AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs Intel Core i7-11800H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits this comparison into two clear domains: AMD dominates most CPU workloads, while Intel takes the lead in a smaller but distinct set of tests. Across the 25 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 wins 17, while the Intel Core i7-11800H wins 8. The most decisive AMD victory comes in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 137 versus 85, a massive 61.2% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire dataset and signals a major gap in workloads that rely on prime-number computation.

Equally striking is the data encryption result. The Ryzen 5 5600 posts 15531 in passmark_data_encryption, beating the Intel part’s 12241 by 26.9%. That is a substantial margin for a security-related workload, often sensitive to cryptographic instruction throughput. Physics simulation also favors AMD heavily: 1285 versus 938, a 37% lead. This suggests AMD’s architecture handles the physics engine calculations in this benchmark suite with markedly better efficiency.

The Geekbench results reinforce AMD’s single-core and multi-core superiority. In geekbench_singlecore, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 1936 against 1666, a 16.2% lead. In geekbench_multicore, the gap widens to 14.7% (9158 versus 7986). These are not marginal differences; they indicate a consistent architectural advantage in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded scenarios.

Cinebench tells a similar story across all three versions. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Ryzen 5 5600 wins both single-core and multi-core tests by exactly 9.9% to 10.2%. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 18309 for AMD versus 16663 for Intel, and single-core shows 2584 versus 2352. The consistency of these margins across different Cinebench iterations suggests a stable performance relationship rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

PassMark multithread also goes to AMD, with 21541 versus 20012, a 7.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread similarly favors AMD by 7% (3256 versus 3043). Data compression (5.2% ahead) and extended instructions (5.8% ahead) round out AMD’s wins.

Intel’s victories are concentrated in 3DMark and a few PassMark sub-tests. The 3DMark 16-thread test shows the i7-11800H scoring 6518 against 5641, a 13.5% lead. The max-thread version is nearly identical: 6548 versus 5659, a 13.6% advantage. The 8-thread test also goes Intel’s way by 10.9% (5384 versus 4798). However, the 4-thread test flips to AMD by a slim 1.4% (3313 versus 3268), and the 2-thread test is essentially a tie, Intel ahead by just 1.1% (1757 versus 1737). The single-thread 3DMark result gives Intel a modest 2.9% edge (908 versus 882).

Intel also wins passmark_floating_point_math by 8.6% (42423 versus 38778), passmark_integer_math by 4.2% (71423 versus 68396), and passmark_random_string_sorting by 8.7% (28411 versus 25943). These wins indicate that Intel’s execution units handle certain math and sorting operations more efficiently, even as AMD wins the broader multithread score.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is the clear choice for general purpose computing, rendering, and productivity. Its Cinebench sweep, Geekbench leads, and PassMark multithread victory indicate that content creation, 3D rendering, and office workload suites will run faster on the AMD part. The data encryption and prime number results further suggest advantages in scientific computing, cryptography, and mathematical modeling. Physics simulation, a common component in both games and engineering applications, also favors AMD by a wide margin.

The Intel Core i7-11800H takes the lead in 3DMark threaded tests, which often simulate gaming and real-time graphics workloads. The 13.5% to 13.6% margins in 16-thread and max-thread tests are substantial, suggesting that certain gaming or DirectX workloads may run better on Intel. The floating-point and integer math wins, while smaller (8.6% and 4.2%), point to strengths in numeric computation that could benefit specific simulation or data processing tasks. Random string sorting, a common database operation, also goes Intel’s way by 8.7%.

The single-thread 3DMark result, while Intel’s, is only 2.9% ahead, and the 2-thread result is nearly identical. This means that for lightly threaded gaming, the two chips are effectively tied, with Intel holding only a marginal edge.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 scores 18309, while the Intel Core i7-11800H scores 16663. AMD leads by 9.9%.

Q: How does the AMD chip compare in data encryption?

A: The Ryzen 5 5600 scores 15531 in passmark_data_encryption, beating Intel’s 12241 by 26.9%.

Q: Does Intel win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes, Intel leads in 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread tests by about 13.5% to 13.6%, with scores of 6518 and 6548 respectively versus AMD’s 5641 and 5659.

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 5600 wins geekbench_singlecore with 1936 versus 1666 (a 16.2% lead) and passmark_single_thread with 3256 versus 3043 (a 7% lead). Intel only wins 3dmark_single_thread by 2.9% (908 versus 882).

Q: What is the overall benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has an average benchmark score of 20468, and the Intel Core i7-11800H has 19998. Both sit at the 74th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How many benchmarks does each CPU win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 wins 17 of the 25 head-to-head tests, and the Intel Core i7-11800H wins 8.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11800H has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part wins the majority of multi-threaded benchmarks. The base clock also differs substantially: AMD runs at 3.50 GHz, while Intel runs at 1900.00 MHz. The boost clock is closer, with AMD at 4.40 GHz and Intel at 4.60 GHz. The TDP is another major split: AMD is rated at 65 W, Intel at 35 W.

The socket types are incompatible, with AMD using Socket AM4 and Intel using BGA 1787. Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 in dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. However, AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe support is the same: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. AMD has no integrated graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 750. The Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-11800H is locked.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, using TSMC’s 7 nm process. It has 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-11800H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, on Intel’s 10 nm process with a 190 mm² die. The process node and die size differences are significant, with AMD using a far denser process.

Cache configurations also diverge. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The L3 total is larger on AMD, which likely contributes to its strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Both CPUs support DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. AMD’s ECC support is a notable feature absent on Intel. The market segments differ: AMD is a desktop part, Intel is a mobile part. The production status is active for both, but AMD was released on 2022-04-19, while Intel was released on 2021-05-10. The launch MSRP is $199 for AMD and $395 for Intel.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 for most workloads. It wins 17 of 25 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, all Geekbench tests, and the PassMark multithread score. The margins are often large, such as the 61.2% prime number advantage and the 26.9% encryption lead. For rendering, productivity, scientific computing, and general multitasking, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core i7-11800H is not without merit. It wins the 3DMark threaded tests by double-digit margins, suggesting advantages in certain gaming or graphics-adjacent workloads. Its floating-point and integer math wins indicate strength in numeric computation. For users prioritizing those specific tasks, Intel’s part could be preferable.

However, the overall picture is one of AMD dominance. The Ryzen 5 5600 achieves a higher average benchmark score (20468 versus 19998), and it does so with only 6 cores versus Intel’s 8, indicating better per-core efficiency. The desktop socket, unlocked multiplier, and ECC support further extend its appeal for enthusiasts and workstation builders. The Intel part, with its mobile BGA socket and locked multiplier, is more constrained in upgradeability and tuning.

The verdict from the data: choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 for the broadest performance across CPU-intensive tasks, and choose the Intel Core i7-11800H only if specific 3DMark or math-heavy workloads (floating-point, integer, string sorting) are your primary concern. For everyone else, AMD wins.