AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 3501U and NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) occupy opposite ends of the mobile computing spectrum. The Ryzen is a low-power 15 W part from AMD's 3000 series, while the DGX Spark is a high-end 140 W mobile processor built by NVIDIA and MediaTek. The benchmark database contains a full set of PassMark results for the Ryzen 5 3501U, but the DGX Spark currently has no recorded benchmark scores, making a direct numerical comparison impossible. This analysis relies on the available data for the Ryzen and the recorded specifications for the DGX Spark.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors. The Ryzen 5 3501U has eleven recorded PassMark scores, while the DGX Spark has zero benchmark results. Without a single shared test score, there are no exact numbers to compare directly. The Ryzen 5 3501U's average benchmark score is 14,320, placing it at the 69th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The DGX Spark has an average benchmark score of 0 and sits at the 50th percentile, but this figure reflects the absence of recorded data rather than actual performance.

The Ryzen 5 3501U's individual PassMark results provide a baseline for what the data does show. Its single-thread score is 2,136, its multithread score is 7,071, and its integer math score is 26,321. Floating point math reaches 12,707, data compression scores 87,380, and data encryption scores 5,580. Extended instructions complete at 3,274, finding prime numbers yields 21, physics simulation scores 483, and random string sorting finishes at 10,414. These are the only recorded numbers, and they cannot be weighed against any DGX Spark results because none exist.

The nearest rivals for the Ryzen 5 3501U offer context. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 has an average score of 14,336, which is 0.1% higher than the Ryzen 5 3501U. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C scores 14,277, a 0.3% advantage. The Intel Core 7 160UL scores 14,232, 0.6% ahead, and the Intel Core i5-10400F scores 14,185, 1% ahead. These deltas are small, indicating the Ryzen 5 3501U sits in a tightly packed performance cluster near the 14,200 to 14,400 range. The DGX Spark has no nearest rivals listed, so no such comparisons can be made for it.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 3501U wins every category where data exists. It has recorded PassMark scores across all major test types, from single-thread operations to data compression. Its 69th percentile rank means it outperforms a majority of CPUs in the database. The DGX Spark has no wins recorded in any benchmark category because no tests have been run or logged.

The use-case split is therefore defined by specifications rather than measured results. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 15 W mobile processor with 4 cores and 4 threads. It uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This configuration suits everyday mobile workloads: office tasks, web browsing, and light multitasking. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics handle display output without a discrete GPU.

The DGX Spark is a 140 W mobile processor with 20 cores and 20 threads. It uses LPDDR5X memory with quad-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. This is 7.1 times the bandwidth of the Ryzen. The integrated GB20B "Blackwell" graphics and the 20-core CPU target compute-heavy workloads such as AI inference, data processing, and parallel computation. Its 3 nm process node and 8 MB shared L3 cache support high-throughput tasks. Without benchmark data, these wins are inferred from the specification differences, not measured results.

FAQ

Q: Does the NVIDIA DGX Spark have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No. The DGX Spark has an empty benchmarks array, an average benchmark score of 0, and no nearest rivals listed. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 11 recorded PassMark scores.

Q: What is the Ryzen 5 3501U's average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has an average benchmark score of 14,320 and sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 3501U compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The closest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 with an average score of 14,336, which is 0.1% higher. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320C is 0.3% higher at 14,277, the Intel Core 7 160UL is 0.6% higher at 14,232, and the Intel Core i5-10400F is 1% higher at 14,185.

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

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads. The DGX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The DGX Spark supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 273.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the TDP for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has a TDP of 15 W. The DGX Spark has a TDP of 140 W.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measured specification. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the DGX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.10 GHz for the Ryzen and 2.80 GHz for the DGX Spark. Boost clocks are 3.70 GHz and 4.00 GHz, respectively. The Ryzen has a TDP of 15 W, the DGX Spark has a TDP of 140 W.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Ryzen uses DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The DGX Spark uses LPDDR5X on a quad-channel bus with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen has no ECC support, and the DGX Spark also lacks ECC. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Ryzen uses Gen 3, while the DGX Spark lists PCIe as "N/A."

Cache configurations are distinct. The Ryzen 5 3501U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The DGX Spark has 128 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics differ: the Ryzen uses Radeon Vega 8, while the DGX Spark uses GB20B "Blackwell."

Manufacturing details also differ. The Ryzen is built by GlobalFoundries on a 12 nm process with 4,940 million transistors and a die size of 210 mm². The DGX Spark is built by TSMC on a 3 nm process with a die size of 208 mm² and no transistor count listed. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP5, while the DGX Spark has no socket listed. The Ryzen's part number is YM3501C4T4MFG, and the DGX Spark's is DSE1-275-A1. The Ryzen has a release date of May 31, 2026, while the DGX Spark was released on October 14, 2025. The DGX Spark has a launch MSRP of $3999. The Ryzen has no launch MSRP listed.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 3501U uses the Picasso architecture, part of the Zen+ generation. The DGX Spark uses the GB10 codename, part of the Spark generation. The process nodes are generations apart: the Ryzen uses 12 nm, while the DGX Spark uses 3 nm. The Ryzen's foundry is GlobalFoundries, and the DGX Spark's is TSMC.

Core architecture differs fundamentally. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The DGX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads, also without multithreading but with five times the core count. Cache hierarchy scales accordingly. The Ryzen's L1 is 96 KB per core, its L2 is 512 KB per core, and its L3 is 4 MB shared. The DGX Spark's L1 is 128 KB per core, its L2 is 2 MB per core, and its L3 is 8 MB shared. The DGX Spark has double the L3 capacity and larger per-core L1 and L2.

The memory architecture reflects the different target workloads. The Ryzen's dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth is typical for a low-power mobile part. The DGX Spark's quad-channel LPDDR5X with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth is designed for data-intensive tasks that require rapid memory access. The integrated graphics also differ by generation: Radeon Vega 8 versus GB20B "Blackwell," the latter indicating a newer GPU architecture.

The Ryzen has no listed architecture field beyond the codename and generation, and the DGX Spark also has no explicit architecture field. The transistor count for the DGX Spark is not recorded, so a direct transistor comparison is impossible. The die sizes are close: 210 mm² for the Ryzen and 208 mm² for the DGX Spark, despite the DGX Spark using a much smaller process node.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on intended use. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a measured performer with 11 benchmark scores and a 69th percentile ranking. Its 15 W TDP, 4 cores, and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suitable for battery-conscious mobile systems where moderate single-thread and multithread performance is sufficient. Its nearest rivals all score within 1% of it, confirming it is a solid mid-pack mobile processor.

The DGX Spark is a specification-driven choice. With 20 cores, a 4.00 GHz boost clock, 273.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, and a 140 W TDP, it is built for heavy compute loads. Its 3 nm process node and GB20B "Blackwell" graphics indicate a modern, high-performance design. The lack of benchmark data means its actual performance is unverified in this database, but its specifications point to a processor for AI and parallel workloads, not general mobile use.

Users should pick the Ryzen 5 3501U when they need a proven, low-power processor for everyday mobile tasks and want benchmark-verified performance. Users should pick the DGX Spark when they require maximum core count, memory bandwidth, and modern architecture, and are willing to accept the absence of recorded benchmark results. The 140 W TDP and $3999 launch MSRP position it as a specialized part, while the Ryzen's 15 W TDP and lack of MSRP data make it a mainstream option. The choice is between a measured, efficient processor and a high-spec, unverified one.