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

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U and Intel Core i7-11700KF represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing: one is a modern, power-sipping mobile processor, and the other is a high-power desktop part from an older generation. The benchmark data reveals a clear split, with the Intel chip winning 14 of 19 head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip takes 5 wins, mostly in single-threaded and specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U establishes its dominance in single-threaded performance and specialized tasks. Its most notable victory comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 2127 against Intel’s 1938, a 9.8% advantage. This carries over to PassMark’s single-thread test, where the AMD chip scores 3524 versus Intel’s 3368, a 4.6% lead. The AMD processor also excels in prime number finding, scoring 74 versus Intel’s 62, a significant 19.4% margin, and in physics calculations, where it posts 1169 against Intel’s 985, an 18.7% improvement.

The Intel Core i7-11700KF, by contrast, wins every multi-threaded Cinebench test and most PassMark workloads. Its largest victories are in data compression, where it scores 317712 against AMD’s 240032, a 24.4% gap, and extended instructions, where it posts 22247 versus AMD’s 17019, a 23.5% lead. The Intel chip also wins decisively in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 10565 versus 8595, an 18.6% margin, and in floating-point math, with 50571 versus 41093, an 18.7% edge. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel leads with 20214 against AMD’s 17936, an 11.3% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors could not be more different in construction. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U uses the Zen 4 architecture on TSMC’s 4 nm process node, with a die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core i7-11700KF uses the older Rocket Lake architecture on Intel’s 14 nm process, with a much larger die size of 276 mm². It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Cache configurations also differ meaningfully. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and also 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support diverges sharply: AMD uses DDR5 with dual-channel support and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip supports ECC memory; Intel does not. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Power consumption tells a stark story. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has a TDP of just 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF has a TDP of 125 watts. That is an 8.3x difference in thermal design power. The AMD chip is mobile-oriented on Socket FP8, while Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1200. The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon 760M graphics; Intel has no integrated graphics at all. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, while AMD’s is not.

The Verdict

The data suggests two entirely different intended use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins in single-threaded performance and in tasks like prime number finding and physics calculations, making it the better fit for workloads that rely on quick, responsive single-core execution while maintaining extremely low power draw. Its 15-watt TDP versus Intel’s 125-watt TDP means it can operate in slim laptops without active cooling, yet still deliver competitive single-core scores.

The Intel Core i7-11700KF is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity and content creation. Its 14 benchmark wins, including all Cinebench multi-core tests and heavy PassMark workloads like data compression and extended instructions, show that it remains a capable desktop workhorse despite being from an older generation. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration gives it a raw parallel advantage that the 6-core, 12-thread AMD chip cannot overcome in well-threaded applications.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, with AMD at 78 and Intel at 77, and average benchmark scores are almost exactly equal (25485 versus 25423). This suggests the two chips trade blows depending on the workload. The deciding factor for most users should be the platform: if you need a low-power, mobile-capable processor with integrated graphics and DDR5 support, the AMD chip is the obvious choice. If you need maximum multi-threaded throughput on a desktop platform with DDR4, the Intel chip delivers more raw performance in most scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins in Geekbench single-core with 2127 versus Intel’s 1938, a 9.8% advantage. It also wins in PassMark single-thread with 3524 versus Intel’s 3368, a 4.6% edge.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel leads with 20214 versus AMD’s 17936, an 11.3% margin. The gap widens to 18.6% in Geekbench multi-core, where Intel scores 10565 and AMD scores 8595.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF has a TDP of 125 watts. This is an 8.3x difference in thermal design power.

Q: Does the AMD chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U includes Radeon 760M integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-11700KF does not support ECC.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip has roughly 75% more theoretical memory bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700KF dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 20214 against AMD’s 17936, an 11.3% advantage. The same 11.3% delta appears across Cinebench R15 multi-core (2037 versus 1807), R15 single-core (287 versus 255), R20 multi-core (8489 versus 7533), R20 single-core (1198 versus 1063), and R23 single-core (2853 versus 2532). These consistent deltas suggest a systematic performance advantage in this benchmark family.

Geekbench tells a different story. Intel wins multi-core decisively, scoring 10565 versus 8595, an 18.6% margin. But AMD wins single-core with 2127 versus 1938, a 9.8% advantage. This split highlights that the Intel chip’s extra cores and threads drive its multi-core wins, while the AMD chip’s newer architecture gives it superior single-thread execution.

PassMark results show Intel’s broad dominance in most workloads. The biggest Intel win is in data compression, where it scores 317712 versus AMD’s 240032, a 24.4% gap. Extended instructions also favor Intel heavily, with 22247 versus 17019, a 23.5% delta. Random string sorting goes to Intel by 19.1% (36309 versus 29382), floating-point math by 18.7% (50571 versus 41093), and integer math by 17.4% (85377 versus 70483). Data encryption is closer, with Intel winning by just 1.8% (15229 versus 14954). PassMark multi-thread shows Intel ahead by 11.4% (23819 versus 21115).

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U’s wins in PassMark are concentrated in specific areas. Its biggest victory is in prime number finding, scoring 74 versus Intel’s 62, a 19.4% margin. Physics calculations also go AMD’s way, with 1169 versus 985, an 18.7% edge. The single-thread and singlethread tests both show AMD ahead by 4.6% (3524 versus 3368). These wins suggest the AMD architecture handles certain algorithmic patterns more efficiently, despite losing most aggregate workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and electrical specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF has 8 cores and 16 threads. AMD’s base clock is 3.50 GHz versus Intel’s 3.60 GHz; AMD’s boost clock is 4.90 GHz versus Intel’s 5.00 GHz. The AMD chip uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process with a 178 mm² die size, while Intel uses Rocket Lake on a 14 nm Intel process with a 276 mm² die size.

Cache layouts differ per core: AMD has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel has 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. Both have 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is entirely different, with AMD using DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and Intel using DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Only AMD supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

The AMD chip has a 15-watt TDP and includes Radeon 760M integrated graphics, while the Intel chip has a 125-watt TDP and no integrated graphics. AMD uses Socket FP8 for mobile platforms, while Intel uses Socket 1200 for desktops. Intel’s multiplier is unlocked, AMD’s is not. The Intel chip is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $374, while the AMD chip is still active in production.