AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core i5-14490F

The recorded benchmark data presents a decisive comparison between a low-power mobile processor and a high-performance desktop part. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every head-to-head test in the database, with the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U trailing by margins ranging from 44.8% to 84.9% depending on the workload. The average benchmark score for the Intel processor is 38,149, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip averages 14,320 and sits in the 69th percentile. These figures establish the fundamental performance gap before examining specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single-score deficit appears in the PassMark extended instructions test. The Intel Core i5-14490F scores 21,731 against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's 3,274, a delta of 84.9%. This test typically reflects advanced SIMD and cryptographic instruction throughput, where the Intel part's newer architecture and higher core count dominate. Similarly, the find prime numbers test shows an 82.8% gap: Intel scores 122 while AMD scores 21. This workload is heavily dependent on integer execution efficiency and clock speed, both of which favor the desktop chip.

Floating-point math shows an 80.9% difference. The Intel processor records 66,558 points versus 12,707 for the AMD chip. This workload benefits from the Intel part's 10 cores and 16 threads, which provide substantially more parallel floating-point throughput than the AMD's 4 cores and 4 threads. Physics simulation follows with a 76.9% gap: 2,093 for Intel versus 483 for AMD. The Intel chip also leads multithread performance by 75.3%, scoring 28,662 against 7,071.

The data compression test shows a 74.3% delta, with Intel at 340,026 and AMD at 87,380. Data encryption follows at 69.4% (18,225 versus 5,580), and integer math trails at 70% (87,844 versus 26,321). Random string sorting shows a 70.8% gap (35,608 versus 10,414). The smallest deficit appears in single-thread performance, where Intel leads by 44.8% with 3,873 points against AMD's 2,136. This narrower margin reflects that single-thread tests rely more on per-core efficiency and clock speed, where the Intel part's 5.00 GHz boost clock still clearly outpaces the AMD's 3.70 GHz boost, but the gap is less extreme than in multi-threaded workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The database records zero wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U across all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every category. However, the AMD processor's niche lies in its power envelope and platform characteristics, not raw performance. With a TDP of 15 watts, the Ryzen 5 3501U is designed for mobile systems where thermal and battery constraints matter. Its integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics provides display output without a discrete GPU, which is essential for laptops. The Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A), requiring a separate graphics card for any display output.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness in everyday tasks, the Intel chip still wins by 44.8%, which is substantial. But the AMD part's closest relative performance is in that single-thread test, suggesting that lightly threaded applications would see the smallest performance penalty when using the mobile chip. The Intel processor's advantages grow with thread count and complex instruction sets, making it the clear choice for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and server-style workloads. The AMD part, with its 4 MB shared L3 cache and 12 nm process, targets basic productivity and media consumption where its lower power draw is more valuable than peak throughput.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, part of the Ryzen 5 generation based on Zen+ architecture. It is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake-R (Raptor Lake architecture), a 10 nm Intel process with a 215 mm² die size. The transistor count for Intel is not recorded in the database.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration typical of Raptor Lake with performance and efficiency cores. Cache hierarchies diverge accordingly: the AMD part provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel L3 cache is six times larger, which directly benefits multi-threaded workloads with shared data.

Memory support also differs. The AMD chip supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe connectivity differs by generation: AMD uses PCIe Gen 3, while Intel uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Intel chip's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. The AMD chip runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Intel TDP is 65 watts versus AMD's 15 watts, a 50-watt difference that underscores their different market segments: desktop versus mobile. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5, while Intel uses Socket 1700. Release dates differ by over two years: the AMD chip's recorded release is May 2026, while Intel's is December 2023. The Intel part is from Core 14th Gen, while AMD is from the 3000 series.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-14490F is overwhelmingly faster in every recorded benchmark. Its average score of 38,149 is 2.66 times the AMD's 14,320. The Intel chip's closest rivals in the database are the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-13600KF (delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 250 (delta -0.2%), and Intel Core i5-13600HX (delta -0.3%). These deltas are all within 0.3% of the i5-14490F, showing it is tightly clustered with high-end desktop and mobile HX parts.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (delta -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (delta 0.3%), Intel Core 7 160UL (delta 0.6%), and Intel Core i5-10400F (delta 1%). These are all lower-power or older parts, confirming the AMD chip's position in the low-power mobile segment. The performance gap between the two reviewed processors is so wide that they serve entirely different purposes. The Intel chip is for a desktop system demanding maximum compute, while the AMD chip is for a thin-and-light laptop prioritizing battery life and low heat.

The 86th percentile ranking for Intel versus 69th for AMD further contextualizes the gap. The Intel part outperforms 86% of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part outperforms 69%. Users who need multi-threaded rendering, data analysis, or software compilation should choose the Intel part without hesitation based on these measurements. Users who need a mobile processor with integrated graphics and a 15-watt TDP have no alternative in this comparison, as the Intel chip lacks integrated graphics and consumes 65 watts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F scores 3,873 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 2,136. Intel leads by 44.8%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the Intel Core i5-14490F scores 21,731 versus 3,274 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, a delta of 84.9%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The database records ECC memory support as false for both the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core i5-14490F.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has an average benchmark score of 38,149, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14,320. Intel's average is 2.66 times higher.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Intel Core i5-14490F |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Picasso | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| 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 | Not recorded |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | May 2026 | December 2023 |

| Part Number | YM3501C4T4MFG | SRN35 |