AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX vs Intel Core i9-11900K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K records an average benchmark score of 26639, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX scores 26274. The Intel part sits at the 79th percentile among all CPUs, and the AMD part at the 78th percentile.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K wins every single-thread test in the database. It leads by 10.9% in 3DMark single-thread, 20.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 91.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 20.8% in Geekbench single-core, and 3% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-11900K and the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: Both processors have 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor uses DDR5 memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX supports DDR5, while the Intel Core i9-11900K supports DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900K boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX boosts to 4.90 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11900K dominates the head-to-head record with 19 wins out of 23 benchmark comparisons. Its victories span nearly every category of workload, but the largest margins appear in heavily threaded rendering and single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel chip scores 21168 against 13497 for the AMD part, a 56.8% advantage. In Geekbench multicore, Intel leads 13550 to 9850, a 37.6% gap. The 3DMark suite also favors Intel across the board, with wins of 23.5% at 16 threads, 23.8% at max threads, 16.4% at 8 threads, 12.7% at 4 threads, 11.8% at 2 threads, and 10.9% at single thread.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX wins only 4 tests, but those wins reveal specific strengths. It takes Cinebench R15 multicore by 4.4% (2231 vs 2133), PassMark data encryption by 16.3% (19118 vs 16000), PassMark integer math by a razor-thin 0.1% (89388 vs 89279), and PassMark physics by 8.8% (1153 vs 1052). These are not meaningless outliers: encryption and integer math are common in productivity and server-like workloads, and the physics test suggests the AMD architecture handles certain simulated workloads with better efficiency.

The broader picture is clear. For rendering, compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and nearly every 3DMark thread count, the Intel Core i9-11900K is the faster part. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX holds its own in a narrow set of computational tasks where its architecture extracts more work per clock.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-11900K belongs to the Rocket Lake generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The die measures 276 mm². The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX uses the Zen 3+ architecture under the Rembrandt codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 6 nm process with a 208 mm² die. The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 6 nm represents a major manufacturing gap that helps explain the AMD chip's lower power envelope.

Both processors share the same core count of 8 cores and 16 threads, and both have 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches differ per core: Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core and the same 512 KB of L2 per core. The L3 is identical at 16 MB shared.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The Intel chip supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD chip supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth, a 50% higher theoretical memory bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: Intel pairs the compute cores with UHD Graphics 750, while AMD integrates the Radeon 680M. The Intel part is a desktop processor on Socket 1200 with a 125 W TDP and an end-of-life production status. The AMD part is a mobile processor on Socket FP7 with a 45 W TDP and remains in active production.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every physical and electrical specification. The Intel Core i9-11900K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel chip draws a 125 W TDP, the AMD chip draws 45 W. The socket is Intel Socket 1200 for Intel and AMD Socket FP7 for AMD.

The process node and foundry also differ: Intel uses 14 nm at Intel, AMD uses 6 nm at TSMC. Die size is 276 mm² for Intel and 208 mm² for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and DDR5 for AMD, with bandwidth ratings of 51.2 GB/s and 76.8 GB/s respectively. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750 on the Intel part and Radeon 680M on the AMD part. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $539; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The market segment and production status separate the two clearly. Intel targets desktop with an end-of-life status, while AMD targets mobile with active production. Both have unlocked multipliers, both have 8 cores and 16 threads, and both have 16 MB of L3 cache, but the similarities end there.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core i9-11900K comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2988 against 1558 for the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, a 91.8% delta. This is an enormous single-thread advantage and reflects both the higher 5.30 GHz boost clock and the Rocket Lake architecture's strong single-core execution. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel leads 300 to 249, a 20.5% gap.

In multithreaded rendering, the Intel chip again pulls far ahead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 21168 vs 13497, a 56.8% lead. Geekbench multicore shows 13550 vs 9850, a 37.6% lead. The 3DMark results reinforce this: Intel leads by 23.5% at 16 threads and 23.8% at max threads. The AMD chip's 45 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP explains part of this gap, but the benchmark data simply records the outcome: the desktop Intel part sustains much higher multithreaded throughput.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX has its own moments. PassMark data encryption is its strongest win, 19118 vs 16000, a 16.3% advantage. PassMark physics goes to AMD by 8.8%, 1153 vs 1052. Cinebench R15 multicore goes to AMD by 4.4%, 2231 vs 2133, which is notable because it contradicts the R23 multicore result. The likely explanation is workload scaling differences between the two Cinebench versions, but the database records both results as measured. PassMark integer math is effectively a tie: 89388 vs 89279, a 0.1% AMD win.

In mixed workloads, Intel maintains its lead. PassMark data compression goes to Intel by 8.1% (330836 vs 306184), PassMark extended instructions by 12.3% (23406 vs 20849), PassMark random string sorting by 18.4% (37942 vs 32037), and PassMark find prime numbers by 7.9% (68 vs 63). PassMark floating point math goes to Intel by 5.7% (52841 vs 49981), and PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 2.8% (25038 vs 24346). PassMark single-thread goes to Intel by 3% (3511 vs 3409).

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-11900K is the faster processor in the database's recorded measurements. It wins 19 of 23 head-to-head comparisons, holds the higher average benchmark score (26639 vs 26274), and posts decisive margins in both single-core and multithreaded rendering. Anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput, especially in Cinebench, Geekbench, or 3DMark workloads, should choose the Intel part based on this data.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX is not without merit. Its 45 W TDP makes it a mobile-class part, and its wins in data encryption, integer math, physics, and Cinebench R15 multicore show that it can beat the Intel chip in specific computational tasks. The 76.8 GB/s DDR5 memory bandwidth is a theoretical advantage over Intel's 51.2 GB/s DDR4 figure, though the benchmark results do not translate that bandwidth advantage into overall performance wins.

For a desktop system with no power constraint, the Intel Core i9-11900K is the clear pick. For a mobile platform where the 45 W TDP and active production status matter, the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX offers competitive performance in selected workloads while consuming far less power. The data does not support calling the AMD chip faster overall, but it does support calling it more efficient and more capable in encryption and physics simulations.