AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core i5-11600KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 3 30 and the Intel Core i5-11600KF is decisively one-sided. Across all 11 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i5-11600KF takes every single win, with no benchmark victories recorded for the AMD Ryzen 3 30. The margin of victory varies widely by workload, revealing where the Intel part's additional cores and higher clocks matter most.

The largest gap appears in Passmark extended instructions, where the Intel Core i5-11600KF scores 17,619 against the AMD Ryzen 3 30's 6,075, a difference of 65.5%. This test typically stresses AVX and other modern instruction set extensions, and the data strongly suggests the Rocket Lake architecture has a substantial advantage in that domain. Almost as wide is the gap in prime number finding, with the Intel part scoring 59 versus only 20, a 66.1% deficit for the AMD chip. This is a heavily integer-dependent workload, and the Intel Core i5-11600KF's 6 cores and 12 threads simply overpower the Ryzen 3 30's 4 cores and 8 threads.

Floating point math tells a similar story. The Intel Core i5-11600KF posts 38,129 points, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 manages only 14,448, a 62.1% shortfall. Integer math follows with Intel at 64,195 versus AMD at 29,846, a 53.5% gap. In multithreaded Passmark, the Intel chip scores 19,513 against 9,027, putting the AMD part 53.7% behind. The physics test, which often scales with thread count, shows Intel at 954 versus AMD at 436, a 54.3% difference.

Even in single-threaded performance, where the AMD Ryzen 3 30's Zen 2 architecture at a 4.10 GHz boost might be expected to compete, the Intel Core i5-11600KF wins by a substantial 25.9%, scoring 3,327 versus 2,465. This is notable because the Intel part's 4.90 GHz boost clock and Rocket Lake's higher IPC appear to dominate despite the AMD chip's newer 6 nm process node.

Random string sorting shows Intel at 27,767 against 14,431, a 48% gap. Data compression favors Intel at 242,730 versus 135,834, a 44% difference. Data encryption shows Intel at 12,198 versus 6,461, a 47% margin. In every case, the Intel Core i5-11600KF is not merely ahead; it is frequently ahead by half or more of the AMD chip's score. The data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core i5-11600KF is the stronger performer across every measured workload in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark tests in this comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600KF wins all 11 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 records zero wins in the head-to-head data.

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

A: In Passmark single-thread tests, the Intel Core i5-11600KF scores 3,327 while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 scores 2,465, making the Intel part 25.9% faster in that specific test.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two processors?

A: The largest recorded gap is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core i5-11600KF scores 59 and the AMD Ryzen 3 30 scores 20, a 66.1% difference. The extended instructions test is close behind at 65.5%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has an average benchmark score of 20,137, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has an average of 19,723. The AMD part sits slightly higher in this aggregate metric, despite losing every direct head-to-head test.

Q: What percentile ranking does each processor hold among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 is in the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF is in the 73rd percentile. The AMD chip ranks one percentile point higher despite losing every head-to-head benchmark.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 30 have any benchmark advantage at all?

A: In the direct head-to-head benchmark list, no. However, its average benchmark score of 20,137 is higher than the Intel Core i5-11600KF's 19,723, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U at 20,249 (0.6% higher) and the AMD EPYC 7713P at 20,024 (0.6% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the codename Mendocino, built on a 6 nm process node at TSMC. It is a mobile-focused chip with a die size of 100 mm². The Intel Core i5-11600KF uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node at Intel, with a much larger 276 mm² die. The process node difference is stark: the AMD part uses a newer, denser manufacturing process, while the Intel part uses a more mature but physically larger node.

The core configurations differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 50% advantage in both core and thread count for the Intel chip is a major factor behind its benchmark dominance in multithreaded workloads. Clock speeds also favor Intel: the AMD part runs at a 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, while the Intel chip runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Intel part's higher boost clock, combined with more cores, explains much of the performance gap.

