AMD Ryzen 5 230 vs Intel Core i9-11900KF Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900KF and the AMD Ryzen 5 230 are two processors from different eras and market segments. The Intel part is a desktop flagship from the Rocket Lake generation, while the AMD is a mobile chip built on the Zen 4 architecture. The benchmark data shows a clear winner in raw compute performance, but the story is more nuanced when considering efficiency and platform features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-11900KF dominates the head-to-head comparison, securing victory in 15 of the 17 recorded tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 manages only 2 wins, both in single-threaded PassMark tests. This is a substantial margin that underscores the performance gap between the two designs.

The most lopsided victory for Intel comes in the PassMark data compression test. The i9-11900KF scores 325688, while the Ryzen 5 230 manages 218588. This represents a 49% advantage for Intel, the largest delta in the entire comparison. Data compression workloads benefit heavily from the Intel chip's higher core count and thread count, which allows it to process more data in parallel.

Similarly, the PassMark extended instructions test shows a 45.4% gap in favor of Intel. The i9-11900KF scores 22703, compared to 15618 for the AMD chip. This test exercises advanced CPU instruction sets, and the Intel architecture clearly has an advantage here, likely due to its higher clock speeds and different execution pipeline design.

In the Cinebench suite, the results are consistent across all versions. Whether using R15, R20, or R23, the Intel chip wins both multicore and singlecore tests by a nearly identical 16.7% margin. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the i9-11900KF scores 20838, while the Ryzen 5 230 scores 17857. In singlecore, the scores are 2941 versus 2521. This consistency suggests a fundamental performance advantage that scales across different rendering workloads.

The PassMark integer math test shows a 32.4% lead for Intel, with scores of 89023 versus 67257. Floating point math follows a similar pattern, with Intel ahead by 35%, scoring 52640 against 38993. These are core computational workloads that benefit from the Intel chip's 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to the AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads.

In the PassMark multithread test, Intel leads by 27.3%, scoring 24708 against 19411. The random string sorting test shows a 43.7% advantage for Intel, with scores of 37383 versus 26019. Data encryption also favors Intel, with a 17.6% lead, scoring 15623 versus 13280.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230's only victories come in the PassMark single thread and singlethread tests, which are essentially the same test recorded twice. Here, the AMD chip scores 3558, while Intel scores 3527. This is a narrow 0.9% margin. It indicates that the AMD chip has a slight edge in purely single-threaded integer performance, but the difference is minimal.

The PassMark find prime numbers test results in a tie, with both processors scoring 66. This is a unique workload that neither chip can exploit for a significant advantage.

Overall, the data shows that the Intel Core i9-11900KF is the superior performer in almost every metric. The only area where the AMD chip wins is in the narrow single-threaded PassMark test, and even there, the margin is less than 1%.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unequivocal. The Intel Core i9-11900KF is the stronger processor for compute-intensive tasks. It wins the vast majority of tests, often by substantial margins. Users who prioritize raw performance in rendering, data compression, and mathematical workloads should choose the Intel chip.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230, however, is not without its merits. It achieves a near-tie in single-threaded performance and does so while operating at a much lower power envelope. The Intel chip has a TDP of 125, while the AMD chip has a TDP of 28. This makes the AMD processor significantly more efficient for mobile use cases where battery life and heat dissipation are critical.

The AMD chip also comes with a capable integrated GPU, the Radeon 760M, which is absent from the Intel part. This means the AMD processor can power an entire system without a discrete graphics card, which is a significant advantage for compact laptops and all-in-one systems.

For desktop users with a dedicated GPU, the Intel Core i9-11900KF offers more performance. For mobile users or those building a system with integrated graphics, the AMD Ryzen 5 230 is the more practical choice.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i9-11900KF is built on the Rocket Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, and is built on a 4 nm process node by TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads.

The process node difference is significant. AMD's 4 nm node is much more advanced than Intel's 14 nm node, allowing for higher transistor density and lower power consumption. The AMD chip has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the Intel chip has a die size of 276 mm². The exact transistor count for Intel is not recorded, but the larger die size on an older process suggests a less efficient design.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core but a larger 1 MB of L2 cache per core. Both have 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 cache on the AMD chip may help with certain workloads, but the benchmark data shows that Intel's overall architecture still wins most tests.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD chip's higher memory bandwidth is a clear advantage, but it does not translate into a win in the recorded benchmarks.

The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP8. The Intel chip is an unlocked multiplier part, meaning it can be overclocked, while the AMD chip is locked. The Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD chip is active production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900KF wins with a score of 20838, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 230's score of 17857. This is a 16.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 230 faster in any test?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins the PassMark single thread test with a score of 3558, versus 3527 for the Intel chip. This is a 0.9% margin.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-11900KF has a TDP of 125, while the AMD Ryzen 5 230 has a TDP of 28. The AMD chip uses significantly less power.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 230 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it has a Radeon 760M. The Intel Core i9-11900KF does not have integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel chip supports DDR4, while the AMD chip supports DDR5. The AMD chip has a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, compared to 51.2 GB/s for Intel.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900KF has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11900KF wins in all compute-heavy workloads. It is the clear choice for 3D rendering, as shown by its wins in all Cinebench tests. It also wins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded tasks, physics, and random string sorting. For any workload that can utilize multiple cores, the Intel chip has a significant advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 wins in the narrow PassMark single-threaded test. This makes it marginally better for tasks that rely on single-thread performance, though the margin is very small. The AMD chip's real advantage is in efficiency. Its 28 TDP makes it suitable for thin and light laptops, and its integrated Radeon 760M graphics eliminates the need for a separate GPU in basic systems. The AMD chip's support for DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth also makes it a more future-proof choice for memory-intensive applications.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specifications. The Intel Core i9-11900KF has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 230 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The boost clock speeds differ, with Intel at 5.30 GHz and AMD at 4.90 GHz. The base clocks are the same at 3.50 GHz.

The TDP is vastly different, with Intel at 125 and AMD at 28. The socket types are different, with Intel using Socket 1200 and AMD using Socket FP8. The process nodes differ, with Intel on 14 nm and AMD on 4 nm. The foundries are different, with Intel using its own fabs and AMD using TSMC.

The cache configurations differ. Intel has 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while AMD has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core. Both have 16 MB of L3 cache. Memory support differs, with Intel on DDR4 and AMD on DDR5. Memory bandwidth is higher on AMD at 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for Intel.

The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip is locked. The Intel chip does not have integrated graphics, while the AMD chip has a Radeon 760M. The market segments differ, with Intel being a desktop part and AMD being a mobile part. The production status differs, with Intel being end-of-life and AMD being active. The release dates differ, with Intel launching in March 2021 and AMD in January 2025.