AMD Ryzen 5 7640U vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700K and AMD Ryzen 5 7640U represent two very different philosophies in processor design: a desktop-focused, high-power part against a mobile-focused, ultra-efficient one. The benchmark data shows a clear split, with the Intel chip winning 14 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD chip takes 5. The Intel Core i7-11700K’s victories are often substantial, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U’s wins are narrower but consistent in specific workloads. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 25812, slightly ahead of the AMD’s 25485, though both land at the 78th percentile among all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided results come from PassMark’s extended instruction tests. In `passmark_extended_instructions`, the Intel Core i7-11700K scores 22964 against the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U’s 17019, a 34.9% advantage. Similarly, in `passmark_data_compression`, Intel leads with 322689 versus 240032, a 34.4% delta. These are the two largest margins in the entire comparison, indicating a significant edge in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets and data throughput.

The Cinebench suite shows a remarkably consistent pattern. Across all three versions (R15, R20, R23), the Intel Core i7-11700K leads by nearly the same margin. In `cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore`, Intel scores 20666 versus AMD’s 17936, a 15.2% lead. The same 15.2% delta appears in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore` (2917 vs 2532), `cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicore` (8679 vs 7533), `cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecore` (1225 vs 1063), `cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicore` (2082 vs 1807), and `cinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecore` (294 vs 255). This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for Intel in these rendering and 3D tasks, regardless of thread count or workload intensity.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In `geekbench_multicore`, Intel wins with 10521 versus 8595, a substantial 22.4% margin. However, in `geekbench_singlecore`, the tables turn: AMD’s 2127 beats Intel’s 1974 by 7.2%. This is one of the few tests where the mobile chip’s newer architecture shows a clear single-thread advantage.

PassMark’s math and physics tests further split the results. Intel dominates in `passmark_floating_point_math` (51119 vs 41093, 24.4% lead) and `passmark_integer_math` (86390 vs 70483, 22.6% lead). In `passmark_multithread`, Intel leads 24408 to 21115, a 15.6% advantage. However, AMD wins in `passmark_physics` with 1169 versus Intel’s 1039, an 11.1% margin. The `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test also goes to AMD, scoring 74 against Intel’s 66, a 10.8% lead.

The remaining tests show a mix. Intel wins `passmark_random_string_sorting` with 36755 versus 29382, a 25.1% lead, and `passmark_data_encryption` with 15638 versus 14954, a tighter 4.6% margin. In the single-threaded PassMark tests, AMD wins narrowly: `passmark_single_thread` shows 3524 for AMD against 3390 for Intel, a 3.8% difference. The `passmark_singlethread` result is identical, confirming the same outcome.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the clear winner in multi-threaded, compute-heavy workloads. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide a significant advantage over the AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads, which is reflected in the consistent 15-22% leads across Cinebench multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, and PassMark multi-thread tests. The data also shows Intel’s strength in data compression (34.4% lead), extended instructions (34.9% lead), floating-point math (24.4% lead), and integer math (22.6% lead). For users running rendering, scientific simulations, or heavy multitasking, the Intel part is the better choice according to the data.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins in specific single-threaded and physics-based scenarios. Its 7.2% lead in Geekbench single-core and 3.8% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate a more efficient per-core performance, likely from its newer Zen 4 architecture. The 11.1% win in PassMark physics and 10.8% win in prime number finding suggest advantages in certain algorithmic workloads. These wins, while fewer, point to a CPU that excels in responsiveness and specific computational patterns rather than raw throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has an average benchmark score of 25812, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has an average score of 25485. Both processors sit at the 78th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How large is the Intel’s lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K scores 20666 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U’s 17936. This represents a 15.2% advantage for Intel.

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U have its largest winning margin?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U’s largest winning margin is in PassMark physics, where it scores 1169 against Intel’s 1039, an 11.1% lead.

Q: What is the difference in single-core Geekbench scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U scores 2127 in Geekbench single-core, while the Intel Core i7-11700K scores 1974. AMD leads by 7.2% in this test.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks does each processor win?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K wins 14 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U winning the remaining 5.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is in core count. The Intel Core i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are close, with Intel at 3.60 GHz and AMD at 3.50 GHz, but the Intel boost clock is 5.00 GHz versus AMD’s 4.90 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is dramatically different: Intel is rated at 125 W, while AMD is rated at just 15 W, reflecting the mobile versus desktop market split.

Memory support differs completely. Intel supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while AMD supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and a much higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, but the Intel is on Socket 1200 while the AMD uses Socket FP8.

The integrated graphics are different: Intel has UHD Graphics 750, while AMD has Radeon 760M. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD is locked. The Intel is end-of-life with a release date of 2021-03-15, while the AMD is active with a release date of 2023-05-02. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $399, while the AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-11700K is built on Intel’s Rocket Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U uses AMD’s Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. This process difference is stark: 14 nm versus 4 nm. The AMD chip has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the Intel chip’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ notably. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but 1 MB of L2 cache per core, also with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 cache per core on the AMD may contribute to its single-thread advantages.

The Intel is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD is a mobile part with a locked multiplier. The AMD’s transistor count and die size are explicitly listed, but the Intel’s are not. The Intel’s integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD has Radeon 760M. Both support 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, but the memory controller differs entirely, with Intel on DDR4 and AMD on DDR5.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-11700K is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and compute-intensive tasks. Its wins in all three Cinebench versions, Geekbench multi-core, and PassMark multi-thread, float point, integer, compression, and extended instructions make it the clear choice for rendering, scientific computing, and heavy multitasking. The 15.2% lead across the entire Cinebench suite and the 34.9% lead in extended instructions are decisive. Users needing maximum throughput should choose the Intel part.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U is the better option for single-threaded responsiveness and specific algorithmic workloads. Its wins in Geekbench single-core, PassMark single-thread, physics, and prime number finding indicate a more efficient per-core design. The 7.2% Geekbench single-core lead and the 11.1% physics win are meaningful for applications that rely heavily on single-thread performance. The AMD also offers a much larger memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus Intel’s 51.2 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory.

The choice comes down to workload. For a desktop user prioritizing multi-core performance in content creation or data processing, the Intel Core i7-11700K’s 14 benchmark wins make it the data-backed selection. For a mobile user prioritizing battery life and single-thread speed, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U is the better fit, despite its lower core count and TDP of 15 W. Both processors sit at the 78th percentile, meaning they are comparable in overall standing, but the nature of their wins is distinctly different.