Cache hierarchies differ in capacity and organization. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i5-11600KF has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has triple the L3 cache, which can improve performance in workloads with large working sets. Both processors lack 3D V-Cache, and neither supports ECC memory.

Memory support diverges completely. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 88.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-11600KF supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip has significantly higher theoretical memory bandwidth, yet this does not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part offers Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has both a newer PCIe generation and far more lanes.

Integrated graphics present another split. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 includes a Radeon 610M iGPU, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has no integrated graphics at all, which is what the "F" suffix indicates. The AMD chip is designed for the mobile segment on AMD Socket FT6, while the Intel chip is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1200. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 is an active production part released in September 2025, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF is end-of-life, released in March 2021.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 and Intel Core i5-11600KF differ across nearly every major specification. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for AMD and 3.90 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.10 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel. Thermal design power is dramatically different: 15 W for the AMD mobile chip versus 125 W for the Intel desktop chip.

The process node is 6 nm for AMD at TSMC versus 14 nm for Intel. Die size is 100 mm² for AMD versus 276 mm² for Intel. L1 cache is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache is identical at 512 KB per core. L3 cache is 4 MB shared for AMD versus 12 MB shared for Intel. Memory support is LPDDR5 for AMD versus DDR4 for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 88.0 GB/s for AMD versus 51.2 GB/s for Intel. PCIe is Gen 3 with 4 lanes for AMD versus Gen 4 with 20 lanes for Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 includes a Radeon 610M integrated GPU, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has none. The AMD chip is not multiplier unlocked, while the Intel chip is unlocked. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FT6 and targets the mobile market; the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1200 and targets desktop. The AMD chip is listed as active production with a September 2025 release date; the Intel chip is end-of-life with a March 2021 release date. The Intel Core i5-11600KF carries a launch MSRP of $237. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has no launch MSRP listed in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11600KF wins in every measured performance category in the head-to-head data. It is faster in single-threaded workloads, as shown by the 25.9% advantage in Passmark single-thread tests. It is faster in multithreaded workloads, with a 53.7% lead in Passmark multithread. It is faster in integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics, and random string sorting. For any user prioritizing raw compute performance, the Intel chip is unequivocally the stronger choice based on this data.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does have areas where it holds nominal advantages, even if they do not appear as benchmark wins. Its average benchmark score of 20,137 is higher than the Intel chip's 19,723. Its 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth is substantially higher than the Intel chip's 51.2 GB/s. Its 6 nm process node is more advanced than Intel's 14 nm node. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the Intel chip's 125 W TDP, making it far more suitable for power-constrained mobile environments. It also includes integrated graphics, which the Intel chip lacks entirely.

The use case split is therefore about priorities beyond raw performance. The Intel Core i5-11600KF is for desktop users who need maximum compute throughput in every benchmark category, with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking and PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 is for mobile platforms where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and high memory bandwidth matter more than peak compute, and where the 6 nm process and LPDDR5 support offer modern platform advantages.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous on performance: the Intel Core i5-11600KF outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 30 in every single head-to-head benchmark recorded, with margins ranging from 25.9% in single-thread to 66.1% in prime number finding. The Intel chip has more cores, more threads, higher clocks, more L3 cache, and a newer PCIe generation. It is the appropriate choice for anyone whose primary requirement is compute performance, particularly in desktop workloads that scale with thread count or benefit from high boost clocks.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30, however, should not be dismissed. Its 15 W TDP versus 125 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient. Its 6 nm node, LPDDR5 memory support with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, and integrated Radeon 610M graphics make it a coherent mobile platform package. Its average benchmark score of 20,137 actually edges out the Intel chip's 19,723, and it sits in the 74th percentile versus the Intel chip's 73rd. For mobile users who need a complete, efficient, integrated solution, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 is the sensible pick. For desktop users who want maximum benchmark performance in every measured test, the Intel Core i5-11600KF is the clear winner from this data. The choice comes down to platform and priorities, not benchmark parity, because on raw performance there is no contest.