AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 120U wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. Across all 11 shared PassMark tests, the Intel part takes the higher score, leaving the AMD processor with zero wins in the direct comparison set. This is not a close contest; the margins are consistently large, ranging from roughly 39% to 65% in Intel's favor.

The Intel Core 5 120U shows its largest advantages in compute-heavy workloads. In floating point math, the Intel chip scores 36,026 against AMD's 12,707, a 64.7% gap. Extended instructions show a similar pattern, with Intel at 9,299 versus 3,274, a 64.8% difference. Prime number finding favors Intel 53 to 21, a 60.4% lead. These are workloads where the Intel part's higher core count and newer architecture deliver decisive results.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not hold a single winning position in any measured test. Its closest relative performance comes in single-threaded work, where Intel leads 3,479 to 2,136, a 38.6% margin. Even in that category, the gap is substantial. The data shows no scenario in the recorded benchmark suite where the AMD processor is competitive with the Intel part.

For use-case planning, the Intel Core 5 120U is the appropriate choice for any workload represented in these tests, from data compression (166,432 versus 87,380) to random string sorting (19,060 versus 10,414). The AMD part sits at a clear performance disadvantage across every measured category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ microarchitecture, produced on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It belongs to AMD's 3000 series and is described in the database as "Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso))". The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry.

Core configuration differs sharply. The AMD chip provides 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip provides 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. This difference explains much of the multithreaded performance gap, where Intel scores 15,042 against AMD's 7,071, a 53% advantage.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's larger L3 cache, triple the AMD's shared pool, supports its higher sustained throughput in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD part supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel operation and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though the database does not record a bandwidth figure for it. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 3, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD chip uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel chip uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The database records no graphics benchmarks for either, so no performance comparison is derived from the recorded data.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP5, Intel uses BGA 1744. The AMD part has a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors, while the database records no die size or transistor count for the Intel part. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false), both target the mobile segment, and both are listed as active production parts. The AMD release date is May 31, 2026, while Intel's is January 7, 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U win any benchmark against the Intel Core 5 120U?

A: No. In the 11 recorded head-to-head PassMark tests, the Intel Core 5 120U wins every one, and the AMD part records zero wins.

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

A: The largest gap is in extended instructions, where Intel scores 9,299 versus AMD's 3,274, a 64.8% difference. Floating point math is nearly identical at 64.7% (36,026 versus 12,707).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 only. The Intel Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What is the single-threaded performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U scores 3,479 in PassMark single-thread testing, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2,136. Intel leads by 38.6%.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 4 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Codename | Picasso | Raptor Lake-U |

| Architecture | Zen+ (Picasso) | Raptor Lake |

| Process node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Die size | 210 mm² | Not recorded |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not recorded |

| Release date | 2026-05-31 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part number | YM3501C4T4MFG | SRM7P |

Both processors share a 15 W TDP, both are locked, both target mobile, both are active production parts, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 120U dominates every recorded benchmark, but the size of the margin varies by workload. The smallest gap is in single-thread performance: Intel scores 3,479, AMD scores 2,136, a 38.6% difference. This is the closest contest in the entire comparison set, yet it still represents a decisive win for Intel.

The largest gaps appear in extended instructions and floating point math. In extended instructions, Intel leads 9,299 to 3,274, a 64.8% margin. In floating point, Intel leads 36,026 to 12,707, a 64.7% margin. These results indicate that the Intel part's architecture handles complex instruction sets and floating-point-heavy code far more efficiently than the AMD Zen+ design.

Data compression shows Intel at 166,432 versus AMD's 87,380, a 47.5% advantage. Data encryption follows a similar pattern: Intel 10,453, AMD 5,580, a 46.6% gap. Integer math goes to Intel 52,280 against 26,321, a 49.7% margin. Prime number finding shows Intel at 53 versus AMD's 21, a 60.4% difference.

Multithreaded performance is a strong indicator of the core-count advantage. The Intel part scores 15,042 in PassMark multithread, while AMD scores 7,071, a 53% lead. Physics tests follow the same trend, with Intel at 937 versus AMD's 483, a 48.5% margin. Random string sorting shows Intel at 19,060 and AMD at 10,414, a 45.4% difference.

The overall average benchmark score reflects the same hierarchy. Intel records an average of 17,898, placing it at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. AMD records an average of 14,320, placing it at the 69th percentile. Intel's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (matching 17,891, a 0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE (17,860, 0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17,994, a -0.5% delta). AMD's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (14,336, -0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (14,277, 0.3% delta).

Intel also records additional benchmark results not present for AMD: Cinebench R15 multicore at 1,150.5, R15 singlecore at 245, R20 multicore at 5,349, R20 singlecore at 755, R23 multicore at 6,659, R23 singlecore at 1,756.5, Geekbench multicore at 5,888, and Geekbench singlecore at 1,727. The AMD part has no recorded Cinebench or Geekbench entries.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports one clear conclusion: the Intel Core 5 120U is the stronger processor in every measured dimension. Its 10 cores and 12 threads, larger 12 MB L3 cache, newer Raptor Lake architecture, and higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz combine to produce scores that the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U cannot approach. The AMD part's 4 cores, 4 MB L3, and 3.70 GHz boost clock place it in a different performance class despite sharing the same 15 W TDP.

Buyers or system designers working from this database should select the Intel Core 5 120U for any workload represented in the benchmark suite. The Intel part delivers at least 38.6% higher single-thread performance and at least 45% higher scores in every other shared test. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has no recorded advantage in any category.

The AMD part could still be relevant in systems where its specific platform features are required, such as AMD Socket FP5 compatibility or the Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, but the benchmark data provides no performance justification for choosing it over the Intel part. The Intel Core 5 120U also offers broader memory support with DDR4 and DDR5, newer PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, and a higher percentile ranking at 72 versus 69. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Intel Core 5 120U wins decisively.