AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i9-11900H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and Intel Core i9-11900H are both 75th-percentile performers in the database, with average benchmark scores of 21484 and 21367 respectively. That places them within 0.5% of each other overall, yet the head-to-head data tells a far more lopsided story. The Intel chip wins 12 of 13 shared benchmarks, often by massive margins, while the AMD part ekes out a single narrow victory. These are not equivalent processors in practice; they are two very different designs that happen to land at the same average score.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic gap appears in PassMark Extended Instructions, where the i9-11900H scores 16123 versus the Ryzen 5 2600's 7168. That is a 55.5% deficit for AMD, the largest in the entire comparison. This test stresses AVX-512-style workloads, and the Intel chip's architecture clearly dominates there. Similarly, PassMark Find Prime Numbers shows Intel at 87 versus AMD's 37 — a 57.5% difference, indicating a massive advantage in integer-heavy mathematical loops.

Multi-core throughput is also a clear Intel win. In Cinebench R15 Multi-Core, the i9-11900H posts 1690 against 1248 for the Ryzen 5 2600, a 26.2% lead. PassMark Multi-Thread shows 20162 versus 13160, a 34.7% gap. The Intel processor has 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads on the AMD side, and that hardware advantage shows up consistently in threaded workloads. PassMark Integer Math reinforces the trend: 72882 for Intel versus 44518 for AMD, a 38.9% difference.

Floating-point performance is equally one-sided. PassMark Floating Point Math sees Intel at 43094 against 22942 for AMD, a 46.8% gap. Even PassMark Physics, a test that often favors AMD's older architecture, goes to Intel at 953 versus 673, a 29.4% difference. The single-core results follow the same pattern. Cinebench R15 Single-Core gives Intel 238 versus 157.3 (33.9% ahead), and PassMark Single-Thread shows 3102 versus 2239 (27.8% ahead). The i9-11900H's 4.90 GHz boost clock versus the Ryzen's 3.90 GHz boost clock explains much of this.

The lone AMD win is PassMark Data Encryption, scoring 12429 against Intel's 12232. That is a narrow 1.6% margin, and it suggests the Ryzen 5 2600's Zen architecture handles AES-NI workloads slightly better. It is the only benchmark where the AMD part leads, and even then, the advantage is marginal. For data compression, Intel wins again: 239366 versus 187062, a 21.9% gap. Random string sorting also favors Intel at 28328 versus 21591, a 23.8% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11900H wins in virtually every category that matters for modern workloads. Multi-threaded productivity, single-thread responsiveness, floating-point math, integer math, physics simulations, compression, and extended instruction sets all favor Intel. The 8-core/16-thread configuration with a 4.90 GHz boost clock makes it the stronger choice for rendering, video encoding, complex spreadsheets, and any task that scales with core count or benefits from high clock speeds.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600's only victory is in data encryption, where it edges out Intel by 1.6%. This is a narrow, specialized win that would only matter in environments heavily dependent on encryption throughput, such as VPN gateways or database encryption layers. Outside of that, the Ryzen 5 2600 consistently trails. Its 6-core/12-thread design with a 3.90 GHz boost clock is simply outclassed in this comparison.

That said, the overall average scores are nearly identical, which means the Ryzen 5 2600 must be competitive in benchmarks not shared between the two. The database shows the AMD part with a higher average benchmark score (21484 versus 21367), suggesting that in tests outside this head-to-head set, the Ryzen holds its own. But within the 13 overlapping benchmarks, Intel wins decisively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is built on the Zen architecture (specifically Zen+ Pinnacle Ridge) using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Core i9-11900H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with a 190 mm² die size. Intel does not list transistor counts in the data, but the smaller die on a more advanced node suggests higher density.

Core and cache configurations differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 2600 has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The i9-11900H has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Intel's larger L2 and L3 caches contribute to its higher single-thread scores, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

Memory bandwidth also favors Intel. The i9-11900H supports 51.2 GB/s versus the Ryzen 5 2600's 46.9 GB/s, despite both using dual-channel DDR4. PCIe capabilities differ: AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Intel part also includes UHD Graphics 750 integrated graphics, whereas the Ryzen 5 2600 has no integrated graphics at all.

Socket and market positioning are fundamentally different. The Ryzen 5 2600 uses AMD Socket AM4 and is a desktop part, while the i9-11900H uses Intel BGA 1787 and is a mobile processor. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part does not. The Ryzen's TDP is 65W versus the i9-11900H's 35W, reflecting the mobile chip's lower power envelope. Production status also differs: the Ryzen is still Active, while the Intel is End-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900H wins single-core benchmarks decisively. In Cinebench R15 Single-Core, it scores 238 versus 157.3 for the Ryzen 5 2600, a 33.9% advantage. PassMark Single-Thread shows 3102 versus 2239, a 27.8% lead.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 2600 better at anything?

A: Yes, but only marginally. The Ryzen 5 2600 wins PassMark Data Encryption with 12429 against Intel's 12232, a 1.6% edge. That is its only head-to-head victory out of 13 shared benchmarks.

Q: How do their core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel's additional cores contribute to its multi-threaded performance lead, such as a 26.2% advantage in Cinebench R15 Multi-Core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i9-11900H is rated at 35W. This reflects the i9's mobile design, which targets lower power consumption despite higher performance.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode. However, Intel's memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s versus AMD's 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-11900H includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 750. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-11900H is the superior processor in nearly every measurable way. It wins 12 of 13 shared benchmarks, with margins ranging from 21.9% to 57.5%. Its 8-core/16-thread design, higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, larger caches, and greater memory bandwidth make it the better choice for anyone prioritizing performance, whether in single-threaded or multi-threaded workloads. The only caveat is its mobile BGA socket, which means it is not a drop-in upgrade for desktop systems.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is not without merit. Its single encryption win, combined with an active production status and AM4 desktop socket, makes it a viable option for DIY builders who need a processor today and want upgrade flexibility. The unlocked multiplier is a plus for enthusiasts, and its lower average score (21484 versus 21367) is nearly identical, meaning it competes on overall benchmark averages despite losing the head-to-head.

For a desktop user building a new system, the Ryzen 5 2600's AM4 platform and active production status offer practical advantages. For anyone comparing raw performance, the i9-11900H wins. The choice comes down to platform versus power. If you need the fastest scores in the shared benchmarks, pick Intel. If you want a desktop processor that still holds its own and has a broader ecosystem, the Ryzen 5 2600 remains a reasonable pick.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i9-11900H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 35W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Zen | Tiger Lake |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 190 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $199 | $546 |