AMD Ryzen 7 7840U vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two 8-core, 16-thread processors. The Intel Core i7-11700K wins 14 of the 23 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U wins 9. However, the nature of those wins matters more than the count. The Intel part dominates heavily in threaded workloads that scale with sustained power delivery, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core where it leads by 62.5%, and 3DMark multi-thread tests where its advantage reaches 49.6%. The AMD part counters with efficiency-oriented wins in single-threaded PassMark tests and specific math workloads, but its deficits in the heaviest multi-threaded tests are substantial.

For desktop users with access to wall power and a capable cooling solution, the Intel Core i7-11700K is the stronger choice based on aggregate scores. Its average benchmark score of 25812 places it in the 78th percentile of all CPUs in the database, marginally ahead of the AMD part's average of 25432 and 77th percentile. For mobile users prioritizing sustained multi-core performance within a 28 watt envelope, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U offers competitive single-thread results and superior energy efficiency, but the data shows it cannot match the Intel chip in heavily threaded rendering or synthetic 3D workloads. The verdict depends entirely on the use case: maximum throughput favors Intel, while balanced mobile computing favors AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-11700K uses Rocket Lake architecture built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U uses Zen 4 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm process node. This manufacturing gap explains much of the efficiency difference, with the AMD part featuring 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die compared to the Intel part's unspecified transistor count and die size.

Cache hierarchies differ notably between the two. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while AMD provides 64 KB of L1 and a larger 1 MB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache, but the per-core L2 advantage for AMD suggests different optimization targets. Memory support also diverges: Intel uses DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while AMD uses DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

The integrated graphics solutions differ as well, with Intel pairing UHD Graphics 750 and AMD pairing Radeon 780M. The Intel chip is an unlocked desktop part (multiplier unlocked) on Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD chip is a locked mobile processor on AMD Socket FP8. Intel's part is marked end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $399, while the AMD part remains active in production. The AMD processor also carries a significantly lower TDP of 28 watts versus Intel's 125 watts, which directly reflects their desktop versus mobile positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-11700K boosts to 5.00 GHz. The base clocks differ as well, with Intel at 3.60 GHz and AMD at 3.30 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K scores 20666 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 62.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U's 12719. This is the largest multi-core delta in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U win any single-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes. The AMD part wins Geekbench single-core with 2077 versus Intel's 1974, and PassMark single-thread with 3565 versus Intel's 3390. However, Intel wins 3DMark single-thread (977 versus 932) and Cinebench R15/R23 single-core tests.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-11700K does not. The AMD part also uses DDR5 memory, whereas the Intel part uses DDR4.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U has a TDP of 28 watts. This 97 watt gap reflects the desktop versus mobile design targets and explains the AMD part's efficiency advantage.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel part records an average benchmark score of 25812, placing it in the 78th percentile. The AMD part averages 25432, placing it in the 77th percentile. The difference of 380 points represents less than 1.5% separation.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700K | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U |

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

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 178 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | Radeon 780M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | Not recorded |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel victories come in rendering and synthetic multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 20666 against AMD's 12719, a delta of 62.5%. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel's 2917 beats AMD's 1677.5 by 73.9%, the largest single delta in the entire comparison. 3DMark results follow suit: Intel leads by 49.6% in max threads (8080 versus 5402), 49.2% in 16 threads (8095 versus 5427), and 39% in 8 threads (6370 versus 4583). Geekbench multi-core also favors Intel, with 10521 versus 8766, a 20% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U takes its wins in more specialized workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows AMD at 80 versus Intel's 66, a 17.5% advantage. PassMark physics similarly favors AMD, 1256 versus 1039, also 17.3% ahead. Data encryption goes to AMD by 11.6% (17691 versus 15638). PassMark integer math records AMD at 90852 versus Intel's 86390, a 4.9% edge, and PassMark single-thread shows AMD at 3565 versus 3390, another 4.9% win. Floating-point math is nearly even, with AMD at 51767 versus Intel's 51119, a 1.3% margin.

The mid-range results show Intel holding ground in several areas. PassMark data compression favors Intel by 11.8% (322689 versus 288604). Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to Intel by 4.6% (2082 versus 1990), and single-core by 11.4% (294 versus 264). PassMark random string sorting goes to Intel by 8.9% (36755 versus 33757). The 3DMark 4-thread test favors Intel by 20.6% (3653 versus 3029), while 2-thread shows Intel ahead by 10.3% (1907 versus 1729). PassMark extended instructions records Intel at 22964 versus AMD's 20432, a 12.4% Intel win. PassMark multithread shows AMD marginally ahead at 24782 versus 24408, a 1.5% difference. Geekbench single-core is the only major single-thread test where AMD wins, 2077 versus 1974, a 5% margin.

The overall pattern is consistent: Intel's high TDP and desktop design deliver significantly higher multi-threaded throughput in rendering and 3D workloads, while AMD's modern 4 nm process and lower power envelope yield wins in specific math, encryption, and single-threaded PassMark tests. The Intel part's 14 wins and AMD's 9 wins reflect this split, with the magnitude of Intel's victories in Cinebench and 3DMark far exceeding the margins of AMD's specialty wins.