AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS vs Intel Core i9-11980HK Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a close contest between two mobile processors from different eras. The Intel Core i9-11980HK and AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS sit at nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the Intel part averaging 30422 and the AMD part averaging 30390. The deltaPct between them is a mere 0.1%, placing them as direct rivals in the database. The Ryzen 5 7640HS wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Core i9-11980HK wins 6. However, the magnitude of those wins tells a different story.

The Intel Core i9-11980HK is the processor to choose for heavily multithreaded, long-duration rendering workloads. Its victory in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test is decisive, scoring 18617 against the AMD's 12554, a 48.3% advantage. It also leads in single-core Cinebench R23 by a massive 53.2%, with scores of 2628 versus 1715.5. For users running CPU-bound 3D rendering or video encoding, this Intel chip is clearly the stronger option.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS is the better pick for general system responsiveness and security-related tasks. It wins the PassMark single-thread test with 3654 against the Intel's 3261, a 10.8% lead. Its advantage in data encryption is also substantial, scoring 15867 versus 13813, a 12.9% margin. For users who prioritize snappy application launches, encryption, and instruction-heavy workloads, the AMD processor is the safer recommendation.

Given the near-identical average scores, the choice hinges on workload specifics. The Intel chip is a specialist for rendering; the AMD chip is a more balanced generalist. Both share the 81st percentile ranking among all CPUs, confirming their comparable overall standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The Intel Core i9-11980HK is built on Intel's 10 nm process node, using the Tiger Lake-H architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS is manufactured on a 4 nm node at TSMC, using the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix codename. It has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Intel part provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a large 24 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD part has smaller per-core caches, with 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2, plus a 16 MB shared L3 cache. Despite fewer cores, the AMD chip has a higher base clock of 4.30 GHz versus the Intel's 2.60 GHz. Both processors boost to 5.00 GHz.

The memory ecosystems are entirely different. Intel supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. AMD supports DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with a much higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. Both CPUs offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel featuring UHD Graphics 750 and AMD featuring Radeon 760M. The die sizes are comparable, with Intel at 190 mm² and AMD at 178 mm², though AMD's transistor count is listed at 25,000 million. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part is locked. The Intel socket is BGA 1787, while AMD uses Socket FP8.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK has an average benchmark score of 30422, which is just 0.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS's average score of 30390. This places them as nearly identical overall performers.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK wins decisively, scoring 18617 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS's 12554. This represents a 48.3% advantage for the Intel processor in this multi-threaded rendering workload.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3654, compared to the Intel Core i9-11980HK's 3261. That is a 10.8% lead for AMD in this specific test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-11980HK have more cores?

A: Yes, the Intel processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. This core advantage likely contributes to the Intel chip's large wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-11980HK supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. AMD's memory bandwidth is significantly higher.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-11980HK does not have ECC memory support.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i9-11980HK has more cores (8 versus 6) and more threads (16 versus 12). Its base clock is much lower at 2.60 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS starts at 4.30 GHz. Both share the same 5.00 GHz boost clock.

The process nodes are different: Intel uses a 10 nm process, while AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel chip has a TDP of 45 watts, whereas the AMD chip has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel processor uses the BGA 1787 socket, and the AMD uses the FP8 socket.

Cache layouts differ per core and in total. Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 24 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and DDR5 for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for Intel and 89.6 GB/s for AMD. ECC support is absent on Intel, present on AMD.

The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750 for Intel and Radeon 760M for AMD. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD part is locked. The Intel processor has a launch MSRP of $583, while the AMD processor has no listed launch MSRP. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a split personality between the two processors. The Intel Core i9-11980HK dominates the Cinebench R23 tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS sweeps the PassMark and Cinebench R15 tests.

The Intel chip's biggest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2628 versus the AMD's 1715.5. This 53.2% advantage is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Its multi-core Cinebench R23 win is also substantial at 48.3%, with scores of 18617 against 12554. Intel also wins the PassMark find prime numbers test, scoring 100 versus 77, a 29.9% margin. Smaller Intel wins include floating point math (46262 versus 45220, a 2.3% lead) and integer math (78682 versus 73284, a 7.4% lead). The random string sorting test goes to Intel by a razor-thin 0.2% margin, scoring 31709 versus 31654.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS wins more tests overall but with smaller margins in most cases. Its largest win is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3654 against the Intel's 3261, a 10.8% lead. The extended instructions test shows a 14.1% AMD advantage, with scores of 20556 versus 17654. Data encryption goes to AMD by 12.9%, with scores of 15867 versus 13813. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test is close, with AMD winning 1978 versus 1876, a 5.2% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core is even closer, at 269.5 versus 264, a 2% lead for AMD. The PassMark multi-thread test goes to AMD by 2.4%, scoring 22979 versus 22436. Physics performance favors AMD by 3.7%, with 1155 versus 1112. Data compression is a near-tie, with AMD scoring 269524 versus Intel's 266571, a 1.1% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11980HK is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 48.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the superior choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other long-duration CPU-intensive tasks. The 53.2% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 also suggests an advantage in legacy single-threaded applications that rely on this specific benchmark. Intel also shows strength in prime number calculations, with a 29.9% lead, making it better suited for mathematical or scientific workloads that rely on integer operations. The floating point math win (2.3%) and integer math win (7.4%) reinforce this pattern of Intel superiority in compute-heavy tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS wins the broader set of general-purpose tests. Its 10.8% lead in PassMark single-thread suggests faster day-to-day application responsiveness. The 14.1% advantage in extended instructions indicates better performance for workloads using SIMD or specialized instruction sets. The 12.9% win in data encryption makes it the better choice for security-related tasks, VPNs, or encrypted storage. The AMD chip also edges out Intel in Cinebench R15 multi-core (5.2%) and single-core (2%), suggesting better performance in older software versions. The PassMark multi-thread win (2.4%) and physics win (3.7%) round out a picture of a more consistent, balanced processor.

For users who need maximum rendering throughput, the Intel Core i9-11980HK is the data-backed choice. For users who want a well-rounded mobile processor with superior memory bandwidth, ECC support, and wins in encryption and single-threaded tasks, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS is the better fit. The overall scores are nearly tied, so the decision should be driven by the specific application mix.