AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT across nearly every shared benchmark, with the Intel Core 5 211E taking only two wins. The AMD processor wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, and the margin of victory is substantial in most cases.

In Cinebench testing, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT leads by a consistent margin across all three versions of the benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD scores 37,373 against the Intel's 20,389, a delta of 83.3%. The single-core Cinebench R23 result shows the AMD at 5,276 versus 2,878 for the Intel, again an 83.3% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern: 15,696 for AMD versus 8,563 for Intel, and R20 single-core shows 2,215 versus 1,208. Cinebench R15 multicore delivers 3,767 versus 2,055, while R15 single-core shows 531 versus 289. Every Cinebench result lands within a narrow delta band of 83.3% to 83.7%, indicating the performance gap is consistent regardless of workload intensity or thread count in this test suite.

PassMark results show a wider variance in the deltas. The largest single advantage appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the AMD scores 205 against the Intel's 43, a delta of 376.7%. This workload heavily favors the AMD's architecture. Passmark_physics shows a 144.3% delta, with scores of 1,715 versus 702. Passmark_data_encryption delivers 37,814 versus 17,938, a 110.8% delta. Passmark_integer_math shows 177,566 versus 88,117, a 101.5% delta.

Other PassMark workloads show smaller but still decisive AMD advantages. Passmark_multithread scores 43,810 versus 23,833, an 83.8% delta. Passmark_extended_instructions delivers 39,141 versus 21,592, an 81.3% delta. Passmark_random_string_sorting shows 62,537 versus 34,308, an 82.3% delta. Passmark_data_compression scores 597,862 versus 346,757, a 72.4% delta. Passmark_floating_point_math delivers 99,398 versus 66,402, a 49.7% delta.

The Intel Core 5 211E claims both single-thread PassMark entries. The passmark_single_thread test shows Intel at 4,006 versus AMD at 3,474, a delta of -13.3% from the AMD's perspective, meaning the Intel leads by 13.3%. The passmark_singlethread test produces identical scores, confirming the result. This is the only benchmark category where the Intel processor demonstrates an advantage, and it is the only one where the AMD does not lead.

The average benchmark score in the database places the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT at 50,718, compared to 37,829 for the Intel Core 5 211E. The AMD sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel sits in the 86th percentile. The AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-13850HX at 50,761, a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core i9-14900T at 51,015, a delta of -0.6%. The Intel Core 5 211E's nearest rivals are clustered tightly around it: the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at 37,804 (0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 at 37,762 (0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37,904 (-0.2% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Vermeer codename, part of the 5000 series. It is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 8,300 million transistors and a die size of 2x 74 mm². The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename under the Core 5 generation label, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a die size of 257 mm². The process node difference is significant: the AMD uses a smaller 7 nm node, while the Intel uses a larger 10 nm node.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel provides 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD doubles the thread count of the Intel part. Cache organization also differs. The AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD's total L3 cache is 64 MB, more than three times the Intel's 20 MB shared pool.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities differ: the AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel's PCIe generation is newer, but the AMD offers more lanes.

Integrated graphics mark a major difference. The AMD has no integrated graphics, while the Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel's integrated graphics capability means systems built around it do not require a discrete GPU for basic display output. The AMD requires a separate graphics solution.

The AMD operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel runs a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel has a higher boost clock by 0.10 GHz, but the AMD has a higher base clock by 0.60 GHz. The AMD has a TDP of 105 watts, while the Intel has a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD consumes more power under the TDP rating, consistent with its higher core count.

The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD, allowing overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked. Sockets are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4, and the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD's production status is Active, and the Intel's production status is also Active. The AMD was released on 2024-07-30, while the Intel was released on 2025-01-12. The AMD's launch MSRP is $349, and the Intel's launch MSRP is $221.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT wins in every multithreaded and compute-heavy category in the recorded data. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a clear advantage in parallel workloads. The Cinebench multicore results, which scale with core count and thread efficiency, show consistent 83.3% deltas in the AMD's favor. The PassMark multithread score of 43,810 versus 23,833 confirms the same pattern. Workloads involving prime number calculation, physics simulation, integer math, and data encryption all show the AMD ahead by large margins, from 101.5% to 376.7%. These are workloads that benefit from more cores and higher aggregate throughput.

The AMD also leads in data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and floating-point math. The deltas in these categories range from 49.7% to 82.3%. The floating-point math delta of 49.7% is the smallest AMD advantage outside the single-thread tests, but it remains a decisive win. The AMD's 64 MB L3 cache likely contributes to its strong showing in data-heavy workloads, where larger cache capacity reduces memory access penalties.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins the two single-thread PassMark tests. The passmark_single_thread score of 4,006 versus 3,474, a 13.3% lead, indicates the Intel's single-core execution is stronger in this specific benchmark. The Intel's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz may contribute to this result. This single-thread advantage does not carry over to the Cinebench single-core tests, where the AMD leads by 83.3% to 83.7% across R15, R20, and R23. The discrepancy between the PassMark single-thread result and the Cinebench single-core results suggests the Intel's advantage is specific to the PassMark workload, not a general single-core superiority.

For use cases, the AMD is the stronger choice for rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, and any threaded application where the 32 threads can be utilized. The Intel, with its single-thread PassMark win and integrated graphics, suits lighter workloads where single-thread performance and onboard display output matter. The Intel's lower TDP of 65 watts versus 105 watts also indicates lower power draw under rated conditions, though the database does not provide measured power consumption figures beyond TDP.

The benchmark data does not show any category where the Intel wins a multithreaded test. All 15 multithreaded or mixed workloads favor the AMD. The Intel's two wins are both the same test under different naming conventions, passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, with identical scores of 4,006.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors in the database:

• Cores: AMD 16, Intel 10
• Threads: AMD 32, Intel 16
• Base clock: AMD 3.30 GHz, Intel 2.70 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 4.80 GHz, Intel 4.90 GHz
• TDP: AMD 105 watts, Intel 65 watts
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4, Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Vermeer, Bartlett Lake
• Process node: 7 nm, 10 nm
• Foundry: TSMC, Intel
• Transistors: 8,300 million, not specified for Intel
• Die size: 2x 74 mm², 257 mm²
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core, 80 KB per core
• L2 cache: 512 KB per core, 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 64 MB, 20 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4 only, DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s, 76.8 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Gen 5 with 16 lanes
• Integrated graphics: N/A, UHD Graphics 730
• Release date: 2024-07-30, 2025-01-12
• Launch MSRP: $349, $221
• Multiplier unlocked: true, false
• Part number: 100-000001581, SRQERQ65F

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT scores 37,373 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core 5 211E scores 20,389. The AMD leads by 83.3%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 211E win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel wins the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread tests, scoring 4,006 versus 3,474 for the AMD, a 13.3% lead.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT supports DDR4 only.

Q: Do either of these processors include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has an average benchmark score of 50,718, placing it in the 90th percentile. The Intel Core 5 211E has an average benchmark score of 37,829, placing it in the 86th percentile.