AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS vs Intel Core i9-9880H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS and Intel Core i9-9880H are both mobile processors that land at the 54th percentile in the database, yet they achieve that status through fundamentally different performance profiles. The Ryzen 5 5600HS takes four of the six head-to-head benchmarks, but the Intel part counters with massive wins in the more modern Cinebench R23 tests. The data shows a clear split: AMD dominates legacy and Geekbench workloads, while Intel reclaims ground in Cinebench R23, making the choice entirely dependent on which benchmark suite reflects the user’s actual workload.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is the consistent winner in Geekbench testing. It leads by 2.4% in multi-core (6395 vs 6248) and by a substantial 14.4% in single-core (1569 vs 1372). This advantage extends to Cinebench R15, where the AMD chip posts a 35.7% higher multi-core score (1563 vs 1152) and a 37.7% higher single-core score (223 vs 162). For applications that rely on these older or Geekbench-style workloads, the Ryzen 5 5600HS is the clear performance leader.

The Intel Core i9-9880H wins exclusively in Cinebench R23. Its multi-core score of 11437 beats the AMD’s 9564 by 16.4%, and its single-core score of 1614 beats the AMD’s 1367 by 15.3%. These are the only two benchmarks where Intel comes out ahead, but the margins are large enough to be decisive for users running R23-based rendering tasks. Notably, the Intel part’s average benchmark score is 3433, which is only 0.4% behind the AMD’s 3447, indicating that the win distribution balances out across the full test set.

The benchmark split suggests that AMD’s architecture delivers better results in memory-sensitive and single-threaded legacy tests, while Intel’s higher core count (8 vs 6) and higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) give it an edge in the heavily multi-threaded R23 workload. Users should weigh the importance of each benchmark suite before making a purchasing decision.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core i9-9880H uses the older Coffee Lake architecture, codenamed Coffee Lake-HR, built on a 14 nm process by Intel. Its die size is 149 mm², though its transistor count is not listed in the data.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Intel part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives Intel a 33% advantage in raw thread count, which explains its dominance in the multi-threaded Cinebench R23 test. The Ryzen 5 5600HS compensates with a higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.30 GHz), though the Intel part has a higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 4.20 GHz).

Cache configurations also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the AMD part has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel part has only 256 KB per core. This doubling of L2 cache likely contributes to the AMD’s strong performance in single-core and Geekbench tests. Memory bandwidth also favors AMD: 68.3 GB/s versus Intel’s 42.7 GB/s, despite both supporting dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD using Radeon Vega 7 and Intel using UHD 630. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and target the mobile market segment. The AMD part is still active in production, while the Intel part is end-of-life. The AMD part uses Socket FP6, while the Intel part uses BGA 1440.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 223 against Intel’s 162, a 37.7% lead. This is followed by a 35.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1563 vs 1152). These results indicate that the Zen 3 architecture provides a massive generational uplift over Coffee Lake in older rendering tests.

Geekbench results show a narrower but still meaningful AMD advantage. In multi-core, the Ryzen 5 5600HS scores 6395 versus 6248, a 2.4% lead. In single-core, it scores 1569 versus 1372, a 14.4% lead. These numbers suggest that for everyday productivity and single-threaded tasks, the AMD chip is the stronger performer.

The Intel Core i9-9880H’s wins are equally decisive in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. It beats the AMD by 16.4% in multi-core (11437 vs 9564) and by 15.3% in single-core (1614 vs 1367). These are the only benchmarks where Intel wins, but they represent a total reversal of the R15 results. The data shows a clear architectural trade-off: AMD wins the older test, Intel wins the newer one, and the overall average score difference is negligible (3447 vs 3433).

The Verdict

Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS if your workloads align with Geekbench or Cinebench R15 benchmarks. The data shows it delivers a 14.4% single-core and 2.4% multi-core advantage in Geekbench, plus 35.7% and 37.7% leads in R15 multi-core and single-core respectively. Its higher base clock (3.00 GHz), doubled L2 cache per core (512 KB vs 256 KB), and higher memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) provide a tangible edge in these scenarios. It also remains in active production, which may indicate better long-term availability.

Choose the Intel Core i9-9880H if Cinebench R23 is your primary benchmark. It wins by 16.4% in multi-core and 15.3% in single-core, driven by its 8 cores and 16 threads versus the AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz also helps. However, this part is end-of-life, which may affect availability and driver support.

The 54th percentile ranking for both parts suggests they are equivalent in overall standing, but the benchmark split means they are not interchangeable. Users running legacy rendering workloads should favor AMD, while those using the latest R23-based tools should favor Intel. The average benchmark scores (3447 for AMD, 3433 for Intel) confirm that neither part has a decisive overall advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-9880H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 37.7% (223 vs 162), which is the largest delta in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-9880H wins both Cinebench R23 tests, with a 16.4% lead in multi-core (11437 vs 9564) and a 15.3% lead in single-core (1614 vs 1367).

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Core i9-9880H has 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, both have multiplier unlocked set to false, meaning they are locked processors.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is marked as Active, while the Intel Core i9-9880H is marked as End-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS | Intel Core i9-9880H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Cezanne | Coffee Lake-HR |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 149 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | UHD 630 |

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

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2019-04-22 |

| Part Number | 100-000000296 | SRFD1 |