AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database does not contain a direct head-to-head benchmark run between the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Processor N150, so the comparison relies on their recorded individual PassMark and Cinebench results. The Ryzen 5 3501U posts an average benchmark score of 14,320, placing it at the 69th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Processor N150 averages 1,025, sitting at the 28th percentile. That is a gulf of roughly 14x in average score, and it shows up consistently across every workload type in the record.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark data compression. The Ryzen 5 3501U scores 87,380, while the N150 has no comparable compression entry in its benchmark list. The N150's recorded strengths are in Cinebench, not PassMark, so the two chips cannot be compared on identical test suites. Still, for tasks like integer math, the Ryzen 5 3501U records 26,321 in PassMark integer math, and the N150 has no corresponding PassMark integer entry. The Ryzen's floating point math score is 12,707, and its multithread score is 7,071. The N150's Cinebench R23 multicore score is 2,590.5 and its single-core score is 935. These are different test families, but the relative magnitude is clear: the Ryzen chip is built for substantially higher throughput.

The Ryzen 5 3501U's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 at 14,336 (0.1% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 14,277 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core 7 160UL at 14,232 (0.6% behind). The N150's nearest rivals are far lower: the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T at 1,024 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i3-4340 at 1,026 (0.1% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U at 1,024 (0.1% ahead). This means the Ryzen 5 3501U competes in the company of older desktop-class and modern low-power mobile chips, while the N150 sits alongside decade-old desktop quad-cores and early Ryzen mobile parts.

Looking at single-thread performance, the Ryzen 5 3501U records a PassMark single-thread score of 2,136. The N150's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 935 is not directly convertible, but the percentile gap (69 vs 28) reinforces that the Ryzen part is the stronger single-core performer. The Ryzen also shows a PassMark physics score of 483 and a random string sorting score of 10,414, both without N150 equivalents. On extended instructions, the Ryzen scores 3,274, and on data encryption it scores 5,580. The N150 has no PassMark entries at all, so its database presence is entirely Cinebench-based.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 3501U wins decisively in any workload represented by PassMark suites. Data compression at 87,380, integer math at 26,321, floating point math at 12,707, random string sorting at 10,414, data encryption at 5,580, and extended instructions at 3,274 all indicate a processor that handles sustained computational loads without throttling into mediocrity. Its multithread score of 7,071 and single-thread score of 2,136 place it in a performance class far above the N150.

The Intel Processor N150 wins in power efficiency. Its TDP is 6 watts against the Ryzen's 15 watts, a 2.5x difference. For fanless or passively cooled designs, that is the deciding factor. The N150 also supports a wider memory range: DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Ryzen only supports DDR4. The N150's memory bus is single-channel, however, which limits its memory bandwidth despite the same rated 38.4 GB/s figure. The Ryzen uses dual-channel memory, which in practice allows better utilization of that bandwidth.

The N150's Cinebench R15 scores are 422.5 multicore and 153.15 single-core. Its R23 scores are 2,590.5 multicore and 935 single-core. These are entry-level numbers, but they are internally consistent. The Ryzen 5 3501U has no Cinebench entries in the database, so for users whose benchmark of choice is Cinebench, the N150 at least provides a reference point. The Ryzen's lack of Cinebench data is a gap in the record, not a weakness in the silicon.

For gaming or GPU-adjacent workloads, the Ryzen 5 3501U integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The N150 integrates UHD Graphics 730. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so no quantitative comparison is possible. The Ryzen's higher TDP and dual-channel memory support suggest it can feed an iGPU more effectively, but that remains inference from the specification fields, not measured data.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 3000 series part built on the Picasso architecture, which is Zen+ on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The N150 is a Twin Lake architecture part, listed as Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N), built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The N150 has no transistor count or die size in the database.

Core layout differs sharply. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 4 threads, with 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 4 MB of shared L3. The N150 also has 4 cores and 4 threads, with 96 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is 2 MB shared and its L3 is 6 MB shared. So the Ryzen has more total L2 (2 MB vs 2 MB, actually the same aggregate), but the N150 has a larger L3 pool (6 MB vs 4 MB). The cache distribution matters: the Ryzen's per-core L2 is private, while the N150's is shared.

