AMD Ryzen 9 4900H vs Intel Core i5-11600T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H and Intel Core i5-11600T are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their benchmark results place them in a surprisingly close overall contest. The data shows a clear split: the AMD mobile chip dominates in older multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel desktop chip takes a decisive lead in newer single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. With the Ryzen 9 4900H winning 2 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks and the Core i5-11600T winning 4, the choice between them hinges entirely on which workload generation matters more to the user.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result in the comparison is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H posts a score of 1926.5 against the Intel Core i5-11600T's 1248. That is a 54.4% advantage for AMD, the largest delta in any test. This is a massive win, reflecting the Ryzen's 8-core/16-thread configuration overpowering Intel's 6-core/12-thread part in a workload that scales heavily with core count. The Ryzen also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test, but by a much narrower margin: 193 versus 176, a 9.7% difference. This shows that even in a legacy single-threaded test, the older Zen 2 architecture can still outpace Rocket Lake.

The picture flips completely in the newer Cinebench R23 suite. Intel's Core i5-11600T takes the multi-core score with 12385 against AMD's 11604, a 6.3% margin. More strikingly, the Intel part wins the R23 single-core test by a wide 26% margin, scoring 1748 versus 1294. This indicates that Rocket Lake's architectural improvements in IPC and clock behavior are fully realized in the more modern R23 workload, which is less forgiving of older designs. The Geekbench results reinforce the Intel advantage: the Core i5-11600T edges out the Ryzen in multi-core with 6653 versus 6596, a slim 0.9% margin, and then dominates single-core with 1791 versus 1309, a 26.9% lead.

The overall average benchmark scores tell a story of near-parity. The Ryzen 9 4900H averages 3820 across all tests, while the Core i5-11600T averages 3742. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance despite their divergent strengths. The nearest rivals for each further contextualize this: the Ryzen is within 1.1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 and 0.9% of the Intel Core i7-9700KF, while the Intel is within 0.6% of the Core i5-11260H and 0.9% of the Core i5-1245U.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H is the clear winner for legacy multi-threaded productivity. Its 54.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is the single biggest differentiator in this comparison. Any workload that resembles that test—older rendering tasks, batch processing, or compilation with heavy thread usage—will see a substantial advantage from the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads. It also holds a 9.7% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core, making it the better choice for older software that relies on single-threaded performance from a prior era.

The Intel Core i5-11600T wins in every modern benchmark category. Its 26% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 26.9% lead in Geekbench single-core are decisive, indicating that any current or future application optimized for modern instruction sets will run significantly faster on the Intel part. The Intel also wins the multi-core tests in both Cinebench R23 (6.3% ahead) and Geekbench (0.9% ahead), meaning that even in heavily threaded modern workloads, the lower-core-count Intel chip is the better performer. The only caveat is that the Geekbench multi-core win is marginal, so users who prioritize raw thread count over modern IPC might still prefer the AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H uses the Zen 2 architecture (codename Renoir), built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-11600T uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process, with a much larger 276 mm² die. The transistor count for the Intel part is not disclosed in the data, but the die size difference alone suggests a less dense design.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Ryzen 9 4900H has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-11600T has 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 is 12 MB, a 50% larger pool. This larger L3 cache likely contributes to the Intel's strong single-threaded performance, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

Process node and foundry also separate the pair. AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm process, while Intel uses its own 14 nm process. The AMD part is a mobile processor (market segment: Mobile) with a 54 W TDP, while the Intel is a desktop processor (market segment: Desktop) with a 35 W TDP. The Intel's lower TDP despite the older, larger process is notable, but the AMD's higher TDP reflects its higher core count and mobile design targets.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are a primary differentiator: the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD base clock at 3.30 GHz and boost clock at 4.40 GHz, while the Intel base clock is listed at 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) and boost at 4.10 GHz. The AMD's higher base clock is a 3.30 GHz vs 1.70 GHz gap, but the Intel's boost clock is only 0.30 GHz lower.

Sockets are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1200. The AMD supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory, while the Intel supports DDR4 only. Both have dual-channel memory buses with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe support differs: the AMD has Gen 3, while the Intel has Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD pairs Radeon Graphics 512SP, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 750. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $213; the AMD's launch MSRP is not listed.

Production status separates them further: the AMD is listed as Active, while the Intel is End-of-life. The AMD was released on 2020-03-15, and the Intel on 2021-03-15, a full year later. The AMD's part number is 100-000000353, and the Intel's is SRKNX. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-11600T is faster, scoring 12385 versus the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H's 11604, a 6.3% advantage.

Q: How big is the AMD's lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H scores 1926.5, which is 54.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-11600T's 1248.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H averages 3820, and the Intel Core i5-11600T averages 3742. Both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 4?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H supports PCIe Gen 3.

Q: What is the cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i5-11600T has 80 KB of L1 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload. For users running older multi-threaded applications, the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H is the definitive choice. Its 54.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is an overwhelming margin that cannot be ignored, and its 9.7% single-core win in the same suite makes it the better option for legacy software of all threads. The AMD's active production status and mobile design also make it a more available and power-considerate option for portable systems.

For anyone working with modern applications, the Intel Core i5-11600T is the superior processor. Its 26% and 26.9% leads in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench single-core tests, respectively, are decisive. It also wins modern multi-core workloads, with a 6.3% edge in R23 multi-core and a 0.9% edge in Geekbench multi-core. The Intel's larger 12 MB L3 cache and PCIe Gen 4 support provide additional future-proofing that the AMD lacks.

The overall average scores are nearly identical, with the AMD at 3820 and the Intel at 3742, so neither is a bad choice in aggregate. However, the Intel's wins in all four of the more recent benchmarks (R23 and Geekbench) suggest that it will age better as software continues to evolve. The Intel is also the only one with a stated launch MSRP of $213, making its pricing transparent, though the AMD's pricing is not listed. The final verdict: choose the AMD for legacy multi-threaded performance and mobility; choose the Intel for modern performance, single-threaded speed, and desktop use.