AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX vs Intel Core i5-11600 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX and Intel Core i5-11600 present a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies, with benchmark results that tell a story of workload-dependent dominance. The data reveals a clear split: the AMD mobile processor excels in heavily threaded and specialized tasks, while the Intel desktop chip demonstrates superior performance in certain single-threaded and newer rendering workloads. The overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX posting an average of 24822 against the Intel Core i5-11600's 24563, a difference of just over 1%. Both processors sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, yet their paths to that standing could not be more different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence appears in the Cinebench tests, where the two processors trade victories with significant margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-11600 takes a commanding 15.9% lead, scoring 15269 against the AMD's 12845. This is a substantial reversal of expectations given the AMD's core advantage. However, in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the story flips dramatically, with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX winning by 36.9%, scoring 2106 versus 1538. This suggests the Intel chip's architectural efficiency in the newer R23 workload is not carried over to the older test. The single-core results are equally telling: Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 31% (2155 vs 1488), yet AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 10.6% (240 vs 217).

The PassMark suite provides a clearer picture of AMD's multi-threaded superiority. The Ryzen 9 5900HX dominates in integer math with a 44.2% advantage (86735 vs 60158) and in floating-point math with a 34% lead (47556 vs 35478). Data encryption is a particularly strong suit for AMD, showing a 64.4% advantage (18188 vs 11060), while data compression also favors AMD by 32% (287793 vs 218062). The multi-thread PassMark score confirms this trend, with AMD ahead by 24.6% (22326 vs 17918). Interestingly, the Intel chip manages a narrow 3.2% win in PassMark single-thread (3284 vs 3178) and a 5.4% edge in the find prime numbers test (56 vs 53). The AMD processor also shows resilience in random string sorting (19.3% ahead) and extended instructions (24.1% ahead). Overall, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, but the Intel's five wins include the crucial Cinebench R23 results that modern workloads often rely on.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 24822, compared to the Intel Core i5-11600's 24563. This represents a difference of about 1%, placing both in the same performance tier.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX consistently outperforms in multi-threaded workloads, winning PassMark multithread by 24.6% and leading in integer math by 44.2%. The exception is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i5-11600 wins by 15.9%.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-11600 better for single-threaded tasks?

A: The evidence is mixed. Intel wins PassMark single-thread by 3.2% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 31%, but AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 10.6%. The Intel chip appears stronger in newer single-thread workloads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has a higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-11600 offers 51.2 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This core advantage likely contributes to AMD's wins in heavily parallel workloads.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i5-11600 has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. This advanced node allows for a die size of 180 mm² containing 10,700 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-11600 uses the Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process by Intel, with a larger die size of 276 mm² and no transistor count listed. This process node difference is significant, as the smaller 7 nm node typically enables greater power efficiency and transistor density. The AMD chip features 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, sharing 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has a larger 80 KB L1 cache per core but the same 512 KB L2 per core, with a smaller 12 MB shared L3 cache. The cache configurations suggest AMD's design favors higher total cache capacity, while Intel's larger per-core L1 may benefit specific access patterns. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1200, reflecting their different market segments (mobile vs desktop). Additionally, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, whereas the Intel Core i5-11600 is locked.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds vary, with AMD's base clock at 3.30 GHz and boost at 4.60 GHz, compared to Intel's 2.80 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock but a lower base clock. Thermal design power (TDP) differs substantially: AMD is rated at 45 watts, while Intel is rated at 65 watts. The memory bandwidth also differs, with AMD at 68.3 GB/s versus Intel's 51.2 GB/s. PCIe support varies, with the AMD chip supporting Gen 3, while the Intel chip supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The market segments are distinct — AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop. Production status also differs: AMD is active, while Intel is end-of-life. The Intel Core i5-11600 has a launch MSRP of $213. The AMD processor was released on January 11, 2021, while the Intel chip followed on March 15, 2021.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is the stronger overall performer in most multi-threaded and specialized workloads, winning 10 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks. It offers a significant advantage in integer math, floating-point math, data encryption, and data compression, which are critical for content creation and scientific computing. However, the Intel Core i5-11600 demonstrates superiority in the newer Cinebench R23 tests, both single and multi-core, suggesting it may be better optimized for modern rendering engines. The Intel chip also has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to AMD's 4.60 GHz. The AMD processor's higher memory bandwidth and lower TDP make it a compelling option for mobile systems, while the Intel chip's desktop orientation with Gen 4 PCIe support offers different connectivity advantages. The near-identical average benchmark scores (24822 vs 24563) and same 77th percentile ranking suggest that for general use, the choice may come down to specific workload requirements rather than overall capability.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is the clear winner in multi-threaded computational tasks, with its 8-core/16-thread configuration delivering substantial leads in PassMark multithread (24.6%), integer math (44.2%), and floating-point math (34%). It excels in data-centric workloads, as shown by its 64.4% advantage in encryption and 32% advantage in compression. This makes it the preferred choice for software compilation, video encoding, and heavy multitasking scenarios. The AMD chip also wins in physics calculations with a 2% edge, suggesting slight superiority in certain simulation tasks. Its higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s supports these compute-heavy operations.

The Intel Core i5-11600 wins in the Cinebench R23 workloads, indicating strong performance in modern rendering applications. Its 31% single-core advantage in R23 and 15.9% multi-core advantage suggest that newer software optimized for this benchmark will favor the Intel chip. The Intel processor also wins in PassMark single-thread by 3.2%, making it slightly better for light, single-threaded daily tasks. Its 5.4% win in find prime numbers indicates an edge in specific algorithmic workloads. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz likely contributes to these wins, despite having fewer cores. For users whose primary applications are built around the Cinebench R23 workload or rely heavily on single-thread performance, the Intel Core i5-11600 presents a compelling case, despite its end-of-life status and higher 65-watt TDP.