The base clock difference is dramatic. The Ryzen lists a 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The N150 lists a 0.10 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. A 0.10 GHz base clock is effectively a placeholder for an extremely low idle state; the chip clearly ramps up under load to reach its boost. The Ryzen's 2.10 GHz base indicates it can sustain meaningful work at its floor.

Memory support diverges. The Ryzen supports only DDR4, dual-channel, with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only single-channel, also rated at 38.4 GB/s. The same bandwidth number with different channel counts means the Ryzen likely achieves it with two narrower channels while the N150 needs a single wider one, but the database does not specify the per-channel width.

PCIe is Gen 3 for both. The N150 specifies 9 lanes (CPU only); the Ryzen does not specify lane count. Neither supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Ryzen's socket is AMD Socket FP5; the N150 uses Intel BGA 1264. The Ryzen's release date is recorded as 2026-05-31, while the N150's is 2024-11-19, making the N150 a much earlier product in the timeline.

The Ryzen's generation field reads "Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso))" and the N150's reads "Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N)". The N150's architecture field is explicitly "Twin Lake", while the Ryzen's architecture field is null, with the codename "Picasso" serving that role.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U averages 14,320, versus 1,025 for the Intel Processor N150. The Ryzen sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs; the N150 sits at the 28th.

Q: Does the Intel Processor N150 have any performance advantage?

A: The recorded data shows no benchmark where the N150 out-scores the Ryzen on the same test. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2,590.5 and single-core score of 935 are its best entries, but the Ryzen has no Cinebench entries to compare directly.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Processor N150 has a TDP of 6 watts. That makes the N150 a 2.5x lower-power part on paper.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory types?

A: The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4. The N150 uses a single-channel memory bus; the Ryzen uses dual-channel. Both are rated at 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are the core counts the same?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Their cache layouts differ: the Ryzen has 512 KB of L2 per core and 4 MB shared L3; the N150 has 2 MB shared L2 and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U boosts to 3.70 GHz. The Intel Processor N150 boosts to 3.60 GHz. The base clocks are 2.10 GHz and 0.10 GHz respectively.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Codename | Picasso | Twin Lake |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Picasso)) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

| Process node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | null |

| Die size | 210 mm² | null |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 6 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release date | 2026-05-31 | 2024-11-19 |

| Part number | YM3501C4T4MFG | SRPNR |

| Average benchmark score | 14,320 | 1,025 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 69 | 28 |

Fields not listed are identical or absent in both records: both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 96 KB L1 per core, 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, no v-cache, no launch MSRP, and both are Active mobile parts.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward split. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is the performance choice. Its 14,320 average score, 69th percentile standing, 3.70 GHz boost, dual-channel memory, and 15 watt TDP describe a chip meant for real work in thin-and-light laptops. The Intel Processor N150, with a 1,025 average score, 28th percentile, 3.60 GHz boost, single-channel memory, and 6 watt TDP, is the efficiency choice for low-power designs where long battery life and minimal heat matter more than throughput.

The Ryzen's nearest rivals, the Ryzen Embedded V2546 and Ryzen 3 7320C, sit within 0.3% of its average score, which places it in a crowded mid-mobile tier. The N150's nearest rivals, the Phenom II X6 1075T and Core i3-4340, are ancient desktop parts, which frames the N150 as an entry-level modern chip. There is no benchmark in the database where the N150 matches or exceeds the Ryzen, and the Ryzen's higher TDP is the price paid for that performance.

For workloads like data compression, encryption, integer math, or floating point math, the Ryzen 5 3501U is the only one of the two with recorded PassMark results, and those results are strong. For Cinebench users, the N150 offers measurable numbers, but they are low-end numbers. The choice comes down to whether the use case demands computation or conservation. The Ryzen 5 3501U delivers the former; the Intel Processor N150 delivers the latter.