AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700K dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 17 of the 23 recorded benchmark tests. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX takes 6 wins. The scale of Intel's victories is often substantial, while AMD's wins are narrower or workload-specific.

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to Intel in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-11700K scores 2917 against the Ryzen 9 6900HX's 1558, a 46.6% lead. That is a massive gap for a single-threaded workload. Cinebench R23 multi-core also goes decisively to Intel: 20666 versus 13497, a 34.7% advantage. These two results alone show that Rocket Lake's architecture, despite its older 14 nm process, delivers significantly higher sustained performance in rendering workloads.

In 3DMark tests, Intel wins every thread count category. The 16-thread test shows 8095 against 6745, a 16.7% lead, and the max-thread test is nearly identical at 8080 versus 6717, a 16.9% margin. Even at 2 threads, Intel leads by 7.3% (1907 versus 1767). This suggests the i7-11700K's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and its per-core efficiency translate into consistent advantages across thread scaling.

Geekbench results also favor Intel, albeit by smaller margins. Multi-core shows 10521 versus 9850, a 6.4% lead, and single-core shows 1974 versus 1881, a 4.7% edge. PassMark's multithread test is essentially a tie: 24408 versus 24346, a 0.3% difference. In integer math, however, AMD strikes back: 89388 versus 86390, a 3.5% win for the Ryzen. Floating-point math goes to Intel narrowly, 51119 versus 49981, a 2.2% margin.

AMD's most decisive win is in data encryption. The Ryzen 9 6900HX scores 19118 against Intel's 15638, a 22.3% lead. This is the second-largest margin in the entire comparison, and it highlights a specific strength of the Zen 3+ architecture. AMD also wins the physics test by 11% (1153 versus 1039), and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 7.2% (2231 versus 2082). In PassMark single-thread, AMD edges out Intel by 0.6% (3409 versus 3390), a tiny but notable reversal of the single-core trend seen elsewhere.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the clear winner for general-purpose computing, rendering, and games that favor high single-thread performance. Its Cinebench R23 results, both single-core and multi-core, are dominant. The 3DMark sweep across all thread counts indicates better scaling under graphics-adjacent workloads. Data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and prime number finding all go to Intel, making it the better choice for productivity tasks that rely on those instruction paths.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX wins in specific areas. Data encryption is its standout, with a 22.3% advantage. Integer math, physics simulation, and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test all go to AMD. The PassMark single-thread result (3409 versus 3390) is a narrow win but shows that in some single-threaded scenarios, the Ryzen can match or slightly exceed Intel. For users running encryption-heavy workloads or physics-based simulations, the 6900HX offers a tangible edge.

The PassMark multithread test is effectively a dead heat at 0.3% difference, so neither CPU holds a meaningful advantage there. Similarly, floating-point math is within 2.2%, close enough that real-world differences would be negligible.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm TSMC process, codename Rembrandt. It is a mobile part, soldered to AMD Socket FP7, with a 45 W TDP. The Intel Core i7-11700K uses the Rocket Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, fits in Intel Socket 1200, and carries a 125 W TDP. The process node difference is significant: 6 nm versus 14 nm explains why the AMD chip can deliver competitive performance at a much lower power envelope.

Both CPUs have 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache configurations are similar in L3: 16 MB shared for both. L1 differs slightly, with AMD offering 64 KB per core and Intel offering 80 KB per core. L2 is the same at 512 KB per core. The AMD chip has a die size of 208 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Ryzen 9 6900HX supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-11700K supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. That is a 50% bandwidth advantage for AMD on paper, which likely contributes to its encryption and integer math wins. PCIe support is identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ. AMD includes the Radeon 680M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 750. Both CPUs have unlocked multipliers. The Intel chip is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD chip is still active in production. The Intel part numbers and release date (2021-03-15) confirm it is a desktop part from the 11th Gen Core series, while the AMD part is from the 6000 series for mobile.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher single-thread performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K is far ahead, scoring 2917 versus 1558 for the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, a 46.6% lead.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX beat the Intel Core i7-11700K by the largest margin?

A: In data encryption, the AMD chip scores 19118 against Intel's 15638, a 22.3% advantage. This is AMD's biggest win in the comparison.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. However, the AMD chip has a 45 W TDP, while the Intel chip has a 125 W TDP.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX supports DDR5, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-11700K uses DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both have unlocked multipliers. The Intel chip is a desktop part, while the AMD chip is a mobile part.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX has an average benchmark score of 26274, and the Intel Core i7-11700K has an average of 25812. Both sit at the 78th percentile against all CPUs.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-11700K is the stronger overall performer in this comparison. It wins 17 of 23 head-to-head tests, including every 3DMark test and both new Cinebench R23 tests. For users who prioritize rendering, gaming, or general productivity, the data points clearly to Intel. The 34.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 46.6% lead in single-core are decisive.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX is not without merit. It wins in encryption by 22.3%, integer math by 3.5%, physics by 11%, and matches Intel in PassMark single-thread. For workloads centered on encryption or physics, the AMD chip is the better pick. Additionally, its 45 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP makes it far more suitable for mobile or power-constrained builds, even though the database does not record power efficiency metrics directly.

The Ryzen 9 6900HX also offers DDR5 support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, double the memory bandwidth advantage over Intel's DDR4 implementation. That said, the benchmark results do not show this translating into broad performance wins. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and its 14 nm Rocket Lake design simply outperform in most measured scenarios.

For a desktop user building a machine for mixed workloads, the Intel Core i7-11700K is the safer bet. For a laptop buyer or someone needing strong encryption performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX is the logical choice. The average benchmark scores are close (26274 versus 25812, a 1.8% difference), so the overall performance tier is similar, but the distribution of wins favors Intel heavily.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Intel Core i7-11700K |

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

| Series | 6000 series | Core 11th Gen |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Rocket Lake |

| Process node | 6 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 208 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 680M | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | Not recorded | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $399 |

| Part number | 100-000000544100-000000560 | SRKNL |