AMD Ryzen 5 7540U vs Intel Core i5-11600 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-11600 and AMD Ryzen 5 7540U are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, but the database shows they are optimized for entirely different workloads. The Intel chip, a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, dominates in long-form rendering tasks, while the AMD mobile processor, with a 28 W TDP, counters with superior performance across most single-thread and encryption tests.

For users selecting a desktop CPU for sustained multi-core rendering, the Intel Core i5-11600 is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,269 is a massive 47.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U's 10,383 in the same test. This is a decisive win for video encoding, 3D rendering, and any workload that scales across all threads for extended periods. The Intel part also leads in data compression (218,062 vs 211,581, a 3.1% edge) and extended instructions (15,698 vs 15,307, a 2.6% edge), making it the better option for content creation suites.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U is the better choice for mobile users who need responsive single-threaded performance and power efficiency. It wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test decisively (264 vs 217, a 17.8% advantage), and the PassMark single-thread test (3,544 vs 3,284, a 7.3% edge). Its lower 28 W TDP means it fits into thin-and-light laptops, whereas the Intel chip's 65 W TDP requires a desktop platform. The AMD part also wins the encryption benchmark (12,563 vs 11,060, a 12% lead) and physics test (964 vs 891, a 7.6% edge).

The overall win count favors the AMD processor, taking 9 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks. However, the magnitude of Intel's Cinebench R23 multi-core victory is so large that it outweighs the AMD chip's more numerous but often smaller wins. The data suggests a simple rule: for desktop rendering, pick the Intel; for mobile single-thread responsiveness, pick the AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from opposite design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The Intel Core i5-11600 uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process with a much smaller 178 mm² die. This node advantage helps AMD pack 25,000 million transistors into a smaller area.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Intel chip offers 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, a larger 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the AMD part likely contribute to its single-thread performance advantage, as more data can be stored closer to the cores.

Memory support is another major divider. The Intel processor uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip uses DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with a substantially higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. Both CPUs provide PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, but the Intel chip lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU, whereas the AMD chip includes Radeon 740M integrated graphics.

The market segments and sockets are entirely different. Intel uses Socket 1200 and targets desktops, while AMD uses Socket FP7 and targets mobile laptops. The Intel chip has been marked as end-of-life, with a release date of March 2021, while the AMD chip is active and was released in May 2023. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster for multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600 is significantly faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 15,269 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U's 10,383, a 47.1% advantage. It also leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core with 1,538 versus 1,676? No, that is the AMD win. The Intel wins the R23 multi-core test by a wide margin.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U win any multi-core tests?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1,676 vs 1,538, an 8.2% lead) and the PassMark multi-thread test (18,576 vs 17,918, a 3.5% edge). It also wins PassMark physics (964 vs 891, a 7.6% lead).

Q: Which CPU has better single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U holds a clear edge. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 17.8% (264 vs 217) and PassMark single-thread by 7.3% (3,544 vs 3,284). The Intel chip, however, wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 26.8% (2,155 vs 1,699).

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600 has a TDP of 65 W, designed for desktop cooling. The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U has a TDP of 28 W, suitable for mobile laptops.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U supports DDR5 memory, with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-11600 is limited to DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-11600 has no integrated graphics according to the database. The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U includes Radeon 740M integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors share core and thread counts (6 cores, 12 threads) but diverge on nearly every other specification. The Intel Core i5-11600 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Despite the AMD chip having higher clocks, the Intel chip wins the R23 multi-core test, suggesting the AMD chip's power limits or thermal constraints in mobile form factors affect sustained performance.

The process node is a major difference: Intel uses 14 nm, AMD uses 4 nm. The die size is 276 mm² for Intel versus 178 mm² for AMD. AMD's transistor count is listed as 25,000 million, while Intel's is not provided. Cache sizes differ as detailed above, with AMD having more L2 and L3 cache per core. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel, DDR5 for AMD, with bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only by AMD. The Intel chip uses Socket 1200, the AMD chip uses Socket FP7. Intel's market segment is Desktop, AMD's is Mobile. Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Intel has a launch MSRP of $213, while AMD's launch MSRP is not listed. Both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data reveals a clear split between the two CPUs. The Intel Core i5-11600 wins 6 of 15 head-to-head tests, but its victories are often decisive. The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U wins 9 tests, but many are close.

The most striking result is Cinebench R23 multi-core. Intel scores 15,269, AMD scores 10,383, giving Intel a 47.1% lead. This is the largest margin in either direction. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel also wins, scoring 2,155 versus AMD's 1,699, a 26.8% advantage. These two wins alone make the Intel chip the superior choice for sustained desktop rendering workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U counters in the older Cinebench R15 tests. It wins multi-core with 1,676 versus 1,538 (an 8.2% lead) and single-core with 264 versus 217 (a 17.8% lead). The AMD chip also dominates PassMark encryption, scoring 12,563 versus 11,060, a 12% edge. In PassMark physics, AMD leads 964 to 891, a 7.6% margin. The AMD chip wins PassMark floating point math (36,077 vs 35,478, a 1.7% lead) and PassMark find prime numbers (66 vs 56, a 15.2% lead). It also takes PassMark multi-thread (18,576 vs 17,918, a 3.5% edge) and PassMark single-thread (3,544 vs 3,284, a 7.3% lead).

The Intel chip's other wins are narrower. It leads PassMark data compression (218,062 vs 211,581, a 3.1% edge), PassMark extended instructions (15,698 vs 15,307, a 2.6% lead), and PassMark random string sorting (25,178 vs 24,760, a 1.7% edge). PassMark integer math is essentially a tie, with Intel scoring 60,158 and AMD scoring 60,152, a 0% difference.

The benchmark results paint a nuanced picture. The Intel chip is a rendering monster in modern multi-core tests, but the AMD chip is more consistent across a broader range of everyday tasks, particularly those involving encryption, physics, and single-thread responsiveness. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes the massive R23 multi-core lead or the AMD chip's wider spread of smaller wins.