AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D vs Intel Core i5-11500 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data splits these two processors into very distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D claims 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the Intel Core i5-11500 takes only 2. That asymmetry is the defining story here.

The Intel chip wins exclusively in single-threaded PassMark testing. In both `passmark_single_thread` and `passmark_singlethread`, the i5-11500 scores 3131 against the 5700X3D’s 2970, a 5.4% advantage. This is the only category where Intel’s higher boost clock, 4.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz, translates into a measurable victory.

Everywhere else, the AMD processor dominates. The 5700X3D wins all six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23. It also wins all nine PassMark tests except the single-thread pair. The margin varies from 22.2% in random string sorting to a crushing 77.2% in prime number finding.

The use-case split is clear. The i5-11500 suits lightly threaded applications where one or two cores carry the load and raw clock speed matters most. The 5700X3D is the choice for heavily threaded rendering, mathematical workloads, data compression, encryption, and physics simulations. The 77.2% gap in prime number finding suggests the AMD chip has a substantial advantage in integer-heavy, branch-intensive code. The 69.4% margin in PassMark physics points to strong floating-point and simulation performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D records an average benchmark score of 24709, while the Intel Core i5-11500 sits at 23718. That places the AMD chip at the 77th percentile of all CPUs, one point ahead of Intel’s 76th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes. The i5-11500 wins both PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 3131 versus 2970 for the 5700X3D, a 5.4% margin. It also has a higher boost clock, 4.60 GHz against 4.10 GHz.

Q: How large is the AMD chip’s biggest victory?

A: The largest delta appears in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the 5700X3D scores 224 versus just 51 for Intel, a 77.2% difference. The next largest is PassMark physics, a 69.4% gap.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-11500 is marked as end-of-life with a release date of 2021-03-15. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is marked as active and was released on 2024-01-07.

Q: What are the TDP ratings of each chip?

A: The Intel i5-11500 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD 5700X3D has a TDP of 105 watts. The AMD chip draws more power but also delivers substantially higher multi-threaded scores.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both have a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. However, the AMD chip supports ECC memory while the Intel chip does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkably consistent. Across R15, R20, and R23, the AMD 5700X3D wins every multi-core test by exactly 35.1%. The R23 multi-core score tells the story: 22366 for AMD versus 14513 for Intel. The single-core Cinebench results show the same 35.1% gap, with the 5700X3D scoring 3157 in R23 single-core against Intel’s 2049.

That consistency is striking. A 35.1% deficit in every Cinebench test, regardless of core count or workload type, suggests the AMD architecture has a fundamental throughput advantage in this rendering workload. The i5-11500 has a higher boost clock, but the 5700X3D’s 8 cores and 16 threads simply outproduce the 6-core, 12-thread Intel part.

The PassMark results show more variety. Data compression gives AMD a 31.4% win, 307237 versus 210796. Data encryption shows a 43.6% margin, 18788 versus 10592. Extended instructions land at 28.7%, 21202 versus 15111. Floating-point math produces a 26% gap, 46492 versus 34422. Integer math shows 28.2%, 81257 versus 58352.

The outlier is prime number finding. The 5700X3D scores 224, which is 77.2% higher than Intel’s 51. This test often stresses cache performance and branch prediction. The 5700X3D’s 96 MB of shared L3 cache likely plays a decisive role here, giving it a massive advantage in data reuse patterns common in primality testing.

Physics simulation shows a 69.4% gap, with AMD scoring 2686 against Intel’s 823. This test typically involves many particles and collision calculations, which benefit from both core count and memory bandwidth. Random string sorting is the closest AMD victory at 22.2%, 31492 versus 24505.

The only Intel wins are the two identical PassMark single-thread scores, both 3131 versus 2970. That 5.4% edge is real but narrow. It reflects the i5-11500’s higher boost clock and Intel’s competitive single-core design in that generation. Still, one data point does not change the overall picture.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The i5-11500 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 5700X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ slightly: 2.70 GHz for Intel, 3.00 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks go the other direction: 4.60 GHz for Intel, 4.10 GHz for AMD.

