AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT vs Intel Core i9-13900H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two processors, with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT winning 15 of 23 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i9-13900H takes 8. The most decisive victory belongs to the AMD part in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3359 against Intel's 1964.5, a 71% advantage. That is a massive gap for a single-threaded workload. The AMD chip also dominates Cinebench R23 multi-core with 23794 versus 17471, a 36.2% lead, despite having fewer cores and threads.

The Intel processor's best wins are in floating-point math and physics simulations. In PassMark floating point math, Intel scores 69611 versus AMD's 53808, a 22.7% margin. Similarly, in PassMark physics, Intel leads with 1745 against 1355, a 22.3% difference. These are substantial, but they do not offset the AMD advantage in most other tests.

Some results are remarkably close. The 3DMark 4-thread test shows AMD at 3603 and Intel at 3591, a 0.3% edge for AMD. The 3DMark max-threads result is nearly identical: 7680 for AMD versus 7670 for Intel, a 0.1% difference. In PassMark multithread, AMD leads by only 1.4% (28053 vs 27673). These near-ties suggest that in certain mixed workloads, the two chips are effectively interchangeable.

The Intel part wins decisively in 3DMark single-thread, scoring 1078 against 959, an 11% lead. It also wins 3DMark 2-threads by 6.1%, and PassMark single-thread by 5.8%. Cinebench R15 multicore goes to Intel by 10.1% (2666.5 vs 2398), which is surprising given the AMD wins in the R20 and R23 multicore tests. The pattern suggests Intel has an advantage in some older or differently-scaled workloads, while AMD excels in newer Cinebench versions.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT wins in most throughput and integer-heavy tasks. It takes Cinebench R20 multicore by 3.3% (9993 vs 9676) and R20 single-core by 3.3% (1410 vs 1365). It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 21.1% (the largest single-core delta outside of R23, where it wins by 71%). In PassMark, AMD wins data compression by 7.8%, data encryption by 13.1%, extended instructions by 25.6%, prime number finding by 14.4%, and random string sorting by 0.8%. These are the classic CPU-bound productivity tasks.

The Intel Core i9-13900H is the pick for floating-point-heavy workloads and physics simulation. Its PassMark floating point math score of 69611 is far above AMD's 53808. PassMark integer math also goes to Intel, 97159 versus 93942, a 3.3% edge. The physics result (1745 vs 1355) suggests that in gaming or physics-based rendering, Intel has a measurable advantage. For single-threaded responsiveness, Intel is ahead in 3DMark and PassMark single-thread tests, but the AMD chip is ahead in Cinebench single-core, so the picture is mixed.

For consumers, the choice depends on the software. If the workload is Cinebench, heavy AES encryption, or data compression, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT is the better pick. If the workload is FFT or other floating-point heavy calculations, the Intel chip is superior. The head-to-head data shows a split, not a total sweep.

Architecture Differences

These two chips come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel Core i9-13900H uses Raptor Lake-H, built on Intel's 10 nm process, with 14 cores and 20 threads (likely a hybrid of performance and efficiency cores, but the data does not specify the breakdown). Its base clock is 2.60 GHz and boost is 5.40 GHz.

The cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on AMD likely helps in multi-threaded workloads. Intel's larger per-core L2 may help with latency-sensitive tasks.

Die sizes are very different: AMD's die is 74 mm², while Intel's is 257 mm². AMD reports 4,150 million transistors, Intel has no transistor count in the data. The manufacturing foundry is TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel. The process node advantage (7 nm vs 10 nm) is clear in the power efficiency and clock scaling.

Memory support: AMD supports only DDR4, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but both are dual-channel. AMD reports a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, Intel has no bandwidth number listed. AMD supports ECC memory, Intel does not. PCIe lanes: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD has none, Intel has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

The TDPs are extreme: AMD has 105 W, Intel has 45 W. The Intel chip is a mobile part, socketed in BGA 1744, while AMD is a desktop part for Socket AM4. The Intel chip has a locked multiplier, the AMD chip is unlocked. The release dates differ: AMD launched 2024-07-30, Intel launched 2023-01-03.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT scores 23794, which is 36.2% higher than the Intel Core i9-13900H's 17471.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-13900H have any single-thread advantage?

