AMD Ryzen 7 5825U vs Intel Core i7-11700KF Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U and Intel Core i7-11700KF are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target entirely different market segments and deliver vastly different performance profiles. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-11700KF wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, often by substantial margins, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U is a mobile-focused part with a much lower power envelope and integrated graphics. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 25,446 for the AMD and 25,423 for the Intel — but this aggregate figure masks the fact that the Intel chip dominates in every single test where they are directly compared.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs could hardly be more different in their underlying design philosophy. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U is built on TSMC's 7 nm process node, packing 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. It uses the Zen 3 architecture under the "Barcelo" codename, which is part of the 5000 series and represents the Cezanne generation. This is a mobile-first design with a 15 watt TDP, an AMD Socket FP6, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, supports ECC memory, and its multiplier is locked, meaning it is not intended for overclocking. Its base clock is 2.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

The Intel Core i7-11700KF, in contrast, is a desktop part built on Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². It belongs to the Core 11th Gen, using the Rocket Lake architecture (codenamed Rocket Lake-S). This chip has a 125 watt TDP, uses an Intel Socket 1200, and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics — the "KF" suffix indicates that — and it does not support ECC memory. Critically, its multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking. Its base clock is much higher at 3.60 GHz, and its boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz.

Cache configurations differ as well. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a larger 80 KB L1 per core, the same 512 KB L2 per core, and the same 16 MB of shared L3. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with an identical 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. The production status also differs: the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U is listed as active, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF is end-of-life. The Intel chip was released in March 2021, while the AMD chip came later in January 2022.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for anyone choosing between these two: the Intel Core i7-11700KF is the overwhelmingly faster processor in every measurable benchmark. The Intel chip wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with its largest advantage in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 20,214 compared to the AMD's 10,152, representing a 49.8% lead. The single-core gap is similarly stark — the Intel chip leads by 49.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2,853 vs 1,452). This is not a close competition; it is a rout.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U should be selected for systems where power consumption and integrated graphics matter more than raw performance. Its 15 watt TDP is a fraction of the Intel chip's 125 watt TDP, making it suitable for laptops and other mobile form factors. The inclusion of Radeon Vega 8 graphics means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output, and ECC memory support is valuable for certain workstation or server applications. However, the benchmark data shows no scenario where the AMD chip wins, so its appeal rests entirely on its mobile characteristics rather than computational capability.

The Intel Core i7-11700KF is the choice for desktop users who prioritize maximum performance and have the cooling and power delivery to support a 125 watt processor. Its unlocked multiplier and higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz make it a candidate for overclocking, and its PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes offers more bandwidth for modern GPUs and NVMe drives. The trade-off is the lack of integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU, and the fact that it is end-of-life. For anyone building a performance-focused desktop, the benchmark results are decisive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF is significantly faster in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 20,214 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U's 10,152, a 49.8% difference. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel chip scores 10,565 versus 7,288, a 31% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-11700KF, by contrast, has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is required for video output.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U has a 15 watt TDP, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF has a 125 watt TDP. This makes the AMD chip substantially more power-efficient and suitable for mobile devices.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-11700KF does not support ECC memory.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U has an average benchmark score of 25,446, and the Intel Core i7-11700KF has an average benchmark score of 25,423. These scores are nearly identical, despite the Intel chip winning every head-to-head test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and functional specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF uses a 14 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, whereas the Intel chip has no listed transistor count and a larger 276 mm² die. The base clock is 2.00 GHz for the AMD and 3.60 GHz for the Intel, while the boost clock is 4.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP is 15 watts for the AMD and 125 watts for the Intel.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP6 for the Ryzen 7 5825U and Intel Socket 1200 for the Core i7-11700KF. The memory support is the same (DDR4, dual-channel, 51.2 GB/s bandwidth), but ECC support differs — the AMD chip supports it, and the Intel chip does not. PCIe capabilities differ, with the AMD offering Gen 3 and 16 lanes, while the Intel offers Gen 4 and 20 lanes. The AMD chip has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel chip has none. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel, with the AMD chip being Active and the Intel chip End-of-life. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, and the AMD chip does not. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i7-11700KF is $374, stated once here; the AMD chip has no listed MSRP. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core for AMD and 80 KB per core for Intel; L2 and L3 caches are identical at 512 KB per core and 16 MB shared, respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700KF wins every single one of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel chip scores 20,214 versus the AMD's 10,152, a 49.8% advantage. The second-largest margin is also in Cinebench R23, but in single-core, where the Intel chip leads by 49.1% (2,853 vs 1,452). These two results alone demonstrate that the Intel chip is roughly twice as fast in heavily threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads.

In Geekbench, the Intel chip leads by 31% in multi-core (10,565 vs 7,288) and by 16.5% in single-core (1,938 vs 1,618). The PassMark suite shows consistent Intel advantages across the board: data compression is 30.1% higher (317,712 vs 221,938), extended instructions are 35.3% higher (22,247 vs 14,394), and random string sorting is 35.2% higher (36,309 vs 23,539). Floating point math shows a 23.9% lead for Intel (50,571 vs 38,482), and integer math shows a 15% lead (85,377 vs 72,577). The PassMark multi-thread score is 23.9% higher for Intel (23,819 vs 18,131), and the physics score is 21.4% higher (985 vs 774).

The smaller margins are still decisive. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip leads by 13.7% (2,037 vs 1,757), and in Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 19.2% (287 vs 232). Data encryption shows a 7.5% Intel advantage (15,229 vs 14,088), and find prime numbers shows a 22.6% lead (62 vs 48). The PassMark single-thread scores are 3,368 for Intel and 3,053 for AMD, a 9.4% lead. The Intel chip also has additional 3DMark scores that the AMD chip does not have: 16 threads at 8,067, 8 threads at 6,294, 4 threads at 3,645, 2 threads at 1,909, and single-thread at 978.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700KF wins in every computational category measured by the benchmarks. This includes multi-core rendering (Cinebench R23 multi-core, 49.8% ahead), single-core performance (Cinebench R23 single-core, 49.1% ahead), general system performance (Geekbench multi-core, 31% ahead), and all PassMark sub-tests, from data compression to floating-point math to integer math. For any workload that depends on raw CPU throughput — video rendering, 3D modeling, scientific computation, or heavy multitasking — the data shows the Intel chip is the superior choice by a wide margin. The Intel chip also benefits from a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.50 GHz), PCIe Gen 4 support, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, all of which reinforce its position as a desktop performance part.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U wins in zero benchmark comparisons, so its advantages are purely architectural rather than performance-based. The data shows it is the better choice for mobile or power-constrained environments, where its 15 watt TDP is a decisive factor compared to the Intel chip's 125 watt TDP. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, and ECC memory support is a feature the Intel chip lacks. The AMD chip's production status is active, whereas the Intel chip is end-of-life, which may matter for long-term availability. For users who need a capable processor in a laptop or a low-power compact system, the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U is the only viable option of the two — but the benchmark data makes clear that it is not a performance competitor to the Intel Core i7-11700KF.