AMD Ryzen 5 8600G vs Intel Core i5-11500 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G and Intel Core i5-11500 are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors, but they represent two very different generations of silicon. The Ryzen 5 8600G, built on a 4 nm process with the Zen 4 architecture, is a far newer design than the 14 nm Rocket Lake-based Core i5-11500. Benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the AMD part, with the Ryzen 5 8600G winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons. Despite this, both CPUs sit at the 76th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with average benchmark scores of 24089 for the AMD and 23718 for the Intel, indicating that the older chip remains competitive in overall system context.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-11500 boosts to 4.60 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 4.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for the Intel.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 8600G scores 21503 against 14513 for the Core i5-11500, a 48.2% advantage. The PassMark multithread test shows a similar gap, with the AMD scoring 25294 versus 17107, a 47.9% lead.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory type?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-11500 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a lower 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-11500 has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the traditional sense.

Q: Which CPU has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-11500 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD also has a larger L2 cache at 1 MB per core versus 512 KB per core for the Intel.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is listed as "Active" production, meaning it is currently available. The Intel Core i5-11500 is listed as "End-of-life", indicating it is no longer in production.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, and is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. This is a stark contrast to the Intel Core i5-11500, which uses the Rocket Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process. The transistor counts reflect this gap: the AMD chip packs 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the Intel chip's die size is listed at 276 mm² with no transistor count provided.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i5-11500 has a larger L1 at 80 KB per core but smaller L2 at 512 KB per core and a smaller 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is a major divider, with the AMD supporting DDR5 and a theoretical bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel supports DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s.

Both CPUs feature integrated graphics, but they are different units. The AMD uses the Radeon 760M, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 750. The platforms also diverge: the AMD uses Socket AM5, while the Intel uses Socket 1200. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all 17 tests. There is no test in the data set where the Intel Core i5-11500 comes out ahead. This means the AMD processor is the superior choice for every workload measured, from single-threaded tasks to heavily multithreaded applications.

For users prioritizing raw computational throughput, the Ryzen 5 8600G dominates. Its largest wins come in passmark_data_encryption (62.2% ahead), passmark_physics (76.2% ahead), and passmark_find_prime_numbers (88.2% ahead). Even in its smallest victory, passmark_single_thread, the AMD leads by 23.9%. The Intel Core i5-11500, while matching the AMD in percentile ranking at 76th, does not offer any specific workload segment where it can claim a win.

The only area where the Intel might be considered competitive is in the broader context of its average score. With an average benchmark score of 23718, it is only 1.5% behind the AMD's 24089. However, this aggregate metric masks the fact that in every direct comparison, the AMD is faster. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U and Intel Core 3 100HL, reflecting a similar performance tier, but the head-to-head data leaves no room for an Intel advantage.

Specification Differences

The specifications show a clear generational shift. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, significantly higher than the Intel's 2.70 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, but the AMD's TDP is listed at 65W, matching the Intel's 65W.

The process node is a major difference: 4 nm for the AMD versus 14 nm for the Intel. This leads to differences in die size (178 mm² for AMD vs 276 mm² for Intel) and transistor count (25,000 million for AMD vs no data for Intel). Memory support is DDR5 for the AMD and DDR4 for the Intel, with bandwidths of 83.2 GB/s and 51.2 GB/s respectively.

Cache configurations differ in both L1 and L2. The AMD has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, while the Intel has 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. L3 is 16 MB shared on the AMD versus 12 MB shared on the Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon 760M on the AMD and UHD Graphics 750 on the Intel.

The AMD is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel is not. The sockets differ (AM5 vs 1200), and the production status is Active for AMD and End-of-life for Intel. The launch MSRP for the AMD is $229, and for the Intel it is $192.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent and massive performance gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 21503 against the Intel's 14513, a 48.2% difference. The single-core test tells a similar story: 3035 versus 2049, a 48.1% lead for the AMD. This pattern repeats across older Cinebench versions; R20 multi-core shows 9031 versus 6095 (48.2%), and R15 multi-core shows 2167 versus 1462 (48.2%). The consistency of these deltas suggests a fundamental clock-for-clock and IPC advantage for the Zen 4 architecture.

PassMark results also favor the AMD, though the margins vary by workload. The largest win is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the AMD scores 96 versus 51, an 88.2% advantage. PassMark physics shows a 76.2% lead (1450 vs 823), and data encryption shows a 62.2% lead (17181 vs 10592). Integer math sees the smallest gap among the multithreaded tests, with the AMD at 77042 versus 58352, a 32% lead.

Single-threaded performance is closer but still solidly in the AMD's favor. PassMark single-thread scores are 3878 for the AMD and 3131 for the Intel, a 23.9% difference. This is the narrowest margin in the entire data set, but it still represents a significant advantage in lightly threaded applications. The overall pattern is that the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G wins every test by at least 23.9%, with most wins exceeding 39%.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is the superior processor in every benchmark measured. It wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with advantages ranging from 23.9% in single-threaded PassMark to 88.2% in prime number finding. The Cinebench multi-core results show a consistent 48.2% lead, indicating that the Zen 4 architecture and higher clock speeds translate directly into better performance across the board.

For users building a new system, the Ryzen 5 8600G is the obvious choice from a performance standpoint. It offers a higher boost clock, more cache, faster memory support, and a smaller, more efficient manufacturing process. The fact that it is still in active production while the Intel is end-of-life further supports choosing the AMD part. The unlocked multiplier also gives enthusiasts flexibility that the locked Intel chip cannot provide.

The Intel Core i5-11500, despite its age, is not a slouch in the grand scheme of things. It sits at the same 76th percentile as the AMD and has a nearly identical average benchmark score (23718 vs 24089). However, that average is dragged down by the lack of 3DMark scores in its data set, and the direct comparisons leave no doubt. The Intel part would only be a reasonable pick for users with existing Socket 1200 motherboards and DDR4 memory who cannot justify a platform change. For everyone else, the benchmark results recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G without reservation.