AMD Ryzen 7 4980U vs Intel Core i7-11375H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U and Intel Core i7-11375H are both mobile processors from the same era, but they take fundamentally different approaches to performance. The data shows a split decision: the AMD chip wins in older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel chip wins in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. Both CPUs land at the 52nd percentile overall, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, making this a nuanced comparison rather than a clear knockout.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD chip offers double the core and thread count.

Q: What is the difference in maximum boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H boosts up to 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U’s 4.40 GHz boost clock. The Intel chip also has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz compared to 2.00 GHz for AMD.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has an average benchmark score of 3066, while the Intel Core i7-11375H scores 3018. The difference is only 48 points, representing a negligible gap of about 1.6% in favor of AMD.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 50% larger than the 8 MB shared L3 cache on the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U.

Q: What is the power draw difference between these two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-11375H has a TDP of 28 watts. The AMD processor is significantly more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 4?

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U only supports PCIe Gen 3.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the pick for anyone prioritizing multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count, especially if power efficiency is a concern—its 15W TDP is nearly half of Intel's 28W. In the legacy Cinebench R15 multicore test, AMD leads by a massive 68.3%, scoring 1658 against Intel's 985, which reflects its 8-core advantage.

However, the Intel Core i7-11375H is the better choice for single-threaded performance and newer rendering workloads. It wins Cinebench R23 multicore (9775 vs 9164, a 6.3% lead) and singlecore (1380 vs 1260, an 8.7% lead). Its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and larger 12 MB L3 cache contribute to these wins. If your software is optimized for the latest Cinebench version or relies heavily on single-core speed, the Intel chip is stronger.

Both CPUs sit at the 52nd percentile of all processors, and their average scores (3066 vs 3018) are within 1.6% of each other. The real decision hinges on workload: AMD for raw multi-threading and efficiency, Intel for modern rendering and single-core tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are split evenly, with each processor winning two tests. The most dramatic gap is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U scores 1658 versus Intel's 985—a 68.3% advantage. This is a direct result of AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads versus Intel's 4 cores and 8 threads; the older test scales aggressively with core count.

In Cinebench R15 singlecore, AMD also leads, scoring 182 against Intel's 138, a 31.9% delta. This is surprising given Intel's higher boost clock, but the data clearly shows AMD's Zen 2 architecture delivering better per-core performance in this specific test.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23. Intel wins multicore with 9775 versus AMD's 9164, a 6.3% advantage. This suggests the newer benchmark is better optimized for Intel's Tiger Lake architecture, possibly leveraging its higher clock speeds and larger cache. Intel also wins R23 singlecore, scoring 1380 against AMD's 1260, an 8.7% lead.

Notably, the Intel chip has additional benchmark data in the fact pack that AMD lacks: Cinebench R20 scores (4105 multicore, 579 singlecore) and Geekbench scores (5383 multicore, 1800 singlecore). These extra data points indicate Intel's performance is more comprehensively documented, but they don't change the head-to-head comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 3.00 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 5.00 GHz, respectively.

TDP is another major split: AMD runs at 15W, Intel at 28W. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP6, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1449. Process node differs as well, with AMD on TSMC's 7 nm process and Intel on its own 10 nm node. AMD's die size is 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors; Intel's die is smaller at 146.1 mm², though its transistor count is not listed.

Cache configurations are distinct. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while Intel has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. L3 cache is 8 MB shared on AMD versus 12 MB shared on Intel. Memory support also differs: AMD uses LPDDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth—a 50% bandwidth improvement for Intel.

Integrated graphics are different as well: AMD includes Radeon Graphics 512SP, while Intel has Iris XE 96EU. PCIe support goes to Gen 3 on AMD and Gen 4 with 20 lanes on Intel. Intel's launch MSRP is $482, while AMD's is not listed. Production status also differs, with AMD marked as end-of-life and Intel as active.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. AMD's Ryzen 7 4980U is built on Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process. This node advantage allows AMD to pack 8 cores into a 15W TDP, a feat made possible by the smaller and more efficient process. The 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die speak to the density Zen 2 achieves.

Intel's Core i7-11375H uses Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The die is slightly smaller at 146.1 mm², but the architecture prioritizes higher clock speeds (5.00 GHz boost) and a larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB versus 512 KB). Intel's 12 MB L3 cache is 50% larger than AMD's 8 MB, which helps with data-heavy workloads.

The cache hierarchy reflects different philosophies. AMD uses a per-core L1 of 64 KB and L2 of 512 KB, with a shared 8 MB L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a shared 12 MB L3. Intel's larger per-core L2 is a significant advantage for single-threaded tasks, as it reduces reliance on slower L3 memory accesses.

Memory bandwidth is another key architectural difference. Intel supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while AMD supports LPDDR4 with 34.1 GB/s. This 50% bandwidth advantage for Intel can benefit integrated graphics and memory-intensive applications, though it comes with a higher TDP.

PCIe support differs as well: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD is limited to Gen 3. This makes Intel better suited for fast NVMe storage or external GPU enclosures, assuming the rest of the platform supports it.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U wins in scenarios that rely on raw multi-threading and power efficiency. Its 68.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 31.9% lead in R15 singlecore show dominance in legacy workloads. The 8-core/16-thread configuration makes it ideal for heavily parallel tasks that don't require the latest instruction sets—think older video encoding, batch file processing, or running multiple virtual machines. The 15W TDP is also a clear advantage for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are critical. Its end-of-life status suggests it may be found in budget or clearance systems, though pricing is not discussed here.

The Intel Core i7-11375H wins in modern rendering and single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 wins—6.3% in multicore and 8.7% in singlecore—indicate it is better suited for current creative applications that use the latest benchmark optimizations. The 5.00 GHz boost clock and 12 MB L3 cache give it an edge in gaming, spreadsheet calculations, or any software that favors clock speed over core count. The 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and PCIe Gen 4 support make it a better platform for high-speed storage and future peripherals. Its active production status means it remains a current option for system builders.

If you need maximum multi-threading for the least power, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the clear winner. If you need the fastest single-core response and the latest platform features, the Intel Core i7-11375H is the better fit. The 52nd percentile ranking for both chips confirms they are mid-pack performers, but they excel in different areas. Choose based on your specific workload, as the 2-2 win split in benchmarks shows there is no universal victor.