AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE vs Intel Core i9-11950H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11950H and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE are both 35 W mobile processors, but they represent very different design philosophies and generations. The data shows a clear split: the AMD chip wins the majority of benchmark head-to-heads, but the Intel part has specific strengths in raw math throughput. Here is a breakdown of the recorded results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the AMD processor consistently leads by 6.1% in both single-core and multi-core tests. For example, the AMD scores 1854 versus 1741 in R15 multi-core, and 18395 versus 17279 in R23 multi-core. The single-core advantage is also uniform, with the AMD posting 2597 in R23 single-core against the Intel’s 2439. This indicates a solid, generational efficiency lead in rendering and general CPU compute.

The Passmark results are more mixed. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE wins in seven Passmark tests, including a large 19.6% lead in single-thread performance (3909 versus 3141). It also wins in multithreaded performance (21502 versus 20900, a 2.8% lead) and physics (1237 versus 1013, an 18.1% lead). The AMD also leads in data encryption (14163 versus 12658, a 10.6% margin) and extended instructions (17999 versus 16361, a 9.1% margin). In data compression, the AMD squeaks by with a 1% lead (248675 versus 246195).

However, the Intel Core i9-11950H wins decisively in three specific Passmark workloads. The largest win for Intel is in integer math, where it scores 74649 against the AMD’s 63045, an 18.4% advantage. It also leads in floating-point math (44137 versus 39233, a 12.5% margin) and in finding prime numbers (93 versus 83, a 12% margin). These are compute-heavy, integer-heavy tasks where the Intel’s 8-core, 16-thread design and larger cache configuration pay off. Overall, the AMD wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel wins 3.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is faster. In Passmark single-thread tests, it scores 3909 compared to the Intel’s 3141, a 19.6% difference. It also leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 2597 versus 2439.

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-11950H better at any computing task?

A: Yes, the data shows it wins in three specific Passmark workloads. It has an 18.4% lead in integer math, a 12.5% lead in floating-point math, and a 12% lead in finding prime numbers.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE leads in Passmark multithread (21502 versus 20900, a 2.8% margin) and in all Cinebench multi-core tests, where it holds a 6.1% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel Core i9-11950H supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD’s bandwidth is significantly higher.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD wins most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-11950H does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i9-11950H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process node with a die size of 190 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE uses the Zen 4 architecture (codename Phoenix2), built on TSMC’s 4 nm process node with a die size of 137 mm² and 20,900 million transistors. The process node difference is significant, with the AMD being a more modern and denser design.

The Intel part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache configurations also differ. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a large 24 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a smaller 16 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel’s larger L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in integer and floating-point math.

Memory support is another key architectural difference. The Intel uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD uses DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth, a substantial increase. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not. PCIe lanes also differ, with the Intel offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and the AMD offering Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are different as well: the Intel uses UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD uses the Radeon 740M.

Specification Differences

The core specifications differ in several key areas. The Intel Core i9-11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Intel runs at 2.10 GHz, while the AMD runs at 3.40 GHz. Both have a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Both have a TDP of 35 W.

The sockets are different: the Intel uses Intel BGA 1787, while the AMD uses AMD Socket AM5. The process nodes differ (10 nm for Intel, 4 nm for AMD). The L3 cache is larger on the Intel (24 MB shared) versus the AMD (16 MB shared). Memory support differs (DDR4 versus DDR5), as does memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s). ECC memory support is present only on the AMD. PCIe lanes differ (20 for Intel, 14 for AMD). The integrated graphics are different (UHD Graphics 750 versus Radeon 740M). The Intel has a launch MSRP of $556, while the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel is end-of-life, while the AMD is still an active product. The Intel was released on 2021-05-10, and the AMD on 2024-04-15.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the clear winner in most everyday and professional workloads. It wins in all Cinebench tests, indicating better performance in 3D rendering and video encoding tasks. It also wins in Passmark multithread, physics, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, and single-thread tests. For users who do a mix of office work, content creation, and light rendering, the AMD offers better overall performance. Its higher memory bandwidth and newer DDR5 support also make it a better fit for memory-intensive applications.

The Intel Core i9-11950H wins in three specific, compute-heavy tasks: integer math, floating-point math, and finding prime numbers. These results suggest it holds an advantage in scientific computing, financial modeling, or any workload that relies heavily on raw arithmetic throughput. The Intel’s larger L3 cache and higher core count appear to give it an edge in these specific areas, even though it loses in broader multi-threaded tests. For users whose primary workload is number crunching, the Intel part may be preferable.

The Verdict

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the better choice for the majority of users. It wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including all Cinebench tests and most Passmark tests. Its single-thread performance is significantly better (19.6% ahead), and it offers a more modern platform with DDR5 memory and ECC support. The AMD is also the more efficient design, with a smaller die size and a more advanced process node, despite having fewer cores. It is an active product, whereas the Intel is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i9-11950H should be considered only for very specific workloads that match its strengths. If the primary application involves heavy integer or floating-point math, the Intel’s 18.4% and 12.5% leads respectively could be decisive. It also has a larger L3 cache and more cores, which may be useful in certain multi-threaded scenarios, even though the benchmarks show it loses in most of them. The Intel also has a recorded launch MSRP of $556, which can be used as a reference point.

For a general-purpose mobile workstation or a compact desktop (given the AMD’s AM5 socket), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the data-backed recommendation. It offers better performance across a wider range of tasks, a more modern architecture, and newer memory support. The Intel Core i9-11950H is a niche pick for those who specifically need its arithmetic throughput advantages.