in extended instructions (-88.5 percent) and floating point math (-79.7 percent), making it the clear choice for scientific computing, video encoding, and any task that leverages vectorized code. The multithread score of 30893 versus 7071 confirms a strong lead in rendering, compilation, and heavy multitasking.

The Ryzen 5 3501U has no benchmark wins, but its profile suits a different role. Its 15-watt TDP, mobile Socket FP5, and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it appropriate for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal limits take priority over raw compute. The data shows it scores 2136 in single-thread, which is less than half of the 8700F’s 3872, but that gap is acceptable in a low-power mobile context.

The 8700F’s desktop market segment and 65-watt TDP indicate it is meant for stationary systems with adequate cooling. Its lack of integrated graphics forces the use of a discrete GPU, which is consistent with a performance desktop build. The 3501U’s integrated GPU means it can run a full system without an add-in card, a feature the 8700F cannot match.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen 7 8700F scores 3872 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2136, a -44.8 percent difference.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 3501U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Vega 8. The Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 7 8700F supports DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen 7 8700F has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U uses AMD Socket FP5. The Ryzen 7 8700F uses AMD Socket AM5.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The PassMark extended instructions test shows the 8700F at 28474 against the 3501U’s 3274, a -88.5 percent delta.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 3000 series mobile chip with 4 cores and 4 threads, clocked at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, with a 15-watt TDP. The Ryzen 7 8700F is an 8000 series desktop chip with 8 cores and 16 threads, clocked at 4.10 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, with a 65-watt TDP.

Process technology separates them by two generations: 12 nm GlobalFoundries for the 3501U versus 4 nm TSMC for the 8700F. Transistor counts are 4,940 million versus 25,000 million. Die size is 210 mm² versus 178 mm². Cache configurations differ across all levels: L1 is 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core, and L3 is 4 MB shared versus 16 MB shared.

Memory support changes from DDR4 to DDR5, with bandwidth rising from 38.4 GB/s to 83.2 GB/s. PCIe generation moves from Gen 3 to Gen 4, with the 8700F offering 20 CPU lanes. The 3501U has Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics; the 8700F has none. Sockets differ entirely: FP5 for mobile versus AM5 for desktop. The 8700F has an unlocked multiplier; the 3501U does not. The 3501U belongs to the 3000 series and the 8700F to the 8000 series. The 3501U was released in 2026, while the 8700F was released in 2024. The 8700F has a launch MSRP of $270. The 3501U has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 7 8700F outperforms the Ryzen 5 3501U in every recorded benchmark. Its multithread score of 30893 is more than four times the 3501U’s 7071, and its single-thread score of 3872 nearly doubles the 3501U’s 2136. The 8700F also reaches the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, while the 3501U sits at the 69th percentile.

The Ryzen 5 3501U is not competitive in raw performance, but it serves a different purpose. Its 15-watt TDP, mobile FP5 socket, and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it suitable for compact laptops where power draw and heat are the primary constraints. Its average benchmark score of 14320 places it near the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, which scores 14336, and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, which scores 14277. These are close, low-power companions.

The Ryzen 7 8700F is the choice for desktop users who need maximum compute. Its average benchmark score of 30746 puts it near the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS at 30879 and the Intel Core i5-13600H at 30548. The 8700F requires a discrete GPU and a desktop AM5 board, but the performance data justifies that platform investment. For workloads that stress encryption, extended instructions, or multithread throughput, the 8700F is the only option between these two.