AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and Intel Core 5 315 are both active mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between them. The Intel Core 5 315 wins all eleven head-to-head comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 18188 against the AMD's 14320. This places the Intel part at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD sits at the 69th percentile. The following analysis breaks down the recorded data to show where each processor excels and what the architecture differences reveal.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 315 dominates every recorded workload. The largest margin appears in the `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test, where Intel scores 112 against AMD's 21, a delta of -81.2%. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive calculations. Similarly, the `passmark_extended_instructions` test shows Intel at 13143 versus AMD's 3274, a -75.1% delta, highlighting superior SIMD and complex instruction handling.

In floating-point math, the gap remains wide. Intel scores 42441, while AMD manages 12707, a -70.1% difference. The `passmark_physics` test follows the same trend, with Intel at 1163 and AMD at 483, a -58.5% delta. The multithread score also favors Intel heavily: 15272 versus 7071, a -53.7% margin. This is notable because the AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads, but the per-core efficiency difference is stark.

The data compression test shows Intel at 146143 against AMD's 87380, a -40.2% delta. Encryption workloads are similarly lopsided: Intel scores 11119, AMD scores 5580, a -49.8% difference. Random string sorting favors Intel at 17551 versus 10414, a -40.7% delta. The smallest margin is in integer math, where Intel's 31690 only beats AMD's 26321 by -16.9%. Even in single-thread performance, Intel's 4021 score is -46.9% ahead of AMD's 2136.

The database's nearest rival comparisons put these scores in context. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, which scores 14336, a mere -0.1% difference. The Intel Core 5 315's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9274F at 18189, a 0% delta. This means the Intel chip's performance profile aligns with server-class parts, while the AMD aligns with embedded and low-power mobile offerings.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso codename, built on the Zen+ architecture at a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The Intel part's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. This gives Intel a larger total cache pool, which likely contributes to its performance in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support is another major split. The AMD supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, yet achieves 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The single-channel configuration does not hamper the Intel part in the recorded benchmarks. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). Both lack ECC memory support. The AMD has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The Intel's higher boost clock at a lower base suggests a more aggressive frequency curve under load. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win a single head-to-head benchmark. The data shows no workload where the AMD chip outperforms the Intel Core 5 315. This is a clean sweep for Intel across all eleven recorded tests.

For the Intel Core 5 315, its wins are universal, but the magnitude varies. The largest advantages come in prime number finding (-81.2%), extended instructions (-75.1%), and floating-point math (-70.1%). These are compute-heavy tasks that benefit from the Intel's newer process node and higher boost clocks. The smallest advantage is in integer math (-16.9%), which suggests the AMD's Zen+ architecture is less outdated in this specific area.

The Intel part also shows strength in memory-dependent workloads. Data compression (-40.2%), encryption (-49.8%), and random string sorting (-40.7%) all favor Intel, likely due to its larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth. The multithread score (-53.7%) reflects the core count advantage, but the per-core gap in single-thread performance (-46.9%) shows the Intel architecture is simply more efficient at every level.

The AMD's closest performance area is integer math, where the delta is smallest. This indicates that for simple arithmetic workloads, the Zen+ cores are less disadvantaged. However, the overall pattern is clear: the Intel Core 5 315 is the faster processor in every measured category.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates that the Intel Core 5 315 is the superior processor for essentially all workloads. Its 11-0 head-to-head record, combined with an average benchmark score of 18188 versus 14320, leaves no ambiguity. The Intel part sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD sits at the 69th percentile. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700, both with 0% deltas, placing it in high-performance territory.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is not without merit. Its 4-core, 4-thread design with a 15 W TDP matches the Intel's 6-core, 6-thread 15 W TDP, meaning both are mobile-oriented. The AMD's closest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 (-0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (0.3%), which are similarly positioned in the low-power mobile or embedded space. For users constrained to that class of processor, the AMD is competitive within its peer group.

Choosing between these two depends on whether the workload can tolerate the AMD's lower scores. The Intel offers a 53.7% advantage in multithread performance and a 46.9% advantage in single-thread performance. For any application that uses floating-point math, extended instructions, or data compression, the Intel is clearly preferable. The AMD only makes sense if the specific platform requires its older DDR4 memory support or its AMD Socket FP5 form factor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has an average benchmark score of 18188, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U scores 14320.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 5 315 in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel scores 4021 in the single-thread test, which is 46.9% ahead of the AMD's 2136.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, both the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and the Intel Core 5 315 have ECC memory support set to false.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 MB.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD uses a 12 nm process node, the Intel uses 3 nm. The AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads, the Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 3.70 GHz and 4.40 GHz, respectively. The AMD uses AMD Socket FP5, the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516.

Cache structures differ: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, Intel has 192 KB L1 total and 2.5 MB L2. L3 is 4 MB shared on AMD versus 6 MB shared on Intel. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for AMD, DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 for AMD and Gen 4 with 6 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The AMD part number is YM3501C4T4MFG, the Intel is SAEFC. The Intel has a recorded launch MSRP of $340.