AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS vs Intel Core i9-11900K Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900K and AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS represent two fundamentally different approaches to eight-core computing: a desktop flagship designed for maximum performance within a power-hungry platform, and a mobile processor engineered for efficiency in a constrained thermal envelope. The benchmark data shows the Intel part winning 22 of 23 head-to-head comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 26639 against the AMD chip's 26402, placing them at the 79th and 78th percentiles of all CPUs respectively. The Intel processor's edge is consistent across nearly every workload, though the AMD chip's single victory in data encryption hints at architectural strengths that merit closer inspection. The question is not whether the 11900K is faster—it clearly is—but whether the nature of its wins and the context of its platform make it the right choice for every user.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear hierarchy: the Intel Core i9-11900K is the faster processor in almost every measurable way, but the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS is the more sensible choice for mobile systems. The 11900K's 3DMark max-threads score of 8319 versus the 7435HS's 6900 represents a 20.6% advantage, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21168 beats the AMD chip's 19873 by 6.5%. For a desktop user with a 125W TDP budget and access to DDR4 memory, the 11900K is the obvious pick—it delivers superior single-thread and multi-thread performance across content creation, simulation, and general productivity tasks. However, the 7435HS, with its 45W TDP and DDR5 support, is the only one of the two that makes sense in a laptop chassis. The AMD chip's active production status, versus the Intel part's end-of-life designation, means it remains available for current mobile designs. The data also shows the 7435HS is not far behind in most tests—its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is within 6.5% of the 11900K, and its PassMark multi-thread score of 23393 trails by only 7%—making it a compelling option for users who prioritize efficiency over absolute performance. The single AMD win in PassMark data encryption, with a score of 18648 versus 16000 (a 14.2% advantage), suggests the Zen 3+ architecture has specific strengths in cryptographic workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-11900K is built on Rocket Lake, a 14nm architecture from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 276 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS uses Zen 3+, codenamed Rembrandt-R, manufactured on a 6nm process by TSMC with a smaller 210 mm² die. Both chips feature 8 cores and 16 threads, but their cache hierarchies differ: the Intel part allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, while the AMD chip uses 64 KB per core. Both share 512 KB of L2 per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache, but the 11900K's 14nm process is significantly less dense than the 7435HS's 6nm node. The Intel processor supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth—a 50% increase in theoretical memory throughput. The 11900K features integrated UHD Graphics 750, whereas the 7435HS has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The AMD chip includes ECC memory support, which the Intel part lacks. Both offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, but the Intel processor has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the AMD chip's multiplier remains locked. The 11900K's base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost of 5.30 GHz, while the 7435HS operates at 3.10 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost—the Intel part's higher clocks correlate with its higher 125W TDP versus the AMD chip's 45W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K wins every single-thread benchmark in the data. Its 3DMark single-thread score is 1011 versus 888 for the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS (13.9% higher), and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2988 beats the AMD chip's 2805 by 6.5%. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel at 3511 versus 3167, a 10.9% advantage.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS competitive in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD chip is close but not equal. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 7435HS scores 19873 versus the 11900K's 21168, a 6.5% deficit. The 3DMark 16-thread test shows a larger gap: 6915 versus 8331, a 20.5% difference. The AMD chip does win PassMark data encryption with 18648 versus 16000, a 14.2% lead.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K has a 125W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS has a 45W TDP. This makes the AMD chip more suitable for mobile devices where thermal limits are tighter, while the Intel part requires a desktop-class cooling solution.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-11900K supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-11900K is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS is listed as active. The Intel part was released on 2021-03-15, while the AMD chip has no release date in the data.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K has an average benchmark score of 26639, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS has an average score of 26402, placing it in the 78th percentile. The 0.9% difference in average scores reflects the Intel part's consistent, if modest, lead.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-11900K | AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Zen 3+ |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 210 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $539 | Not provided |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-11900K dominates the 3DMark suite, with its largest wins in the multi-threaded tests. The 3DMark 16-thread benchmark shows Intel at 8331 versus AMD's 6915, a 20.5% advantage, and the max-threads test is nearly identical at 8319 versus 6900, a 20.6% lead. The single-thread test also favors Intel at 1011 versus 888, a 13.9% margin, while the 2-thread and 4-thread tests show 12.7% and 12% advantages respectively. In Cinebench, the Intel part is consistently 6.5% ahead across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests—for example, R23 multi-core scores 21168 versus 19873, and R23 single-core scores 2988 versus 2805. PassMark results show a similar pattern: Intel leads in floating-point math (52841 versus 48863, 8.1%), integer math (89279 versus 85274, 4.7%), extended instructions (23406 versus 21690, 7.9%), and multi-thread (25038 versus 23393, 7%). The largest PassMark margin for Intel is in find prime numbers, where it scores 68 versus AMD's 54, a 25.9% difference, and random string sorting, with 37942 versus 31827, a 19.2% lead. The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS's only win comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 18648 versus Intel's 16000, a 14.2% advantage. The Intel part also wins data compression (330836 versus 310038, 6.7%) and physics (1052 versus 991, 6.2%).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11900K is the clear winner for desktop users who need maximum throughput in multi-threaded applications. Its 20.5% lead in 3DMark 16-thread and 20.6% in max-threads suggest it handles heavily threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D simulation, and scientific computing with significantly more headroom. The 6.5% advantage across all Cinebench R23 tests indicates consistent performance gains in content creation tools that rely on both single-core and multi-core performance. For users who work with large datasets, the 19.2% lead in random string sorting and 25.9% advantage in prime number finding point to strengths in data processing and algorithmic tasks. The 11900K's unlocked multiplier and 125W TDP make it suitable for enthusiasts who want to push performance further with overclocking, though the data does not include overclocked results.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS's wins are more contextual. Its 14.2% lead in data encryption suggests it is better suited for security-focused workloads, VPN operations, or any task that relies heavily on AES encryption instructions. The chip's 45W TDP, active production status, and DDR5 support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth make it the only viable choice for thin-and-light laptops where the 125W Intel part would be impractical. The 7435HS's 6nm process and smaller 210 mm² die also imply better power efficiency per unit of performance, though specific efficiency metrics are not in the data. For users who need a capable eight-core processor in a mobile form factor, the AMD chip's performance is within 6.5% of the desktop Intel part in Cinebench R23 multi-core, making it a surprisingly strong mobile alternative. The AMD chip's ECC memory support also positions it for workstation laptops where data integrity is critical. In short, the Intel processor wins on raw performance across the board, but the AMD processor wins on platform suitability for mobile computing and specific cryptographic tasks.