AMD Ryzen 5 5600U vs Intel Core i7-11375H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U and Intel Core i7-11375H are evenly matched in overall benchmark wins, each taking three of six head-to-head tests, but the nature of those wins reveals starkly different performance profiles. The AMD chip dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests and Geekbench multi-core, while the Intel part counters with decisive Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core wins in Geekbench and R23. The data shows a split decision: AMD leads in some legacy workloads and raw multi-threaded throughput in Geekbench, while Intel claims the modern Cinebench R23 metric and higher single-core scores in two of three tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the entire comparison belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 223 against Intel's 138, a 61.6% advantage that is difficult to overstate. This is not a marginal win; it is a generational gap in that specific workload. The multi-core Cinebench R15 test also favors AMD heavily, with a score of 1321 versus 985, a 34.1% lead. These two results alone suggest that for anyone running legacy Cinebench R15-based validation or older rendering pipelines, the AMD processor is the clear choice.

However, the Intel Core i7-11375H flips the script in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 9775 against AMD's 7792.5, a 20.3% margin in Intel's favor. This is a substantial reversal, and it indicates that the Intel chip scales better in the newer, more demanding Cinebench R23 workload despite having fewer cores. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is essentially a tie: Intel edges ahead with 1380 versus 1371, a mere 0.7% difference. The data suggests that in R23, Intel has optimized something—whether in architecture or boost behavior—that AMD does not match in this generation.

Geekbench results split the difference. AMD wins multi-core decisively, scoring 6043 against Intel's 5383, a 12.3% advantage that aligns with its 6-core/12-thread configuration. But Intel wins single-core Geekbench with 1800 versus 1567, a 12.9% lead, showcasing the higher 5.00 GHz boost clock. The pattern is clear: AMD's advantage grows with thread count and legacy tests, while Intel's advantage appears in single-threaded modern workloads. Both processors land at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close—3053 for AMD and 3018 for Intel—but the distribution of wins matters more than the aggregate.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is core count: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U packs 6 cores and 12 threads on a 7 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core i7-11375H offers 4 cores and 8 threads on Intel's 10 nm node. This core advantage is the primary driver behind AMD's multi-core wins in Geekbench and Cinebench R15. The AMD chip uses a Zen 3 architecture under the codename Cezanne-U, part of the 5000 series, while Intel employs Tiger Lake-H, a Core 11th Gen part. The die sizes reflect the different designs: AMD's die is 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, whereas Intel's is smaller at 146.1 mm² with no transistor count listed in the data.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel counters with a larger L1 at 80 KB per core and a much larger L2 at 1.25 MB per core, but a smaller 12 MB shared L3. This means Intel's per-core cache is more generous, which likely contributes to its single-core performance advantage, while AMD's larger L3 total helps with multi-threaded data sharing. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory with identical 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon Vega 7, while Intel uses Iris XE 96EU. PCIe support is a notable differentiator—AMD offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), giving Intel a substantial I/O bandwidth advantage. The TDP ratings also diverge: AMD is rated at 15 W, while Intel is rated at 28 W, indicating Intel consumes more power for its higher boost clocks. Both CPUs are unlocked for overclocking, meaning the multiplier is not locked. The release dates are nearly identical, with Intel launching on 2021-01-10 and AMD on 2021-01-11.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U is the choice for multi-threaded legacy workloads and Geekbench-based productivity, while the Intel Core i7-11375H is the pick for modern Cinebench R23 rendering and single-threaded tasks. In the head-to-head, AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 34.1%, Cinebench R15 single-core by 61.6%, and Geekbench multi-core by 12.3%. Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 20.3%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 0.7%, and Geekbench single-core by 12.9%. The win count is even at 3-3, but the magnitudes differ: AMD's largest win is 61.6%, while Intel's largest is 20.3%. This suggests AMD has more extreme highs, but Intel is more consistently competitive in modern tests.

For users running older software or Geekbench-style workloads, the AMD chip's 6-core advantage is decisive. For those prioritizing the latest Cinebench R23 benchmark or single-threaded responsiveness, Intel's higher boost clock and per-core cache win out. The Intel part also offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, which is a significant feature gap for storage or GPU expansion. However, the AMD chip does so at a 15 W TDP versus Intel's 28 W, indicating better efficiency per watt in multi-threaded tasks. There is no universal winner; the choice hinges on workload priorities.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H scores 9775, beating the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U's 7792.5, a 20.3% advantage.

Q: How large is AMD's lead in Cinebench R15 single-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U scores 223 versus Intel's 138, a 61.6% margin—the largest single-test gap in the comparison.

Q: Do both processors have the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR4 with identical 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H scores 1800, beating AMD's 1567 by 12.9%.

Q: What PCIe generation does each support?

A: The AMD chip uses Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel chip uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes, both limited to CPU only.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U is the definitive winner in multi-threaded legacy benchmarks. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1321 is 34.1% ahead of Intel's 985, and its Geekbench multi-core score of 6043 beats Intel's 5383 by 12.3%. This makes it the superior choice for older rendering pipelines, Geekbench-based productivity suites, and any workload that scales across its 6 cores and 12 threads. The 15 W TDP also positions it as the more power-efficient option for sustained multi-threaded loads, which is critical for thin-and-light laptops. The 61.6% single-core R15 win further cements its legacy dominance.

The Intel Core i7-11375H is the pick for modern single-threaded performance and the latest Cinebench R23 benchmark. Its R23 multi-core score of 9775 is 20.3% ahead, and its R23 single-core score of 1380 edges out AMD's 1371, albeit narrowly. The Geekbench single-core win of 1800 versus 1567 is a 12.9% margin, showcasing the benefit of its 5.00 GHz boost clock and larger per-core L2 cache. The Intel chip also brings PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, which is a major connectivity advantage for fast NVMe drives or external GPUs. For gamers or professionals using software that favors single-threaded performance and the newest Cinebench iteration, Intel is the stronger choice.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U operates with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-11375H starts higher at 3.00 GHz base and boosts to 5.00 GHz. TDP is another major split: AMD is rated at 15 W, Intel at 28 W. The process node differs—AMD uses 7 nm from TSMC, while Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry. Die size is 180 mm² for AMD versus 146.1 mm² for Intel, and AMD lists 10,700 million transistors while Intel does not provide a count.

Cache configurations are distinct: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3; Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 on AMD versus Iris XE 96EU on Intel. Socket types are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP6, Intel uses BGA 1449. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 8 lanes for AMD and Gen 4 with 20 lanes for Intel. The part numbers are 100-000000287 for AMD and SRKH4 for Intel. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $482, while AMD's launch MSRP is not listed. Both are mobile segments, active in production, and unlocked for overclocking.