AMD Ryzen 7 8700F vs Intel Core i9-11980HK Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and Intel Core i9-11980HK are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they represent very different generations and market segments. The Ryzen 7 8700F is an active desktop part built on AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, while the Core i9-11980HK is an end-of-life mobile chip from Intel’s Tiger Lake-H family. Benchmark data shows the AMD part winning 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 30,746 versus 30,422 for the Intel part. The Ryzen’s percentile ranking of 82 places it just above the Core i9’s 81st percentile among all CPUs, indicating a slight overall performance edge despite the Intel part’s higher launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F leads in every single-thread test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3,761 versus 2,628 for the Intel Core i9-11980HK, a delta of 43.1%. PassMark single-thread results show 3,872 versus 3,261, an 18.7% advantage for AMD.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Ryzen 7 8700F wins all multi-threaded benchmarks. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 26,646 versus 18,617, a 43.1% lead. PassMark multithread scores are 30,893 versus 22,436, a 37.7% delta. The only multi-thread test the Intel part wins is PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 100 versus 98.

Q: What are the key memory differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel architecture and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-11980HK uses DDR4 with dual-channel architecture and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both lack ECC memory support.

Q: Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics, listing "N/A" for that feature. The Intel Core i9-11980HK includes UHD Graphics 750, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is listed as "Active" in production. The Intel Core i9-11980HK is marked as "End-of-life," meaning it is no longer actively produced.

Q: How close are these chips in overall benchmark averages?

A: The Ryzen 7 8700F has an average benchmark score of 30,746, while the Core i9-11980HK averages 30,422. The AMD part’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS at 30,879 (-0.4%) and Intel Core i5-13600H at 30,548 (+0.6%). The Intel part’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS at 30,390 (+0.1%) and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T at 30,468 (-0.2%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It contains 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process with a 190 mm² die size and no transistor count listed.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Ryzen 7 8700F has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a larger 24 MB shared L3 cache. Despite the Intel chip’s larger cache pool, it trails in most performance tests.

Memory support creates a clear generational split. The AMD processor uses DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. Both have dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics, while the Core i9-11980HK includes UHD Graphics 750. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, but they target different sockets — AMD Socket AM5 for the Ryzen versus Intel BGA 1787 for the mobile Core i9. The AMD part is a desktop segment chip, while the Intel is a mobile segment chip.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the clear winner in almost every workload category. It dominates Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 versions, in both single-core and multicore modes. The data shows consistent 43% leads in these rendering benchmarks, making the Ryzen the obvious choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and other CPU-heavy creative tasks.

PassMark results reinforce this pattern. The Ryzen 7 8700F wins in data compression (378,160 versus 266,571), data encryption (22,117 versus 13,813), extended instructions (28,474 versus 17,654), floating point math (62,629 versus 46,262), integer math (100,371 versus 78,682), physics (1,553 versus 1,112), and random string sorting (45,425 versus 31,709). These wins span general productivity, scientific computing, and encryption workloads.

The Intel Core i9-11980HK wins exactly one benchmark: PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 100 versus the AMD’s 98. This is a narrow 2% margin and represents a specialized workload that does not reflect general performance. For any practical use case — gaming, content creation, software compilation, or everyday multitasking — the benchmark data overwhelmingly favors the AMD part.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on nearly every specification except core count, thread count, boost clock, PCIe configuration, and ECC support. Both have 8 cores, 16 threads, a 5.00 GHz boost clock, Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes, and no ECC memory support.

Base clocks differ substantially: the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F runs at 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-11980HK has a 2.60 GHz base clock. TDP also differs, with the AMD at 65 watts and the Intel at 45 watts. The Ryzen is an AMD Socket AM5 desktop part, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1787 for mobile systems.

Process technology separates them: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC fabrication, Intel uses 10 nm. The AMD die is 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors; Intel’s die is 190 mm² with no transistor count specified. Cache per core differs: AMD has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2, Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2. Shared L3 cache is 16 MB on AMD versus 24 MB on Intel.

Memory support is a major differentiator: AMD uses DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, Intel uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. Integrated graphics exist only on the Intel chip (UHD Graphics 750). Production status differs — AMD is active, Intel is end-of-life. Release dates are March 31, 2024 for AMD and May 10, 2021 for Intel. The launch MSRP is $270 for the Ryzen 7 8700F and $583 for the Core i9-11980HK.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent and decisive AMD advantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 8700F scores 2,685 against 1,876 for the Intel, a 43.1% lead. Single-core R15 shows 378 versus 264, a 43.2% delta. These margins repeat in R20 multicore (11,191 versus 7,819, 43.1%) and R20 single-core (1,579 versus 1,103, 43.2%). Cinebench R23 continues the trend: multicore 26,646 versus 18,617 (43.1%) and single-core 3,761 versus 2,628 (43.1%).

PassMark results show similarly large gaps, though with some variation. The biggest AMD win is in extended instructions: 28,474 versus 17,654, a 61.3% delta. Data encryption follows at 22,117 versus 13,813, a 60.1% lead. Random string sorting shows 45,425 versus 31,709, a 43.3% advantage. Data compression yields 378,160 versus 266,571, a 41.9% lead.

Floating point math favors AMD by 35.4% (62,629 versus 46,262). Integer math is closer but still decisive: 100,371 versus 78,682, a 27.6% lead. PassMark multithread shows 30,893 versus 22,436, a 37.7% delta. Physics tests give AMD 1,553 versus 1,112, a 39.7% edge. Single-thread PassMark results show 3,872 versus 3,261, an 18.7% advantage — the narrowest AMD win.

The sole Intel victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers: 100 versus 98, a 2% delta. This is the only head-to-head benchmark where the Core i9-11980HK outperforms the Ryzen 7 8700F.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the superior processor in nearly every measurable way. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with leads ranging from 18.7% in PassMark single-thread to 61.3% in extended instructions. The Intel Core i9-11980HK’s single win in prime number calculation is a 2% margin that does not offset the AMD’s overwhelming advantage elsewhere.

For desktop builders, the Ryzen 7 8700F offers a modern 4 nm Zen 4 design with DDR5 support, a 4.10 GHz base clock, and active production status. It achieves an 82nd percentile ranking among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 30,746. The chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS and Intel Core i5-13600H, both within 1% of its average score, indicating strong competition at its performance level.

The Intel Core i9-11980HK, despite its 81st percentile ranking and 30,422 average score, is a dated mobile part. Its 2.60 GHz base clock, DDR4 memory support, and end-of-life status make it a poor choice for new builds. The 45 watt TDP and BGA 1787 socket limit it to laptop or embedded applications, where the integrated UHD Graphics 750 might be useful.

Anyone building a desktop system should choose the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F. Its 43.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 37.7% lead in PassMark multithread translate directly into faster rendering, compilation, and multitasking. The launch MSRP difference — $270 for AMD versus $583 for Intel — further reinforces this decision, though the performance gap alone justifies the choice regardless of price considerations.

Mobile users looking for a Tiger Lake-H chip may find the Core i9-11980HK in existing laptops, but its benchmark results suggest it will be significantly slower than the Ryzen 7 8700F in nearly all workloads. The only scenario where the Intel part wins is the specialized prime number calculation, which has no practical application for typical users. For anyone comparing these two processors, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the clear recommendation based on benchmark performance alone.