AMD Ryzen 9 4900H vs Intel Core i5-11260H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits this comparison almost perfectly down the middle, with three wins for each processor across the six recorded tests. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H dominates in multi-threaded legacy workloads and Geekbench multicore, while the Intel Core i5-11260H takes decisive victories in single-threaded performance and the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The choice comes down to workload priority: the AMD part is the stronger choice for older multi-core rendering tasks and general system responsiveness in multithreaded applications, while the Intel part excels in modern single-threaded tasks and the latest Cinebench version. Both chips sit at the 56th percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they deliver broadly comparable overall performance despite their architectural differences. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $250, which the database records as its only pricing detail.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H uses the Zen 2 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process, packing 8 cores and 16 threads into a 156 mm² die with 9,800 million transistors. It runs on AMD Socket FP6 with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, operating within a 54 W TDP. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support covers DDR4 and LPDDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The integrated Radeon Graphics 512SP provides the visual output, and PCIe Gen 3 connects expansion devices.

The Intel Core i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with 6 cores and 12 threads across a 190 mm² die. Its base clock is 2.10 GHz with the same 4.40 GHz boost clock, but its TDP is lower at 35 W. The cache layout differs substantially: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support is limited to DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with identical 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel pairs the chip with UHD Graphics, and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) is available. The Intel socket is BGA 1787, and the process node advantage in transistor density does not translate into a win in every benchmark category.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in either direction appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H scores 1926.5 against the Intel Core i5-11260H's 1300, a 48.2% advantage for AMD. That is a commanding lead in a legacy rendering workload, and it suggests the 8-core/16-thread configuration provides substantial parallel throughput over the 6-core/12-thread Intel part in that specific test. The single-core variant of Cinebench R15 is much closer: AMD wins 193 to 183, a 5.5% margin that shows the Zen 2 core holding its own against Tiger Lake in an older benchmark.

Geekbench multi-core also favors AMD, with a score of 6596 versus 5780, a 14.1% difference. This reinforces the pattern that the AMD part handles multithreaded general-purpose workloads well. However, the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the result decisively: Intel scores 12905 against AMD's 11604, giving Intel a 10.1% advantage. This suggests that the Intel architecture scales better in the modern rendering engine despite having fewer cores, likely due to per-core efficiency improvements.

Single-threaded performance is where Intel separates itself most clearly. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 1821 versus AMD at 1294, a 28.9% gap in Intel's favor. Geekbench single-core follows the same trend: Intel scores 1595 against AMD's 1309, a 17.9% margin. These results indicate that for lightly threaded applications, the Intel Core i5-11260H is the substantially faster processor. The head-to-head tally ends at three wins each, but the magnitude of the wins matters: AMD's biggest victory is 48.2%, while Intel's biggest is 28.9%, and Intel also wins the two most modern benchmark variants.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11260H has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the Intel part win any multi-core benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-11260H wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 12905, which is 10.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H's 11604.

Q: How large is the single-threaded performance gap?

A: Intel leads by 28.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1821 versus 1294) and by 17.9% in Geekbench single-core (1595 versus 1309). AMD only wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 5.5% (193 versus 183).

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has a TDP of 54 W, while the Intel Core i5-11260H has a TDP of 35 W.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, but AMD also supports LPDDR4 while Intel only supports DDR4.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H uses TSMC's 7 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-11260H uses Intel's 10 nm process. AMD's die is 156 mm², and Intel's is 190 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 48.2%, which is its most dominant result. It also takes Cinebench R15 single-core by 5.5% and Geekbench multi-core by 14.1%. This makes the AMD part the better choice for users running legacy Cinebench R15 workloads, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, and for Geekbench-style general multi-core applications. The 8-core configuration gives it a clear edge in tasks that can leverage more threads, and the data shows it handles older software particularly well.

The Intel Core i5-11260H wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 10.1%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 28.9%, and Geekbench single-core by 17.9%. This makes Intel the stronger option for modern rendering workloads and for single-threaded applications. The R23 results are especially telling: Intel leads in both the multi-core and single-core versions of that benchmark, indicating that the Tiger Lake architecture is better optimized for the current Cinebench engine. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness in everyday applications, the Intel part is the clear winner. The split is even at three wins each, but the nature of the wins matters: AMD dominates older multi-core tests, while Intel dominates newer and single-threaded tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 4900H | Intel Core i5-11260H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Renoir | Tiger Lake-H |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 190 mm² |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not recorded |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 512SP | UHD Graphics |

| Release Date | 2020-03-15 | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $250 |

| Part Number | 100-000000353 | SRKT0 |

Both processors share the same boost clock of 4.40 GHz, dual-channel memory bus, memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and lack of ECC memory support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while AMD uses PCIe Gen 3. The cache structures differ meaningfully: Intel has larger L1, L2, and L3 allocations per core, though AMD's 8-core layout provides more total threads. The release dates are about 14 months apart, with AMD launching first. The average benchmark scores in the database are close, with AMD at 3820 and Intel at 3721, a difference of about 2.7%. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile against all CPUs.