AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core i9-11950H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between these two processors. The Intel Core i9-11950H claims victory in 12 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G takes 5. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the Intel part edges ahead across every single iteration, but by remarkably thin margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-11950H scores 1741 against 1738 for the Ryzen, a delta of just 0.2%. The single-core R15 test is a dead heat at 245 for both. The pattern repeats in R20 multicore (7257 vs 7244, 0.2% delta), R20 single-core (1024 vs 1022, 0.2% delta), R23 multicore (17279 vs 17249, 0.2% delta), and R23 single-core (2439 vs 2435, 0.2% delta). These are effectively statistical ties, suggesting that in pure render workloads, neither processor holds a meaningful advantage.

The Passmark suite is where the two diverge sharply. The Intel chip dominates in several compute-heavy tests. In find prime numbers, the i9-11950H posts 93 versus 49 for the Ryzen, an enormous 89.8% advantage. Physics testing shows a 47.7% lead (1013 vs 686). Floating point math goes Intel's way at 44137 vs 38649, a 14.2% margin. Integer math favors Intel at 74649 vs 67561, a 10.5% edge. The multithread test shows Intel ahead by 9.3% (20900 vs 19129), and random string sorting sees Intel win 29375 to 25253, a 16.3% difference.

The AMD processor fights back in specific workloads. Data encryption is its strongest showing, with 15253 against Intel's 12658, a 17% advantage. Data compression goes to AMD at 255608 vs 246195, a 3.7% lead. Extended instructions favor AMD at 17944 vs 16361, an 8.8% margin. The single-thread Passmark test also goes to AMD at 3241 vs 3141, a 3.1% edge.

What stands out is the character of these wins. Intel's victories are often large, sometimes massive, and cluster around mathematical and physics-based workloads. AMD's wins are smaller in percentage terms except for encryption, but they target data-centric tasks. The average benchmark scores reflect this balance: the i9-11950H sits at 28332, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G trails slightly at 28032. Both processors land in the 80th percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two parts is substantial. Intel's Tiger Lake-H uses a 10 nm process fabricated in-house, while AMD's Cezanne leverages TSMC's 7 nm node. The transistor counts tell part of the story: AMD lists 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while Intel's die size is 190 mm² with no transistor figure recorded.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Intel i9-11950H packs 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G offers 6 cores and 12 threads. This explains why Intel wins most multicore tests despite the architectural efficiency of Zen 3. Cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of total L3. Intel's larger L3 pool likely contributes to its strong physics and prime number results.

Clock speeds reveal a different design philosophy. Intel lists a 2.10 GHz base clock with a 5.00 GHz boost, while AMD starts higher at 3.90 GHz base but boosts to only 4.40 GHz. The higher base clock on the Ryzen helps explain its single-thread Passmark win, while Intel's higher boost ceiling powers its bursty workloads.

The platform differences are equally notable. Intel uses the BGA 1787 socket and is classified as a mobile processor with a 35 W TDP. AMD uses the AM4 socket, targets desktops, and has a 65 W TDP. Both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with matching 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe generations differ: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. ECC memory support exists only on the AMD side. Integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel shipping UHD Graphics 750 and AMD using Radeon Vega 7.

Production status separates them further. The Intel chip is marked as end-of-life with a release date of 2021-05-10, while the AMD part remains active with a release date of 2024-05-06. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but context-dependent choice. For users prioritizing mathematical computation, physics simulation, or heavily threaded workloads, the Intel Core i9-11950H is the stronger option. Its 89.8% lead in prime number finding and 47.7% lead in physics are decisive, and its 9.3% multithread advantage reflects the two extra cores.

For users focused on data security, compression, or single-thread responsiveness, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G makes a compelling case. Its 17% encryption advantage and 3.1% single-thread Passmark win indicate real strengths, and its active production status suggests ongoing availability for new systems.

The near-identical Cinebench scores complicate any simple verdict. When render workloads are the primary concern, the 0.2% deltas in favor of Intel are within noise. The choice then hinges on secondary factors like platform longevity, ECC support on the AMD side, or the mobile versus desktop form factor. The Intel part belongs to a 35 W mobile platform, while the AMD chip is a 65 W desktop component. Neither processor is a clear winner across the board; the data suggests matching the chip to the workload rather than declaring an overall champion.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show these processors differ in nearly every fundamental category. The Intel Core i9-11950H offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for Intel and 3.90 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 4.40 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 35 W for Intel and 65 W for AMD. Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1787 versus AMD Socket AM4. Process nodes are 10 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD. Foundries are Intel and TSMC respectively. Die sizes are 190 mm² and 180 mm², with AMD listing 10,700 million transistors and Intel listing none. L1 cache is 80 KB per core on Intel versus 64 KB per core on AMD. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 512 KB per core. L3 cache is 24 MB shared versus 16 MB total. Both support DDR4 dual-channel memory at 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on AMD. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes on Intel versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on AMD. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750 versus Radeon Vega 7. Market segments are mobile versus desktop. Production status is end-of-life versus active. Release dates are 2021-05-10 and 2024-05-06. The launch MSRP for the Intel chip is $556; no MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. The part numbers are SRKT6 and 100-000001513.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G wins 5.

Q: How large is Intel's advantage in the prime number test?

A: The Intel chip scores 93 compared to AMD's 49, a delta of 89.8% in favor of Intel.

Q: Where does the AMD processor show its biggest win?

A: AMD's largest advantage is in data encryption, where it scores 15253 against Intel's 12658, a 17% lead.

Q: Are the Cinebench results close?

A: Yes, all six Cinebench tests show deltas of 0.2% or less. The R15 single-core test is a tie at 245 for both processors.

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

A: The Intel i9-11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: ECC memory support is listed as true for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and false for the Intel Core i9-11950H.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11950H is the pick for compute-heavy workloads that leverage many cores and high sustained throughput. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration drives wins in multithread testing (20900 vs 19129), floating point math (44137 vs 38649), and integer math (74649 vs 67561). The physics test shows a 47.7% advantage, and the prime number test shows an 89.8% advantage, indicating strong raw computational capability. The larger 24 MB L3 cache likely supports these results. This processor also benefits from PCIe Gen 4 connectivity with 20 lanes, which matters for systems needing fast peripheral bandwidth.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G wins in data-centric and security-oriented tasks. Its 17% encryption advantage and 3.7% compression lead suggest strong cryptographic and data processing capabilities. The extended instructions test goes to AMD by 8.8%, and the single-thread Passmark score of 3241 versus 3141 shows a modest but real single-thread advantage. The higher 3.90 GHz base clock contributes to these wins. ECC memory support makes this part attractive for reliability-focused desktop builds. The active production status and 2024 release date mean it is currently available for new systems, unlike the end-of-life Intel chip.

For rendering workloads, the data shows no meaningful winner. The Cinebench scores are within 0.2% across all tests, making either processor acceptable for that use case. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload leans toward mathematical computation, where Intel excels, or data processing and encryption, where AMD holds the edge.