AMD Ryzen 9 4900H vs Intel Core i9-10980HK Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The head-to-head record is tied at 2 wins each. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H wins Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core, while the Intel Core i9-10980HK wins Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The biggest gap favors AMD in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 9 4900H scores 1926.5 versus 1291 for Intel, a delta of 49.2%. The largest Intel advantage is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i9-10980HK leads by 28.4% (1808 vs 1294).

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has an average benchmark score of 3820, placing it slightly ahead of the Intel Core i9-10980HK's 3706. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. Their manufacturing processes differ significantly, with AMD using a 7 nm process from TSMC and Intel using a 14 nm process from Intel.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H's 4.40 GHz boost.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-10980HK has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H does not.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H and Intel Core i9-10980HK represent two fundamentally different design philosophies for high-performance mobile computing. AMD's chip is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. Intel's part uses the Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-H codename, produced on a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundries. This process gap is substantial, with AMD's 7 nm node providing a transistor density advantage that the data reflects in power efficiency and multi-core throughput.

The cache hierarchies differ in notable ways. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: AMD allocates 512 KB per core, while Intel uses 256 KB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story, with Intel offering 16 MB shared versus AMD's 8 MB shared. This larger shared L3 cache on the Intel part likely contributes to its strong single-core performance in newer Cinebench versions, as more data can be retained closer to the cores.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-10980HK supports DDR4 only, and the database does not list a dual-channel designation or bandwidth figure for it. This gives AMD a broader compatibility envelope for different laptop designs.

Integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD featuring Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors, while Intel uses its UHD Graphics solution. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3, though Intel specifies 16 lanes from the CPU only, while AMD does not list a lane count.

The Intel chip carries an unlocked multiplier, making it a more flexible platform for overclocking in supported systems. AMD's part is locked in this regard. Production status also separates them: AMD's chip is listed as Active, while Intel's is End-of-life. The release dates are close, with AMD launching in March 2020 and Intel in April 2020.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a processor that changes character depending on the workload generation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H delivers a commanding performance, scoring 1926.5 against Intel's 1291. This represents a 49.2% advantage, a massive margin that speaks to the efficiency of the Zen 2 architecture in sustained multi-threaded workloads. The single-core R15 test shows a smaller but still decisive AMD lead, with 193 versus 182, a delta of 6%.

The picture reverses dramatically in Cinebench R23. The Intel Core i9-10980HK takes the multi-core crown with a score of 12812, while AMD manages 11604, giving Intel a 9.4% lead. The single-core R23 result is even more lopsided in Intel's favor: 1808 versus 1294, a delta of 28.4%. This is a striking reversal, suggesting that the newer benchmark version rewards Intel's higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz, particularly in single-threaded scenarios.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has an average of 3820, while the Intel Core i9-10980HK averages 3706. That puts AMD about 3.1% ahead on the aggregate metric. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their divergent workload-specific strengths.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database provides additional context for each chip's standing. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2286M with an average score of 3822, a difference of only 0.1% in Intel's favor. The Ryzen 9 also edges out the Intel Core i7-8086K (3800, 0.5% behind), the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787, 0.9% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 (3777, 1.1% behind). For the Intel Core i9-10980HK, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2434 at 3709, a 0.1% gap in Intel's favor. The i9-10980HK also trades places with the Intel Core i5-11260H (3721, 0.4% ahead of Intel), the AMD EPYC 7301 (3685, 0.6% behind Intel), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE (3732, 0.7% ahead of Intel).

Specification Differences

The two processors share core and thread counts but diverge across nearly every other specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core i9-10980HK starts lower at 2.40 GHz base but boosts higher to 5.30 GHz. Thermal design power also differs, with AMD rated at 54 W and Intel at 45 W, a 9 W difference that runs counter to the expectation that the lower-TDP part would be the more efficient one.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket FP6, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1440. Process nodes separate them further, with AMD at 7 nm (TSMC) and Intel at 14 nm (Intel). AMD's transistor count is recorded at 9,800 million on a 156 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count and die size are not listed in the database.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core, but AMD has 512 KB L2 per core versus Intel's 256 KB per core. AMD has 8 MB shared L3, while Intel has 16 MB shared. Memory support shows AMD accepting DDR4 and LPDDR4 with dual-channel capability and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 only with no listed bus or bandwidth data.

Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon Graphics at 512SP and Intel using UHD Graphics. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $643, while AMD has no launch MSRP recorded. Production status differs, with AMD listed as Active and Intel as End-of-life. Their part numbers are also distinct: AMD's is 100-000000353, and Intel's is SRH8T.

The Verdict

The data paints a nuanced picture for potential buyers. The AMD Ryzen 9 4900H is the stronger choice for workloads that resemble Cinebench R15, particularly multi-threaded rendering tasks that benefit from its 49.2% advantage in that test. Its higher L2 cache per core (512 KB versus 256 KB) and lower process node (7 nm versus 14 nm) likely contribute to its efficiency in sustained multi-core operations. The Ryzen 9 also has a higher average benchmark score (3820 versus 3706) and supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system design.

The Intel Core i9-10980HK is the better option for single-threaded performance in modern benchmarks, as evidenced by its 28.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 5.30 GHz boost clock is the highest recorded between these two parts, and its 16 MB of shared L3 cache is double that of AMD. The Intel chip also carries an unlocked multiplier, making it the only one of the two that supports user overclocking. Its lower TDP of 45 W versus 54 W could be a consideration for thin-and-light designs, though the performance data does not directly measure power efficiency.

For users whose primary applications are older multi-threaded workloads similar to Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H delivers the larger win. For those prioritizing the latest single-threaded performance, as measured by Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i9-10980HK is clearly ahead. The tie in head-to-head wins, at 2 each, reflects this split personality. The database shows both processors at the 56th percentile, indicating they compete in the same performance class, but they achieve that standing through very different means. The AMD chip excels in aggregate performance and older multi-core tests, while the Intel chip dominates newer single-core tests and offers overclocking headroom. The choice between them depends entirely on which benchmark generation and workload type matters most to the user, as neither processor is uniformly superior across the recorded data.