AMD Ryzen 9 4900H vs Intel Core i7-11700T Comparison

# Intel Core i7-11700T vs AMD Ryzen 9 4900H

The Intel Core i7-11700T and AMD Ryzen 9 4900H are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target different segments: the Intel part is a 35 W desktop chip on Socket 1200, while the AMD part is a 54 W mobile chip on Socket FP6. Benchmark data across six tests shows the Intel chip winning four head-to-head matchups, with the AMD chip taking two, and the overall average benchmark scores land within 1.1% of each other — 3864 for Intel versus 3820 for AMD. This near-parity in aggregate masks a sharp split in workload behavior, with the AMD chip dominating older Cinebench R15 multi-threaded tests while the Intel chip leads by wide margins in single-threaded and newer multi-threaded workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H wins decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 1926.5 against Intel's 1304 — a 32.3% advantage. This test, which scales heavily with thread throughput and memory latency, favors the AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and its Zen 2 architecture. The AMD chip also edges out Intel in Cinebench R15 single-core, 193 versus 184, a 4.7% lead, though this is the narrowest margin in the entire comparison.

The Intel Core i7-11700T wins all remaining benchmarks, and its victories are not subtle. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 12945 versus AMD's 11604, an 11.6% lead. The single-core gap is far larger: Intel's 1827 in Cinebench R23 single-core beats AMD's 1294 by 41.2%. Geekbench single-core shows a similar 39.3% Intel advantage (1824 versus 1309), while Geekbench multi-core is a near-tie at 6621 versus 6596, a 0.4% edge for Intel.

The pattern is clear: the AMD chip excels in the legacy R15 multi-threaded workload, likely due to its higher sustained clock rates under that test's shorter duration. The Intel chip dominates everything else, particularly single-threaded performance, where its 4.60 GHz boost clock and Rocket Lake architecture deliver massive gains. For users running modern rendering workloads like Cinebench R23, Intel is the stronger choice; for legacy multi-threaded tasks, AMD holds the advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies from different eras. The Intel Core i7-11700T is built on Rocket Lake, Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². It uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H uses Zen 2 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process, with a die size of just 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. Its cache configuration is 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3 — half the Intel chip's L3 capacity.

Memory support differs as well: Intel supports DDR4 only, while AMD supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4, though both use dual-channel buses and offer identical 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. The PCIe implementation is notably different: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD provides only Gen 3. Integrated graphics also diverge: Intel has UHD Graphics 750, while AMD has Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors.

The process node disparity is significant — 14 nm versus 7 nm — and the AMD chip's smaller, denser design (156 mm² versus 276 mm²) reflects TSMC's more advanced process. Yet the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz (versus AMD's 4.40 GHz) and larger L3 cache help it overcome the process disadvantage in single-threaded workloads. The TDP ratings also differ markedly: Intel is rated at 35 W, AMD at 54 W, meaning the AMD chip draws more power for its mobile form factor. The Intel chip is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $323, while the AMD chip remains active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the comparison is Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel's 1827 score obliterates AMD's 1294, a 41.2% delta. This is a generational gap in single-threaded IPC and clock behavior — Intel's 4.60 GHz boost clock combined with Rocket Lake's improved core design produces a commanding lead. Geekbench single-core tells nearly the same story: Intel at 1824 versus AMD at 1309, a 39.3% gap. These results indicate that for any single-threaded application — from legacy software to lightly-threaded games — the Intel chip is the clear winner.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result reverses the R15 outcome: Intel wins 12945 to 11604, an 11.6% margin. This suggests that as the rendering workload becomes more demanding and longer-running, the Intel chip's thermal and power characteristics (35 W TDP versus 54 W) allow it to sustain higher performance, while the AMD chip's higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 1.40 GHz) gives it an early advantage in shorter tests but fades under sustained load.

Cinebench R15 multi-core is AMD's biggest win at 1926.5 versus 1304, a 32.3% advantage. This is curious given that Intel wins the R23 multi-core test; the delta likely stems from the R15 test's shorter execution time, where AMD's 3.30 GHz base clock and 4.40 GHz boost can operate at full tilt without hitting power limits. Intel's 1.40 GHz base clock is a massive handicap in short bursts, but the chip's boost behavior compensates in longer workloads.

Geekbench multi-core is the closest result: Intel's 6621 edges AMD's 6596 by just 0.4%, essentially a statistical tie. Both chips are 8-core/16-thread parts, so this near-parity reflects similar aggregate throughput in mixed integer/floating-point workloads. The single-core Geekbench result, however, shows Intel's 39.3% lead, reinforcing the single-threaded story.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700T wins four of six head-to-head benchmarks (Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, Geekbench multi-core and single-core), while the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H wins two (Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core).

Q: Why does AMD win Cinebench R15 multi-core but lose Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD chip's 3.30 GHz base clock versus Intel's 1.40 GHz base clock gives it a large advantage in short-duration tests like R15, where it scores 1926.5 versus 1304 (32.3% higher). In the longer R23 test, Intel's 12945 score beats AMD's 11604 by 11.6%, indicating Intel can sustain higher performance over extended workloads.

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

A: Intel leads by 41.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1827 versus 1294) and by 39.3% in Geekbench single-core (1824 versus 1309). The only single-threaded test AMD wins is Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 4.7% (193 versus 184).

Q: What are the cache differences between the two chips?

A: The Intel chip has 80 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3 — giving Intel twice the L3 cache capacity.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR4 dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, but the AMD chip also supports LPDDR4, while the Intel chip is DDR4-only. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The Intel chip's average benchmark score is 3864, and the AMD chip's is 3820, a 1.1% difference. Both rank at the 56th percentile among all CPUs, and each appears in the other's nearest rival list with a delta of 1.1% or less.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split based on workload type and duration. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H is the choice for legacy multi-threaded benchmarks and short bursts of parallel work — its 32.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 4.7% lead in R15 single-core show it excels where base clock matters and thermal headroom is plentiful. Its 54 W TDP and 7 nm process deliver strong early performance, and its support for LPDDR4 memory makes it flexible for mobile designs.

The Intel Core i7-11700T is the dominant choice for modern rendering workloads and anything single-threaded. Its 41.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 39.3% lead in Geekbench single-core are decisive, and its 11.6% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core demonstrates better sustained performance under longer loads. The 16 MB L3 cache and 4.60 GHz boost clock give it an architectural edge that the 14 nm process cannot erase. The Intel chip also offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus AMD's Gen 3, which matters for storage and GPU bandwidth.

For desktop users building a system around Socket 1200 with a 35 W TDP budget, the Intel chip is the clear pick for modern software. For mobile users on Socket FP6 who prioritize legacy benchmark performance and can tolerate 54 W power draw, the AMD chip holds its ground but falls behind in nearly every modern test. The Geekbench multi-core tie (0.4% delta) suggests that in mixed general-purpose workloads, the two chips are interchangeable; the deciding factor should be whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, and whether it is short or sustained. The Intel chip wins the modern workload battle; the AMD chip wins the legacy sprint.