AMD Ryzen 5 5500U vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1315U and AMD Ryzen 5 5500U are both 6-core mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, yet benchmark results show they excel in distinctly different workloads. The Intel chip wins 7 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip wins 8, making this a near-split decision that hinges on whether single-threaded speed or multi-threaded throughput matters more. The i3-1315U demonstrates a commanding 39.7% lead in single-threaded PassMark testing, while the Ryzen 5 5500U counters with a 24.3% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core, though the Intel part flips the script in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a 30.4% victory. Both processors sit at the 69th percentile among all CPUs, indicating comparable overall positioning despite their divergent strengths.

The Verdict

Data from the benchmark suite indicates the Intel Core i3-1315U is the pick for users prioritizing snappy single-threaded responsiveness and modern rendering workloads. Its 39.7% advantage in PassMark single-thread scoring (3380 vs 2419) translates directly to faster application launching and more responsive daily use. The i3-1315U also dominates in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 30.4% lead (9374 vs 7186), suggesting superior sustained performance in modern multi-threaded rendering tasks that scale with newer instruction sets. Additionally, the Intel part shows a 57.7% advantage in PassMark find prime numbers (41 vs 26), a test sensitive to integer and branch-heavy workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U is the better choice for older multi-threaded applications and data-heavy operations. Its 12 threads — compared to the i3-1315U’s 8 — give it a decisive edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1247 vs 944, a 24.3% lead) and in PassMark data compression (174584 vs 126436, a 27.6% advantage). The Ryzen chip also wins PassMark data encryption by 27.1% (10405 vs 7583) and extended instructions by 31.6% (10838 vs 7413). For users running legacy software or workloads that are heavily parallel but not optimized for the latest Intel architecture, the 5500U’s additional threads provide a tangible benefit.

Neither chip is a universal winner. The i3-1315U excels at single-core tasks and the newest rendering benchmarks, while the 5500U holds sway in older multi-core tests and data-processing workloads. The Intel part’s 12.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (1323 vs 1172) reinforces its modern-application advantage, whereas the AMD chip’s 10.5% edge in PassMark multithread (12831 vs 11482) shows its raw thread-count advantage in general-purpose parallel work.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i3-1315U is built on Raptor Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U uses Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm node fabricated by TSMC. The process node difference explains why the AMD chip packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, whereas the Intel part’s transistor count and die size are not specified in the data.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The i3-1315U allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The 5500U provides 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with only 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel part’s larger per-core L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its single-threaded superiority, while the AMD chip’s smaller cache footprint is offset by its higher thread count.

Memory support also diverges: the i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while the 5500U is limited to DDR4. The AMD chip does specify a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure not provided for the Intel part. PCIe connectivity favors AMD with Gen 3 across 12 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 4 across 8 lanes — a trade-off between newer bandwidth and lane count.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel pairs the i3-1315U with UHD Graphics 64EU, while AMD uses Radeon Graphics 448SP. Both platforms lock their multipliers, so neither chip supports overclocking. The Intel part lists a launch MSRP of $309, while the AMD chip has no launch MSRP specified.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single-threaded result comes from PassMark single-thread testing, where the i3-1315U scores 3380 against the 5500U’s 2419 — a 39.7% margin that is the largest of any benchmark in the comparison. This advantage carries into Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel leads by 12.9% (1323 vs 1172). The i3-1315U also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 30.4% (9374 vs 7186), a surprising reversal given the AMD chip’s higher thread count.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U’s biggest victory comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 1247 against Intel’s 944, a 24.3% lead. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 24.9% (177 vs 133), which contradicts the newer Cinebench R23 results — suggesting the older benchmark favors the AMD architecture’s per-thread efficiency under legacy conditions. In PassMark extended instructions, AMD leads by 31.6% (10838 vs 7413), and in data compression by 27.6% (174584 vs 126436).

Other notable wins for AMD include PassMark integer math at 45258 vs 37644 (a 16.8% lead), random string sorting at 19035 vs 14028 (26.3% ahead), and data encryption at 10405 vs 7583 (27.1% ahead). The AMD chip also takes PassMark multithread by 10.5% (12831 vs 11482). Intel counters with a 32.5% win in PassMark physics (706 vs 533) and a narrow 3.8% margin in floating-point math (27012 vs 26029). The find-prime-numbers test is the most lopsided Intel win at 57.7% (41 vs 26).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the 5500U has 6 cores and 12 threads — the AMD chip’s extra 4 threads are its primary structural advantage. Base clocks differ significantly: the Intel part runs at 1200 MHz, while the AMD chip starts at 2100 MHz. Boost clocks reverse this, with Intel reaching 4500 MHz versus AMD’s 4000 MHz.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: the i3-1315U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the 5500U uses AMD Socket FP6. Process nodes differ as noted, with Intel at 10 nm and AMD at 7 nm. Cache configurations diverge across all levels, with Intel offering larger per-core L1 and L2 but AMD’s smaller caches being shared across fewer threads per core. Memory support sees Intel accommodating both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD only supports DDR4. PCIe versions differ (Gen 4 vs Gen 3), as do lane counts (8 vs 12). Integrated graphics are distinct, and the release dates show the Intel part launching on 2023-01-03, roughly two years after the AMD chip’s 2021-01-11 release.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U wins decisively in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread scoring shows 3380 for Intel versus 2419 for AMD, a 39.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors Intel by 12.9% (1323 vs 1172), though the older Cinebench R15 single-core test reverses this with AMD leading 177 vs 133.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: Results are mixed. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 24.3% (1247 vs 944) and PassMark multithread by 10.5% (12831 vs 11482). However, the Intel i3-1315U wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 30.4% (9374 vs 7186), suggesting the newer benchmark favors Intel’s architecture.

Q: Which processor has more threads and why does that matter?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has 12 threads versus the Intel i3-1315U’s 8 threads, despite both having 6 cores. This explains AMD’s wins in data-heavy tests like PassMark data compression (174584 vs 126436) and encryption (10405 vs 7583), where additional threads provide a direct advantage.

Q: Are there differences in memory support between the two?

A: Yes. The Intel i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U supports only DDR4. The AMD chip specifies a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is not listed for the Intel part.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has a higher base clock at 2100 MHz compared to the Intel i3-1315U’s 1200 MHz. However, the Intel chip boosts higher at 4500 MHz versus AMD’s 4000 MHz. Both processors have a 15 W TDP.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The Intel i3-1315U has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 10 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3.