AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE vs Intel Core i9-11980HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two eight-core, sixteen-thread processors. The Intel Core i9-11980HK claims victory in 12 of the 17 recorded comparisons, but the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE counters with 5 wins, and some of those are in significant workloads. The most striking result is in passmark_data_encryption, where AMD wins by a massive 18.4% margin (16937 versus 13813). That is a substantial advantage for a security-focused PRO processor.

In the Cinebench suite, Intel is consistently ahead, but the margins are tight. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core tests show Intel leading by roughly 4.8% to 4.9%. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 18617 against AMD's 17759, a 4.8% edge. The single-core story is similar: Intel's 2628 beats AMD's 2507 in R23 single-core. These are not dominant victories, but they are uniform ones, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage in rendering workloads.

The PassMark suite tells a more complex story. Intel wins passmark_find_prime_numbers by a staggering 100% (100 versus 50), though the absolute numbers are small and this result should be viewed with caution. More meaningful is passmark_physics, where Intel leads by 32.2% (1112 versus 841). This is the largest delta among the substantive tests and suggests Intel's Tiger Lake architecture handles physics simulation calculations far more efficiently. Intel also wins passmark_random_string_sorting by 15.8% (31709 versus 27373) and passmark_multithread by 7.5% (22436 versus 20870).

AMD's counterattacks come in integer-heavy and single-threaded workloads. The Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE wins passmark_integer_math by 6.3% (84004 versus 78682), a notable reversal from the multi-core Cinebench results. It also edges out Intel in passmark_floating_point_math by 0.7% (46589 versus 46262), and in passmark_single_thread by 2.7% (3353 versus 3261). The data compression test is close, with Intel ahead by 5.4% (266571 versus 252937), while extended instructions favor Intel by 3.7% (17654 versus 17029).

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is clear from the data. Intel's wins cluster around rendering, physics, and sorting operations. The 4.8% to 4.9% edge across every Cinebench iteration indicates that the Core i9-11980HK is the stronger choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any workload that relies on sustained multi-threaded CPU throughput. The 32.2% lead in physics is particularly relevant for simulation software and certain game physics engines, while the 15.8% advantage in random string sorting points to database operations and text processing tasks.

AMD's wins are concentrated in encryption, integer math, and raw single-thread performance. The 18.4% lead in data encryption is the standout, making the Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE the better option for cryptographic workloads, secure communications, and any application that heavily uses AES or similar encryption standards. The 6.3% integer math advantage suggests compiled code and general-purpose arithmetic favor AMD, even if the overall multi-core Cinebench results do not. The 2.7% single-thread win (3353 versus 3261) is small but indicates that AMD's Zen 3 core design has a slight efficiency edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks.

The floating-point math result is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead by just 0.7%. This suggests that for scientific computing and engineering simulations that rely on floating-point operations, either processor would perform nearly identically. The passmark_multithread test, which Intel wins by 7.5%, reinforces that Intel holds the advantage when all sixteen threads are active, despite AMD's victories in specific instruction categories.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear recommendation for most users: the Intel Core i9-11980HK is the better all-around performer. It wins 12 of 17 tests, including every Cinebench benchmark, and its advantages in physics and string sorting are substantial. The 4.8% to 4.9% margins across rendering workloads may not be dramatic, but they are consistent and would compound over long render times. For content creators, engineers, and power users running multi-threaded desktop applications, the i9-11980HK is the safer choice.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE is the specialist. Its 18.4% encryption advantage is impossible to ignore for enterprise or security-focused deployments. The 6.3% integer math lead and 2.7% single-thread edge also make it attractive for developers compiling code, running lightweight web servers, or handling cryptographic network traffic. Additionally, the Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE operates at a 35W TDP versus Intel's 45W, which may translate to lower power draw in sustained workloads, though the benchmark data does not directly measure energy efficiency.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: Intel averages 30422, while AMD averages 29656, a gap of roughly 2.6%. Both sit at the 81st percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a slouch. The Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H at 29868, while Intel's peers include the Intel Core i5-13600H at 30548. This places both processors in the same performance stratum, but Intel's overall score is higher.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK scores 18617, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE scores 17759. Intel leads by 4.8% in this test.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE wins passmark_data_encryption by 18.4% (16937 versus 13813), which is its largest victory in the recorded data.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE leads in passmark_single_thread by 2.7% (3353 versus 3261), but Intel leads in all Cinebench single-core tests by 4.8%.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the entire comparison?

A: The largest delta is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where Intel scores 100 versus AMD's 50, a 100% difference, though the absolute scores are very low.

Q: Which processor has more wins overall?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE wins 5.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 81st percentile when compared against all CPUs in the database, though Intel's average benchmark score of 30422 is higher than AMD's 29656.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core i9-11980HK is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 190 mm². AMD's Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process with a die size of 180 mm². AMD's design integrates 10,700 million transistors, while Intel does not report a transistor count in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a 24 MB shared L3 cache. AMD uses a leaner structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The larger L3 on Intel likely contributes to its multi-core wins in Cinebench, while AMD's smaller cache is offset by the higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.60 GHz, though Intel boosts to 5.00 GHz against AMD's 4.60 GHz.

PCIe support differs as well. Intel offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives Intel a bandwidth advantage for NVMe storage and discrete GPUs. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics are also distinct: Intel uses UHD Graphics 750, while AMD integrates Radeon Vega 8.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is the TDP. Intel's Core i9-11980HK is rated at 45W, while AMD's Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE draws 35W. This may affect sustained performance in thermally constrained systems, though the benchmark data does not measure power consumption directly.

Clock speeds differ notably. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while AMD runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The higher boost clock on Intel helps explain its Cinebench wins, while AMD's higher base clock supports its single-thread advantage.

Sockets and platforms are completely different: Intel uses the BGA 1787 socket (mobile), while AMD uses Socket AM4 (desktop). The Intel processor is marked as end-of-life, while AMD's is active production. Intel's launch MSRP was $583, while AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database. Intel's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while AMD's is locked. The Intel part number is SRKSZ, and AMD's is 100-000001750. Intel's release date was May 2021, while AMD's was September 2024, making the Ryzen 7 PRO a much newer design despite its older Zen 3 architecture roots.