AMD Ryzen 5 7535U vs Intel Core i5-11500 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core i5-11500 takes 9 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U claims 6. That alone suggests a clear division of labor, but the nature of those wins matters more than the raw count.

The Intel part dominates in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14513 against the AMD's 8591 is a 68.9% advantage, the largest gap in the entire comparison. The Cinebench R15 multicore result tells a similar story, with Intel ahead by 9.9%. This is a desktop processor that can sustain heavy all-core loads, and the data reflects that.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U, by contrast, wins in several single-thread and efficiency-oriented tests. It takes the Cinebench R15 singlecore test by 8.4%, the PassMark single-thread test by 2.2%, and the PassMark physics test by 1.9%. More notably, it wins the PassMark data encryption test by 16.6% and the PassMark integer math test by 6%. These are not trivial margins. The encryption result in particular suggests architectural strengths that go beyond raw clock speed.

The Intel chip also wins in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks like PassMark random string sorting (15.2% ahead) and extended instructions (14.6% ahead). It edges out the AMD part in floating point math by 1.3%, data compression by 5.3%, and find prime numbers by 2%. The PassMark multithread score is nearly a tie, with Intel ahead by just 0.4%.

So the pattern is consistent. Intel wins where sustained multi-core throughput and certain instruction-heavy workloads matter. AMD wins where single-thread responsiveness, encryption, and integer math take priority. The use case split is not subtle.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U uses Zen 3+ (codenamed Rembrandt-R) on a 6 nm process from TSMC. That process gap is significant, and it shows up in the power envelope: the Intel part has a 65 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 28 W.

Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache layouts differ, though. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 16 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD side may help explain its strong showing in integer math and encryption, where larger working sets can stay on-die.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Intel chip uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. That is a 50% bandwidth advantage for AMD, yet the Intel part still wins the random string sorting test by 15.2%. The data suggests that raw memory bandwidth alone does not determine sorting performance, or that the Intel memory controller handles this workload more efficiently.

The integrated graphics also differ. Intel pairs the i5-11500 with UHD Graphics 750, while AMD includes Radeon 660M. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, so that is a point of parity.

The sockets and market segments are entirely different. Intel uses Socket 1200 and is a desktop part, now end-of-life. AMD uses Socket FP7 and is a mobile part, still active in production. The Intel part launched in March 2021 with a launch MSRP of $192. The AMD part launched in January 2023 with no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multicore result is the defining data point. Intel scores 14513, AMD scores 8591, and the delta is 68.9% in Intel's favor. This is not a close contest. For anyone running long multi-threaded renders, the Intel part is the clear choice based on this measurement alone.

The Cinebench R23 singlecore result flips the expected narrative. Intel scores 2049, AMD scores 1414, and Intel wins by 44.9%. That is surprising given that the AMD part wins the older Cinebench R15 singlecore test by 8.4% (225 vs 206). The two Cinebench versions clearly stress different aspects of the core, and the newer version favors Intel heavily.

The PassMark data encryption test is the biggest AMD win. AMD scores 12706 against Intel's 10592, a 16.6% margin. This is a workload where the Zen 3+ architecture appears to have a genuine advantage, likely related to its newer instruction handling and larger L3 cache.

The PassMark integer math test also goes to AMD by 6% (62109 vs 58352). Combined with the encryption result, this suggests AMD has the edge in general-purpose integer work. The PassMark physics test is close, with AMD ahead by 1.9% (839 vs 823). The PassMark single-thread test also favors AMD by 2.2% (3203 vs 3131).

Intel's wins in the remaining tests are mostly decisive. The random string sorting test shows Intel at 24505 against AMD's 21267, a 15.2% margin. The extended instructions test shows Intel at 15111 against 13187, a 14.6% margin. The data compression test is closer, with Intel ahead by 5.3% (210796 vs 200252). The floating point math test is nearly even, with Intel ahead by 1.3% (34422 vs 33971). The find prime numbers test is essentially a tie, with Intel ahead by 2% (51 vs 50).

The PassMark multithread score is the closest overall result: Intel at 17107, AMD at 17039, a 0.4% difference. This is effectively a statistical dead heat, which makes the Cinebench R23 multicore gap of 68.9% all the more striking. The two benchmarks measure different aspects of multi-threaded performance, and they disagree sharply.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The base clock is 2.70 GHz for Intel and 2.90 GHz for AMD. The boost clock is 4.60 GHz for Intel and 4.55 GHz for AMD. The TDP is 65 W for Intel and 28 W for AMD. The socket is Intel Socket 1200 versus AMD Socket FP7.

The process node is 14 nm for Intel and 6 nm for AMD. The foundry is Intel for the i5-11500 and TSMC for the Ryzen 5 7535U. The die size is 276 mm² for Intel and 208 mm² for AMD. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core for Intel and 64 KB per core for AMD. The L2 cache is 512 KB per core for both. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 16 MB shared for AMD.

Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and DDR5 for AMD. The memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for Intel and 76.8 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory is not supported on Intel but is supported on AMD. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750 for Intel and Radeon 660M for AMD. The market segment is Desktop for Intel and Mobile for AMD. The production status is End-of-life for Intel and Active for AMD. The release date is March 2021 for Intel and January 2023 for AMD. The launch MSRP is $192 for Intel and null for AMD. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test by 68.9% (14513 vs 8591) and the Cinebench R15 multicore test by 9.9% (1462 vs 1330). The PassMark multithread score is nearly identical, with Intel ahead by just 0.4% (17107 vs 17039).

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The results are mixed. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U wins the Cinebench R15 singlecore test by 8.4% (225 vs 206) and the PassMark single-thread test by 2.2% (3203 vs 3131). The Intel part wins the Cinebench R23 singlecore test by 44.9% (2049 vs 1414).

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 has a TDP of 65 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U has a TDP of 28 W. The AMD part is designed for mobile use and draws significantly less power.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-11500 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part also has a smaller L1 cache per core (64 KB vs 80 KB).

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U is still active in production. The Intel part was released in March 2021, and the AMD part was released in January 2023.

The Verdict

The data points to two different buyers. The Intel Core i5-11500 is the choice for anyone running sustained multi-threaded workloads on a desktop. Its Cinebench R23 multicore lead of 68.9% is overwhelming, and it also wins in extended instructions, random string sorting, and data compression. The 65 W TDP is a non-issue for a desktop system with adequate cooling.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U is the choice for mobile users who need strong single-thread performance and efficiency. Its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for thin laptops, and it wins in encryption, integer math, physics, and the PassMark single-thread test. The DDR5 memory support and ECC capability are additional advantages for certain professional use cases.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the split: Intel sits at 23718, AMD at 22791. The Intel part ranks in the 76th percentile of all CPUs, and the AMD part also ranks in the 76th percentile. The nearest rivals for Intel include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U (0% delta) and the Intel Xeon 6333P (-0.4% delta). The nearest rivals for AMD include the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X (-0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U (-0.5% delta).

Neither processor is a universal winner. The Intel part is a desktop workhorse with a clear multi-core advantage. The AMD part is a mobile efficiency champion with specific single-thread and encryption strengths. The choice comes down to the platform and the workload, and the benchmark data makes that distinction unambiguous.