AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V, which wins all 11 shared tests against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. The margin is substantial in every category, though the size of the gap varies considerably depending on the workload type.

The largest single-test advantage appears in the prime number search test, where Intel scores 174 against AMD's 21, a difference of 87.9%. This is an extreme outlier even for this matchup, indicating that the Intel part has a vastly stronger integer-heavy execution pipeline. The extended instructions test shows a similarly lopsided result: Intel scores 15,377 versus AMD's 3,274, a 78.7% gap. Both of these tests reward modern instruction set support and high per-core throughput, areas where the Lunar Lake architecture holds a clear edge.

Floating point math follows the same pattern with Intel at 53,160 versus AMD's 12,707, a 76.1% deficit for the older chip. Physics simulation shows Intel ahead by 68.8%, scoring 1,546 against AMD's 483. Multithreaded performance sees Intel at 18,407 versus AMD's 7,071, a 61.6% gap. Data encryption shows Intel at 13,072 against AMD's 5,580, a 57.3% difference. Random string sorting favors Intel by 51.8% (21,585 versus 10,414), and data compression shows a 50.5% gap (176,532 versus 87,380).

The closest margins appear in integer math, where Intel scores 38,889 against AMD's 26,321, a 32.3% lead. Single-thread performance shows Intel at 3,890 versus AMD's 2,136, a 45.1% advantage. Interestingly, the single-thread and single-threaded entries in the database record identical scores for both chips, confirming consistency in the measurement.

Looking at the broader database rankings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V sits at the 75th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U sits at the 69th percentile. The average benchmark score for Intel is 21,981, roughly 53.5% higher than AMD's 14,320. In terms of nearest rivals, Intel's average score places it essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-11700F and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, both within 0.1% or less. AMD's average score places it within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 and within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, making it a mid-pack performer among similar-class parts.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. Intel has twice the core count and twice the thread count.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U boosts to 3.70 GHz. Both have the same base clock of 2.10 GHz.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel has more cache at every level.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V uses Arc 130V graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not provide graphics benchmark scores for direct comparison.

Q: What process nodes and foundries are used?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Intel's node is significantly smaller.

Q: Which chip has a higher percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V ranks at the 75th percentile among all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U ranks at the 69th percentile. Intel places higher in the overall distribution.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U belongs to the 3000 series and uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ microarchitecture. It is manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

The cache hierarchy reflects the architectural gap. AMD's Zen+ design uses 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 4 MB L3 pool. Intel's Lunar Lake design doubles the L1 to 192 KB per core, expands L2 to 2.5 MB per core, and doubles the shared L3 to 8 MB. This larger cache structure directly supports the benchmark results, particularly in data compression and random string sorting, where memory access patterns benefit from larger caches.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon Vega 8 graphics, an older design from the Vega era. Intel uses Arc 130V graphics, part of its newer Arc lineup. The database does not include graphics-specific benchmarks, so the comparison is limited to architectural description.

Memory support also differs. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel operation and a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel part's memory support is listed as motherboard-dependent with no specific bandwidth figure recorded. Both chips lack ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. This gives Intel a substantial advantage in available I/O bandwidth for compatible devices.

The Intel chip features two performance-focused core types within its 8-core design, consistent with Lunar Lake's hybrid architecture approach. AMD's 4-core design is uniform, with all cores identical. The thread counts match the core counts for both: 4 threads on AMD, 8 threads on Intel. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

# Specification Differences

The two parts differ across nearly every specification field in the database.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V uses 8 cores and 8 threads. Both run a base clock of 2.10 GHz, but the boost clock differs: AMD reaches 3.70 GHz, while Intel reaches 4.70 GHz. Thermal design power is close: AMD is rated at 15 watts, Intel at 17 watts.

The socket is different. AMD uses Socket FP5, while Intel uses BGA 2833. This means they are not interchangeable in any system. The AMD part is from the 3000 series with the Picasso codename and Zen+ generation. The Intel part is from Core Ultra Series 2 with the Lunar Lake codename and architecture.

The process node is 12 nm for AMD at GlobalFoundries, versus 3 nm for Intel at TSMC. The AMD die measures 210 mm² and contains 4,940 million transistors; the database has no die size or transistor count for Intel.

Cache configurations differ at every level. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

Memory support: AMD supports DDR4 with dual-channel operation and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Intel's memory support is listed as motherboard-dependent with no bandwidth figure. Both lack ECC support.

PCIe: AMD uses Gen 3 with no lane count specified. Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics: AMD has Radeon Vega 8, Intel has Arc 130V.

Production status is Active for both. The release dates differ significantly: AMD's is listed as May 31, 2026, while Intel's is September 23, 2024. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded. Both are mobile market segments.

# Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V wins every benchmark category where both chips have results. There are no tests in the database where the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U comes out ahead. This makes the use-case split straightforward: Intel dominates across all measured workloads.

The largest Intel advantages appear in tests that stress instruction-level parallelism and vector processing. The extended instructions test shows a 78.7% gap, and floating point math shows a 76.1% gap. These workloads include encryption, compression, and scientific calculations. The prime number search test, which relies heavily on integer division and branch prediction, shows the widest margin at 87.9%. This suggests the Intel chip is better suited for cryptography, data compression, and simulation workloads.

The multithreaded test shows Intel ahead by 61.6%, reflecting both the higher core count and better per-core performance. The physics test, which typically scales with both cores and floating point throughput, shows a 68.8% gap. These results indicate Intel's advantage is not just from having more cores but also from executing more work per core per clock.

The single-thread test shows Intel ahead by 45.1%, a smaller but still decisive margin. This means even in lightly threaded applications, such as typical office work or web browsing, the Intel chip will deliver noticeably higher performance.

The AMD chip does have one area of relative strength: its power envelope. At 15 watts TDP versus Intel's 17 watts, the AMD part uses slightly less power. However, the database does not include efficiency metrics that factor in performance per watt, so this cannot be quantified directly.

For systems where the motherboard determines memory support, the Intel chip may offer flexibility depending on the platform. The AMD chip's fixed DDR4 support is simpler but less future-proof. Neither chip supports ECC memory, so neither is suited for error-correcting workloads.

# The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U in every measured test, with margins ranging from 32.3% to 87.9%. The Intel chip delivers more than double the average benchmark score (21,981 versus 14,320) and ranks higher in the overall CPU distribution (75th percentile versus 69th).

For workloads that benefit from high single-thread performance, large caches, and modern instruction sets, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the clear choice. The 45.1% single-thread advantage means everyday applications will feel snappier. The 61.6% multithreaded advantage means content creation, compilation, and multitasking will complete faster. The 76.1% floating point lead means scientific and engineering software will run substantially quicker.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U remains a functional processor for basic mobile computing, given its 15-watt TDP and active production status. Its 4 cores and 4 threads are sufficient for light productivity, and its DDR4 memory support offers broad compatibility with existing systems. However, the database shows no scenario where it beats the Intel part.

The architectural differences explain the results. Intel's Lunar Lake design on a 3 nm process, with 8 cores, larger caches at every level, and PCIe Gen 5 support, represents a generational leap over AMD's Zen+ Picasso design on 12 nm. The Intel chip also has a newer integrated graphics solution in Arc 130V.

For any user choosing between these two processors based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the superior part in all measured dimensions. The AMD chip's only advantages are its lower TDP and earlier release date, but neither translates into a performance win in the database. The verdict is straightforward: Intel wins every benchmark, and the margin is substantial.