AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 236V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V across every recorded test. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win a single head-to-head comparison among the eleven measured workloads, with the Intel part taking all eleven wins.

The largest margin comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V scores 171 against 21 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, a 87.7% advantage. This is the most dramatic gap in the entire dataset and indicates a massive difference in integer-heavy computational workloads. Extended instructions show a similar pattern: the Intel part scores 15451 versus 3274, a 78.8% lead. Floating point math also heavily favors the Intel chip, with 52774 points versus 12707, a 75.9% margin.

Multithreaded performance tells the same story. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V delivers 18375 in the PassMark multithread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U manages 7071, a 61.5% deficit. Physics simulation results reinforce this, with Intel scoring 1503 against AMD's 483, a 67.9% gap. The Ryzen 5 3501U's four cores and four threads are simply outmatched by the Intel part's eight cores and eight threads in parallel workloads.

The closest competition appears in integer math, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V scores 38765 against 26321, a 32.1% lead. While still a substantial margin, this is the smallest relative difference in the head-to-head results. Data compression shows a 50.5% gap (176554 versus 87380), random string sorting a 51.8% gap (21628 versus 10414), and data encryption a 57.2% gap (13049 versus 5580).

Single-thread performance is also firmly in the Intel corner. The PassMark single thread test shows 3893 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V versus 2136 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, a 45.1% advantage. This is a critical result because single-thread speed affects everyday responsiveness, application launch times, and lightly threaded software.

The average benchmark scores in the database reflect the overall gap. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U holds an average benchmark score of 14320 and sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs tracked. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V averages 21952 and ranks at the 75th percentile. The nearest rivals listed for each chip confirm the positioning: the Ryzen 5 3501U sits within 1% of chips like the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and the Intel Core 7 160UL, while the Core Ultra 5 236V trades blows with desktop parts like the Intel Core i7-11700F and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X within 0.2%.

Where Each One Wins

Given the complete sweep by the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, the use-case split is heavily one-sided. The Intel part wins every category where raw compute throughput matters. Data compression, encryption, extended instruction workloads, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded rendering, physics simulation, random string sorting, and single-thread responsiveness all favor the Intel chip.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not have a single recorded benchmark victory. Its only theoretical advantage lies in its 15 watt TDP versus the Intel part's 17 watt TDP, a difference of 2 watts. That modest power envelope difference suggests the AMD chip may run cooler or draw less power under sustained load, but the database contains no thermal or power consumption measurements to confirm this. The data does show that the Ryzen 5 3501U uses DDR4 memory while the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's memory support depends on the motherboard, and the Intel part offers no memory bandwidth figure in the records.

For workloads that are heavily parallel, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's eight cores and eight threads provide double the thread count of the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. The multithread score of 18375 versus 7071 shows that doubling the cores translates into roughly 2.6 times the throughput. For lightly threaded tasks, the Intel part's 45.1% single-thread lead means faster per-core execution even before parallel scaling is considered.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is an older design from the 3000 series based on the Picasso die, using the Zen+ architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. Its 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die and 4 MB of shared L3 cache reflect that older generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, by contrast, is a Lunar Lake part from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The process node difference alone explains much of the performance and efficiency gap.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two mobile processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso die with Zen+ architecture, a 12 nm design fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V uses the Lunar Lake architecture and codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process. The database records no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core configuration differs sharply. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 8 cores and 8 threads. Both have a 2.10 GHz base clock, but the boost clocks diverge: the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U boosts to 3.70 GHz while the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V reaches 4.70 GHz. That full 1.00 GHz boost advantage contributes directly to the single-thread performance gap.

Cache hierarchies follow different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V doubles the L1 to 192 KB per core, increases L2 to 2.5 MB per core, and offers 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Intel part give it a significant advantage in data reuse and latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses DDR4 with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded. Both parts lack ECC memory support.

PCI Express connectivity shows the generational gap. The AMD chip runs PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes available from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V uses Arc 130V. The database does not include graphics benchmark scores for either part, so the iGPU comparison cannot be quantified.

Process node differences are stark. The 12 nm GlobalFoundries process for the AMD chip is three generations behind the 3 nm TSMC process used for the Intel part. This explains the transistor density difference: the AMD chip needs 210 mm² for 4,940 million transistors, while the Intel part achieves higher performance in a package that the database does not specify. The 15 watt TDP of the AMD part versus 17 watts for Intel is a small gap given the massive performance difference.

Both chips are unlocked? No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U nor the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has an unlocked multiplier. Both are mobile parts, both are listed as active in production, and both target the mobile market segment. The AMD part's release date is recorded as 2026-05-31, while the Intel part launched on 2024-09-23.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in every benchmark workload measured. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 21952 exceeds the AMD chip's 14320 by more than 53%. Its percentile ranking of 75 versus 69 places it higher among all tracked CPUs.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at a 0.1% lower score, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 0.3% lower, the Intel Core 7 160UL at 0.6% lower, and the Intel Core i5-10400F at 1% lower. This places the Ryzen 5 3501U firmly in the company of mainstream mobile and entry desktop parts from several generations ago. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V at 0.1% lower, the Intel Core i7-11700F at 0.2% lower, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X at 0.2% lower, and the AMD EPYC 9534 at 0.2% higher. This puts the Intel part in the performance class of desktop CPUs from the mid-range of recent generations.

For workloads that stress integer math, floating point, encryption, compression, or multithreaded execution, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is the clear choice based on the data. The single-thread advantage of 45.1% also makes it better suited for responsive everyday use. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U offers a slightly lower TDP of 15 watts versus 17 watts, which may matter in ultra-low-power designs, but the database records no efficiency metrics to quantify that tradeoff.

The AMD part's only defensible position is in legacy DDR4 systems or designs that specifically require AMD Socket FP5 compatibility. The Intel part requires Intel BGA 2833 and supports PCIe Gen 5, which means platform-level differences will also factor into any decision. Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V wins every measurable performance comparison.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel part scores 3893 in the PassMark single thread test versus 2136 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, a 45.1% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the process node difference between these two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U nor the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V supports ECC memory.

Q: What integrated graphics do these chips use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V uses Arc 130V.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14320 at the 69th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has an average benchmark score of 21952 at the 75th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Intel Core Ultra 5 236V |

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

| Series | 3000 series | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Picasso | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Depends on motherboard |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Arc 130V |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2024-09-23 |

| Part Number | YM3501C4T4MFG | SRPN2SRPN3 |

Both CPUs share a 2.10 GHz base clock, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, and the mobile market segment. The AMD part uses DDR4 with a recorded 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part's memory support is motherboard-dependent with no bandwidth figure recorded.