AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS vs Intel Core i9-11900 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS and Intel Core i9-11900 present a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies, with the data revealing a near-even split in head-to-head victories (7 for AMD, 8 for Intel). Despite the Intel chip being a desktop part with a significantly higher launch MSRP of $439, the benchmark results show that the mobile-focused Ryzen part is not outclassed, winning several key workloads while losing the raw performance crown in others. The average benchmark scores are almost identical, with the Ryzen 7 6800HS at 32354 and the Core i9-11900 at 32226, placing them in the same performance tier, with the AMD chip holding an 83rd percentile vs 82nd for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic and clear-cut victory for the Intel Core i9-11900 comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 18985 against the AMD's 11992, a massive 36.8% lead. This is a significant gap that suggests the Intel chip has a substantial advantage in heavily threaded, sustained workloads. The single-core results reinforce this trend, with Intel taking a 45.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (2680 vs 1455) and a 13.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (270 vs 234). These results paint a picture of Intel's architectural strength in raw computational throughput, particularly when boost clocks can be pushed high.

However, the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS is far from a pushover. Its most impressive victory is in the PassMark data encryption test, where it scores 18104 compared to Intel's 13942, a commanding 29.9% lead. This indicates a significant advantage in cryptographic workloads, likely stemming from hardware acceleration features. The AMD chip also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, albeit by a slim 3.9% margin (1987 vs 1913), which is a curious inversion of the R23 result and suggests the two architectures respond differently to varying workload lengths and instruction sets.

In the other PassMark tests, the results are a mix of close calls and notable wins. AMD takes the data compression test (292698 vs 285159, a 2.6% lead) and the extended instructions test (20114 vs 19654, a 2.3% lead), showing strengths in specific computational tasks. The AMD part also edges out Intel in integer math (84228 vs 83893, a 0.4% lead), the multithread test (22801 vs 22456, a 1.5% lead), and physics (1009 vs 977, a 3.3% lead). Intel counters with wins in floating-point math (48948 vs 47533, a 2.9% lead), random string sorting (33054 vs 30266, an 8.4% lead), and find prime numbers (63 vs 56, an 11.1% lead). The single-thread PassMark test also goes to Intel (3373 vs 3184, a 5.6% lead). The data shows a split personality: Intel dominates the Cinebench suite, while AMD holds its own or wins in several PassMark system-level tests. The fact that the 6800HS, a 35W mobile part, can trade blows with a 65W desktop chip in many tests is noteworthy, though Intel's lead in the most demanding CPU benchmarks is undeniable.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental differences between these two processors explain the benchmark results. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed "Rembrandt," and manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. In contrast, the Intel Core i9-11900 uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel, and also features 8 cores and 16 threads, but with a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz and a much higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The process node difference is stark: 6 nm vs 14 nm, which is a key factor in the AMD chip's efficiency.

Both processors share the same cache layout: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the raw cache hierarchy is identical, so performance differences must come from the core microarchitecture and the supporting platform. Memory support is another major differentiator. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This gives the AMD platform a 50% higher memory bandwidth ceiling, which could explain its strong performance in data compression and encryption tests that are often memory-bandwidth sensitive. Interestingly, both chips support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, so connectivity is a tie.

The socket and market positioning are entirely different. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS uses the AMD Socket FP7 and is a mobile part, while the Intel Core i9-11900 uses the Intel Socket 1200 and is a desktop part with an end-of-life production status. The integrated graphics also differ, with AMD offering the Radeon 680M and Intel offering the UHD Graphics 750. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the AMD chip rated at 35W and the Intel chip at 65W, highlighting the AMD's design goal for efficiency in thin-and-light laptops. The Intel chip has a much higher boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 4.70 GHz), which likely contributes to its dominance in single-threaded and lightly-threaded Cinebench tests, where clock speed is paramount.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i9-11900 is the clear winner for workloads that are heavily dependent on raw multi-core and single-core CPU throughput as measured by Cinebench. The 36.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a massive advantage for tasks like 3D rendering, video encoding, and other professional content creation workloads that scale well with core count and clock speed. Its superior single-core performance (45.7% in R23, 13.3% in R15) also makes it the better choice for applications that are latency-sensitive and rely on a single thread, such as many older games or certain simulation software. The Intel chip's wins in floating-point math and random string sorting further solidify its position for tasks involving complex calculations and data manipulation.

