AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs Intel Core i5-11600K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G and the Intel Core i5-11600K shows a clear pattern: the Ryzen 5 8500G dominates in the majority of tests, taking 20 wins out of 25 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel chip manages only 5 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific 3DMark multi-threaded workloads and one PassMark test.

The most lopsided result comes from PassMark's prime number finding test. The Ryzen 5 8500G scores 87 versus the Intel's 58, giving AMD a 50% advantage. This is a dramatic gap that points to a substantial architectural efficiency difference in integer-heavy, branch-dependent workloads.

In the Cinebench suite, the AMD chip shows consistent 11% advantages across the board. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the Ryzen 5 8500G score 18,368 against 16,552 for the Intel, while single-core R23 shows 2,593 versus 2,336. The R15 and R20 results follow the same pattern at 11% and 11.1% in AMD's favor for multi-core and single-core respectively. These are not marginal differences; they represent a comfortable generational edge in rendering workloads.

Geekbench single-core is another standout for the Ryzen 5 8500G. The AMD part scores 2,354 against 1,973, a 19.3% lead. Geekbench multi-core is closer, with 9,444 versus 9,238, a 2.2% margin. The single-core gap is particularly relevant for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

PassMark single-thread results echo this story. The Ryzen 5 8500G scores 3,891 versus 3,344, another 16.4% advantage. PassMark data encryption shows a 16.4% lead as well (14,220 versus 12,212), and PassMark physics shows a 39.6% margin (1,318 versus 944). These are sizeable wins in compute-heavy, latency-sensitive tasks.

The Intel Core i5-11600K's wins come in 3DMark multi-threaded tests. The 16-thread test shows Intel ahead at 6,247 versus 5,224, a 16.4% margin in Intel's favor. The 4-thread test gives Intel a 10.9% lead (3,512 versus 3,130), and the 8-thread test shows a 13.3% edge (5,268 versus 4,565). The max-threads test is the largest Intel win at 16.9% (6,270 versus 5,213). Notably, in 3DMark single-thread, AMD takes the win at 998 versus 967, a 3.2% margin.

PassMark integer math is the only non-3DMark test where Intel wins, scoring 64,664 versus 63,123, a 2.4% edge. This suggests the Intel architecture still holds its own in pure integer throughput, even if it loses in virtually every other measured category.

Other AMD wins include PassMark extended instructions (19,098 versus 17,615, up 8.4%), random string sorting (29,407 versus 27,870, up 5.5%), floating-point math (39,074 versus 38,269, up 2.1%), data compression (250,197 versus 242,740, up 3.1%), and multithread (21,610 versus 19,527, up 10.7%).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this dominance. The Ryzen 5 8500G averages 20,425 across its benchmark suite, while the Intel averages 19,786. Both chips sit near the 74th and 73rd percentile of all CPUs respectively, so they occupy similar tiers overall, but the Ryzen 5 8500G is consistently ahead in the categories that matter most for modern workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins 20 of the 25 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-11600K wins 5.

Q: How large is the Ryzen 5 8500G's lead in single-threaded performance?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the AMD chip leads by 19.3% (2,354 versus 1,973). In PassMark single-thread, it leads by 16.4% (3,891 versus 3,344). Cinebench R23 single-core shows an 11% advantage (2,593 versus 2,336).

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Core i5-11600K wins?

A: Yes. Intel wins the 3DMark 16-thread, 4-thread, 8-thread, and max-threads tests, with margins ranging from 10.9% to 16.9%. Intel also wins PassMark integer math by 2.4%.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The Ryzen 5 8500G leads consistently in Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 scores 1,851 versus 1,668 (11% ahead), R20 scores 7,714 versus 6,951 (11% ahead), and R23 scores 18,368 versus 16,552 (11% ahead).

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the largest gap. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G scores 87 versus Intel's 58, a 50% difference.

Q: How do the overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has an average benchmark score of 20,425, while the Intel Core i5-11600K averages 19,786. The AMD part also sits at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, one point higher than Intel's 73rd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is built on the Zen 4 architecture using TSMC's 4 nm process node. This is a massive manufacturing advantage over the Intel Core i5-11600K, which uses Rocket Lake on Intel's 14 nm process. The die size reflects this difference: the AMD chip measures 137 mm² versus 276 mm² for the Intel. The AMD processor packs 20,900 million transistors into that much smaller die.

The codenames tell the story as well. AMD uses the Phoenix2 codename for this chip, and it belongs to the 8000 series. Intel uses the Rocket Lake codename for the 11th Gen Core series. These are fundamentally different design generations, with the AMD part arriving three years later in the market.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G 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 Core i5-11600K has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Intel has more L1 per core, but AMD has four times more L2 per core and 4 MB more L3 total.

