AMD Ryzen 5 7640U vs Intel Core i7-11850H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U, which wins 16 of the 19 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core i7-11850H manages only 3 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific math workloads where its larger core count and different architecture pay off.

The single-core gap is the most striking story. In Geekbench single-core, the AMD part scores 2127 against Intel's 1703, a 24.9% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows a similar pattern: 3524 versus 3069, a 14.8% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors AMD, 2532 versus 2353, which is a 7.6% margin that repeats across all Cinebench tests, both single and multi-core. This consistency suggests the AMD architecture has a fundamental per-thread efficiency advantage, not just a clock speed edge.

In multi-core workloads, the AMD chip leads by a smaller but still consistent margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 17936 versus 16673, a 7.6% difference. Geekbench multi-core gives the AMD part 8595 against 8002, a 7.4% edge. The PassMark multithread score is 21115 versus 20059, a 5.3% win. Interestingly, the AMD chip achieves this despite having 2 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads, which points to a much stronger per-core throughput.

The encryption test produces one of the largest deltas. PassMark data encryption shows AMD at 14954 versus Intel's 12214, a 22.4% advantage. PassMark physics also goes heavily to AMD, 1169 versus 954, a 22.5% margin. These are not small differences, they represent real workload advantages that will show up in daily use.

The Intel chip's wins are narrow but real. PassMark integer math goes to Intel, 71996 versus 70483, a 2.1% edge. Floating point math also favors Intel, 42540 versus 41093, a 3.4% margin. The largest Intel win is in find prime numbers, where it scores 87 versus AMD's 74, a 14.9% advantage. These three wins suggest Intel retains an edge in certain pure calculation loops, but the overall pattern is clear, AMD dominates the broader benchmark suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U is built on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core i7-11850H uses Tiger Lake-H architecture on Intel's 10 nm process. The process node difference is significant, as it directly contributes to the AMD chip's power efficiency and frequency capabilities.

Core configuration differs substantially. AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel uses 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel chip has a 2-core and 4-thread advantage on paper, yet it loses most benchmarks. The cache layout also differs. AMD allocates 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. Intel assigns 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a larger 24 MB shared L3. The larger Intel L3 does not translate into benchmark wins in most cases.

Clock speeds tell a complementary story. AMD lists a 3.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, while Intel lists 2.10 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The AMD chip runs at a higher base clock by a wide margin, 3.50 versus 2.10 GHz, which helps in sustained workloads. The boost clocks are closer, 4.90 versus 4.80 GHz, but the AMD chip still edges ahead.

Memory support differs completely. AMD supports DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 with dual-channel and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. This is a major architectural split, the AMD platform provides nearly 75% more memory bandwidth, which helps in memory-sensitive tasks. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes Radeon 760M, while Intel has UHD Graphics 750. The die sizes are similar, 178 mm² for AMD and 190 mm² for Intel, but AMD packs 25,000 million transistors into its smaller die. Intel's transistor count is not listed in the database.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The AMD chip has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel chip has a 35 W TDP. The AMD part delivers higher performance across most benchmarks while drawing less than half the power budget, which is a remarkable efficiency result from the 4 nm process.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins in almost every category that matters for general productivity and content creation. Single-thread performance is decisively better, which affects everything from web browsing to application responsiveness. The 24.9% Geekbench single-core lead and 14.8% PassMark single-thread lead mean everyday tasks will feel snappier on the AMD system.

Multi-threaded workloads also favor AMD despite the core deficit. Cinebench R23 multi-core, a standard rendering test, goes to AMD by 7.6%. PassMark multithread also favors AMD by 5.3%. Encryption is a clear AMD strength, with a 22.4% lead in data encryption, which matters for VPNs, disk encryption, and secure communications. Physics simulation also goes strongly to AMD, with a 22.5% margin, relevant for gaming physics and scientific computing.

The Intel Core i7-11850H wins in a narrow band of calculation-heavy tasks. Integer math goes to Intel by 2.1%, floating point by 3.4%, and prime number finding by a substantial 14.9%. These are synthetic loop tests that stress raw arithmetic throughput. If a workload is dominated by tight integer or floating-point loops without much memory access, the Intel chip has an edge. The larger 24 MB L3 cache likely helps keep these loops in cache.

Random string sorting goes to AMD by 3.5%, and data compression goes to AMD by a slim 1.3%. Extended instructions favor AMD by 7.8%. The overall pattern is that AMD wins breadth and efficiency, Intel wins specific math kernels.

The Verdict

The recorded data strongly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U for most users. It wins 16 of 19 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, both Geekbench tests, and most PassMark workloads. It does this while running at a 15 W TDP versus Intel's 35 W TDP, which is a massive efficiency advantage. For thin-and-light laptops, this means less heat, longer battery life, and still better performance.

The Intel Core i7-11850H makes sense only for workloads that specifically benefit from its strengths. If your primary tasks involve pure math loops, such as certain scientific simulations or number crunching, the Intel chip's wins in integer math, floating point, and prime number finding could matter. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration also provides headroom in heavily threaded scenarios, though the benchmark data shows AMD still wins most multi-core tests.

For a typical buyer, the AMD chip is the better choice based on benchmark results alone. The single-core advantage alone justifies it, since most applications are still single-thread bound. The multi-core wins on lower power draw make it a compelling option for any mobile workstation. The Intel chip is not obsolete, but it is clearly behind in this matchup.

The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i7-11850H is $395, which can be noted for reference. The AMD chip has no listed launch price in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins all single-core tests. Geekbench single-core shows 2127 versus 1703, a 24.9% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2532 versus 2353, a 7.6% margin.

Q: Does the Intel chip's extra cores help in multi-threaded workloads?

A: Not enough to win. Despite having 8 cores and 16 threads versus AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads, Intel loses Cinebench R23 multi-core 16673 versus 17936, a 7.6% deficit. PassMark multithread also goes to AMD, 21115 versus 20059.

Q: Which chip is more power efficient?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-11850H has a 35 W TDP. The AMD chip wins the majority of benchmarks while using less than half the power envelope.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: AMD supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel configuration. AMD also supports ECC memory, Intel does not.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Intel chip wins?

A: Yes, three specific PassMark tests. Integer math goes to Intel 71996 versus 70483, floating point math goes to Intel 42540 versus 41093, and find prime numbers goes to Intel 87 versus 74.

Q: What is the overall benchmark win count?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins 16 of 19 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i7-11850H wins 3 tests. The AMD chip also has a higher percentile ranking, 78 versus 77, among all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7640U | Intel Core i7-11850H |

|---------------|-------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Release Date | 2023-05-02 | 2021-05-10 |