AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i7-11600H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11600H and AMD Ryzen 5 5500 are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they target fundamentally different platforms: the Intel part is a mobile Tiger Lake-H chip on Intel BGA 1787, while the AMD is a desktop Zen 3 part on Socket AM4. The benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy: the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins 17 of 19 head-to-head tests, often by large margins, while the Intel Core i7-11600H secures only two wins, one of which is a significant single-core Geekbench victory. Despite the Intel chip having a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) and a larger L3 cache (18 MB vs 16 MB), the AMD chip’s higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and 7 nm TSMC process node appear to deliver superior throughput across most workloads.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the faster processor in nearly every measurable category. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 16429 versus Intel’s 13286, a 19.1% advantage. This pattern repeats across Cinebench R15, R20, and Geekbench multi-core, where the AMD leads by 17.7% to 19.3%. For users prioritizing raw computational throughput—rendering, video encoding, data compression—the Ryzen 5 5500 is the clear choice based on benchmark results.

However, the Intel Core i7-11600H is not without its merits. In Geekbench single-core, Intel wins decisively with a score of 1924 versus AMD’s 1730, an 11.2% margin. This suggests that for lightly-threaded applications that rely heavily on single-thread responsiveness, the Intel chip may offer a snappier experience. Additionally, the Intel part wins the Passmark find prime numbers test (65 vs 56, a 16.1% edge), indicating strength in certain integer-heavy, low-threaded tasks.

The verdict depends on platform context. The Ryzen 5 5500 is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, while the i7-11600H is a mobile chip with a 35 W TDP. If you are building a desktop, the Ryzen 5 5500 dominates nearly every benchmark and should be the default pick. If you are evaluating a laptop, the i7-11600H’s lower power envelope and integrated UHD Graphics 750 (the AMD has no integrated graphics) make it a viable mobile option, though the data shows it will trail the Ryzen in multi-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 scores 16429, while the Intel Core i7-11600H scores 13286. The AMD is 19.1% faster in this test.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-11600H ever faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 5500?

A: Yes, in two benchmarks. The Intel wins Geekbench single-core (1924 vs 1730, an 11.2% advantage) and Passmark find prime numbers (65 vs 56, a 16.1% advantage).

Q: What are the process node differences between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-11600H is built on Intel’s 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses TSMC’s 7 nm process. The AMD chip also has a larger transistor count at 10,700 million versus Intel’s unspecified count.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with identical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-11600H includes UHD Graphics 750. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-11600H has an average benchmark score of 19921, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 averages 19593. Both sit at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, though Intel’s score is slightly higher overall.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural approaches from their respective manufacturers. The Intel Core i7-11600H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, a 10 nm design fabricated by Intel itself. Its die size is listed at 190 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 5500, in contrast, employs the Zen 3 architecture under the codename Cezanne, built on TSMC’s 7 nm process with a die size of 180 mm² and a transistor count of 10,700 million. This process advantage likely contributes to the AMD chip’s higher base clock of 3.60 GHz compared to Intel’s 2.50 GHz.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 18 MB L3 cache. The AMD chip has smaller per-core caches—64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2—but a 16 MB L3 cache. Despite Intel’s larger L3, the AMD chip still outperforms in most multi-threaded tests, suggesting that raw cache size is not the sole determinant of performance.

Connectivity and integration also diverge. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and includes integrated UHD Graphics 750. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3 and has no integrated graphics. The Intel chip’s socket is Intel BGA 1787, indicating it is soldered for mobile use, while the AMD uses Socket AM4, a desktop platform. The Intel processor is also locked (multiplier not unlocked), whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Specification Differences

The most striking specification difference is the TDP: the Intel Core i7-11600H is rated at 35 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is rated at 65 W. This reflects their intended markets—mobile versus desktop. Clock speeds also differ: Intel has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz; AMD has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD chip starts higher but boosts lower, while the Intel chip has a wider clock range.

Other differences include process node (10 nm Intel vs 7 nm TSMC), foundry (Intel vs TSMC), and transistor count (unspecified for Intel, 10,700 million for AMD). Cache configurations differ as described above, with Intel offering larger per-core L1 and L2 caches but AMD having a smaller L3. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics; the AMD does not. PCIe support also differs: Intel is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, AMD is Gen 3. Release dates are separated by nearly a year: Intel launched on 2021-05-10, AMD on 2022-04-03. The Intel chip’s launch MSRP is $395, while the AMD’s is $159.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 dominates the multi-threaded benchmarks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1656 versus Intel’s 1339, a 19.1% lead. The same 19.1% delta appears in Cinebench R20 (6900 vs 5580) and R23 (16429 vs 13286). Geekbench multi-core shows AMD ahead by 17.7% (7976 vs 6563). Passmark multi-thread also favors AMD, with a score of 19330 versus 16093, a 16.7% advantage.

The AMD chip also wins all the specialized Passmark workloads. Data compression shows AMD at 245533 versus Intel’s 190721, a 22.3% lead. Data encryption is even more lopsided: AMD scores 14851, Intel scores 9718, a 34.6% margin—the largest delta in the entire dataset. Extended instructions favor AMD by 24.9% (17236 vs 12938). Floating-point math favors AMD by 10.5% (36815 vs 32963), and integer math by 14.7% (65001 vs 55437). Physics tests show AMD ahead by 14.8% (896 vs 763), and random string sorting by 10.3% (24757 vs 22217).

Single-threaded results are closer. Passmark single-thread shows AMD winning narrowly with 3058 versus 3019, a 1.3% margin. However, Geekbench single-core flips the script: Intel wins with 1924 versus AMD’s 1730, an 11.2% advantage. The other Intel win is Passmark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 65 versus AMD’s 56, a 16.1% lead. These two wins are notable but cannot offset the AMD’s overwhelming superiority across the other 17 benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the clear winner in multi-threaded and most single-threaded productivity workloads. Its 19.1% lead across all Cinebench versions suggests strong rendering performance. The 34.6% advantage in data encryption points to better cryptographic throughput, and the 22.3% lead in data compression indicates faster archive handling. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, data analysis, or any parallel compute task, the benchmark data consistently favors the AMD chip. The AMD also wins in floating-point math (36815 vs 32963) and integer math (65001 vs 55437), making it the better choice for scientific simulations and general number-crunching.

The Intel Core i7-11600H wins in specific niches. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1924 versus 1730 (an 11.2% margin) suggests it may provide better responsiveness in single-threaded applications like older games or certain office software that rely on one core. The Passmark find prime numbers win (65 vs 56, 16.1%) is a narrow but real advantage in a specialized integer workload. Additionally, the Intel chip includes integrated graphics, making it the only option of the two for systems without a discrete GPU. Its lower 35 W TDP also means it is designed for power-constrained mobile environments, where the AMD’s 65 W desktop TDP would be inappropriate.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the superior performer for almost all tasks, with its wins ranging from 1.3% to 34.6%. The Intel Core i7-11600H retains relevance in single-threaded Geekbench scenarios and offers integrated graphics and a lower power envelope, but the data shows it trails significantly in multi-threaded and most specialized workloads.