AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two desktop processors along clear fault lines. The Intel Core i7-11700K wins 16 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D takes only 3. Yet the losses for AMD are not minor: they include a 63.5% deficit in prime number finding and a 57.6% deficit in physics simulation. The Intel part also leads by 11.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20666 vs 18603) and by 11.1% in single-core (2917 vs 2626). For users prioritizing raw throughput across rendering, compression, and math workloads, the i7-11700K is the stronger choice in nearly every measured category.

However, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D counters with a 5.4% win in Geekbench single-core (2086 vs 1974) and massive margins in prime number generation (181 vs 66) and physics (2453 vs 1039). These results point to a different strength profile, one that rewards specific instruction patterns and cache-sensitive tasks. The database shows the AMD chip sits at the 77th percentile of all CPUs, barely behind the Intel part's 78th percentile, despite losing most head-to-head tests. That near-identical overall standing suggests the 5600X3D's wins come in workloads that the average benchmark suite weights heavily.

The choice depends on workload. The i7-11700K dominates multi-threaded rendering and general compute, while the 5600X3D excels in physics and prime number tests, which often indicate cache-friendly or latency-sensitive code. Neither chip is a universal winner; the data simply favors Intel for most measured tasks and AMD for a narrow but dramatic set of scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-11700K is built on Rocket Lake, an 11th Gen Core architecture using a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its L3 cache is 16 MB shared, and each core carries 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2. The chip includes UHD Graphics 750 integrated graphics and supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. It uses Intel Socket 1200 and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D belongs to the 5000 series, built on Zen 3 (Vermeer) architecture using a 7 nm process from TSMC. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The defining feature is its L3 cache: 96 MB shared, six times the Intel part's 16 MB. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2. The die size is 74 mm², and the chip has no integrated graphics. It supports ECC memory, unlike the Intel part, and also uses DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with the same 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. It fits AMD Socket AM4 and has a locked multiplier.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD. That explains part of the power picture, with the Intel chip rated at 125 W TDP versus 105 W for AMD. The cache disparity is the most consequential architectural gap. The 5600X3D's 96 MB L3 is designed to keep more data close to the cores, which likely drives its wins in cache-sensitive tests like physics and prime numbers. The i7-11700K compensates with higher clocks and two additional cores. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, but the Intel part adds integrated graphics while AMD relies on a discrete GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Cinebench results consistently favor Intel. In R15 multi-core, the i7-11700K scores 2082 against 1875, an 11% lead. Single-core R15 shows 294 versus 264, an 11.4% edge. R20 repeats the pattern: 8679 vs 7813 for multi-core (11.1%) and 1225 vs 1102 for single-core (11.2%). R23 multi-core lands at 20666 vs 18603 (11.1%), and single-core at 2917 vs 2626 (11.1%). This uniformity across Cinebench versions indicates a consistent architectural advantage in rendering workloads, not a fluke of one test version.

Geekbench splits the pair. The Intel chip wins multi-core 10521 vs 9386, a 12.1% margin. But AMD takes single-core 2086 vs 1974, a 5.4% win. That single-core result is notable because Intel leads single-core in every Cinebench test. The Geekbench difference likely reflects the 5600X3D's cache advantage benefiting certain single-threaded tasks.

Passmark tests show the largest gaps. Intel wins data compression by 30.5% (322689 vs 247365), extended instructions by 34.3% (22964 vs 17102), floating point math by 36.4% (51119 vs 37464), and integer math by 31.7% (86390 vs 65587). Random string sorting goes to Intel by 49.4% (36755 vs 24597). Multithread performance favors Intel by 11.5% (24408 vs 21888), and single-thread by 6.4% (3390 vs 3187). Data encryption is close: Intel wins 15638 vs 15170, only 3.1% apart.

AMD's three wins are dramatic. Passmark find prime numbers shows 181 vs 66, a 63.5% advantage for AMD. Passmark physics shows 2453 vs 1039, a 57.6% lead. Geekbench single-core adds the third win at 5.4%. These are not marginal victories; the prime and physics margins are the largest of any benchmark in the comparison. The pattern suggests the 5600X3D's 96 MB L3 cache provides a massive benefit for workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 16 MB but smaller than 96 MB.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. It leads by 11% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (2082 vs 1875), 11.1% in R20 (8679 vs 7813), 11.1% in R23 (20666 vs 18603), 12.1% in Geekbench multi-core (10521 vs 9386), and 11.5% in Passmark multithread (24408 vs 21888).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, three. It wins Passmark find prime numbers by 63.5% (181 vs 66), Passmark physics by 57.6% (2453 vs 1039), and Geekbench single-core by 5.4% (2086 vs 1974).

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has 96 MB of shared L3. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core, but Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core versus AMD's 64 KB.

Q: What are the power ratings for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has a TDP of 125 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has a TDP of 105 W.

Q: Can these CPUs use the same motherboard?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-11700K uses Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D uses AMD Socket AM4. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Do both support PCIe Gen 4?

A: Yes, both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. They also both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the pick for multi-threaded productivity. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with higher clocks, produce consistent wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core runs. The 11% margins in every Cinebench test suggest a robust advantage for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other CPU-bound creative workloads. Passmark results reinforce this: data compression (30.5% lead), integer math (31.7%), floating point math (36.4%), and extended instructions (34.3%) all favor Intel heavily. Random string sorting shows a 49.4% advantage, making Intel the stronger choice for data processing tasks that involve sorting large datasets. Even encryption, where the margin narrows to 3.1%, still goes to Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D is the pick for specialized compute tasks and physics simulation. The 63.5% lead in prime number finding indicates a dramatic edge in workloads that iterate over prime numbers, often found in cryptography research or certain mathematical computations. The physics benchmark, with a 57.6% margin is equally striking. These wins, combined with the Geekbench single-core result, point to a CPU that excels when a large cache allows rapid access to repeating data patterns. For users running physics engines in games, scientific simulations, or any code with tight loops over cached data structures, the 5600X3D's 96 MB L3 is the clear advantage.

The average benchmark scores confirm the split. Intel's average score of 25812 places it at the 78th percentile, while AMD's 25365 sits at the 77th. The Intel part's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 230, trails by 0.1%, while AMD's closest competitor, the Intel Core 5 120, matches it exactly. This near-parity in overall standing, despite Intel winning 16 of 19 tests, means the two chips are broadly equivalent for general use, with Intel pulling ahead in most heavy lifting and AMD dominating in targeted scenarios.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every core specification. Intel offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel base clock is 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for AMD, and the boost clock is 5.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. The process node is 14 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD, with Intel using its own foundry and AMD using TSMC. The die size is 74 mm² for AMD, with no die size recorded for Intel.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, AMD has 64 KB. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core. L3 cache is 16 MB shared for Intel versus 96 MB shared for AMD. The TDP is 125 W for Intel and 105 W for AMD. Intel has UHD Graphics 750 integrated graphics; AMD has none. Intel does not support ECC memory, while AMD does. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while AMD's is locked. The launch MSRP for Intel is $399 and for AMD is $229. Intel released on 2021-03-15, AMD on 2023-07-06. Both are end-of-life desktop parts with DDR4 dual-channel memory support and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Both have memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and use 51.2 GB/s dual-channel DDR4. The part numbers are SRKNL for Intel and 100-000001176 for AMD.