AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core i7-11700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X are both 65W desktop processors with identical memory bandwidth figures, yet they approach performance from opposite architectural directions. The Intel part fields 8 cores and 16 threads on a 14 nm process, while the AMD chip counters with 6 cores and 12 threads on a 7 nm node. Benchmark results show the Intel i7-11700 winning 13 of 23 head-to-head tests, but the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X takes the other 10, creating a split that depends heavily on workload type rather than a single overall victor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives Intel a 33% advantage in core count and a 33% advantage in thread count.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 has an average benchmark score of 21891, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21771. The difference is roughly 0.5%, placing both at the 75th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between them?

A: The biggest gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i7-11700 scores 2471 against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X's 1541, a 60.4% advantage for Intel. The largest AMD win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it leads by 59%.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory and PCIe standards?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses and have 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both also offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, though they use different sockets — Intel Socket 1200 for the i7-11700 and AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 includes UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics at all. This means the AMD chip requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 launched with an MSRP of $323, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X launched at $299.

Architecture Differences

The foundational split comes from process technology. Intel builds the Core i7-11700 on a 14 nm node at its own foundry, while AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm process for the Ryzen 5 5600X. This explains part of the die size discrepancy: the Intel chip measures 276 mm², whereas the AMD chip is just 74 mm². The AMD part packs 4,150 million transistors into that smaller space, whereas the Intel die size figure is provided without a transistor count.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. Both allocate 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but Intel gives each core 80 KB of L1 cache versus AMD's 64 KB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: Intel provides 16 MB shared across all cores, while AMD doubles that with 32 MB shared. This larger L3 pool on the AMD side likely contributes to its wins in certain multi-threaded and single-threaded tests.

Clock speeds show Intel pushing higher boost frequencies. The i7-11700 runs at a 2.50 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 5600X starts higher at 3.70 GHz base but boosts to a lower 4.60 GHz. Both have a 65W TDP, keeping power envelopes identical on paper.

Feature sets diverge in two notable areas. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 750 integrated graphics, making it a self-contained option for basic display tasks. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics. Additionally, the Ryzen 5 5600X supports ECC memory, while the Intel i7-11700 does not. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Intel chip's multiplier is locked.

Production status differs as well: the Intel Core i7-11700 is listed as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X remains active. Release dates place AMD's chip first at 2020-11-04, with Intel following on 2021-03-15.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-11700 scores 2471 versus the Ryzen 5 5600X's 1541, a 60.4% lead. This is an outlier compared to other single-thread tests, suggesting the Intel architecture excels under this specific rendering workload. Cinebench R23 multi-core also favors Intel heavily, with the i7-11700 posting 17504 against 11838, a 47.9% margin that reflects its two extra cores.

3DMark results consistently favor Intel across all thread counts. The 16-thread test shows 7624 for Intel against 5582 for AMD, a 36.6% gap, and the max-thread test mirrors this with 7640 versus 5588, a 36.7% delta. Even at 8 threads, Intel leads by 17.2% (5640 vs 4811), and the single-thread 3DMark test shows a smaller 3.5% Intel edge (949 vs 917).

PassMark math workloads split between the two. Intel wins floating point math by 17.4% (46369 vs 39487) and integer math by 12% (79687 vs 71161). Intel also takes extended instructions by 7.8% (18323 vs 16991) and random string sorting by 14.8% (30147 vs 26256). Data compression goes to Intel by a modest 4.5% (263563 vs 252306).

AMD's wins are concentrated in specific areas. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 59% AMD advantage (134 vs 55), and PassMark physics gives AMD a 34% lead (1316 vs 868). Data encryption favors AMD by 19% (15685 vs 12704), and PassMark multi-thread goes to AMD by 5.4% (21858 vs 20672). Geekbench results show AMD ahead in both multi-core (9173 vs 9003, a 1.9% edge) and single-core (1989 vs 1895, a 4.7% edge).

Cinebench R15 presents a mixed picture. AMD wins multi-core by 10.4% (1968 vs 1764) and single-core by 2.4% (254 vs 248). This contrasts sharply with Cinebench R23 results, where Intel dominates. The PassMark single-thread test also favors AMD, with 3364 versus 3263, a 3% difference.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. The Intel Core i7-11700 is the choice for heavily threaded rendering workloads and math-intensive tasks, winning Cinebench R23 multi-core by 47.9% and floating point math by 17.4%. Its 8-core advantage translates into dominant 3DMark multi-thread scores, with 36.6% and 36.7% leads in the 16-thread and max-thread tests.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X counters with wins in physics simulations, prime number calculations, and encryption workloads. Its 34% physics lead and 59% prime number advantage suggest architectural efficiencies that Intel cannot match. Geekbench results also favor AMD, indicating better performance in that benchmark suite's mixed workload.

For users prioritizing Cinebench rendering or floating-point math, the Intel i7-11700 is the clear pick. For those focused on physics calculations, data encryption, or Geekbench scores, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X offers better results. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 21891 for Intel versus 21771 for AMD — so the decision hinges entirely on workload profile rather than overall capability.

The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier, features absent from the Intel part. However, the Intel chip includes integrated graphics, which the AMD chip lacks entirely. Production status favors AMD, as the Ryzen 5 5600X remains active while the i7-11700 is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 74 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,150 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 32 MB |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | None |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket AM4 |

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

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2020-11-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $323 | $299 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700 dominates in rendering workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 47.9% lead, and the 16-thread 3DMark test gives Intel a 36.6% edge. These gains stem directly from the additional two cores, which provide a structural advantage in parallel workloads. Intel also wins all math categories — floating point by 17.4%, integer by 12%, and extended instructions by 7.8% — making it the stronger option for scientific computing and number-crunching tasks. Data compression and random string sorting also favor Intel, with 4.5% and 14.8% leads respectively.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X takes the physics simulation crown with a 34% advantage, suggesting its Zen 3 architecture handles physical modeling more efficiently. Prime number finding shows a 59% AMD lead, and data encryption favors AMD by 19%, pointing to strengths in security-related workloads. Geekbench results give AMD the edge in both single-core (4.7%) and multi-core (1.9%), indicating better performance in that benchmark's diverse task mix. PassMark multi-thread also goes to AMD by 5.4%, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 10.4% AMD advantage, offering a counterpoint to Intel's newer R23 results.

The practical split is clear. Choose the Intel i7-11700 for Cinebench rendering, 3DMark simulations, and math-heavy workloads. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X for physics engines, encryption tasks, Geekbench scores, and workloads that benefit from its larger 32 MB L3 cache. Both sit at the 75th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a weak choice — the deciding factor is which benchmark suite matches your actual usage.