AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 130UL Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 130UL

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and Intel Core 5 130UL occupy different corners of the processor market, with one designed for mobile efficiency and the other aimed at desktop systems. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 4-core, 4-thread Picasso part built on a 12 nm process, while the Core 5 130UL is a 10-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake-PS chip on Intel's 10 nm node. Benchmark data for the Ryzen 5 3501U is extensive, while the Core 5 130UL currently has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, which shapes the comparison significantly.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core 5 130UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, giving it a substantial multi-threading advantage on paper.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two chips?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U boosts up to 3.70 GHz, while the Core 5 130UL boosts up to 4.70 GHz. The Intel part has a 1.00 GHz higher maximum boost frequency.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 130UL supports DDR5, along with DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports only DDR4 memory.

Q: What integrated graphics do these processors use?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Core 5 130UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core 5 130UL uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 130UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, three times less.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 130UL wins on raw core count and thread count, offering 10 cores and 12 threads versus the Ryzen 5 3501U's 4 cores and 4 threads. This suggests an advantage in heavily parallel workloads such as video rendering, compilation, and multitasking, assuming the clock speeds hold up across all cores. The Core 5 130UL also has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz compared to 3.70 GHz, which points to stronger single-thread performance when a single core is active.

The Intel part also wins on cache capacity. Its 12 MB shared L3 cache dwarfs the 4 MB shared L3 on the Ryzen 5 3501U, which can benefit workloads that repeatedly access large datasets. Additionally, the Core 5 130UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 3501U is limited to DDR4. The Intel chip also uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, whereas the AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins on memory bandwidth specification, with a recorded 38.4 GB/s versus no published bandwidth figure for the Intel chip. The Ryzen 5 3501U also has a smaller die size at 210 mm² compared to no published die size for the Core 5 130UL, and it has a documented transistor count of 4,940 million, while the Intel part has no such figure in the database.

The Ryzen 5 3501U holds an edge in the percentile ranking, sitting at the 69th percentile of all CPUs versus the 50th percentile for the Core 5 130UL. However, that ranking is based on recorded benchmark data, which exists for the AMD part but is absent for the Intel chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, representing the Zen+ microarchitecture, and is listed under the Ryzen 5 generation with a "Zen+ (Picasso)" label. This is a mobile-focused design, as indicated by its market segment of Mobile and its AMD Socket FP5 package.

The Intel Core 5 130UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. This is a desktop-oriented part, listed under the Desktop market segment, and it fits into Intel Socket 1700. Raptor Lake represents a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency core types, though the database does not specify the core type distribution for this specific model.

The process nodes differ substantially. AMD uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry. The smaller process node for Intel suggests potentially better transistor density and power characteristics, though the AMD chip has a documented transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm², while the Intel chip has no transistor or die size data.

Cache architecture also differs. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 130UL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has more L2 and L3 cache per core, while the AMD chip has more L1 cache per core.

Memory support diverges as well. The Ryzen 5 3501U supports only DDR4 with dual-channel memory bus and a measured 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 130UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory bus, though no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts represent the most significant specification gap. The Ryzen 5 3501U offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core 5 130UL offers 10 cores and 12 threads. This means the Intel part has 6 more cores and 8 more threads.

Clock speeds differ notably. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Core 5 130UL has a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel chip starts lower but boosts 1.00 GHz higher.

Both processors have a 15 W TDP, making them comparable in thermal design power.

The sockets are incompatible. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700.

Process technology differs: 12 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel.

Cache specifications show the Intel chip with 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3.

Memory support sees the Intel part supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD part supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the AMD chip at 38.4 GB/s.

PCIe support differs: the Ryzen 5 3501U uses Gen 3, while the Core 5 130UL uses Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 8 for AMD, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for Intel.

Market segment differs: Mobile for AMD, Desktop for Intel.

Release dates also differ. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a release date of May 31, 2026, while the Core 5 130UL has a release date of April 7, 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors. The Intel Core 5 130UL has no recorded benchmark scores at all, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has a full suite of PassMark test results.

For the Ryzen 5 3501U, the recorded scores include a single-thread score of 2136, a multithread score of 7071, integer math at 26321, floating point math at 12707, data compression at 87380, data encryption at 5580, extended instructions at 3274, find prime numbers at 21, physics at 483, and random string sorting at 10414. The average benchmark score is 14320.

Without any benchmark data for the Core 5 130UL, direct numerical comparison is impossible. The database shows the Ryzen 5 3501U with a percentile rank of 69 versus the Core 5 130UL's percentile rank of 50, but that ranking for the Intel chip appears to be based on incomplete or estimated data.

The nearest rivals for the Ryzen 5 3501U provide context for its scoring. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 scores 14336, which is 0.1% higher than the Ryzen 5 3501U. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C scores 14277, 0.3% lower. The Intel Core 7 160UL scores 14232, 0.6% lower. The Intel Core i5-10400F scores 14185, 1% lower. These deltas are all within a narrow 1.1% range, indicating the Ryzen 5 3501U sits in a tightly competitive performance cluster.

The Verdict

The available data strongly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U for anyone who relies on measured performance. It has a complete benchmark profile with an average score of 14320 and a 69th percentile ranking across all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core 7 160UL, are all within 1% of its average score, confirming that it performs in line with its immediate competition.

The Intel Core 5 130UL presents a specification-based argument instead. It offers more cores, more threads, a higher boost clock, larger caches, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 4, and a newer architecture. These specifications suggest the potential for stronger multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, but the database contains no benchmark results to confirm that potential.

For workloads that depend on parallel processing, the Core 5 130UL has the structural advantage with 10 cores and 12 threads. For workloads that depend on measured, verified performance, the Ryzen 5 3501U is the only chip with data to back its claims.

The choice depends on whether the user trusts specifications or measurements. The data shows the Ryzen 5 3501U as a proven performer among its peers, while the Core 5 130UL remains an unverified specification sheet. The Ryzen 5 3501U also holds a higher percentile rank, though this may reflect the availability of benchmark data rather than inherent superiority.

The Ryzen 5 3501U is positioned for mobile systems with its FP5 socket and Mobile market segment. The Core 5 130UL targets desktop systems with its LGA 1700 socket and Desktop market segment. These are different platforms, so the choice is often constrained by the system type.

Given the complete absence of benchmark data for the Intel Core 5 130UL, the database supports the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U as the better-documented and verifiably competitive option. The Intel part may hold specification advantages, but without recorded scores, those advantages remain theoretical. Buyers who value confirmed performance should look to the Ryzen 5 3501U, while those who need the Intel platform will have to wait for benchmark data to make an informed comparison.