AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core i9-14900T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core i9-14900T occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum, and the benchmark data confirms a substantial performance gulf between them. The Intel part wins 11 out of 11 head-to-head comparisons, often by very wide margins. However, the context of each chip matters: the Ryzen is a 15-watt mobile part, while the Core i9 is a 35-watt desktop processor with a launch MSRP of $549. The data shows a clear hierarchy, but the reasons behind it are rooted in architecture, core counts, and intended use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-14900T dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest deltas appear in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark's floating point math test, the Intel chip scores 92,699 versus the AMD's 12,707, a delta of -86.3%. Similarly, extended instructions show a -86.2% gap (23,660 versus 3,274), and finding prime numbers yields a -87.2% difference (164 versus 21). These results indicate that the Core i9 delivers roughly 7 to 8 times the throughput in mathematical and cryptographic workloads.

Integer math also heavily favors Intel: 138,149 versus 26,321, a -80.9% delta. Data compression shows a score of 436,066 for Intel compared to 87,380 for AMD, a -80% difference. Data encryption follows the same pattern: 27,062 versus 5,580, a -79.4% gap. Random string sorting, a task that stresses memory access and branch prediction, shows Intel at 49,484 versus AMD's 10,414, a -79% delta.

Multi-threaded performance is similarly lopsided. The PassMark multi-thread score for Intel is 36,239, while AMD manages 7,071, a -80.5% difference. Physics simulation scores are 2,245 for Intel and 483 for AMD, a -78.5% gap. The closest margin is in single-threaded performance. Intel scores 4,016, AMD scores 2,136, and the delta is -46.8%. That is still a decisive win for Intel, but it is the narrowest relative gap, suggesting the AMD core design is less far behind in per-thread efficiency than in raw parallel throughput.

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. Intel's average is 51,015, while AMD's is 14,320. The Intel chip sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the AMD chip sits in the 69th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13850HX (0.5% slower), the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T (0.6% faster), and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT (0.6% slower). The Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals are much lower in the performance stack, including the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (0.1% slower) and the Intel Core i5-10400F (1% faster).

Architecture Differences

The foundational architecture differs completely. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is built on the Picasso design, using the Zen+ microarchitecture, and is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The die size is 210 mm² and it contains 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core i9-14900T uses Raptor Lake-R, a Raptor Lake Refresh architecture, on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel chip's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts create the biggest functional gap. The AMD part has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part has 24 cores and 32 threads, a hybrid configuration that combines performance and efficiency cores. This 6x core advantage and 8x thread advantage explains most of the multi-thread benchmark deltas.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip features 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 36 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on Intel gives it a significant advantage in workloads that repeatedly access a working set of data, such as compression and sorting.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD chip supports only DDR4 memory, running dual-channel with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is not recorded. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the CPU.

Integrated graphics are present on both, but they are not directly benchmarked in this data. AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip is a mobile part on Socket FP5, while Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900T wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is based on degree of advantage rather than which chip wins. For heavily parallel workloads like video rendering, 3D simulation, or data compression, the Intel chip's 24 cores and 32 threads deliver a massive lead. The multi-thread score of 36,239 versus 7,071 indicates that tasks designed to scale across cores will see roughly 5x the throughput on Intel.

Single-thread performance is also Intel's domain, but by a smaller margin. The single-thread score of 4,016 versus 2,136 shows a 46.8% advantage, which still matters for everyday responsiveness, office tasks, and lightly threaded applications. The Intel chip also leads in memory-intensive tasks like random string sorting, likely aided by its larger cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has no benchmark wins, but its context is different. With a 15-watt TDP, it is designed for thin-and-light laptops where power draw and heat are limited. Its 4 cores and 4 threads are sufficient for basic productivity, web browsing, and light multitasking. The physics score of 483 and integer math score of 26,321 are low in absolute terms, but they are serviceable for entry-level mobile workloads. The AMD chip's 12 nm process and smaller die size (210 mm²) suggest it is built for efficiency over performance, even though the database does not record power efficiency metrics.

The Intel chip's TDP of 35 watts is more than double AMD's, and it targets desktop systems where cooling and power are less constrained. Its 90th percentile ranking places it near high-end desktop parts, while AMD's 69th percentile places it in mid-range mobile territory. The data implies that a user choosing between these chips is not comparing like-for-like; the Intel part is a high-end desktop processor, while the AMD part is a low-power mobile processor.

Specification Differences

The most consequential differences are core count (4 versus 24), thread count (4 versus 32), and TDP (15 watts versus 35 watts). Base clocks differ: AMD at 2.10 GHz, Intel at 1.10 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: AMD at 3.70 GHz, Intel at 5.50 GHz. The Intel chip has a much higher boost ceiling, which explains its single-thread advantage despite a lower base clock.

Cache sizes differ across all levels. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, Intel has 80 KB. AMD has 512 KB L2 per core, Intel has 2 MB. Shared L3 is 4 MB on AMD versus 36 MB on Intel. Process nodes differ: 12 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Die size is 210 mm² for AMD, 257 mm² for Intel. Transistor count is 4,940 million for AMD, not recorded for Intel.

Memory support differs: AMD is DDR4 only, Intel is DDR4 and DDR5. ECC support is absent on AMD, present on Intel. PCIe generation differs: Gen 3 versus Gen 5. Socket and market segment differ: AMD Socket FP5 mobile, Intel Socket 1700 desktop. Release dates differ: AMD's is recorded as 2026-05-31, Intel's as 2024-01-07. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $549, while AMD's is not recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A: The largest delta is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 164 versus AMD's 21, a -87.2% difference. Floating point math shows a -86.3% gap, and extended instructions show -86.2%.

Q: How close is single-threaded performance?

A: Intel scores 4,016 versus AMD's 2,136 in the PassMark single-thread test, a delta of -46.8%. That is the narrowest relative gap of any recorded benchmark.

Q: Does the AMD chip support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-14900T does support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR4 only. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14,320. The Intel Core i9-14900T has an average score of 51,015.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-14900T outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in every recorded benchmark. For users requiring maximum multi-thread throughput, 24 cores and 32 threads deliver scores that are roughly 5 to 7 times higher than the AMD part in parallel workloads. The Intel chip also leads in single-thread performance by 46.8%, making it faster in nearly all scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is a 15-watt mobile processor with 4 cores and 4 threads. Its performance profile places it in the 69th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 14,320. It is suited for basic mobile computing where power draw is a primary constraint. The Intel chip, at 35 watts and a desktop socket, targets a completely different market segment, ranking in the 90th percentile.

A buyer choosing between these two is not making a direct comparison. The Intel part is for desktop systems that can accommodate its power and cooling requirements, and its benchmark results justify its position near the top of the performance hierarchy. The AMD part is for low-power laptops, and its modest scores reflect that design goal. The recorded data shows no scenario where the AMD chip wins, but its existence in the database is defined by its efficiency-class positioning, not by competing with a high-end desktop processor.