Memory support is a major architectural split. The AMD chip uses DDR5 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. That is a substantial bandwidth advantage for the AMD platform. Additionally, the AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

The integrated graphics solutions differ as well. AMD pairs the Ryzen 5 8500G with the Radeon 740M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 750. Both provide display output without a discrete GPU, but they are different classes of integrated solutions.

PCIe support also differs. The AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU. The Intel chip provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Intel offers more PCIe lanes for expansion.

The Ryzen 5 8500G is classified as a mobile market segment part, while the Intel is a desktop part. The AMD chip's production status is active, while the Intel chip is end-of-life. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the AMD chip does not.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both processors have 6 cores and 12 threads. That is where the similarities end.

Clock speeds differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core i5-11600K has a higher base clock of 3.90 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.90 GHz. AMD wins on boost, Intel wins on base.

Thermal design power is dramatically different. The AMD chip is rated at 65 W TDP, while the Intel chip is rated at 125 W TDP. The AMD part delivers more performance in many tests while consuming a much lower thermal envelope.

Sockets are incompatible. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1200. Platform choice is a fork in the road for builders.

Process node differs: AMD uses 4 nm, Intel uses 14 nm. The foundry also differs: TSMC for AMD, Intel for the Intel chip.

Memory support differs completely: DDR5 for AMD, DDR4 for Intel. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 740M on the AMD, UHD Graphics 750 on the Intel.

The AMD chip has 14 PCIe lanes (Gen 4) from the CPU, while the Intel has 20 lanes (Gen 4).

Release dates are years apart: the AMD launched in January 2024, while the Intel launched in March 2021.

The Ryzen 5 8500G's launch MSRP is $179. The Intel Core i5-11600K's launch MSRP is $262.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most buyers. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G beats the Intel Core i5-11600K in 20 of 25 benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, both Geekbench tests, and the vast majority of PassMark tests. It does this with a 65 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP, on a smaller 4 nm process, with DDR5 memory support and ECC capability. The only meaningful Intel advantages are in 3DMark multi-threaded workloads and PassMark integer math.

The Intel Core i5-11600K is an end-of-life product. It sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, one point behind the AMD part. Its higher base clock does not translate into benchmark wins. Its larger L1 cache and extra PCIe lanes do not overcome the architectural advantages of the newer AMD design.

For a new build, the Ryzen 5 8500G is the better choice based on measured results. It wins in rendering, single-thread responsiveness, encryption, physics, and extended instruction workloads. It also offers a much lower thermal envelope and a more modern memory platform. The Intel chip only makes sense if the 3DMark multi-threaded results are the primary use case, or if the existing platform requires Intel Socket 1200.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the pick for rendering and content creation. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows an 11% lead, and the same margin appears across every Cinebench version tested. The PassMark physics test shows a 39.6% advantage, which matters for simulation and physics-based workloads. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows a 50% lead, indicating exceptional integer and branch prediction efficiency.

For single-threaded applications, the AMD chip is also the winner. Geekbench single-core shows a 19.3% margin, and PassMark single-thread shows 16.4%. This translates to snappier everyday use and better performance in lightly threaded software.

Encryption and data handling favor AMD. PassMark data encryption shows a 16.4% lead, and data compression shows 3.1%. Extended instructions show an 8.4% advantage. These matter for file archives, databases, and security-sensitive workloads.

The Intel Core i5-11600K wins in 3DMark multi-threaded tests. The 16-thread test shows a 16.4% margin, and the max-threads test shows 16.9%. If synthetic 3DMark multi-threaded scores are the priority, Intel takes this category. The 4-thread and 8-thread tests also favor Intel by 10.9% and 13.3% respectively.

PassMark integer math is the other Intel win, with a 2.4% margin. This is a narrow lead, but it indicates that Intel's integer arithmetic pipeline still has strengths. It is the only non-3DMark benchmark where Intel comes out ahead.

For power-sensitive builds, the AMD chip is the obvious choice. The 65 W TDP versus 125 W TDP means less heat, smaller cooling requirements, and lower system power draw. The AMD part also brings DDR5 memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for DDR4, which matters for memory-heavy workloads.

For platform longevity, AMD Socket AM5 with active production status is the safer bet. The Intel Socket 1200 platform is end-of-life. Builders looking at future upgrades should weigh this heavily.

For overclocking enthusiasts, the Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier and a higher base clock. However, the measured benchmark results show the AMD chip winning in most tests even without overclocking headroom. The Intel part's overclocking capability does not appear to overcome the architectural gap in the recorded data.