The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS, on the other hand, is the winner for a different set of use cases. Its dominant 29.9% lead in data encryption makes it the superior choice for security-focused workloads, such as VPNs, disk encryption, and secure web browsing. Its wins in data compression and integer math suggest it is well-suited for file archiving, database operations, and general productivity tasks. The passmark multithread and physics test wins also indicate a strong all-around performer that can handle a wide variety of tasks efficiently. The 6800HS's higher memory bandwidth (76.8 GB/s vs 51.2 GB/s) and much lower TDP (35W vs 65W) make it a compelling option for mobile devices where battery life and thermals are critical. The data implies that for a laptop user who prioritizes security, compression, and general multitasking, the 6800HS offers a better balance of performance and efficiency.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, if nuanced, verdict. For users who demand the absolute maximum multi-threaded processing power and top-tier single-core speed, the Intel Core i9-11900 is the definitive choice. Its massive leads in the Cinebench R23 suite are undeniable, making it the go-to processor for demanding desktop workloads like 3D rendering and heavy video editing. The Intel chip is also the winner for tasks that are heavily dependent on single-thread performance. However, this power comes at the cost of higher TDP and a platform that is end-of-life.

The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS is the more versatile and efficient processor. Its significant wins in encryption and compression, combined with its strong showing in the PassMark suite, make it an excellent all-rounder. The data suggests that for a mobile professional who needs a fast, secure, and power-efficient laptop, the 6800HS is arguably the better choice. Its 35W TDP, compared to Intel's 65W, is a massive advantage for battery life, and its support for DDR5 memory future-proofs the platform. The Ryzen part also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, which shows it can be competitive in some multi-threaded scenarios. Ultimately, the choice comes down to the user's priorities: raw desktop performance for the Intel chip versus efficiency and a broader set of system-level strengths for the AMD chip. The near-identical average benchmark scores (32354 vs 32226) and percentile rankings (83 vs 82) confirm that in overall system performance, they are in the same league, but they achieve this parity through very different architectural means.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900 is significantly faster, scoring 18985 compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS's 11992, a 36.8% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark data encryption test by a 29.9% margin (18104 vs 13942), which is a substantial advantage.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Core i9-11900 has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900 has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS's 4.70 GHz.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are very close. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS has an average benchmark score of 32354, and the Intel Core i9-11900 has an average of 32226, making them nearly identical in overall performance.

Q: Do they support the same type of memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS supports DDR5, while the Intel Core i9-11900 supports DDR4.

Specification Differences

The core specifications that differ between the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS and Intel Core i9-11900 are as follows:

• Series: The AMD is from the 6000 series, while the Intel is from the Core 11th Gen.
• Base Clock: The AMD has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel has a base clock of 2.50 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The AMD has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.
• TDP: The AMD has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel has a TDP of 65W.
• Socket: The AMD uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1200.
• Architecture: The AMD uses Zen 3+, while the Intel uses Rocket Lake.
• Process Node: The AMD is on a 6 nm process, while the Intel is on a 14 nm process.
• Foundry: The AMD is manufactured by TSMC, while the Intel is manufactured by Intel.
• Die Size: The AMD has a die size of 208 mm², while the Intel has a die size of 276 mm².
• Memory Support: The AMD supports DDR5, while the Intel supports DDR4.
• Memory Bandwidth: The AMD has a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel has a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.
• Integrated Graphics: The AMD has a Radeon 680M, while the Intel has a UHD Graphics 750.
• Market Segment: The AMD is for Mobile, while the Intel is for Desktop.
• Production Status: The AMD is Active, while the Intel is End-of-life.
• Release Date: The AMD has no release date listed, while the Intel was released on 2021-03-15.
• Launch MSRP: The AMD has no launch MSRP listed, while the Intel has a launch MSRP of $439.
• Part Number: The AMD is 100-000000545100-000000561, while the Intel is SRKNJ.