AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D vs Intel Core i7-11850H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly by workload type, not by core count. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D wins 16 of 19 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench iteration, both Geekbench tests, and the majority of Passmark subtests. The Intel Core i7-11850H takes only 3 wins, all in specific math and sorting workloads.

For a desktop builder on AMD Socket AM4, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D is the clear pick. Its average benchmark score of 25365 sits at the 77th percentile of all CPUs, matching the Intel Core 5 120 at 25362 (0% delta) and edging out the Intel Core i7-11700KF at 25423 (-0.2% delta). The 5600X3D is end-of-life, so it is a legacy AM4 upgrade path, not a new-platform choice.

For a mobile system, the Intel Core i7-11850H is the only real option here, as it is the sole mobile part in this comparison. Its 35W TDP and active production status make it suitable for laptops, while the 5600X3D is a 105W desktop part. The data does not favor the Intel chip in raw performance, but its form factor and power envelope define its use case.

Do not buy the i7-11850H expecting it to beat the Ryzen in general compute. The Ryzen leads by double digits in nearly every rendering and encryption metric. The Intel part only wins in floating-point math, integer math, and random string sorting, which are narrow workload categories.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D dominates rendering and encryption. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 18603 versus 16673, an 11.6% lead. The single-core margin is similar: 2626 versus 2353, also 11.6%. Geekbench multicore shows a 17.3% lead (9386 versus 8002), and single-core jumps to 22.5% (2086 versus 1703). Passmark data encryption shows the largest gap outside physics: 15170 versus 12214, a 24.2% advantage.

The AMD part also wins heavily in prime-number finding and physics. Passmark find prime numbers scores 181 versus 87, a 108% delta. Passmark physics scores 2453 versus 954, a 157.1% delta. These are not typical everyday workloads, but they show the Ryzen's architectural efficiency in integer-heavy and simulation-style tasks.

The Intel Core i7-11850H wins three Passmark subtests. Floating-point math: 42540 versus 37464, an 11.9% lead for Intel. Integer math: 71996 versus 65587, an 8.9% lead. Random string sorting: 28395 versus 24597, a 13.4% lead. These are the only tests where the Intel chip's 8 cores and 16 threads overcome the Ryzen's 6 cores and 12 threads.

For general productivity, the Ryzen is the winner. Passmark multithread scores 21888 versus 20059, a 9.1% lead. Data compression is close: 247365 versus 236949, a 4.4% edge. Extended instructions favor AMD by 8.3% (17102 versus 15788). Single-thread Passmark is nearly even: 3187 versus 3069, a 3.8% lead.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D uses the Zen 3 architecture under the codename Vermeer, built on a 7nm process by TSMC with a die size of 74 mm². It has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache layout is distinctive: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. That large L3 is the defining feature for gaming and data-heavy workloads. The chip runs on AMD Socket AM4, supports DDR4 memory with ECC, and offers Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics.

The Intel Core i7-11850H uses the Tiger Lake architecture under the codename Tiger Lake-H, built on Intel's 10nm process with a die size of 190 mm². It has 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache is smaller per core: 80 KB L1, 1.25 MB L2, and 24 MB shared L3. The socket is Intel BGA 1787, which is a mobile package, not a desktop socket. It supports DDR4 dual-channel memory without ECC and matches the AMD part on PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 750, a feature the Ryzen lacks.

Node and die size explain part of the performance gap. The TSMC 7nm process on AMD is more efficient per watt and per area than Intel's 10nm, but the Intel chip is physically larger with more cores. The 5600X3D's 96 MB L3 versus Intel's 24 MB L3 is the biggest architectural difference and explains why AMD wins in data compression, encryption, and physics. The Intel chip's higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz) does not translate into wins outside of math-heavy Passmark tests.

The TDP difference is stark: 105W for AMD versus 35W for Intel. That reflects desktop versus mobile design goals. The Ryzen is built to run at high sustained power, while the Intel chip is constrained for laptop thermals.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the AMD chip have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 5600X3D has no integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-11850H includes UHD Graphics 750.

Q: Which CPU is better for Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 18603 versus 16673 for Intel, an 11.6% lead. AMD wins every Cinebench test in the database.

Q: Is the Intel chip ever faster?

A: Yes, in three Passmark subtests: floating-point math (42540 versus 37464), integer math (71996 versus 65587), and random string sorting (28395 versus 24597). These are the only head-to-head wins for Intel.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-11850H does not.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has 96 MB shared L3. The Intel Core i7-11850H has 24 MB shared L3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive wins for AMD are in physics and prime-number finding. Passmark physics shows 2453 for AMD versus 954 for Intel, a 157.1% delta. That is the single largest margin in the entire dataset. Passmark find prime numbers shows 181 versus 87, a 108% delta. These results align with the 96 MB L3 cache, which reduces memory latency for repeated integer operations.

Geekbench results favor AMD strongly. Multicore: 9386 versus 8002, a 17.3% lead. Single-core: 2086 versus 1703, a 22.5% lead. The single-core gap is notable because the Intel chip has a higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz), yet still loses by over a fifth. This points to IPC advantages in the Zen 3 architecture.

Cinebench is uniformly AMD. R15 multicore: 1875 versus 1680, 11.6%. R15 single-core: 264 versus 237, 11.4%. R20 multicore: 7813 versus 7002, 11.6%. R20 single-core: 1102 versus 988, 11.5%. R23 multicore: 18603 versus 16673, 11.6%. R23 single-core: 2626 versus 2353, 11.6%. Every Cinebench test lands within a narrow band around 11.5%, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Passmark multithread gives AMD a 9.1% win (21888 versus 20059). Data encryption gives AMD a 24.2% win (15170 versus 12214). Data compression is closer at 4.4% (247365 versus 236949). Extended instructions favor AMD by 8.3% (17102 versus 15788). Single-thread Passmark is the tightest AMD win: 3187 versus 3069, just 3.8%.

The Intel wins are isolated to math and sorting. Floating-point math: 42540 versus 37464, an 11.9% lead. Integer math: 71996 versus 65587, an 8.9% lead. Random string sorting: 28395 versus 24597, a 13.4% lead. These three wins do not offset the overall average, where AMD sits at 25365 versus Intel's 24935, a margin of about 1.7%. The Ryzen's nearest rival is the Intel Core 5 120 at 25362 (0% delta), while the i7-11850H sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F at 24964 (-0.1% delta).

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11850H has 8 cores and 16 threads. AMD base clock is 3.30 GHz versus Intel's 2.10 GHz. AMD boost clock is 4.40 GHz versus Intel's 4.80 GHz. The Intel chip boosts higher, but the AMD chip starts from a much higher base.

TDP is a major split: 105W for AMD versus 35W for Intel. This reflects the desktop versus mobile market segment. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1787, a soldered mobile package.

Cache differs substantially. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has more L1 and L2 per core, but the AMD chip has four times the L3.

Process node and foundry differ: AMD is on TSMC 7nm with a 74 mm² die, Intel is on Intel 10nm with a 190 mm² die. The Intel die is more than twice the area. Memory support is identical in bandwidth (51.2 GB/s dual-channel DDR4), but AMD supports ECC while Intel does not. PCIe is identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics exists only on Intel: UHD Graphics 750. AMD has none. The Intel part is currently in active production, while the AMD part is end-of-life. The Intel chip's launch MSRP is $395, and the AMD chip's launch MSRP is $229. The AMD part is unlocked multiplier, but both have a locked multiplier in practice.