AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U vs Intel Core i9-11950H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U and Intel Core i9-11950H are both 8-core, 16-thread mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between single-threaded dominance and multi-threaded workloads. The Intel chip wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, yet the AMD chip counters with critical wins in integer math, encryption, and single-thread Passmark tests. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical — the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U averages 28,379 points against the Intel Core i9-11950H's 28,332, a difference of just 0.2 percent. Both processors sit at the 80th percentile among all CPUs, and the Intel Xeon 6337P sits between them in the rival list with an average score of 28,333.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i9-11950H scores 17,279 against the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U's 10,047. That is a 41.9 percent advantage for Intel, the largest gap in the entire comparison. The single-core Cinebench R23 result follows the same pattern: Intel scores 2,439, AMD scores 1,501, giving Intel a 38.5 percent lead. These are not marginal differences; the Intel part is decisively faster in both Cinebench R23 tests.

However, the AMD chip turns the tables in several Passmark workloads. The Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U scores 15,995 in data encryption versus Intel's 12,658, a 26.4 percent advantage. In integer math, AMD scores 79,479 against Intel's 74,649, a 6.5 percent lead. The AMD processor also wins the Passmark single-thread test with a score of 3,234 versus Intel's 3,141, a 3 percent edge. The data compression test goes to AMD as well, with scores of 249,799 against 246,195, a 1.5 percent margin.

The remaining results are closer. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1,766 versus Intel's 1,741, a 1.4 percent win for AMD. The Cinebench R15 single-core test goes to Intel, 245 to 238, a 2.9 percent margin. Intel also wins extended instructions (16,361 versus 16,054, 1.9 percent), floating-point math (44,137 versus 42,999, 2.6 percent), physics (1,013 versus 989, 2.4 percent), and random string sorting (29,375 versus 26,716, 9.1 percent). The Passmark multithread test is nearly a tie: Intel scores 20,900, AMD scores 20,716, a 0.9 percent difference. The prime numbers test shows a 39.8 percent Intel advantage, with scores of 93 and 56 respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i9-11950H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, built on Intel's 10 nm process. Both are 8-core, 16-thread parts, but the cache layouts differ substantially. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The memory interface also differs. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel part supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a lower bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This likely explains why AMD excels in memory-sensitive workloads like data encryption. The integrated graphics are also different: AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 680M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 750. Both processors use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. The AMD processor is fabricated on a 208 mm² die, while Intel's die is slightly smaller at 190 mm².

The power envelope tells a striking story. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i9-11950H has a TDP of 35 watts. Despite consuming more than twice the power, Intel only wins the overall average benchmark score by a negligible 0.2 percent margin. The AMD chip achieves near parity with far lower power draw, which is a significant architectural achievement. The base clocks reflect this difference: AMD runs at 2.70 GHz base, Intel at 2.10 GHz, though Intel boosts higher at 5.00 GHz versus AMD's 4.70 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11950H is the clear choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering and content creation. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17,279 versus 10,047 shows a 41.9 percent advantage that would be decisive in video rendering or 3D modeling. The single-core Cinebench R23 result, 2,439 versus 1,501, also favors Intel by 38.5 percent, indicating that the Intel part maintains higher clock speeds under load. The prime numbers test, where Intel scores 93 against AMD's 56, suggests Intel has an edge in pure integer-heavy algorithmic work, despite losing the broader integer math test.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U wins in different territory. Data encryption is a 26.4 percent win for AMD, which points to the DDR5 memory bandwidth advantage. The integer math score of 79,479 versus 74,649 means AMD is 6.5 percent ahead in general arithmetic workloads. The Passmark single-thread score of 3,234 versus 3,141 gives AMD a 3 percent lead in lightly threaded applications, which is notable given Intel's higher boost clock. Data compression also goes to AMD, though by a modest 1.5 percent. For a low-power mobile processor, the AMD part is competitive in many everyday tasks.

The Passmark multithread test is effectively a tie, with Intel ahead by just 0.9 percent. The physics test also favors Intel by 2.4 percent, and random string sorting goes to Intel by 9.1 percent. In practical terms, the AMD processor handles encryption, compression, and general integer work more efficiently, while Intel takes the lead in rendering, floating-point math, and string manipulation.

Specification Differences

The core counts are identical at 8 cores and 16 threads, so the differences lie elsewhere. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-11950H has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The TDP differs significantly: AMD is rated at 15 watts, Intel at 35 watts. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket FP7, while Intel uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket. The AMD part is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process at its own foundry.

Memory support is a major differentiator. AMD supports DDR5, Intel supports DDR4, both dual-channel, but AMD's bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus Intel's 51.2 GB/s. The cache hierarchy differs: AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 16 MB shared L3, while Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 24 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics are Radeon 680M on AMD and UHD Graphics 750 on Intel. The production status also differs: AMD lists the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U as Active, while Intel lists the Core i9-11950H as End-of-life. The release dates are May 10, 2021 for Intel and April 18, 2022 for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $556; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H scores 17,279 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U's 10,047, a 41.9 percent advantage.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any single-threaded benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U wins the Passmark single-thread test with a score of 3,234 against Intel's 3,141, a 3 percent margin.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U supports DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i9-11950H supports DDR4 memory. Both use a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i9-11950H has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload priorities. For users who need maximum multi-threaded rendering performance in Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i9-11950H is the obvious pick, with a 41.9 percent lead over the AMD part. The Intel chip also wins the single-core Cinebench R23 test by 38.5 percent, suggesting it is better suited for heavily threaded content creation where clock speeds matter most. The larger 24 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz support this profile.

For users who prioritize power efficiency and specific computational tasks, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U is the better choice. It achieves nearly identical average benchmark scores (28,379 versus 28,332) while consuming less than half the power, with a 15-watt TDP versus 35 watts. The AMD chip wins decisively in data encryption by 26.4 percent, which points to the DDR5 memory bandwidth advantage. It also wins integer math by 6.5 percent and the Passmark single-thread test by 3 percent, making it a capable choice for general productivity and security-focused workloads.

The Intel Core i9-11950H is listed as End-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U remains Active. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $556, while the AMD part has no listed MSRP. Neither processor offers an unlocked multiplier, and both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The final choice comes down to whether the user values raw rendering performance and higher clock speeds, or power efficiency and memory bandwidth. The benchmark data does not declare an overall winner; it declares a workload-dependent split.