AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i3-1315U compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has an average benchmark score of 15022, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 14320. Both processors sit at the 69th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance, but the Intel part holds a measurable edge.

Q: Which processor wins in the head-to-head benchmark suite?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U wins all 11 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not record a single win across the compared workloads, which include data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithreading, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests.

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

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core i3-1315U scores 3380 against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's 2136, a 58.2% advantage. This is one of the larger deltas in the comparison and points to a significant difference in per-core efficiency and clock behavior.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U have any advantages in cache or memory configuration?

A: The AMD part features a larger L1 cache per core at 96 KB versus 80 KB for Intel, and it lists a memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s, a number the Intel entry does not specify. However, the Intel chip has a much larger L3 cache at 10 MB shared, compared to 4 MB shared on the AMD side.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U provides 6 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U provides 4 cores and 4 threads. This gives the Intel part both more physical cores and simultaneous multithreading, which the AMD part lacks entirely.

Q: When were these processors released?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has a release date of January 3, 2023. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is listed with a release date of May 31, 2026, making it a much newer entry in the database despite its older architecture roots.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-1315U is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, using a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is based on the Picasso codename, which corresponds to the Zen+ architecture, manufactured on a 12 nm node by GlobalFoundries. This process gap is significant: Intel's newer node provides a denser, more power-efficient transistor layout, while AMD's older node relies on a larger, less efficient design.

The transistor and die size figures underline this difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel part does not list transistor count or die size in the database, but its 10 nm process allows for a more compact implementation. The AMD chip's 12 nm process with a substantial die area reflects an older generation design philosophy.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Intel Core i3-1315U offers 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's L3 cache is 2.5 times larger, which can materially benefit workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 4 MB.

Threading capabilities also separate the two. The Intel chip has 6 cores and 8 threads, meaning it supports hyperthreading. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. This gives Intel a 2-core and 4-thread advantage in raw parallelism, a factor that shows up clearly in multithreaded benchmarks.

Memory support differs as well. The Intel Core i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel part's broader memory compatibility allows system builders to choose newer memory types. The AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, a figure not specified for the Intel chip.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The Intel processor supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes available to the CPU. The AMD processor uses PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. This gives the Intel platform a faster interface for storage and discrete GPUs, assuming the motherboard and peripherals support Gen 4.

Integrated graphics differ: the Intel Core i3-1315U pairs with UHD Graphics 64EU, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8. Both are integrated solutions for mobile systems, but the database does not provide direct graphics benchmark comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. Across all 11 recorded tests, the Intel Core i3-1315U wins every single one, with deltas ranging from 34.7% to 126.4%. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U records zero wins.

The largest victory for Intel comes in extended instructions, where the i3-1315U scores 7413 against the Ryzen 5 3501U's 3274, a 126.4% advantage. This suggests a substantial difference in SIMD and specialized instruction throughput, likely driven by both architectural generation and clock speed.

Floating point math shows a similar pattern. Intel scores 27012, AMD scores 12707, giving Intel a 112.6% lead. This is a workload that benefits from both higher clocks and better per-core execution resources, both of which favor the Raptor Lake design.

Prime number finding, a test sensitive to integer throughput and branch handling, shows Intel at 41 versus AMD at 21, a 95.2% delta. This is one of the smaller absolute scores in the suite, but the percentage gap is among the largest.

Multithread performance favors Intel by 62.4%, with scores of 11482 versus 7071. The combination of more cores, more threads, and a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz against 3.70 GHz explains this outcome. The AMD part's lack of SMT is particularly damaging in this workload.

Single-thread tests show a 58.2% gap, with Intel at 3380 and AMD at 2136. This is notable because single-thread performance is less dependent on core count and more on clock speed and IPC. The Intel chip's 4.50 GHz boost clock versus 3.70 GHz for AMD, combined with newer architecture, produces a decisive edge.

Data encryption shows Intel at 7583 versus AMD at 5580, a 35.9% advantage. Data compression shows Intel at 126436 versus AMD at 87380, a 44.7% lead. Integer math shows Intel at 37644 versus AMD at 26321, a 43% gap. Physics shows Intel at 706 versus AMD at 483, a 46.2% delta. Random string sorting shows Intel at 14028 versus AMD at 10414, a 34.7% advantage, which is the smallest recorded gap but still firmly in Intel's favor.

Across all workloads, the Intel chip's advantages are consistent and large. There is no workload category where the AMD part comes close to parity, let alone takes a lead.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1315U | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1200.00 MHz | 2100.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Picasso |

| Generation | Core i3 (Raptor Lake-U) | Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso)) |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 80 KB | 96 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 512 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 10 MB | 4 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Transistors | Not specified | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 210 mm² |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2026-05-31 |

| Part Number | SRMLV | YM3501C4T4MFG |

The base clock comparison is inverted: the AMD chip starts at 2100 MHz, while the Intel chip starts at 1200 MHz. However, the Intel part boosts much higher, reaching 4.50 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. This indicates that the Intel chip relies on aggressive boost behavior rather than a high idle clock, while the AMD chip runs closer to its base frequency under load.

Both processors have a TDP of 15 watts, making them comparable in power envelope for mobile designs. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both target the mobile market segment and are listed as Active in production status. Neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1315U wins in every benchmark category recorded. For users prioritizing raw CPU throughput, multithreaded workloads, and single-thread responsiveness, the data is unambiguous: Intel holds a decisive advantage in all 11 head-to-head tests.

The Intel part is the clear choice for productivity tasks that scale with core count and threads. Its 6 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 62.4% lead in multithread performance and a 46.2% lead in physics, make it better suited for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel workloads. The 10 MB L3 cache provides ample room for data reuse, and the PCIe Gen 4 support allows faster storage and GPU connectivity in compatible laptops.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win any benchmark category in this comparison. Its strengths are relative rather than absolute: it has a higher base clock, a larger L1 cache per core, and a specified memory bandwidth figure. These characteristics suggest it may be more predictable in sustained low-load operation, but the recorded data does not show a single workload where it outperforms the Intel chip.

For single-thread-sensitive applications such as web browsing, office productivity, and light coding, the Intel part's 58.2% lead in single-thread tests makes it the superior choice. The 126.4% lead in extended instructions indicates strong performance for cryptography, multimedia codecs, and other SIMD-heavy tasks.

The AMD processor's only notable advantage in the specification table is its transistor count and die size, which are larger, and its memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s, which is explicitly listed. However, these do not translate into benchmark wins. The Ryzen 5 3501U's 12 nm process and Zen+ architecture place it firmly behind the newer Raptor Lake design in every measured workload.

In practical terms, the Intel Core i3-1315U is the processor to choose for any scenario where performance matters. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U may appeal to systems requiring a specific socket or platform compatibility, but the benchmark data offers no performance-based reason to prefer it. The database records 11 wins for Intel and 0 for AMD, a margin that leaves no ambiguity.