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

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and Intel Core 5 120UL are both 15-watt processors, but they target different segments and use very different designs. The Ryzen is a 4-core mobile part built on a 12 nm process, while the Core 5 is a 10-core desktop part on Intel's 10 nm node. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split: Intel dominates multi-threaded and compute-heavy tests, while AMD holds a narrow lead in single-thread performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data covers 11 PassMark tests, and the Intel Core 5 120UL wins 9 of them. The largest Intel advantage comes in prime number finding, where it scores 47 versus 21 for the Ryzen, a delta of 55.3%. Floating point math is also a major gap: Intel scores 26311 against 12707, a 51.7% lead. Physics follows at 40.1% (807 vs 483), and extended instructions show a 37.1% edge (5203 vs 3274). Integer math is 30.8% higher (38060 vs 26321), and data encryption is 27.4% better (7685 vs 5580). Random string sorting goes to Intel by 23.5% (13610 vs 10414), data compression by 19.9% (109090 vs 87380), and the multithread score by 33% (10558 vs 7071).

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins the single-thread test, scoring 2136 against Intel's 2080, a 2.7% advantage. That is the only test where AMD comes out ahead, and the two single-thread entries in the database are duplicates of the same result. The overall average benchmark score tells a similar story: AMD sits at 14320, while Intel is at 13594. That puts AMD in the 69th percentile of all CPUs and Intel in the 68th, a very close overall standing. Looking at nearest rivals, AMD's closest competitor is the Ryzen Embedded V2546 with a delta of -0.1%, while Intel's closest is the Core 3 304 at -1.1%. These figures confirm that both chips land in the same performance tier, but the distribution of wins is heavily skewed toward Intel in multi-threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, part of the Zen+ (Picasso) generation, and is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 120UL is a Raptor Lake part, specifically Raptor Lake-PS, built on Intel's 10 nm process. Intel does not list transistor count or die size in the database.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. AMD offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while Intel provides 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are also distinct: AMD runs at 2.10 GHz, Intel at 1.30 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the picture, with Intel reaching 4.60 GHz versus AMD's 3.70 GHz. Cache hierarchies are different as well. AMD has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. That gives Intel three times the L3 capacity.

Memory support diverges. AMD supports only DDR4, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while Intel does not provide a figure. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the CPU. Integrated graphics are different as well: AMD has Radeon Vega 8, Intel has Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segments are not the same: AMD is listed as Mobile, Intel as Desktop. Release dates also differ, with AMD dated May 31, 2026, and Intel dated April 7, 2024. Both parts are currently active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results point to a clear use-case split. The Intel Core 5 120UL is the stronger choice for any workload that scales across cores. Its multithread score is 33% higher, and it wins every compute-heavy test: integer math, floating point, encryption, compression, and extended instructions. The physics test, which often reflects real-world simulation and gaming physics, goes to Intel by 40.1%. For tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or data processing that can use many threads, the Intel part is the one to pick.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins only the single-thread test, and by a modest 2.7%. That means it holds a slight edge in lightly threaded applications, such as older games, some office software, or single-threaded scripting. However, the margin is small, and the Intel part's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz suggests it can close that gap in short bursts. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock, which may help in sustained single-thread loads, but the data does not show a broader advantage. For anyone who prioritizes multi-threaded performance, the Intel Core 5 120UL is the clear winner. For single-thread sensitivity, the AMD part is marginally ahead, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most real-world use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2136 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 2080. AMD leads by 2.7%.

Q: How much faster is the Intel part in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 10558 in the PassMark multithread test, compared to 7071 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. That is a 33% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

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

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD part supports only DDR4, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB. Intel's L3 is three times larger.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Intel Core 5 120UL includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 120UL is the better processor for multi-threaded and compute-intensive tasks. It wins 9 of 11 benchmarks, with margins ranging from 19.9% to 55.3%. Its 10 cores and 12 threads, combined with a larger L3 cache and higher boost clock, give it a decisive edge in parallel workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is only ahead in single-thread performance, and by a slim 2.7%. That makes it a reasonable pick for legacy software or lightly threaded applications, but the overall average score is lower, and the percentile ranking is nearly identical.

For a desktop system where you can use many cores, the Intel Core 5 120UL is the obvious choice. For a mobile or low-power build where single-thread responsiveness matters more, the AMD part has a small advantage, but the difference is not large enough to outweigh Intel's dominance elsewhere. The Intel part also supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4, which are more modern features. Given the benchmark results, the Intel Core 5 120UL is the stronger all-around processor, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is a niche option for single-thread-focused scenarios.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 4 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Picasso | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso)) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | Not listed |

| 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 listed |

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

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | May 31, 2026 | April 7, 2024 |

| Part Number | YM3501C4T4MFG | unknown |