AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and Intel Core 5 211E occupy different corners of the processor market: the former is a 15-watt mobile part built for efficiency, while the latter is a 65-watt desktop chip with a much larger core count. The database records an average benchmark score of 14,320 for the AMD processor against 37,829 for the Intel processor, a gap that places them in entirely different performance strata. The Intel part sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part lands at the 69th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 211E wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database. The most lopsided result comes in extended instructions, where Intel scores 21,592 against AMD's 3,274, a delta of -84.8%. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that leverage advanced instruction set extensions, such as encryption and multimedia processing.

Data compression shows a similar pattern. Intel scores 346,757 while AMD manages 87,380, a -74.8% difference. This marks a 3.97x advantage for the Intel chip in compression workloads. Floating point math follows closely: Intel's 66,402 versus AMD's 12,707, a -80.9% gap. Integer math tells the same story with Intel at 88,117 against AMD's 26,321, a -70.1% delta.

Multithreaded performance, often the clearest indicator of overall throughput, shows Intel at 23,833 compared to AMD's 7,071, a -70.3% difference. This result aligns with the core and thread counts: Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads, while AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads. The single-thread results are closer but still favor Intel decisively: 4,006 versus 2,136, a -46.7% gap. This means the Intel core is not only more numerous but also substantially faster per thread.

Random string sorting, a test that stresses memory access patterns and branch prediction, shows Intel at 34,308 against AMD's 10,414, a -69.6% delta. Data encryption shows Intel at 17,938 versus AMD's 5,580, a -68.9% gap. Prime number finding, which relies heavily on integer division and branch handling, gives Intel 43 against AMD's 21, a -51.2% difference. The narrowest margin in the entire comparison is in the physics test: Intel scores 702 versus AMD's 483, a -31.2% delta. Even this "closest" result still represents a comfortable Intel lead of 45%.

Across all eleven recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U records zero wins. The deltas range from -31.2% in physics to -84.8% in extended instructions. No benchmark category shows parity; the smallest gap is still nearly a third in Intel's favor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. AMD uses GlobalFoundries' 12 nm node with a die size of 210 mm², while Intel fabricates the Core 5 211E on its 10 nm node with a die size of 257 mm². AMD's Picasso die integrates 4,940 million transistors; Intel does not list a transistor count for Bartlett Lake in the database.

Core topology differs sharply. The Ryzen 5 3501U provides 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Core 5 211E provides 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that some cores support two threads each. Cache layouts also diverge. AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with a much larger 20 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the Intel part likely contributes to its strong data compression and random string sorting results.

Memory support separates the two as well. AMD supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a peak bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, exactly double the AMD figure. This memory bandwidth advantage helps explain the Intel lead in memory-sensitive workloads.

Other differences include PCIe support: AMD offers Gen 3, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. ECC memory is not supported on the AMD part but is supported on the Intel part. The integrated graphics differ too: AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor targets the mobile segment with a 15 watt TDP and an AMD Socket FP5. The Intel processor targets the desktop segment with a 65 watt TDP and an Intel Socket 1700. Launch dates differ as well: the AMD part is recorded with a release date of 2026-05-31, while the Intel part was released on 2025-01-12.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 211E leads in every benchmark category, with advantages ranging from 31.2% to 84.8%. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with an average score of 37,904 and the Intel Core i9-14901E at 37,911, both within 0.2% of its 37,829 average. This places the Core 5 211E in the company of high-end desktop and AI-oriented processors.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 with an average score of 14,336 and the Intel Core 7 160UL at 14,232, all within a 1% band. Its 69th percentile standing reflects a mid-tier mobile processor. The data indicates that the Intel part is the stronger processor for compute-heavy tasks, while the AMD part operates at a much lower power envelope of 15 watts against Intel's 65 watts.

The Intel Core 5 211E carries a launch MSRP of $221.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Intel part scores 4,006 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD part scores 2,136, a delta of -46.7% in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 211E does support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD processor supports DDR4 only. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, double the 38.4 GB/s of the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD part has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel part has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211E wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantages appear in extended instructions (-84.8%), floating point math (-80.9%), and data compression (-74.8%). These results point to strengths in scientific computing, media encoding, and compression workloads. The multithread score of 23,833 against 7,071 indicates a strong fit for heavily threaded tasks such as rendering and compilation.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U shows no benchmark wins in the database, but its 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained mobile systems. Its 4-core, 4-thread configuration with a 3.70 GHz boost clock and Radeon Vega 8 graphics targets lightweight productivity and media consumption. The 12 nm process node and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth are modest by comparison, yet the processor occupies the 69th percentile, indicating it outperforms a majority of all CPUs in the database.

The Intel processor's 65 watt TDP and desktop socket mean it is not designed for battery-powered operation. Its Gen 5 PCIe support with 16 CPU-only lanes and dual-channel DDR5 memory support position it for desktop builds that require high throughput. The AMD part's Gen 3 PCIe and DDR4-only support align with a more conservative platform.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. Core count: 4 for AMD, 10 for Intel. Thread count: 4 for AMD, 16 for Intel. Base clock: 2.10 GHz for AMD, 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clock: 3.70 GHz for AMD, 4.90 GHz for Intel. TDP: 15 watts for AMD, 65 watts for Intel. Socket: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel Socket 1700. Codename: Picasso for AMD, Bartlett Lake for Intel. Process node: 12 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Foundry: GlobalFoundries for AMD, Intel for Intel. Die size: 210 mm² for AMD, 257 mm² for Intel. Transistor count: 4,940 million for AMD, not listed for Intel. L1 cache: 96 KB per core for AMD, 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache: 512 KB per core for AMD, 2 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache: 4 MB shared for AMD, 20 MB shared for Intel. Memory support: DDR4 for AMD, DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s for AMD, 76.8 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory: not supported for AMD, supported for Intel. PCIe: Gen 3 for AMD, Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics: Radeon Vega 8 for AMD, UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. Market segment: Mobile for AMD, Desktop for Intel. Release date: 2026-05-31 for AMD, 2025-01-12 for Intel. Multiplier unlocked: false for both. Average benchmark score: 14,320 for AMD, 37,829 for Intel. Percentile: 69th for AMD, 86th for Intel.