AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i5-11400 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11400 and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 are both six-core, twelve-thread desktop processors, but they achieve near-identical overall average benchmark scores from opposite design philosophies. The i5-11400 posts an average benchmark score of 17067, while the Ryzen 5 3600 sits at 17035, a difference of just 0.2%. Both occupy the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The data reveals a clear split: Intel wins 14 head-to-head tests, while AMD wins 11, but the margins in each direction tell a more complex story about what each chip does best.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the Intel Core i5-11400’s overwhelming dominance in 3DMark tests. Across all six 3DMark benchmarks, the Intel part wins by margins between 21.8% and 24.3%. The single-thread result is the largest gap, with the i5-11400 scoring 865 against the Ryzen 5 3600’s 696, a 24.3% advantage. This trend extends to 16-thread, 8-thread, 4-thread, 2-thread, and max-thread variants, where the Intel chip leads by 21.8%, 22.1%, 21.9%, 23.4%, and 22.3% respectively. These are not marginal wins; they represent a generational gap in the specific workloads 3DMark measures.

The Intel chip also wins decisively in PassMark’s math-oriented tests. In floating-point math, the i5-11400 scores 34004 versus 28607 for the Ryzen, a 18.9% advantage. Integer math shows a similar story, with the Intel part at 57601 against 48607, an 18.5% lead. Single-thread PassMark results also favor Intel, with a score of 2990 versus 2562, a 16.7% advantage. Extended instructions go to Intel by a smaller 3.2% margin (14901 versus 14442), and random string sorting is nearly tied, with Intel ahead by just 1.1% (23974 versus 23707).

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 fights back in Cinebench, where it wins every single test. In Cinebench R23, the Ryzen scores 15045 multicore and 2124 singlecore, while the i5-11400 manages 14132 and 1995. That is a 6.1% advantage for AMD in both multicore and singlecore R23 tests. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 (6318 versus 5935 multicore, 892 versus 837 singlecore) and R15 (1516 versus 1424 multicore, 214 versus 200 singlecore), with AMD leading by roughly 6.1% to 6.5% across the board. This consistency across three Cinebench versions indicates a fundamental architectural efficiency in AMD’s favor for these rendering workloads.

AMD also wins several PassMark specialty tests, and some by large margins. The most dramatic is passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 108 against the i5-11400’s 49, a massive 54.6% advantage. Data encryption also favors AMD heavily, with the Ryzen scoring 13953 versus 10264, a 26.4% lead. Physics tests go to AMD by 31.2% (1152 versus 793). PassMark multithread shows a 5.7% AMD lead (17700 versus 16690), and data compression goes to AMD by 5.8% (219774 versus 206952). Geekbench is the one area where the two chips split: Intel wins singlecore by 13.9% (1750 versus 1536) and multicore by 2.7% (7572 versus 7372).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400 is the clear choice for anyone focused on gaming or short-burst single-threaded performance. Its 3DMark results are not just wins; they are routs, with every test landing between 21.8% and 24.3% ahead of the Ryzen. The 24.3% lead in 3DMark single-thread is particularly telling, as it suggests the Intel architecture extracts more performance per cycle in latency-sensitive scenarios. The PassMark math tests reinforce this, with Intel leading by 18.9% in floating-point and 18.5% in integer operations. Individuals running physics simulations or scientific calculations that rely on these primitives will see tangible benefits from the i5-11400.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins in sustained rendering workloads and specific computational tasks. The Cinebench suite, which is a standard for 3D rendering and animation, shows AMD ahead by 6.1% consistently across R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multicore tests. This suggests better sustained multi-threaded efficiency under load. AMD’s 54.6% lead in prime number finding and 26.4% lead in data encryption indicate that cryptographic and integer-heavy algorithmic workloads run significantly faster on the Ryzen. The 31.2% advantage in PassMark physics also makes AMD the better option for physics-based simulations in non-gaming contexts.

For general productivity, the picture is mixed. Intel wins Geekbench multicore by 2.7% and singlecore by 13.9%, suggesting faster everyday application response. AMD counters with a 5.7% lead in PassMark multithread and a 5.8% lead in data compression, implying better performance in file archiving and parallel content creation tasks. Users who prioritize prime number calculations, encryption, or continuous multi-core rendering should choose the Ryzen 5 3600. Users who prioritize gaming, math-heavy computations, or single-threaded application responsiveness should choose the Intel Core i5-11400.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-11400 is built on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm², while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 uses TSMC’s 7 nm process with a die size of 74 mm². The Ryzen packs 3,800 million transistors onto that smaller die, whereas the Intel chip has no transistor count listed in the data. This process advantage is likely why AMD achieves similar or better multi-threaded performance in Cinebench despite Intel’s higher clock speeds.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i5-11400 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 3600 starts higher at 3.60 GHz but boosts lower to 4.20 GHz. Intel’s higher boost clock helps explain its dominance in 3DMark single-thread tests, where raw frequency matters. AMD’s higher base clock suggests better sustained performance at lower power states. Both CPUs have a 65 W TDP, meaning thermal design is comparable, but the underlying architectures handle that power differently.

Cache configurations are a major differentiator. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a much larger 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The 20 MB difference in L3 cache likely contributes to AMD’s strong showing in data compression and encryption, where larger caches reduce memory traffic. Intel’s larger per-core L1 cache (80 KB versus 64 KB) may help with latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is identical: both use DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs, with Intel offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus AMD’s Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-11400 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Ryzen 5 3600 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The Intel chip is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $182, while the AMD chip is still active with a launch MSRP of $199. The Intel multiplier is locked, while the AMD multiplier is unlocked, allowing easier overclocking on the Ryzen.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread 3DMark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 scores 865 in 3dmark_single_thread, which is 24.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 3600’s score of 696.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins with a score of 15045, while the Intel Core i5-11400 scores 14132. This gives AMD a 6.1% advantage in that test.

Q: Is there a benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins by more than 50%?

A: Yes, in passmark_find_prime_numbers, the AMD chip scores 108 against the Intel chip’s 49, a 54.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 has an average benchmark score of 17067, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has 17035. The difference is 0.2% in favor of Intel.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload. The Intel Core i5-11400 is the better choice for gaming and latency-sensitive applications. Its 3DMark wins by 21.8% to 24.3%, combined with a 24.3% single-thread advantage, make it the stronger option for game simulation and rendering pipelines that depend on single-core speed. The 18.9% lead in floating-point math and 18.5% lead in integer math further solidify its position for scientific and engineering tasks that rely on these operations.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is the better choice for content creation and multi-threaded workloads. Its 6.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, along with consistent wins in R15 and R20, indicate superior sustained rendering performance. The 54.6% advantage in prime number finding and 26.4% lead in data encryption make it the pick for cryptographic workloads. The 31.2% advantage in physics tests also favors AMD for non-gaming physics simulations.

Users who need a CPU for gaming, everyday single-threaded applications, or math-heavy computations should select the Intel Core i5-11400. Users who prioritize 3D rendering, data compression, encryption, or multi-threaded productivity should select the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. The 0.2% difference in average benchmark scores is negligible, but the distribution of wins is not. Choose based on your primary workload, not the overall average.