AMD Ryzen 5 6600U vs Intel Core i5-11500 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11500 and AMD Ryzen 5 6600U are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments of the market. The Intel part is a desktop chip from the Rocket Lake generation, while the AMD part is a mobile processor built on the Zen 3+ architecture. The recorded benchmark data shows a fascinating split: the Intel chip wins eight of the fifteen head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip wins seven. However, the magnitude of those wins is wildly uneven, with the Intel processor dominating in some Cinebench workloads by over 50%, while the AMD chip’s victories are often narrow or moderate. This suggests that the choice between them depends heavily on which specific workloads matter most to the user, rather than on any overall superiority.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. For anyone running heavily threaded rendering tasks, the Intel Core i5-11500 is the definitive choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14,513 is 58.4% higher than the Ryzen 5 6600U’s 9,159.5. That is a massive gap in a demanding, sustained multi-threaded workload. Similarly, in single-threaded Cinebench R23, the Intel chip scores 2,049 versus 1,456.5, a 40.7% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they represent a generational leap in performance for that specific benchmark.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U is the better pick for users who prioritize power efficiency and mobile operation. Its thermal design power is just 15 watts, compared to the Intel chip’s 65 watts. The Ryzen 5 6600U also wins in several PassMark sub-tests, including integer math (61,723 versus 58,352, a 5.5% lead) and data encryption (12,783 versus 10,592, a 17.1% lead). For a laptop user, the lower power draw is a critical factor that the raw benchmark scores do not fully capture. The data indicates that if you need raw compute for short, bursty tasks or sustained rendering on a desktop, the Intel i5-11500 is the answer. If you need a capable processor for a thin-and-light laptop with decent all-around performance, the Ryzen 5 6600U is the logical pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 scores 14,513, which is 58.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U’s 9,159.5.

Q: In which PassMark tests does the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U come out ahead?

A: The Ryzen 5 6600U wins in data encryption (12,783 versus 10,592), integer math (61,723 versus 58,352), and physics (825 versus 823). It also matches or slightly edges out the Intel chip in single-threaded PassMark tests (3,132 versus 3,131).

Q: How do their thermal design power ratings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 6600U has a thermal design power of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-11500 has a thermal design power of 65 watts.

Q: What are their respective memory support types?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus, while the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U supports DDR5 memory, also with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 6600U has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to the Intel Core i5-11500’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors’ integrated graphics different?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-11500 features UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U features Radeon 660M.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-11500 is built on the Rocket Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel itself. Its die size is 276 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, built on a 6 nm process node at TSMC, with a die size of 208 mm². This manufacturing difference is significant; the smaller node typically allows for higher efficiency and lower power consumption, which aligns with the AMD chip’s mobile market segment.

The cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and the same 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where a notable difference appears: the Intel chip has 12 MB shared, while the AMD chip has 16 MB shared. This larger L3 cache on the AMD side could benefit certain workloads that rely on frequent data reuse.

Memory support is another architectural split. The Intel Core i5-11500 supports DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U supports DDR5 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. This is a 50% higher memory bandwidth for the AMD chip, which is notable for memory-intensive tasks. However, both share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not officially unlockable for overclocking.

The integrated graphics are distinct as well. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD chip includes Radeon 660M. The market segments are clear: the Intel chip is a desktop processor on Socket 1200, while the AMD chip is a mobile processor on Socket FP7. The Intel chip is listed as end-of-life, while the AMD chip is still active in production.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both have 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock speeds differ slightly, with the Intel chip at 2.70 GHz and the AMD chip at 2.90 GHz. Boost clocks see the Intel chip take a slight lead at 4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz for the AMD chip. The thermal design power is a major differentiator, with the Intel chip rated at 65 watts and the AMD chip at 15 watts. This is the most telling specification difference, as it highlights the Intel chip’s desktop orientation versus the AMD chip’s mobile efficiency focus.

