AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and AMD Ryzen 5 3501U are two processors that land within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score, yet they achieve that parity through fundamentally different means. The V2546 is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 2 part built for desktop embedded systems, while the 3501U is a 4-core, 4-thread Zen+ mobile chip. The data shows a clear split: the V2546 dominates in multi-threaded and specialized workloads, while the 3501U holds a decisive edge in single-thread performance and physics simulations.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a picture of two chips optimized for different tasks. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 wins 8 of the 11 head-to-head comparisons, and its victories are not marginal. It leads by double-digit percentages in nearly every category, with particularly strong showings in data compression (55.8% ahead), floating-point math (45.9%), and extended instructions (168.8%). These are workloads that scale with core count and thread availability, which explains why the V2546’s 6 cores and 12 threads give it such a commanding advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, by contrast, wins only 3 of the 11 benchmarks, but its wins are meaningful in specific contexts. It takes the passmark_single_thread test with a score of 2136 versus 1609, a 24.7% advantage. It also wins the physics test, scoring 483 against the V2546’s 441, an 8.7% lead. These results suggest the 3501U is better suited for lightly threaded applications where raw per-core efficiency matters more than total throughput.

The overall average scores tell the story of near-total parity: the V2546 averages 14336 across all benchmarks, while the 3501U averages 14320, a difference of just 0.1%. Both processors sit at the 69th percentile among all CPUs tested. In practical terms, the choice between these two comes down to whether the workload is parallel or serial in nature.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial, even though their average scores are nearly identical. The V2546 is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process with 9,800 million transistors packed into a 156 mm² die. The 3501U uses GlobalFoundries’ 12 nm process with 4,940 million transistors on a larger 210 mm² die. This process advantage allows the V2546 to offer more cores and threads while maintaining a 35 W TDP, compared to the 3501U’s 15 W TDP.

The V2546 features Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, while the 3501U uses Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename. The V2546 has 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads — notably, the 3501U does not support simultaneous multithreading. Cache configurations also differ: the V2546 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The 3501U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both chips support DDR4 and dual-channel memory, but the V2546 offers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus 38.4 GB/s for the 3501U. The V2546 also supports ECC memory, which the 3501U does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the V2546 provides Gen 3 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 3501U lists simply Gen 3 without lane details. The integrated graphics also differ — the V2546 has Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, while the 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the extended instructions test, where the V2546 scores 8799 against the 3501U’s 3274, a 168.8% advantage. This is not a small gap; it indicates the V2546 handles advanced instruction sets far more efficiently, likely due to its newer Zen 2 architecture and higher thread count.

Data compression shows a similar pattern. The V2546 scores 136097 versus 87380, a 55.8% lead. This workload is highly parallel, and the V2546’s 12 threads versus 4 threads explain why it nearly doubles the 3501U’s throughput. Floating-point math follows the same trend: 18534 for the V2546 against 12707, a 45.9% difference. Integer math is closer but still favors the V2546 at 30739 versus 26321, a 16.8% margin.

The multithread benchmark reinforces the V2546’s dominance. It scores 9656 against the 3501U’s 7071, a 36.6% advantage. Random string sorting also goes to the V2546 at 13926 versus 10414, a 33.7% lead. Data encryption shows a 44.2% edge for the V2546 (8046 versus 5580). Even the prime numbers test, which is often single-thread bound, goes to the V2546 by a slim 4.8% margin (22 versus 21).

The 3501U’s wins are concentrated in two areas. The single-thread test is its strongest showing: 2136 versus 1609, a 24.7% lead. This is a substantial margin and suggests that for applications that cannot use more than one core, the 3501U will feel noticeably faster. The physics test also goes to the 3501U at 483 versus 441, an 8.7% advantage. Physics simulations often rely on single-thread performance, which aligns with the 3501U’s strengths.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload type. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 is the choice for multi-threaded, parallel workloads. Its 55.8% lead in data compression, 45.9% lead in floating-point math, and 36.6% lead in multithread benchmarks make it the superior processor for rendering, encoding, scientific computing, and any task that can leverage 12 threads. The 168.8% advantage in extended instructions further solidifies its position for compute-heavy applications that use modern instruction sets.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is the choice for single-thread-bound applications. Its 24.7% lead in single-thread performance and 8.7% lead in physics simulations indicate it will feel snappier in everyday desktop tasks, legacy software, and games that rely on one or two fast cores. Its lower 15 W TDP also makes it more suitable for power-constrained mobile environments, though the data does not quantify the power efficiency difference directly.

For users who need both, the near-identical average scores (14336 versus 14320) mean the decision should rest on the specific benchmark profile of the intended use case. The V2546 is the more capable all-around processor for demanding workloads, while the 3501U wins where single-thread speed is paramount.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 averages 14336, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14320, a difference of 0.1% in favor of the V2546.

Q: How much faster is the V2546 in data compression?

A: The V2546 scores 136097 in passmark_data_compression versus 87380 for the 3501U, a 55.8% advantage.

Q: Why does the 3501U win the single-thread test?

A: The 3501U scores 2136 in passmark_single_thread versus 1609 for the V2546, a 24.7% lead. This is likely due to its higher per-core efficiency despite having fewer cores and an older architecture.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The V2546 supports ECC memory, while the 3501U does not.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The V2546 offers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the 3501U provides 38.4 GB/s, a difference of 12.8 GB/s in favor of the V2546.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The V2546 has 12 threads (6 cores), while the 3501U has 4 threads (4 cores). The 3501U does not support simultaneous multithreading.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U |

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

| Series | 2000 series | 3000 series |

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.95 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen+ |

| Codename | Renoir | Picasso |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 384SP | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2020-11-09 | 2026-05-31 |

| Part Number | 100-000000246 | YM3501C4T4MFG |