AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is a mobile processor from the 3000 series, built on the Picasso architecture and a 12 nm process. The Intel Core i3-14100 is a desktop part from the Core 14th Gen series, using Raptor Lake-R on a 10 nm process. The database records a significant performance gap between them, with the Intel chip winning all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Ryzen 5 3501U holds a 69th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core i3-14100 sits at the 72nd percentile.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core i3-14100?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U records an average benchmark score of 14,320, while the Intel Core i3-14100 averages 18,318. This places the Intel part roughly 28% higher in overall average score.

Q: Which processor has more threads, and how does that affect multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 has 8 threads, double the 4 threads of the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. In the PassMark multi-thread test, the Intel chip scores 15,095 versus 7,071 for AMD, a 53.2% advantage.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 scores 3,759 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2,136. Intel leads by 43.2% in this metric.

Q: What are the thermal design power (TDP) ratings for these processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has a TDP of 15 watts, and the Intel Core i3-14100 has a TDP of 60 watts. The Intel chip consumes considerably more power by specification.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-14100 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-14100 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not list ECC memory support in its specifications.

Q: What is the release date and launch MSRP for the Intel Core i3-14100?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 was released on 2024-01-07 with a launch MSRP of $134. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has a release date of 2026-05-31 and no launch MSRP is recorded.

The Verdict

The data shows a decisive performance victory for the Intel Core i3-14100. It wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, with deltas ranging from 36.9% to 72.4% in its favor. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile ranking (72nd versus 69th) and a higher average benchmark score (18,318 versus 14,320). For any workload where raw processing speed matters, the Core i3-14100 is the clear choice based on recorded results.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, however, is a mobile processor with a 15 watt TDP, compared to the 60 watt TDP of the Intel desktop chip. The Ryzen part is designed for low-power environments where energy consumption and heat output are primary constraints. Its 4 cores and 4 threads match the core count of the Intel chip but lack the simultaneous multi-threading that the Core i3-14100 uses to double its thread count. The Ryzen 5 3501U is the only sensible option for compact, battery-powered systems, while the Core i3-14100 is the superior performer in socketed desktop builds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the head-to-head table comes from PassMark extended instructions. The Intel Core i3-14100 scores 11,865, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 3,274, a delta of 72.4%. This indicates a substantial advantage in workloads that leverage SIMD or specialized instruction sets.

In floating point math, the Intel chip scores 35,266 against AMD's 12,707, a 64% lead. The integer math test shows a smaller but still large gap: Intel at 45,329 versus AMD at 26,321, a 41.9% difference. The data compression test records Intel at 174,115 and AMD at 87,380, a 49.8% gap, while random string sorting shows Intel at 17,397 and AMD at 10,414, a 40.1% difference.

The multi-thread test highlights the thread count advantage: Intel scores 15,095 and AMD scores 7,071, a 53.2% lead. The physics test follows a similar pattern, with Intel at 958 and AMD at 483, a 49.6% gap. The prime number finding test shows Intel at 55 and AMD at 21, a 61.8% difference. The encryption test records Intel at 8,838 and AMD at 5,580, a 36.9% gap, which is the smallest margin in the entire set. Single-thread performance, measured twice in the database, shows Intel at 3,759 and AMD at 2,136, a 43.2% lead.

The average benchmark score difference also reflects the consistent gap: Intel at 18,318 versus AMD at 14,320. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the Intel Core i3-13100 with a score of 18,380 and a delta of -0.3%, indicating the Core i3-14100 is slightly behind that part. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at 14,336, a delta of -0.1%, showing the Ryzen part is essentially tied with that embedded processor.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock of the AMD part is 2.10 GHz, and the boost clock is 3.70 GHz. The Intel chip starts at 3.50 GHz base and boosts to 4.70 GHz.

The TDP figures are markedly different: 15 watts for the AMD mobile part versus 60 watts for the Intel desktop part. The socket types also differ, with AMD using Socket FP5 and Intel using Socket 1700. The memory support shows AMD limited to DDR4, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel chip also lists ECC memory support as true, while AMD lists it as false.

The integrated graphics differ: the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8, and the Intel Core i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730. The PCIe interface shows AMD at Gen 3, while Intel lists Gen 5 with 16 Lanes (CPU only). The market segment records AMD as Mobile and Intel as Desktop.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename with a Zen+ (Picasso) generation, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The cache layout consists of 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Core i3-14100 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename with a Raptor Lake Refresh generation, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The die size is 163 mm². The cache configuration is different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache is three times larger than the AMD part's shared cache.

The memory bandwidth is recorded as 38.4 GB/s for the AMD chip, while no memory bandwidth figure is listed for the Intel chip. The AMD part has no recorded architecture field, but its generation label confirms the Zen+ design. The Intel part explicitly lists its architecture as Raptor Lake. The process node difference, 12 nm versus 10 nm, gives the Intel chip a manufacturing density advantage, though the higher TDP suggests it uses that density for higher operating frequencies rather than efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-14100 wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is straightforward for performance. It dominates in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multi-thread workloads, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tasks. The largest margins are in extended instructions (72.4%) and floating point math (64%), making it the preferred part for number-crunching and scientific workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U wins in no benchmark categories, but its specification profile gives it a clear niche. Its 15 watt TDP is a quarter of the Intel chip's 60 watt rating, which makes it suitable for fanless or low-power mobile designs. The 12 nm process and 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die are larger than the Intel die, but the lower clock speeds and power draw are the defining characteristics. The Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics and Gen 3 PCIe support are adequate for basic media tasks, while the Intel chip's Gen 5 PCIe and UHD Graphics 730 target a desktop environment with more expansion capability.

The data shows no scenario where the AMD part outperforms the Intel part in raw compute. The Ryzen 5 3501U exists in a different market segment, that of mobile and low-power systems, where its lower TDP and smaller physical footprint matter more than benchmark scores. The Intel Core i3-14100 is the superior processor in every measured performance test, and its 72nd percentile ranking confirms its position above the 69th percentile of the AMD chip. For desktop users with access to standard power delivery, the Core i3-14100 is the only choice supported by the recorded data.