AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX vs Intel Core i7-13705H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a curious split: AMD's Ryzen 9 5980HX claims the majority of wins at 11, while Intel's Core i7-13705H takes 6. Yet the nature of those wins tells a more nuanced story than the raw count suggests.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the AMD part is consistently ahead by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ryzen 9 5980HX scores 19850 against Intel's 15998, a 19.4% advantage. The same 19.4% delta appears in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where AMD posts 2802 versus 2258. This pattern repeats across Cinebench R15 and R20, both multicore and singlecore, with the delta hovering at 19.4% or 19.5%. The consistency is striking: it suggests a fundamental throughput advantage in this rendering workload that scales evenly across single and multi-threaded tests.

PassMark's data compression test continues AMD's lead, with 310694 against 273720, an 11.9% gap. Data encryption shows a 15.1% advantage for AMD (19221 vs 16324). Extended instructions, a test that stresses SIMD and specialized instruction paths, is AMD's largest win at 25.5% (21209 vs 15810). Integer math is closer, AMD ahead by only 4.3% (89772 vs 85927). Random string sorting also favors AMD, 32238 versus 29285, a 9.2% margin.

Intel's wins are fewer but dramatic. The passmark find prime numbers test is a landslide: Intel scores 116, AMD just 53, a 118.9% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Physics simulation similarly favors Intel heavily, 1854 versus 881, a 110.4% gap. Floating point math goes to Intel by 25.6% (63064 vs 50223). The passmark multithread score edges to Intel, 24460 vs 23356, a 4.7% margin. Single-thread performance also narrowly favors Intel at 4.7%, with 3483 against AMD's 3326.

The average benchmark scores in the database place Intel at 32076 and AMD at 31495, a 1.8% overall difference. Both CPUs sit at the 82nd percentile among all processors. Intel's nearest rivals include the Core i5-14450HX at 32040 (0.1% delta) and the Core i5-14400 at 32115 (negative 0.1% delta). AMD's nearest rivals are clustered tightly: the Core 7 240H at 31483, the Core Ultra 5 225H at 31508, and the Core i5-13500 at 31510, all with 0% delta. This placement indicates that despite the head-to-head deltas, these two chips occupy a similar tier in the broader CPU landscape.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data implies distinct usage profiles. AMD's Ryzen 9 5980HX dominates in Cinebench across the board, which points to sustained multi-threaded rendering and content creation workloads. The 19.4% lead in both R23 multicore and singlecore suggests that AMD's Zen 3 architecture delivers stronger per-thread performance in this specific rendering engine, and that advantage does not diminish when all cores are active. Data compression and encryption wins add to the picture: the Ryzen 9 is well suited for archival work, database operations, and any workflow that involves heavy cryptographic processing.

Intel's Core i7-13705H, by contrast, shows its strength in specialized mathematical workloads. The 118.9% margin in prime number finding is a clear indicator for number theory computations, cryptography research, or any workload that relies on integer factorization routines. The 110.4% physics win suggests better performance in physics simulation engines, which often use different code paths than general rendering. Floating point math at 25.6% ahead indicates an edge in scientific computing, financial modeling, and engineering simulations that depend on dense FP operations.

The passmark multithread score, where Intel leads by 4.7%, is interesting because it contradicts the Cinebench multicore result. This suggests that Intel's hybrid core arrangement excels in certain parallel workloads but not in others. The single-thread win, also 4.7%, shows Intel has a slight edge in lightly threaded tasks like general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications. AMD's integer math win, though modest at 4.3%, indicates that Ryzen handles general integer workloads slightly better.

For a buyer, the choice hinges on workload. Rendering and compression favor AMD. Mathematical computation, physics, and mixed parallel tasks favor Intel. The data does not show a universal winner; it shows two different optimization targets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core i7-13705H uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel itself. The die size is 257 mm². AMD's Ryzen 9 5980HX uses Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The process node difference is significant: AMD's smaller node allows for tighter packing, though Intel's larger die accommodates more cores.

Core counts diverge sharply. Intel packs 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part likely uses a hybrid arrangement typical of Raptor Lake, with performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the split. AMD's 8 cores are all full Zen 3 cores. Despite having fewer cores, AMD wins most multicore tests, which points to higher instructions per clock and better sustained power delivery.

Cache hierarchies differ in structure. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may explain its wins in prime number finding and physics, where working sets fit into faster cache levels. AMD's smaller cache is compensated by the 7 nm process and higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus Intel's 2.40 GHz. Boost clocks are close: Intel reaches 5.00 GHz, AMD reaches 4.80 GHz.

Memory support differs. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while AMD supports only DDR4. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s; Intel's bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes, AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. This affects expandability: AMD has more lanes for peripherals, while Intel has faster lanes for NVMe storage and GPUs.

Integrated graphics diverge as well. Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not include iGPU benchmarks, so performance comparisons are not possible, but the architectural difference is notable for buyers who plan to rely on integrated graphics.

Both CPUs have a 45 W TDP, and both are unlocked? No: Intel's multiplier is locked, while AMD's is unlocked. The Ryzen 9 5980HX allows overclocking, which could close gaps in workloads where it trails. Intel's socket is BGA 1744, soldered to the motherboard, while AMD uses Socket FP6, also typically soldered in mobile systems. Both target the mobile market segment and are currently active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-13705H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX boosts to 4.80 GHz. However, AMD's base clock is higher at 3.30 GHz versus Intel's 2.40 GHz.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The AMD part supports only DDR4 in dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core i7-13705H supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which CPU is better for Cinebench R23 multicore rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX scores 19850 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 19.4% higher than the Intel Core i7-13705H's 15998.

Q: What explains Intel's win in the physics benchmark?

A: The Intel Core i7-13705H scores 1854 in passmark physics, a 110.4% advantage over AMD's 881. This likely relates to Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches and its hybrid core design, though the exact mechanism is not specified in the data.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13705H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Is there a significant difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel part has an average benchmark score of 32076, while AMD's is 31495, a 1.8% difference. Both sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data supports a workload-based decision rather than a universal recommendation. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is the clear choice for Cinebench rendering, data compression, and encryption tasks. Its 19.4% multicore lead in Cinebench R23 and 15.1% encryption advantage make it the stronger option for content creators, video editors, and professionals handling compressed archives or secure data. The 25.5% lead in extended instructions further cements its position for SIMD-heavy scientific code.

The Intel Core i7-13705H is the better pick for mathematical computation and physics simulation. The 118.9% prime number advantage and 110.4% physics lead are decisive. Floating point math at 25.6% ahead makes it suitable for engineering analysis, financial modeling, and any workload dominated by FP operations. The 4.7% multithread win and 4.7% single-thread win suggest it also handles general productivity and mixed parallel tasks slightly better.

Buyers who value upgrade flexibility should note that AMD's multiplier is unlocked, while Intel's is locked. Buyers who value memory flexibility should note Intel's support for both DDR4 and DDR5. Buyers who need PCIe Gen 5 for fast storage should choose Intel; buyers who need more PCIe lanes should choose AMD.

The launch MSRP for Intel is $502. The AMD part does not have a recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-13705H | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX |

|-------|----------------------|--------------------|

| Series | Core 13th Gen | 5000 series |

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Cezanne |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 10,700 million |

| Die size | 257 mm² | 180 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2 MB per core | 512 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 16 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Release date | 2023-01-03 | 2021-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRMHV | 100-000000474 |