AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Core 5 211E occupy different tiers of the desktop processor market, and the benchmark data reflects a substantial performance gap. The AMD part, built on the Zen 5 architecture, delivers significantly higher scores across every recorded workload, while the Intel part, based on the older Bartlett Lake architecture, offers a much lower power envelope and a different platform fit. The data shows a clear hierarchy where the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the top performer, and the Core 5 211E serves a more constrained segment.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmarks show that the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the outright winner in every single test included in the database, taking 17 wins out of 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 54762 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 211E averages 37829, landing in the 86th percentile. The performance gap is not marginal; it is a consistent and often massive advantage for the AMD chip across multi-threaded, single-threaded, and specialized instruction workloads.

For users who need maximum compute throughput, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the only choice between these two. The data shows it leads by over 134% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a score of 47737 versus 20389 for the Intel part. However, the Core 5 211E has its place. With a 65W TDP compared to the 120W TDP of the Ryzen, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, the Intel chip is designed for systems where power efficiency and platform flexibility are prioritized over raw speed. The verdict from the data is simple: the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is for performance-focused builds, while the Core 5 211E is for low-power, cost-conscious systems that still need 10 cores and 16 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins in every benchmark category recorded, so the distinction is not about which tasks it wins, but by how much. In single-threaded workloads, the lead is smaller but still decisive. The PassMark single-thread test shows a 16% advantage, with scores of 4646 and 4006. This indicates a solid but not overwhelming edge in lightly threaded applications like older games or basic office tasks.

The real domination appears in multi-threaded and specialized workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 for the AMD chip is 134.1% higher than the Intel part’s 20389. The PassMark physics test shows an extreme 660.7% delta, with scores of 5340 and 702. The PassMark find prime numbers test is even more lopsided, with a 1165.1% difference (544 versus 43). These results show that the Ryzen 9 9900X3D excels in heavily threaded rendering, scientific computing, and encryption tasks. The Intel Core 5 211E, on the other hand, does not win any category in this dataset. Its strengths are implied by its specifications: a lower 65W TDP and memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, which suggest it is intended for embedded or industrial use cases where power draw and memory compatibility are the primary concerns, not absolute performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, fabricated on a 4nm process at TSMC. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 128 MB of L3 cache, which is a massive amount compared to the Intel part’s 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip also has 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s using dual-channel DDR5.

The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It has 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its L2 cache is 2 MB per core, which is double the 1 MB per core of the AMD chip, but its L3 cache is far smaller at 20 MB. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which is a key difference, and it offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The TDP is 65W versus 120W, and the Intel chip’s multiplier is locked, whereas the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The die size also differs significantly: the AMD chip is 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel chip is a single 257 mm² die. In terms of integrated graphics, the AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher core count?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in cache size between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory types?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports only DDR5.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a TDP of 120W, and the Intel Core 5 211E has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, compared to the Intel Core 5 211E’s boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an average benchmark score of 54762, while the Intel Core 5 211E has an average of 37829.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D occur in multi-threaded and specialized instruction tests. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows a delta of 1165.1%, with the AMD chip scoring 544 versus the Intel’s 43. The PassMark physics test is nearly as lopsided, with a 660.7% delta (5340 versus 702). These two tests highlight the AMD chip’s massive advantage in integer-heavy and simulation workloads.

In Cinebench tests, the AMD chip’s lead is consistently around 134% across both single-core and multi-core variants. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 47737 versus 20389, and the single-core score is 6739 versus 2878. The Cinebench R15 and R20 tests show identical 134.1% and 134.3% deltas, respectively, for multi-core and single-core runs. This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in the Zen 5 core design.

The PassMark integer math test shows a 104% delta (179727 versus 88117), while floating-point math shows an 80.1% delta (119622 versus 66402). Data compression and encryption tests show deltas of 97.6% and 85.5%, respectively. The extended instructions test shows a 156.7% delta. The smallest win for the AMD chip is in the PassMark single-thread test, with a 16% delta (4646 versus 4006). This indicates that while the AMD chip is faster in single-threaded tasks, the gap is much narrower than in multi-threaded workloads. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every single one, reinforcing its position as the superior performer in this comparison.