AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U vs Intel Core i5-11300H Comparison

Both the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U and the Intel Core i5-11300H are 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors aimed at mainstream laptops, but the benchmark data reveals they have distinctly different performance personalities. The AMD chip wins the majority of the head-to-head comparisons, taking 6 out of 8 tests, while the Intel chip counters with a clear advantage in the Geekbench suite. This split suggests that the choice between them depends heavily on the specific workload, with the Ryzen showing strength in sustained rendering tasks and the Intel chip pulling ahead in a different class of synthetic testing.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split between these two CPUs is remarkably clean, with the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U dominating the Cinebench rendering tests and the Intel Core i5-11300H taking the Geekbench suite. This is not a case of one chip being universally faster; it is a clear division of labor.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U wins all six Cinebench tests, covering both R15, R20, and R23 versions, and both single-core and multi-core variants. The margins are consistent, with the AMD chip holding a 3% lead in the multi-core tests and a 3.1% lead in the single-core R15 and R20 tests, and a 3% lead in R23 single-core. This consistency is notable—it suggests the Zen 3 architecture provides a steady advantage across different generations of the Cinebench workload, which is heavily reliant on CPU rendering performance.

The Intel Core i5-11300H, however, wins both Geekbench tests. The single-core victory is a 3.9% margin, while the multi-core victory is a 2.4% margin. Geekbench is a more varied workload that includes tasks like image processing, machine learning, and encryption, which can favor different architectural strengths. The fact that Intel wins here, despite losing all Cinebench tests, points to a fundamental difference in how these chips handle diverse instruction mixes.

The data implies that for users whose primary workloads are 3D rendering, video encoding, or other tasks that scale with Cinebench-like performance, the AMD chip is the stronger choice. For users running a broader mix of applications, especially those that resemble the Geekbench test suite, the Intel chip may offer a slight edge. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split, with the Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U at 2829 and the Core i5-11300H at 2792, a difference of just 1.3%, confirming that neither chip is a runaway winner in general-purpose performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs, which likely explains the benchmark split. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U uses the Zen 3 architecture, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core i5-11300H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process by Intel. This process node difference is significant, with the AMD chip using a more advanced node that typically allows for better power efficiency at the same performance level.

The cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core, a much larger L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core, and the same 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger per-core cache on the Intel side could contribute to its Geekbench advantage, as that test often benefits from larger caches to hold working datasets.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD chip features Radeon Vega 6, while the Intel chip has Iris XE 80EU. The memory support is identical in specification—both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. The PCIe support is a notable difference: the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, a significant advantage for connecting high-speed storage or external GPUs.

The physical specifications also tell a story. The AMD chip has a die size of 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel chip has a smaller die at 146.1 mm² with no transistor count listed in the data. The AMD chip is designed for a lower thermal envelope with a TDP of 15 watts, compared to the Intel chip's 28 watts. This 13-watt difference is substantial and explains why the AMD chip is often found in thinner, lighter laptops, while the Intel chip may require more robust cooling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear pattern: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U wins every Cinebench test, and the Intel Core i5-11300H wins every Geekbench test. The margins are small but consistent, which makes the comparisons meaningful.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 947 against the Intel's 919, a 3% win. In single-core, the AMD chip scores 133 against 129, a 3.1% win. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD chip scores 3949 against 3833 in multi-core (3% win) and 557 against 540 in single-core (3.1% win). In the latest Cinebench R23, the AMD chip scores 9403 against 9127 in multi-core (3% win) and 1327 against 1288 in single-core (3% win). These numbers show a remarkably consistent advantage for the AMD chip across all rendering workloads, with the single-core margins being slightly larger than the multi-core margins.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel chip scores 4907 against the AMD's 4788, a 2.4% win for Intel. In Geekbench single-core, the Intel chip scores 1589 against 1527, a 3.9% win. The single-core Geekbench margin is the largest difference in either direction across all tests, suggesting the Intel architecture has a particular strength in the types of single-threaded tasks that Geekbench measures.

The average benchmark score places the AMD chip at 2829, which is 0.2% above its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E-2324G, and 0.3% below the Intel Core i5-10600. The Intel chip has an average score of 2792, which is 0.1% above the Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 and 0.5% below the Intel Core i5-8600K. Both chips sit at the 51st percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are perfectly average in the grand scheme of all processors, but their direct comparison shows a nuanced story of workload-specific advantages.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U is faster, scoring 9403 compared to the Intel Core i5-11300H's 9127, a 3% difference.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-11300H wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 4907 in multi-core versus 4788 for AMD, and 1589 in single-core versus 1527, representing 2.4% and 3.9% leads respectively.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-11300H has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Do both processors have the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a larger L2 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-11300H has a larger L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core, compared to the AMD chip's 512 KB per core.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The AMD chip is manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel chip uses a 10 nm process by Intel.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced verdict. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U is the superior choice, offering a consistent 3% advantage across all Cinebench tests. This includes both single-core and multi-core performance, making it a reliable pick for tasks that rely on sustained CPU rendering.

For users whose workloads more closely resemble the Geekbench suite, which includes a broader range of tasks like image processing and encryption, the Intel Core i5-11300H offers a slight edge. The single-core Geekbench win of 3.9% is the largest margin in any test, suggesting the Intel architecture has a specific strength in certain single-threaded applications.

The overall average benchmark scores are close, with the AMD chip at 2829 and the Intel chip at 2792, a difference of only 1.3%. This indicates that in general-purpose use, most users would not notice a significant difference. However, the TDP difference is substantial—15 watts for AMD versus 28 watts for Intel—which has implications for laptop design, battery life, and thermals. The AMD chip's lower TDP means it can be placed in thinner, more power-efficient designs, while the Intel chip's higher TDP may allow for higher sustained performance in a thicker chassis with better cooling.

The PCIe support is another differentiator, with the Intel chip offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus the AMD's Gen 3 with 8 lanes. This makes the Intel platform more suitable for users who plan to connect high-speed storage or external GPUs. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific use case: rendering favors AMD, diverse synthetic workloads favor Intel, and power efficiency favors AMD.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U | Intel Core i5-11300H |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 146.1 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | Iris XE 80EU |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2021-01-10 |

| Launch MSRP | N/A | $309 |