AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-94-100 Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 3501U vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-94-100

FAQ

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 3501U compare to the Snapdragon X2E-94-100 in core count?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3501U has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-94-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads. This represents a substantial difference in parallel processing capacity, with the Snapdragon providing 14 additional cores.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 has a base clock of 4.45 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Snapdragon's base clock exceeds the Ryzen's boost clock by 0.75 GHz.

Q: What process nodes do these processors use?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U is built on a 12 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The Snapdragon's node is significantly more advanced.

Q: How do the cache hierarchies differ between these two processors?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U features 96 KB L1 cache per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3 cache. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 has 288 KB L1 per core, 16 MB L2 per module, and 9 MB shared L3 cache. The Snapdragon has substantially larger caches at every level.

Q: What memory bandwidth do these processors support?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 supports triple-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 228.6 GB/s. The Snapdragon delivers approximately 6 times the memory bandwidth.

Q: What benchmark data is available for these processors?

A: The Ryzen 5 3501U has extensive benchmark results, including a Passmark multi-thread score of 7071, a single-thread score of 2136, and an average benchmark score of 14320. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 currently has no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 3501U belongs to AMD's 3000 series, using the Picasso codename and Zen+ architecture. It is fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 carries the Glymur codename and belongs to the Snapdragon X2 Elite generation. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 220 mm². The database does not list a transistor count for the Snapdragon.

The core configuration presents the most striking difference. The Ryzen 5 3501U is a 4-core, 4-thread design, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 is an 18-core, 18-thread design, also without multithreading, but with over 4 times the core count. Clock speeds favor the Snapdragon: its 4.45 GHz base clock is higher than the Ryzen's 3.70 GHz boost clock, and its 4.70 GHz boost clock extends further.

Cache architecture diverges significantly. The Ryzen 5 3501U uses 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a shared 4 MB L3. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 uses 288 KB L1 per core, 16 MB L2 per module, and a shared 9 MB L3. The Snapdragon's L3 alone is more than double the Ryzen's entire L3 allocation.

Memory subsystems also differ fundamentally. The Ryzen 5 3501U supports dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 supports triple-channel LPDDR5X with 228.6 GB/s bandwidth, a 6-fold increase. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Ryzen uses Gen 3, while the Snapdragon uses Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics present another distinction. The Ryzen 5 3501U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Snapdragon X2E-94-100 features Adreno X2-90 graphics. Both processors target the mobile segment and are currently listed as active production parts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors. The Ryzen 5 3501U has a full set of Passmark results, while the Snapdragon X2E-94-100 has no recorded benchmark scores. Consequently, direct numerical comparisons in performance tests are not possible from the recorded data.

The Ryzen 5 3501U achieves an average benchmark score of 14320, placing it in the 69th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 with an average score of 14336 (0.1% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C with 14277 (0.3% behind), the Intel Core 7 160UL with 14232 (0.6% behind), and the Intel Core i5-10400F with 14185 (1.0% behind). These tight margins indicate the Ryzen 5 3501U sits in a competitive performance band.

In individual Passmark tests, the Ryzen 5 3501U records a multi-thread score of 7071, a single-thread score of 2136, and an integer math score of 26321. Its floating point math score is 12707, data compression scores 87380, and data encryption scores 5580. Extended instructions yield 3274, find prime numbers scores 21, physics scores 483, and random string sorting scores 10414.

The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 shows an average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile rank of 50, reflecting the absence of measured results. The database lists no nearest rivals for the Snapdragon, further confirming the lack of comparative data. The Ryzen 5 3501U's recorded wins across all test categories stand at 0 in direct comparison, but its benchmark suite is fully populated.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3501U | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-94-100 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 18 |

| Threads | 4 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 4.45 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | Not recorded |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Qualcomm BGA 2343 |

| Codename | Picasso | Glymur |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen+, Picasso) | Snapdragon X2 (Elite) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 220 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB per core | 288 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 16 MB per module |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB shared | 9 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 228.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Adreno X2-90 |

| Release Date | 2026-05-31 | 2026-04-05 |

| Part Number | YM3501C4T4MFG | X2E94100 |

Both processors use non-ECC memory, belong to the mobile market segment, and lack an unlocked multiplier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Ryzen 5 3501U's production status is Active, as is the Snapdragon X2E-94-100's.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 3501U wins in the availability of measured performance data. Its complete benchmark suite, including a 69th percentile ranking, provides concrete evidence of its capabilities. The recorded average benchmark score of 14320, with nearest rivals within 1.0% in either direction, indicates a stable, predictable performance profile. The Ryzen also carries a lower TDP of 15 W, which can benefit thermally constrained mobile designs.

The Snapdragon X2E-94-100 wins on raw architectural specifications. Its 18 cores versus 4 cores, 4.45 GHz base clock versus 2.10 GHz, and 3 nm process versus 12 nm process all point to substantially higher theoretical compute capacity. The memory bandwidth advantage of 228.6 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s is particularly pronounced, as is the L3 cache advantage of 9 MB versus 4 MB. The Snapdragon also supports PCIe Gen 5, while the Ryzen is limited to Gen 3.

For workloads that depend on single-thread performance, the Snapdragon's 4.70 GHz boost clock provides a significant advantage over the Ryzen's 3.70 GHz boost clock. For multi-threaded workloads, the Snapdragon's 18 cores offer 14 more parallel execution units than the Ryzen's 4 cores. Memory-intensive applications would heavily favor the Snapdragon given its 6-fold bandwidth advantage.

The Ryzen 5 3501U's advantages lie in its established benchmark results and lower power envelope. The 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices where thermal and power constraints are strict. Its mature Zen+ architecture, while older, has a proven track record in the database.

The Snapdragon X2E-94-100's advantages are entirely architectural at this point, since no benchmark data exists. Its 3 nm process, triple-channel LPDDR5X support, and 220 mm² die size indicate a modern, high-end design. The 16 MB L2 per module and 288 KB L1 per core suggest a design optimized for high-throughput computing.

In the absence of direct benchmark comparisons, the specification sheet favors the Snapdragon X2E-94-100 across nearly every measurable parameter. The Ryzen 5 3501U's only clear specification wins are its lower TDP, smaller die size, and the presence of a recorded transistor count. For users requiring verified performance data, the Ryzen 5 3501U is the only option with measurements. For users prioritizing architectural capability, the Snapdragon X2E-94-100 presents a more advanced design on paper.