AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 7 250H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive performance gap between the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core 7 250H. Across the eleven recorded PassMark comparisons, the Intel processor wins every single test, with the database recording 11 wins for the Core 7 250H and 0 wins for the Ryzen 5 3501U. The overall average benchmark score reinforces this gap: the Intel part scores 35,728 points, while the AMD part scores 14,320 points, a difference that places the Intel processor in the 85th percentile of all CPUs versus the 69th percentile for the AMD chip.

The largest margin appears in the extended instructions test, where the Intel Core 7 250H scores 17,318 against the Ryzen 5 3501U's 3,274, a delta of 81.1% in favor of Intel. Floating point math shows a similar magnitude, with Intel scoring 65,094 versus 12,707, a delta of 80.5%. The find prime numbers test also shows an 80.2% delta, with Intel at 106 and AMD at 21. These three tests indicate that the Intel processor handles complex mathematical workloads with substantially more headroom.

Data compression and encryption workloads also favor Intel heavily. The Core 7 250H records 303,269 in data compression against 87,380 for the Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 71.2%. Data encryption shows Intel at 18,206 versus 5,580, a delta of 69.4%. Random string sorting follows the same pattern, with Intel scoring 34,136 versus 10,414, a delta of 69.5%. These results suggest that the Intel processor maintains its advantage across both computational and memory-intensive tasks.

Multithreaded performance shows a delta of 73.8%, with Intel scoring 27,030 against AMD's 7,071. The physics test records a delta of 73.5%, with Intel at 1,824 and AMD at 483. Integer math shows Intel at 99,100 versus 26,321, a delta of 73.4%. The smallest margin between the two processors appears in the single-thread tests, yet even here Intel leads by 48.5%, scoring 4,148 against 2,136 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win any of the eleven compared tests. The Intel Core 7 250H wins all of them. This means that for every workload category represented in the data, from integer and floating point math to data compression, encryption, physics, random string sorting, and single-threaded execution, the Intel processor delivers higher scores.

The closest contest, relatively speaking, is in single-thread performance, where the Intel advantage narrows to 48.5%. This still represents a significant lead, but it is the smallest relative gap in the dataset. For workloads that depend primarily on single-core speed, such as lightly threaded applications, the Intel processor still dominates, but the margin is less extreme than in fully parallel tasks.

The AMD processor's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 with a delta of 0.1%, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C with a delta of 0.3%, the Intel Core 7 160UL with a delta of 0.6%, and the Intel Core i5-10400F with a delta of 1%. These rivals score between 14,185 and 14,336 on average, placing the Ryzen 5 3501U in a tight cluster of similarly performing chips. The Intel Core 7 250H, by contrast, sits alongside the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 with a delta of 0%, the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H with a delta of 0.2%, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 with a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X with a delta of 0.5%. These rivals score between 35,670 and 35,909 on average, showing that the Intel processor competes in a much higher performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and use different internal structures. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U belongs to the Ryzen 5 generation based on Zen+ architecture, with the codename Picasso. It is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, using 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core 7 250H belongs to the Core 7 generation based on Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The Intel chip uses 14 cores and 20 threads, which explains the substantial multithreaded advantage in the benchmarks.

Cache configurations differ notably. The AMD processor provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Intel side, combined with more cores and threads, contributes to its higher scores in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

The transistor count and die size are recorded only for the AMD processor: 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. No comparable figures are listed for the Intel chip in the database. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1744. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, though no bandwidth figure is recorded. The AMD processor uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel processor uses PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the CPU.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core 7 250H includes Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The AMD processor was released on 2026-05-31, while the Intel processor was released on 2024-12-17. The Intel part number is SRQ6UQ5MK, and the AMD part number is YM3501C4T4MFG.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: In the passmark_single_thread test, the Intel Core 7 250H scores 4,148, which is 48.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's score of 2,136.

Q: How do the processors compare in memory support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core 7 250H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD chip has a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has an average benchmark score of 35,728, compared to 14,320 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U was released on 2026-05-31, and the Intel Core 7 250H was released on 2024-12-17.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: No, both the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core 7 250H have ECC memory support set to false.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core 7 250H uses 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.10 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 3.70 GHz for AMD and 5.40 GHz for Intel. The thermal design power is 15 watts for AMD and 45 watts for Intel.

The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1744. The AMD chip is based on Zen+ (Picasso) architecture on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel chip is based on Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while no transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel chip.

Cache sizes differ across all levels. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR4 only, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel chip has no recorded bandwidth. PCIe support differs: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

The release dates differ, with AMD released on 2026-05-31 and Intel released on 2024-12-17. The Intel processor has a launch MSRP of $502. The AMD processor has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are marked as Active in production status and both target the mobile market segment.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 250H wins every one of the eleven head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with deltas ranging from 48.5% in single-thread tests to 81.1% in extended instructions. The average benchmark score of 35,728 for the Intel chip versus 14,320 for the AMD chip places the Intel processor in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD processor sits in the 69th percentile.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, with its 4 cores and 4 threads on a 12 nm process, delivers scores that align closely with rivals such as the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (delta 0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (delta 0.3%). The Intel Core 7 250H, with 14 cores and 20 threads on a 10 nm process, matches the performance of chips like the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 (delta 0%) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (delta 0.2%).

The data indicates that the Intel Core 7 250H is the stronger processor for all workloads represented in the benchmark suite. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U operates at a lower thermal design power of 15 watts, compared to 45 watts for the Intel chip, which may be relevant for specific system designs, but the benchmark scores do not show any workload category where the AMD processor takes the lead. The choice between the two, based strictly on performance data, favors the Intel Core 7 250H across every measured test.