AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep in favor of the Intel Core 7 240H. Across all 11 recorded PassMark tests, the Intel processor posted higher scores, with the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U failing to win a single comparison. The most lopsided result appears in extended instructions, where the Intel part scored 16897 against 3274 for the AMD, a delta of -80.6%. That gap reflects a massive advantage in workloads using advanced CPU instruction sets.

Data compression follows a similar pattern. The Core 7 240H scored 271774, while the Ryzen 5 3501U managed 87380, a -67.8% difference. For encryption, the Intel chip scored 15155 versus 5580, a -63.2% gap. Random string sorting shows the Intel part at 28866 against 10414, a -63.9% margin. These three tests all point to the same conclusion: the Intel processor handles data-heavy tasks at a much higher throughput.

The compute-oriented benchmarks reinforce that trend. Floating point math shows the Core 7 240H at 58905, nearly 4.6 times the Ryzen's 12707, a -78.4% delta. Integer math shows 80396 versus 26321, a -67.3% difference. Prime number finding, a test that stresses branch prediction and integer throughput, shows 102 for the Intel part versus 21 for the AMD part, a -79.4% margin. Physics simulation, often tied to multi-core scaling, shows 1723 against 483, a -72% gap.

Multithreaded performance is a key differentiator. The PassMark multithread test gives the Core 7 240H a score of 23975, while the Ryzen 5 3501U sits at 7071, a -70.5% delta. That is more than a threefold advantage in raw parallel workload throughput. The Intel chip's 16 threads against 4 threads for the AMD part directly explains this result. Even in single-threaded performance, where the gap is smallest, the Intel part still leads: 3782 versus 2136, a -43.5% margin. That single-thread lead matters for older software and lightly threaded applications that cannot use many cores.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall performance hierarchy. The Core 7 240H records an average score of 31483, which places it at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14320, sitting at the 69th percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX at 31495 and the Intel Core i5-13500 at 31510, both within 0.1% of its average score. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at 14336 and the Intel Core i5-10400F at 14185, with deltas of -0.1% and 1% respectively. These figures show that the Core 7 240H competes with much higher-tier processors, while the Ryzen 5 3501U sits alongside older mainstream parts.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 240H wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from -43.5% in single-threaded tests to -80.6% in extended instructions. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile ranking, 82 versus 69, and a higher average benchmark score, 31483 versus 14320. The Ryzen 5 3501U cannot match the Intel chip in any measured workload.

From the recorded data, the Core 7 240H is the stronger processor for users who need high multi-threaded throughput, heavy data processing, or fast response in single-threaded applications. Its 16 threads and 5.20 GHz boost clock give it a decisive edge in nearly every category. The Ryzen 5 3501U, with 4 threads and a 3.70 GHz boost clock, is positioned for lighter workloads where its 15 W TDP and older Picasso architecture may be acceptable, but the benchmark scores do not favor it in raw performance comparisons.

The launch MSRP for the Core 7 240H is $502. The Ryzen 5 3501U has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and use different manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, using the Picasso codename and the Zen+ architecture. It belongs to the 3000 series and is described in the database as "Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso))". The Intel Core 7 240H uses a 10 nm process at Intel, with the Raptor Lake-H codename and a Raptor Lake Refresh architecture, listed as "Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh)".

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Core 7 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, which indicates a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not break down the core types. The thread count advantage is one of the main drivers of the multithreaded benchmark gap.

Cache configurations also diverge. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's larger L3 cache, 24 MB versus 4 MB, helps explain its advantage in data-heavy tests like compression and encryption. The transistor count and die size are only recorded for the AMD chip: 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel chip has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core 7 240H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. PCIe support also differs: the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes available from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ too, with the AMD part using Radeon Vega 8 and the Intel part using Iris Xe Graphics 64EU.

The sockets are not interchangeable. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1744. Both are mobile processors, and both are listed as active in production. The Intel part was released in December 2024, while the AMD part has a release date of May 2026 in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 threads.

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

A: The Core 7 240H scores 3782 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2136, a -43.5% difference.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 240H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 only.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has an average benchmark score of 31483. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14320.

Q: What is the boost clock of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H boosts to 5.20 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 240H wins in every category measured by the database. For multi-threaded workloads, the multithread score of 23975 versus 7071, a -70.5% gap, makes the Intel part the clear choice for video rendering, software compilation, and any parallel task that can use more than 4 threads. The physics score of 1723 versus 483 reinforces this, as physics simulations often scale with core count.

For data-intensive tasks, the Intel chip leads in compression, encryption, and random string sorting. The compression score of 271774 versus 87380 and the encryption score of 15155 versus 5580 show that the larger L3 cache and higher thread count translate directly into faster data manipulation. Extended instructions, where the Intel part scores 16897 against 3274, indicate that software using modern instruction sets will run significantly faster on the Intel processor.

For single-threaded workloads, the Core 7 240H still wins, but the margin is smaller. The single-thread score of 3782 versus 2136, a -43.5% gap, means the Intel chip also handles older software and lightly threaded applications better, though the relative advantage is less pronounced than in multi-threaded tests. The boost clock difference, 5.20 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, supports this result.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win any recorded benchmark. Its only relative strengths are indirect: a lower TDP of 15 W compared to 45 W for the Intel part, and support for DDR4 only, which may be sufficient for basic systems. The database records no test where the AMD chip outperforms the Intel chip, so any use case that requires the AMD part would rely on factors outside the benchmark data, such as platform cost or power constraints.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. Core count: 4 cores for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U versus 10 cores for the Intel Core 7 240H. Thread count: 4 versus 16. Base clock: 2.10 GHz for the AMD part versus 2.50 GHz for the Intel part. Boost clock: 3.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 45 W. Socket: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel BGA 1744. Process node: 12 nm versus 10 nm. Foundry: GlobalFoundries versus Intel.

Cache sizes differ at every level. L1 cache: 96 KB per core on the AMD chip versus 80 KB per core on the Intel chip. L2 cache: 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache: 4 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. Memory support: DDR4 only versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s recorded for the AMD part, no figure recorded for the Intel part. PCIe: Gen 3 versus Gen 5 with 8 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics: Radeon Vega 8 versus Iris Xe Graphics 64EU.

The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $502, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel processor has a release date of December 2024, while the AMD processor has a release date of May 2026 in the database. The Intel part has no recorded transistor count or die size, while the AMD part has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Both processors are mobile parts, both are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.