AMD Ryzen 5 1600X vs Intel Core i5-11500T Comparison

Intel Core i5-11500T and AMD Ryzen 5 1600X are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors, but they represent fundamentally different design eras. The benchmark data reveals a near-sweep for the AMD part in Cinebench, countered by a decisive Intel victory in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. The Intel i5-11500T posts an average benchmark score of 3288 (53rd percentile), while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X scores 3249 (53rd percentile), placing them in the same performance tier overall. The head-to-head results are more nuanced, showing that the choice between these two hinges on workload type and platform priorities rather than raw compute dominance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-11500T scores 1696 against the Ryzen 5 1600X’s 1117, a 51.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and reflects the substantial architectural leap between the older Zen design and Rocket Lake. In Geekbench multi-core, Intel also takes the win, scoring 5774 versus 5661, a 2% margin. This indicates that the i5-11500T’s superior single-thread efficiency carries over into lightly threaded multi-core workloads, even though both chips have identical core and thread counts.

The Cinebench suite tells a different story. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X wins all six Cinebench tests, but by narrow margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 11073 against Intel’s 10854, a 2% lead. The single-core R23 result shows a similar pattern: AMD scores 1563 versus Intel’s 1532, also a 2% delta. This consistency carries through the older Cinebench iterations. In R20 multi-core, AMD leads 4650 to 4558 (2% delta), and in R20 single-core, AMD leads 656 to 643 (2% delta). The R15 results are closer: AMD wins multi-core 1116 to 1093 (2.1% delta) and single-core 157 to 154 (1.9% delta).

These Cinebench margins are small enough to be considered a statistical tie in some contexts, but their consistency across every version of the test is notable. The Ryzen 5 1600X’s higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 1.50 GHz) and boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.90 GHz) likely contribute to its sustained multi-core edge. The Intel part compensates with a larger L3 cache per core and faster memory bandwidth, which may explain its Geekbench advantage. The data shows a clear workload split: AMD dominates sustained render workloads, while Intel excels in mixed and lightly threaded scenarios.

The Verdict

From the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X is the safer pick for users running Cinebench-style workloads or any application that scales well across all 12 threads. Its 2% lead in every Cinebench test is small but reproducible, and its 6 wins out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks give it the overall edge in the direct comparison. The Ryzen also offers ECC memory support, which is absent on the Intel part, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, both meaningful for workstation or enthusiast users.

The Intel Core i5-11500T is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench-style workloads. Its 51.8% single-core Geekbench lead is enormous and suggests faster everyday application performance, web browsing, and legacy software that uses few cores. The i5 also has integrated UHD Graphics 750, which the Ryzen lacks entirely, making it a more complete package for a system without a discrete GPU. Its 35W TDP is dramatically lower than the Ryzen’s 95W, which makes it more suitable for compact builds or power-conscious environments. However, the i5 loses every Cinebench test, so users prioritizing multi-core render performance should look to the AMD part. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a workload-specific choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T has a slightly higher average benchmark score at 3288, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X’s 3249. Both sit at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the Intel part in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T scores 1696 in Geekbench single-core, which is 51.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X’s 1117.

Q: Does the AMD processor win in any benchmark?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core), with margins ranging from 1.9% to 2.1%.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T has a TDP of 35W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X has a TDP of 95W.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-11500T includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 750. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-11500T does not.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical (6 cores, 12 threads), but almost everything else differs. The Intel Core i5-11500T has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X runs at 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. The Intel part draws only 35W TDP versus the AMD’s 95W. Sockets differ: Intel uses Socket 1200, AMD uses Socket AM4. The Intel chip is end-of-life production, while the AMD chip remains active. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $192, and the AMD part has a launch MSRP of $249. The Intel chip’s multiplier is locked; the AMD chip’s is unlocked. Memory bandwidth also differs: Intel supports 51.2 GB/s, AMD supports 42.7 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 20 lanes on Intel, versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on AMD. The Intel part includes integrated UHD Graphics 750; the AMD part has none. ECC memory is supported only on AMD. The release dates are far apart: Intel launched on 2021-03-15, AMD on 2017-04-10.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on a 14 nm process, but the similarity ends there. The Intel Core i5-11500T uses the Rocket Lake architecture, codenamed Rocket Lake, from Intel’s Core 11th Gen series. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Zen (Summit Ridge), from AMD’s 1000 series. The die sizes differ significantly: Intel’s die is 276 mm², while AMD’s is 213 mm². AMD’s transistor count is listed at 4,800 million, while Intel’s is not specified. Cache layouts are distinct: Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 511 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part is fabricated by Intel; the AMD part is fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip’s memory bus is dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip also uses dual-channel DDR4 but with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part’s generation is listed as Core i5 (Rocket Lake-S), and the AMD part’s generation is Ryzen 5 (Zen (Summit Ridge)).