AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unambiguous picture: the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U. The largest margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 357 against AMD's 21, a delta of -94.1%. This extreme gap indicates a fundamental difference in raw integer throughput per core, not just a scaling advantage from additional cores.

The multi-threaded workloads show consistent dominance. In PassMark multithread, the Intel part scores 38298 versus 7071, a delta of -81.5%. The data compression test tells a similar story: 386591 versus 87380, a delta of -77.4%. Even in the floating-point math test, which often favors AMD's architecture historically, Intel leads with 114500 against 12707, a delta of -88.9%. The extended instructions test shows a delta of -89.5%, with Intel at 31315 and AMD at 3274.

Single-thread performance narrows the gap but still decisively favors Intel. The PassMark single thread score for Intel is 4453, while AMD manages 2136, a delta of -52%. This indicates that Intel's per-core performance advantage is substantial, roughly doubling AMD's throughput in lightly threaded workloads. The physics test follows the same pattern: Intel scores 3404 versus AMD's 483, a delta of -85.8%.

The data encryption test shows Intel at 29840 against AMD's 5580, a delta of -81.3%. Random string sorting yields 44648 for Intel and 10414 for AMD, a delta of -76.7%. Integer math completes the sweep: 92603 versus 26321, a delta of -71.6%. No single benchmark in the recorded data favors the AMD processor.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this dominance. The Intel part averages 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD part averages 14320, sitting in the 69th percentile. In the nearest rivals list, the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i9-12900F and within 0.5% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T, indicating performance parity with desktop-class processors from recent generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, by contrast, trades blows within 1% of the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C and the Intel Core i5-10400F, a decidedly lower performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their underlying designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U is built on the Picasso architecture, part of the Ryzen 5 generation using the Zen+ microarchitecture. It is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses the Panther Lake architecture, part of the Ultra X9 generation (Panther Lake-H), fabricated on a 3 nm process at Intel. The database records no transistor count or die size for the Intel part, though the process node difference alone suggests a significant density advantage.

Core counts differ by a factor of four. The AMD part provides 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part provides 16 cores and 16 threads, also without SMT. The cache hierarchy scales accordingly. AMD offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The L2 cache per core is roughly five times larger on the Intel part, and the shared L3 is 4.5 times larger.

Clock speeds show a different tradeoff. The AMD part has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel part has a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power differs as well: AMD is rated at 15 W, Intel at 25 W. The Intel part consumes more power but delivers a higher peak frequency, which aligns with its benchmark superiority.

Memory support further separates the two. AMD supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel supports LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, exactly four times higher. Neither part supports ECC memory. The PCIe interface also differs: AMD uses Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon Vega 8, while Intel includes Arc B390.

Where Each One Wins

Given the sweep of benchmark results, the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins across every measured workload category. The data shows no scenario in which the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U outperforms its rival. The Intel part's advantages are most pronounced in heavily parallel workloads: the prime number search, floating-point math, and extended instructions all show deltas exceeding -88%. These are compute-bound tasks that benefit from the combination of more cores, higher per-core throughput, and faster memory bandwidth.

The Intel part also dominates in memory-intensive workloads such as data compression and random string sorting, where the 153.6 GB/s memory bandwidth provides a clear edge over the AMD part's 38.4 GB/s. The encryption test, which often stresses both computational and memory subsystems, shows a delta of -81.3%. The physics test, which typically relies on floating-point arithmetic and thread scaling, shows a delta of -85.8%.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U does not win a single recorded benchmark. Its only relative strength lies in power efficiency: the 15 W TDP is 10 W lower than the Intel part's 25 W rating. For systems where thermal and power constraints are paramount, the AMD part may be the more suitable choice, though the benchmark data does not include any power efficiency metrics to quantify this tradeoff. The AMD part also uses the AMD Socket FP5, which may be more accessible in certain mobile platforms, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category except for a few shared traits. Both are mobile market segment parts with active production status, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The core and thread counts differ: AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads, Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are close (2.10 GHz versus 2.00 GHz), but boost clocks diverge significantly (3.70 GHz versus 5.00 GHz). TDP differs by 10 W (15 W versus 25 W). The sockets are different (AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel BGA 2540). The process nodes differ (12 nm versus 3 nm). The foundries differ (GlobalFoundries versus Intel). The codenames differ (Picasso versus Panther Lake). The generations differ (Ryzen 5, Zen+ (Picasso) versus Ultra X9, Panther Lake-H).

Cache configurations differ at every level. L1 cache per core is 96 KB versus 192 KB. L2 cache per core is 512 KB versus 2.5 MB. L3 shared cache is 4 MB versus 18 MB. Memory support differs (DDR4 versus LPDDR5X). Memory bandwidth differs (38.4 GB/s versus 153.6 GB/s). PCIe generation differs (Gen 3 versus Gen 5, 4 Lanes CPU only). Integrated graphics differ (Radeon Vega 8 versus Arc B390). The release dates differ by roughly two months: the AMD part released on 2026-05-31, the Intel part on 2026-04-03. The AMD part has a recorded part number (YM3501C4T4MFG), while the Intel part's part number is listed as unknown. The AMD part has a transistor count and die size recorded; the Intel part does not. Neither part has a launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has an average benchmark score of 47468, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U's 14320. The Intel part sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits in the 69th percentile.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Intel part scores 4453 in the PassMark single thread test, while the AMD part scores 2136. This represents a delta of -52%, meaning Intel's per-core performance is roughly double AMD's.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H supports LPDDR5X memory with a recorded bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel's bandwidth is exactly four times higher.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U nor the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H supports ECC memory, according to the recorded data.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel leads at every cache level.

Q: How do the nearest rivals compare for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U sits within 1% of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, Intel Core 7 160UL, and Intel Core i5-10400F. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H sits within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945, Intel Core i7-13700KF, Intel Core Ultra 7 265T, and Intel Core i9-12900F.