The process node and foundry are also different, as noted. The Intel chip uses a 14 nm process at Intel, while the AMD chip uses a 6 nm process at TSMC. Die sizes are 276 mm² versus 208 mm². Cache configuration shows the AMD chip with a larger L3 (16 MB versus 12 MB). Memory support differs between DDR4 and DDR5, with corresponding bandwidth figures of 51.2 GB/s and 76.8 GB/s. The release dates differ, with the Intel chip released in March 2021, while the AMD chip has no recorded release date. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $192, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. Market segments are desktop versus mobile, and production status is end-of-life versus active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The Intel Core i5-11500 scores 14,513, which is a 58.4% margin over the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U’s 9,159.5. This is the largest delta in the entire dataset. The single-core R23 test shows a similar pattern, with Intel at 2,049 versus AMD at 1,456.5, a 40.7% lead. These two results alone suggest that the Intel chip has a significantly stronger architecture for sustained, modern rendering workloads.

However, the Cinebench R15 tests tell a different story. In R15 multi-core, the AMD chip wins with 1,493 versus 1,462, a 2.1% margin. In R15 single-core, the AMD chip wins more decisively with 233 versus 206, an 11.6% lead. This is a curious inversion: the AMD chip wins the older R15 tests, while the Intel chip dominates the newer R23 tests. This could indicate differences in how the workloads scale or how the architectures handle specific instruction sets.

In the PassMark suite, the results are mixed. The Intel chip wins data compression (210,796 versus 201,364, a 4.7% lead), extended instructions (15,111 versus 13,356, a 13.1% lead), floating point math (34,422 versus 33,991, a 1.3% lead), multithread (17,107 versus 17,026, a 0.5% lead), and random string sorting (24,505 versus 21,241, a 15.4% lead). The AMD chip wins data encryption (12,783 versus 10,592, a 17.1% lead), integer math (61,723 versus 58,352, a 5.5% lead), and physics (825 versus 823, a 0.2% lead). The find prime numbers test is a tie at 51, and the single-thread tests are effectively a tie at 3,131 versus 3,132.

The win count is close, 8 for Intel and 7 for AMD, but the quality of the wins matters. Intel’s victories include the two massive Cinebench R23 margins, while AMD’s wins are mostly smaller, with the exception of the 17.1% encryption lead. The data suggests that the Intel chip has a higher ceiling in certain workloads, while the AMD chip offers more consistent, if modest, advantages in others.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11500 is the clear winner in modern multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 58.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. For users who run 3D rendering, video encoding, or other sustained compute-heavy tasks, the Intel chip is the superior choice. It also wins in single-threaded R23 by 40.7%, which could benefit applications that rely on high-frequency single-core performance, such as older games or certain productivity software. The Intel chip also leads in data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting, suggesting an edge in tasks that involve complex instruction sets or data manipulation.

The AMD Ryzen 5 6600U wins in data encryption, integer math, and physics, which are relevant for security-related workloads, general arithmetic-heavy tasks, and certain simulation or physics engines. Its 17.1% lead in encryption is particularly notable, making it a better choice for tasks that involve heavy cryptographic operations. The AMD chip also has a significant advantage in power consumption, with a 15-watt thermal design power versus the Intel chip’s 65 watts. For mobile users, this efficiency is a primary win condition, allowing for longer battery life and thinner chassis designs. The AMD chip’s support for DDR5 memory with higher bandwidth (76.8 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) could also be a deciding factor for memory-intensive workloads, even if the benchmark data does not show a clear overall advantage in this area.

Ultimately, the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U is the winner for users who need a low-power mobile processor with solid all-around performance and specific strengths in encryption and integer tasks. The Intel Core i5-11500 is the winner for desktop users who prioritize raw multi-threaded and single-threaded compute power in modern benchmarks, despite its higher power draw and end-of-life status. The data does not support a single universal winner; it supports a split decision based on workload and platform.