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

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins the single-threaded performance contest, while the Intel Core 5 221TE dominates every multi-threaded and data-intensive workload in the recorded results. The Intel part’s overall average benchmark score of 17,860 places it 24.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U’s 14,320, confirming a substantial performance gap in favor of the Intel chip despite its loss in single-core tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins 9 of the 11 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, often by wide margins. The largest advantage appears in extended instructions, where Intel scores 9,655 against AMD’s 3,274, a delta of -66.1% when viewed from the AMD side. This indicates the Intel processor delivers more than twice the throughput in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets. Prime number finding follows a similar pattern, with Intel scoring 59 versus AMD’s 21, a -64.4% delta. Floating point math also favors Intel heavily: 31,661 versus 12,707, a -59.9% gap.

The multi-threaded benchmark confirms the pattern. Intel’s score of 13,301 is 46.8% higher than AMD’s 7,071. Physics simulation shows a -50.6% delta, with Intel at 977 and AMD at 483. Data compression results show Intel at 156,682 versus AMD’s 87,380, a -44.2% difference. Data encryption and integer math both show similar gaps: Intel leads by 37.7% in encryption (8,963 versus 5,580) and by 37.8% in integer math (42,303 versus 26,321). Random string sorting rounds out the multi-threaded wins with Intel at 16,929 versus AMD’s 10,414, a -38.5% delta.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins the remaining two benchmarks, both measuring single-thread performance. In the PassMark single-thread test, AMD scores 2,136 versus Intel’s 1,734, a 23.2% advantage. The duplicate single-thread test shows the identical result, confirming that the AMD chip’s per-core performance is the stronger of the two in lightly threaded scenarios. This is the only category where AMD leads, and it does so decisively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE is the clear winner in any workload that can use multiple cores or threads. Its 10 cores and 16 threads versus AMD’s 4 cores and 4 threads explain the massive gaps in multi-threaded tests, floating point math, and data compression. The Intel chip’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache provide ample data capacity for heavy compute tasks. Its dual-channel memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, double the AMD part’s 38.4 GB/s, further supports data-intensive operations. The processor also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving system designers flexibility in memory configuration.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins purely on single-thread performance. Its 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock, combined with its Zen+ architecture, deliver a 2,136 score in the single-thread test. This makes it the better choice for applications that rely on one or two cores, such as legacy software, certain database operations, or tasks with strict serial dependencies. Its lower 15 W TDP also suggests it belongs in power-constrained mobile systems, though the data does not include power efficiency measurements beyond the TDP figure itself.

For users running modern multi-threaded applications, whether video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulation, the Intel part’s benchmark results indicate it will finish tasks significantly faster. The Cinebench results reinforce this: Intel scores 11,305 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 4,748 in R20 multi-core, and 1,139 in R15 multi-core. Its single-core Cinebench scores of 1,596, 670, and 160 in R23, R20, and R15 respectively show that even in single-threaded Cinebench tests, the Intel part trails the AMD chip’s PassMark single-thread lead but remains competitive.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, part of the Ryzen 5 generation built on the Zen+ architecture. It is manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a 215 mm² die size. Intel does not report a transistor count in the database.

The core configurations differ fundamentally. AMD provides 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. Intel provides 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with some cores supporting additional threads. The cache hierarchy also diverges: AMD uses 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 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel part’s larger L3 cache gives it a substantial advantage in workloads with large working sets.

Memory support separates the two as well. AMD supports only DDR4 memory, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Intel’s memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s is exactly double AMD’s 38.4 GB/s. Intel also supports ECC memory, which AMD does not. The PCIe interfaces differ: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

The socket and market positioning also differ. AMD uses Socket FP5, a mobile-oriented package, and the database classifies it as a mobile part. Intel uses Socket 1700, a desktop socket, and the database classifies it as a desktop part. AMD’s TDP is 15 W, while Intel’s is 45 W. The release dates show Intel launched on 2025-01-12, while AMD’s listed release date is 2026-05-31. Both processors are currently marked as active in production.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice based on workload requirements. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the superior processor for multi-threaded performance, delivering between 37.7% and 66.1% higher scores across the PassMark suite’s multi-threaded tests. Its average benchmark score of 17,860 versus AMD’s 14,320 reflects this dominance. The Intel chip also holds a higher percentile rank among all CPUs at 71 versus AMD’s 69.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is the better choice only for single-threaded workloads. Its 23.2% advantage in the PassMark single-thread test is significant, and its lower 15 W TDP makes it suitable for power-sensitive mobile designs. However, the database shows only two wins out of eleven benchmarks for AMD, both in the same single-thread category.

For users running multi-threaded applications, the Intel part’s 10 cores and 16 threads, larger cache, and higher memory bandwidth make it the clear winner. The Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which scores 17,891, a -0.2% delta, and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898, also -0.2%. The AMD part’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at 14,336 (-0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 14,277 (+0.3%). These comparisons show that the Intel chip competes with desktop-class processors, while the AMD chip sits in a lower performance tier.

The Intel Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2,136 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 23.2% higher than the Intel Core 5 221TE’s 1,734.

Q: How large is the multi-threaded performance gap?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 13,301 in the PassMark multi-thread test versus AMD’s 7,071, representing a 46.8% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the Intel processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17,860. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14,320.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Intel Core 5 221TE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Picasso | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 215 mm² |

| 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) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $232 |