AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core 5 221E across all eleven shared benchmark tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win a single head-to-head comparison, with the Intel part taking every category by substantial margins.

The largest gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 173 against the AMD's 21, a delta of -87.9%. That is the widest relative margin in the entire comparison. Floating point math follows closely, with Intel at 79028 versus AMD at 12707, a -83.9% delta. Extended instructions show Intel at 18216 versus 3274, a -82% delta. Physics performance favors Intel at 2230 versus 483, a -78.3% delta.

Multithreaded throughput tells the same story. The Intel Core 5 221E manages 30510 in PassMark multithread, while the Ryzen 5 3501U reaches 7071, a -76.8% delta. Integer math sees Intel at 117813 and AMD at 26321, a -77.7% delta. Data compression favors Intel at 324285 versus 87380, a -73.1% delta. Random string sorting goes to Intel at 37686 versus 10414, a -72.4% delta. Data encryption follows with Intel at 19205 versus 5580, a -70.9% delta.

Single-thread performance is the closest contest, but it still favors Intel decisively. The Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147 in PassMark single thread, while the Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2136, a -48.5% delta. That is nearly double the AMD result and represents the smallest relative gap of the eleven tests, though the difference remains massive in absolute terms.

The aggregate benchmark scores confirm the hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 221E carries an average benchmark score of 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14320. The Intel part sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the AMD part sits at the 69th percentile. The Intel Core 5 221E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048 (0.2% delta), placing it in the company of high-end desktop and mobile parts. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at 14336 (-0.1% delta) and the Intel Core 7 160UL at 14232 (0.6% delta), placing it in a far lower performance band.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data offers no category where the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U takes a win. Every recorded test, from single-thread to multithread, from integer math to data compression, favors the Intel Core 5 221E. The use-case split, therefore, is not about which tasks each part handles better, but about the scale of the Intel advantage across different workloads.

For single-threaded workloads, the Intel part is roughly 94% faster in raw score terms (4147 versus 2136). This affects applications that rely on per-core responsiveness, such as lightly threaded productivity tasks, legacy software, and general desktop interaction. The -48.5% delta indicates that while the Intel lead is substantial, it is the narrowest gap in the comparison, meaning the AMD part is relatively less disadvantaged here than in heavily parallel workloads.

For multithreaded workloads, the Intel advantage grows to -76.8% in the PassMark multithread test. The Intel Core 5 221E's 14 cores and 20 threads, paired with its 24 MB of shared L3 cache, allow it to pull far ahead in parallel processing. Data compression shows a -73.1% delta, integer math shows -77.7%, and physics shows -78.3%, all indicating that the Intel part scales much better when all cores are engaged.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U remains an active production mobile processor, and its lower power envelope and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics may suit certain embedded or portable applications. But the recorded benchmarks do not identify any compute task where it outperforms the Intel Core 5 221E. The Intel part wins every measured category, with the margin ranging from -48.5% in single-thread to -87.9% in prime number finding.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso design, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, and belongs to the Zen+ generation. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake design, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Intel part uses a smaller process node, which typically contributes to higher clock speeds and better power efficiency per transistor.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ sharply. The AMD part integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel part's transistor count is not recorded in the database, but its die size is listed at 257 mm². The AMD part uses a smaller die but a larger process node, while the Intel part uses a larger die on a smaller node.

Cache architecture differs significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 5 221E provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's L3 cache is six times larger in total, which directly benefits workloads with large working sets, such as data compression and integer math, where the Intel part posts its biggest wins.

Core and thread counts also diverge. The AMD part has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads, providing both more physical cores and additional threads per core. This explains the multithreaded benchmark gap: the Intel part has 10 more cores and 16 more threads available for parallel work.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD part uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not record comparative graphics benchmarks, so no performance conclusion can be drawn from the data.

Specification Differences

Several specification fields differ between the two parts. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks differ: the AMD runs at 2.10 GHz, the Intel at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks differ more dramatically: the AMD reaches 3.70 GHz, while the Intel boosts to 5.20 GHz.

Power envelopes differ substantially. The AMD part carries a 15 W TDP, while the Intel part carries a 65 W TDP. This reflects the Intel part's desktop orientation and higher performance ceiling, at the cost of more heat and power draw.

Sockets differ: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part is a mobile segment product, while the Intel part is a desktop segment product. The AMD part remains in active production, and the Intel part is also active.

Memory support differs. The AMD part supports DDR4 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but memory bandwidth differs: the AMD part records 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part records 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not.

PCIe support differs. The AMD part uses Gen 3, while the Intel part uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes available to the CPU. The Intel part's newer PCIe generation allows for faster connectivity to compatible devices.

Release dates differ. The AMD part is recorded with a release date of May 31, 2026, while the Intel part is recorded with a release date of January 12, 2025. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Intel part has a part number of SRQDVQ659, while the AMD part uses YM3501C4T4MFG. Neither part has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 5 221E in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel part scores 4147 in PassMark single thread, while the AMD part scores 2136, a delta of -48.5%.

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

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel part scores 173 and the AMD part scores 21, a delta of -87.9%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all eleven recorded tests, with no wins recorded for the AMD part.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 only. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, and it also supports ECC memory while the AMD part does not.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has an average of 14320. The Intel part ranks at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part ranks at the 69th percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear separation in performance class. The Intel Core 5 221E delivers roughly 2.8 times the average benchmark score of the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U (40144 versus 14320), and it wins every shared test by margins ranging from -48.5% to -87.9%. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.20 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of shared L3 cache, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth provide a structural advantage that the AMD part cannot offset.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, 4 cores, 4 threads, and a 3.70 GHz boost clock. Its 4 MB of shared L3 cache and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth place it in a lower performance tier. Its nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and the Intel Core 7 160UL, sit at roughly the same average score level, confirming that it competes with embedded and low-power parts rather than desktop processors.

For anyone selecting between these two, the data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger processor in every recorded workload, from single-thread responsiveness to heavily parallel compute. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U offers a much lower TDP and a mobile form factor, but the performance record does not show any task where it surpasses the Intel part. The choice, based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, is the Intel Core 5 221E unless the application specifically requires the AMD part's mobile socket, lower power envelope, or integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics.