AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS and Intel Core i7-11700K are fundamentally different processors, and the benchmark data reflects a clear, if lopsided, contest. The Intel Core i7-11700K wins the overwhelming majority of head-to-head tests, with the AMD chip taking only three victories. However, the nature of those wins, combined with the platform context, tells a story that goes beyond raw scoreboard numbers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the dominant performer in this comparison, winning 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark contests. The most striking margin comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel chip scores 20,666 against the AMD's 11,486, a 44.4% advantage. This is not a small gap; it is a decisive, generation-level difference in sustained multi-threaded throughput. The single-core Cinebench R23 results follow a similar pattern, with Intel scoring 2,917 versus AMD's 1,711, a 41.3% lead. This suggests the Intel processor's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.90 GHz, translates into a substantial advantage in this specific workload.

The Geekbench multi-core test reinforces the Intel lead, with a score of 10,521 against 7,461, a 29.1% delta. Intel also wins the PassMark multi-thread test, scoring 24,408 versus 19,889, an 18.5% margin. In data compression, the Intel chip's 322,689 score is 29.8% higher than the AMD's 226,544, and in extended instructions, the 22,964 score represents a 31% advantage over the AMD's 15,855. The pattern is consistent: in most compute-heavy tasks, the Intel processor is significantly faster.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS is not without its bright spots. It wins the PassMark single-thread test, scoring 3,584 versus Intel's 3,390, a 5.7% advantage. This is a notable result, as it indicates that for certain lightly-threaded tasks, the Zen 4 architecture can outpace the Rocket Lake design. The AMD chip also wins the PassMark find prime numbers test, scoring 70 versus 66, a 6.1% margin. While these are just two tests, they demonstrate that the AMD processor is not universally slower.

The remaining Intel victories are spread across various workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel leads by 11.4% (2,082 vs 1,845). The single-core R15 test shows a 8.8% lead for Intel (294 vs 268). Geekbench single-core is closer, with Intel winning by 9.9% (1,974 vs 1,778). PassMark physics shows a 6.6% Intel advantage (1,039 vs 970), while floating-point math and integer math see Intel lead by 22.3% and 21.1% respectively. Data encryption shows a 13.3% Intel lead, and random string sorting a 25.7% lead.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the clear winner for any workload that leverages multiple cores and high sustained performance. The data shows it is substantially ahead in all multi-threaded rendering tests, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core, and in complex data manipulation tasks like compression and extended instruction sets. For a desktop user running heavy productivity applications, video encoding, or software compilation, the benchmark results indicate the Intel chip is the superior choice. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to the AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads, provide a structural advantage that shows up in almost every multi-threaded test.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS wins in specific, narrow scenarios. Its PassMark single-thread victory, with a 5.7% lead, suggests it has an edge in applications that are poorly optimized for multi-threading and rely on a single core's efficiency. The win in the find prime numbers test, which is often sensitive to instruction-level parallelism and integer execution, also points to a particular strength in certain algorithmic workloads. However, these are isolated wins. The data does not support a broader claim of superiority in any major application category beyond these specific tests.

It is critical to consider the market context. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS is a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, designed for laptops. The Intel Core i7-11700K is a desktop processor with a 125 W TDP. The benchmark results must be interpreted through this lens. The mobile chip is competing in a lower power envelope, and its performance is achieved within that constraint. The desktop chip has far more power available, and its higher scores are partly a function of that allowance.

The Verdict

For pure, unadulterated performance, the Intel Core i7-11700K is the definitive winner. The data is unambiguous: it is faster in 14 out of 17 tests, often by very large margins. If the task is to render a video, compress data, or run a demanding multi-threaded application, the Intel processor will finish the job faster. Its 44.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a massive gulf that cannot be overlooked. The single-thread win for the AMD chip in PassMark is real but small, and it does not offset the comprehensive Intel dominance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS should be the choice for a user who prioritizes the mobile form factor. Its 28 W TDP and integrated Radeon 760M graphics make it a viable component for a thin-and-light laptop. The benchmark data shows it is a capable processor, but it is not a performance leader in this comparison. Its wins in single-thread and prime number tests suggest it handles light workloads efficiently, but it is outclassed in heavy tasks. The Intel chip, with its 125 W TDP and end-of-life production status, is a desktop-only part that demands a significant cooling solution and power supply. The verdict is simple: pick Intel for maximum performance on a desktop, and pick AMD for a mobile device where the performance is adequate within a much lower power budget.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS has the higher PassMark single-thread score at 3,584, which is 5.7% higher than the Intel Core i7-11700K's score of 3,390.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K scores 20,666, which is 44.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS's score of 11,486.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS wins only the PassMark single-thread test and the PassMark find prime numbers test. The Intel Core i7-11700K wins all multi-threaded tests, including Cinebench R23 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, and PassMark multi-thread.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS has a TDP of 28 W, while the Intel Core i7-11700K has a TDP of 125 W.

Q: Which processor has a newer manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS is built on a 4 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-11700K is built on a 14 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS is based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, and is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It uses 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-11700K is based on the Rocket Lake architecture and is manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process. This difference in process technology is a major factor in their contrasting power profiles, as the AMD chip has a 28 W TDP compared to Intel's 125 W TDP.

The cache layouts also differ. 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 a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core, but a smaller L2 cache at 512 KB per core, also with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. In terms of memory, the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-11700K supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both processors feature integrated graphics, with the AMD chip using the Radeon 760M and the Intel chip using UHD Graphics 750. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Specification Differences

The specifications where the two chips differ are extensive. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-11700K has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the Intel chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. The TDP difference is significant: 28 W for AMD versus 125 W for Intel. The process node also differs, with AMD at 4 nm and Intel at 14 nm.

The sockets are incompatible, with the AMD chip using AMD Socket FP8 and the Intel chip using Intel Socket 1200. The memory support differs, with AMD using DDR5 and Intel using DDR4. The integrated graphics are different, with the AMD chip featuring the Radeon 760M and the Intel chip featuring UHD Graphics 750. The Intel Core i7-11700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS does not. The market segments are also distinct, with the AMD chip being a mobile processor and the Intel chip being a desktop processor. The Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD chip is active. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $399.