TDP is a major differentiator. Intel’s 65-watt rating is 40 watts lower than AMD’s 105 watts. That means the Intel chip is easier to cool and places less demand on the motherboard’s power delivery, but it also constrains sustained performance under heavy load.

Sockets are incompatible. The i5-11500 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the 5700X3D uses AMD Socket AM4. Any system build must choose one platform from the start.

Integrated graphics separate the two clearly. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 750, making it a complete solution for systems without a discrete GPU. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is mandatory.

ECC memory support is another difference. The 5700X3D supports ECC memory; the i5-11500 does not. This makes the AMD chip more suitable for workstation or server-adjacent builds where data integrity matters.

The release dates are nearly three years apart. Intel launched on 2021-03-15 and is now end-of-life. AMD launched on 2024-01-07 and remains active. This explains why the AMD chip is the more modern platform choice despite running on the older AM4 socket.

Both processors have the same PCIe configuration: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Memory bandwidth is identical at 51.2 GB/s. Both are dual-channel DDR4 parts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The manufacturing process marks a significant generational gap. Intel’s Rocket Lake is built on a 14 nm node, while AMD’s Zen 3 Vermeer uses a 7 nm process from TSMC. The smaller node typically enables lower power per transistor and higher transistor density. The die sizes reinforce this: Intel’s die measures 276 mm², while AMD’s is just 74 mm². The AMD chip packs 8,850 million transistors into that smaller space. Intel’s transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations differ dramatically. The i5-11500 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The 5700X3D has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 96 MB of shared L3. That 84 MB difference in L3 cache is the architectural highlight of this comparison. The 5700X3D’s enlarged cache is designed to reduce memory latency and improve performance in data-heavy workloads, which explains its dominance in prime number finding, compression, and encryption.

The core architectures themselves are different generations. Intel uses Rocket Lake, an architecture that was the last to use the 14 nm process before Intel moved to smaller nodes. AMD uses Zen 3, a mature design that has proven strong in both single-thread and multi-thread performance. The codenames reflect their internal lineages: Rocket Lake for Intel, Vermeer for AMD.

Neither processor has 3D V-Cache listed as a separate field, but the 5700X3D’s 96 MB L3 is clearly the defining feature of this SKU. The production status also differs: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. For new builds, that favors the AMD chip, though the AM4 platform is itself aging.

The foundry relationship is another split. Intel fabricates its own chip on its 14 nm process. AMD uses TSMC’s 7 nm process. This is not a performance number, but it explains why the AMD chip can offer 8 cores and 96 MB of cache in a 74 mm² die while Intel needs 276 mm² for 6 cores and 12 MB of cache.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear overall winner for almost every workload. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score (24709 versus 23718), and ranks one percentile higher. It delivers at least 22.2% more performance in every multi-threaded test, and often much more.

The Intel Core i5-11500 is the pick only for users prioritizing a single metric: PassMark single-thread performance. Its 3131 score beats the AMD chip’s 2970 by 5.4%. It also offers integrated graphics, a 65-watt TDP, and a $192 launch MSRP. The AMD chip has a $249 launch MSRP. Those who need a complete CPU without a discrete GPU, or who want the lowest power draw, will find the Intel part compelling.

But for rendering, physics simulation, data compression, encryption, and any workload that scales with cores and cache, the 5700X3D is the obvious choice. Its 35.1% Cinebench advantage across every version of the test is decisive. The 77.2% lead in prime number finding and 69.4% lead in physics show that its large L3 cache delivers real, measurable benefits.

The practical verdict splits cleanly. A user building a compact, low-power system with integrated graphics and light duties should consider the i5-11500, especially given its end-of-life status may mean lower platform costs. A user building a performance-oriented desktop for multi-threaded work, simulations, or content creation should choose the 5700X3D without hesitation. The benchmark data does not leave much room for debate.

The 5700X3D is also the more future-proof choice. It was released in 2024, remains active in production, and supports ECC memory. The i5-11500 is end-of-life with a 2021 launch date. For anyone starting a new build today, the AMD processor is the safer investment.