A: Yes, in 3DMark single-thread, Intel leads 1078 vs 959 (11% higher), and in PassMark single-thread, Intel leads 3754 vs 3535 (5.8% higher). However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD wins by 71%, so the result depends on the benchmark.

Q: What about memory support?

A: The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip only supports DDR4. Both are dual-channel. The AMD has a specified bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, the Intel has no bandwidth listed.

Q: Can the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT use ECC memory?

A: Yes, it supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-13900H does not.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer threads, the AMD wins the majority of multi-thread workload tests.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD has a TDP of 105 W, the Intel has a TDP of 45 W. This indicates the AMD is a desktop part, the Intel is a mobile part.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 8 (AMD) vs 14 (Intel)
• Threads: 16 (AMD) vs 20 (Intel)
• Base Clock: 3.80 GHz (AMD) vs 2.60 GHz (Intel)
• Boost Clock: 4.80 GHz (AMD) vs 5.40 GHz (Intel)
• TDP: 105 W (AMD) vs 45 W (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4 vs Intel BGA 1744
• Architecture: Zen 3 (AMD) vs Raptor Lake (Intel)
• Codename: Vermeer (AMD) vs Raptor Lake-H (Intel)
• Process Node: 7 nm (AMD) vs 10 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC (AMD) vs Intel (Intel)
• Transistors: 4,150 million (AMD) vs null (Intel)
• Die Size: 74 mm² (AMD) vs 257 mm² (Intel)
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core (AMD) vs 80 KB per core (Intel)
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core (AMD) vs 2 MB per core (Intel)
• L3 Cache: 32 MB shared (AMD) vs 24 MB shared (Intel)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (AMD) vs DDR4, DDR5 (Intel)
• Memory Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s (AMD) vs null (Intel)
• ECC Support: True (AMD) vs False (Intel)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 20 Lanes (AMD) vs Gen 5, 8 Lanes (Intel)
• Integrated Graphics: N/A (AMD) vs Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Intel)
• Market Segment: Desktop (AMD) vs Mobile (Intel)
• Release Date: 2024-07-30 (AMD) vs 2023-01-03 (Intel)
• Launch MSRP: $249 (AMD) vs $617 (Intel)
• Multipier Unlocked: True (AMD) vs False (Intel)
• Part Number: 100-000001582 (AMD) vs SRMJ4 (Intel)

The Verdict

The data suggests a clear split. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT is the better processor for most computational tasks, winning 15 of 23 head-to-head comparisons. It has a massive edge in Cinebench R23 multicore (36.2%) and single-core (71%), and it leads in almost every PassMark productivity test, including data encryption, compression, extended instructions, and prime number search. Its unlocked multiplier and lower launch MSRP ($249 vs $617) are notable, but the numbers show it is also a stronger performer in the majority of recorded benchmarks.

The Intel Core i9-13900H is the better choice for floating-point math and physics workloads, as shown by its 22.7% lead in PassMark floating-point math and 22.3% lead in PassMark physics. It also wins in standard single-thread tests (3DMark single-thread, PassMark single-thread) and 2-thread tests. Its integrated graphics and support for DDR5 memory make it a more flexible mobile platform, but it cannot match AMD's multicore throughput.

The verdict is straightforward. For a desktop user who prioritizes multi-threaded rendering, encoding, and data-heavy tasks, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT is the superior choice based on the benchmark data. For a user who needs floating-point performance or is working in a mobile form factor (the Intel is a mobile chip), the Intel Core i9-13900H has specific advantages. The average benchmark score also favors AMD: 29879 versus 28886, a difference of about 3.3%. Both processors sit at the 81st percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a slouch. The pick depends on the workload.