AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS vs Intel Core i7-11700KF Comparison

Intel Core i7-11700KF and AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target entirely different platforms and use cases. The Intel chip is a desktop part from the Rocket Lake generation, while the AMD chip is a mobile part from the Rembrandt-R lineup. The benchmark data shows the Intel Core i7-11700KF dominates most performance tests, winning 20 of 23 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS secures only 3 wins. This split reflects their design priorities: raw power versus efficiency in a mobile form factor.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700KF is the clear winner for compute-heavy desktop workloads. Its largest advantages come in multi-threaded rendering and single-thread performance. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel chip scores 20214 compared to the AMD's 13106, a 54.2% lead. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 2853 versus 1546, a 84.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 singlecore. These results indicate that for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, or any task that scales with thread count and benefits from high clock speeds, the Intel processor is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS wins in three specific areas. It takes Cinebench R15 multicore with a score of 2153.4 versus 2037, a 5.4% margin. It also leads in PassMark data encryption, scoring 18237 compared to 15229, a 16.5% advantage. Finally, it wins PassMark physics with 1073 versus 985, an 8.2% edge. These wins suggest the AMD chip has a slight edge in certain legacy rendering workloads, encryption tasks, and physics simulations, possibly due to architectural efficiencies in those specific instruction patterns.

For general desktop use, the Intel chip also leads in single-threaded responsiveness. It wins Geekbench singlecore with 1938 versus 1699, a 14.1% margin, and PassMark single_thread with 3368 versus 3296, a 2.2% edge. The 3DMark results consistently favor Intel across all thread counts, from 7.2% in single_thread to 17.4% in 16_threads, indicating better gaming and graphics-adjacent performance. The AMD chip, being a mobile part, is designed for laptops where battery life and thermal constraints matter more than maximum performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. The Intel Core i7-11700KF uses Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm², while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS uses TSMC's 6 nm process with a die size of 210 mm². This process advantage allows AMD to fit the chip into a 35 W TDP package, whereas Intel's desktop part consumes 125 W. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD chip runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.75 GHz boost. The higher clock speeds on Intel contribute to its single-thread dominance.

Cache configurations are similar in total L3 (16 MB shared on both), but L1 differs: Intel offers 80 KB per core while AMD provides 64 KB per core. L2 cache is identical at 512 KB per core. Memory support diverges significantly. The Intel chip supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. This gives the AMD chip a theoretical memory bandwidth advantage, though it does not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon 680M graphics, while the Intel Core i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics (the "KF" suffix indicates this). The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes CPU-only for both. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the AMD chip is locked. Production status differs: Intel is end-of-life, released in March 2021, while AMD is active, released in March 2023.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster for multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF is significantly faster. It leads in Cinebench R23 multicore with 20214 versus 13106, a 54.2% advantage, and in Geekbench multicore with 10565 versus 8114, a 30.2% margin.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS have any performance advantages?

A: Yes, it wins three benchmarks. It leads in Cinebench R15 multicore (2153.4 versus 2037, a 5.4% margin), PassMark data encryption (18237 versus 15229, a 16.5% advantage), and PassMark physics (1073 versus 985, an 8.2% edge).

Q: Which chip is better for single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF wins every single-thread benchmark. It leads in Cinebench R23 singlecore by 84.5% (2853 versus 1546), Geekbench singlecore by 14.1% (1938 versus 1699), and PassMark single_thread by 2.2% (3368 versus 3296).

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS includes Radeon 680M integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Specification Differences

The two processors share core and thread counts (8 cores, 16 threads) and L2 cache per core (512 KB), but nearly every other specification diverges. The Intel Core i7-11700KF operates at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.75 GHz boost. TDP is a major difference: Intel at 125 W versus AMD at 35 W. The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP7. The Intel chip is built on 14 nm by Intel, while the AMD chip uses 6 nm from TSMC.

Cache L1 differs: Intel has 80 KB per core, AMD has 64 KB per core. L3 cache is identical at 16 MB shared. Memory support differs entirely: DDR4 for Intel, DDR5 for AMD. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 76.8 GB/s versus Intel's 51.2 GB/s. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. Integrated graphics are present on AMD (Radeon 680M) but absent on Intel. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD chip does not. Market segment differs: Intel is desktop, AMD is mobile. Production status: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $374; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel chip was released in March 2021, the AMD chip in March 2023.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700KF wins 20 of 23 benchmarks, and the margins are often substantial. The largest win is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where Intel scores 2853 versus AMD's 1546, a 84.5% lead. This is followed by Cinebench R23 multicore: 20214 versus 13106, a 54.2% advantage. Geekbench multicore shows a 30.2% lead (10565 versus 8114). In 3DMark 16_threads, Intel leads 8067 versus 6870, a 17.4% margin, and in 3DMark max_threads, 8049 versus 6872, a 17.1% edge. PassMark random string sorting favors Intel by 19.5% (36309 versus 30388). Cinebench R15 singlecore shows a 15.7% lead (287 versus 248). Geekbench singlecore is 14.1% faster on Intel (1938 versus 1699). PassMark extended instructions favor Intel by 11% (22247 versus 20050). 3DMark 8_threads shows a 10.5% lead (6294 versus 5697). PassMark data compression favors Intel by 8.3% (317712 versus 293278). Smaller Intel wins include 3DMark 4_threads (7.8%), 3DMark 2_threads (7.7%), 3DMark single_thread (7.2%), PassMark floating point math (5.7%), PassMark find prime numbers (5.1%), PassMark multithread (2.8%), and PassMark single_thread (2.2%). PassMark integer math is nearly tied, with Intel winning by 0.1% (85377 versus 85309).

The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS wins three benchmarks. PassMark data encryption shows AMD leading 18237 versus 15229, a 16.5% advantage. PassMark physics favors AMD 1073 versus 985, an 8.2% margin. Cinebench R15 multicore is the closest AMD win: 2153.4 versus 2037, a 5.4% lead. These wins are notable but isolated; they do not offset the broad Intel dominance across rendering, single-thread, and general compute benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core i7-11700KF for any performance-sensitive desktop workload. With a 54.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and an 84.5% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore, it is the stronger choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and other CPU-intensive tasks. Its 30.2% edge in Geekbench multicore and consistent wins across all 3DMark thread-count tests indicate better gaming and graphics-related performance as well. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, which can extend its lead further. The 125 W TDP is a drawback, but for a desktop system with adequate cooling, this is manageable.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS is the appropriate pick for mobile platforms. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops where power efficiency is critical. It wins in data encryption (16.5% faster), physics simulation (8.2% faster), and legacy Cinebench R15 multicore (5.4% faster), showing competence in specific tasks. The integrated Radeon 680M graphics provide a display output without a discrete GPU, and DDR5 memory support offers higher theoretical bandwidth. However, its 84.5% deficit in Cinebench R23 singlecore and 54.2% deficit in multicore mean it cannot match the Intel chip in raw compute performance. Choose Intel for desktop performance, choose AMD for mobile efficiency. The Intel chip is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $374, while the AMD chip is active and still in production.