AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core 5 211TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records 15 direct comparisons between the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Intel Core 5 211TE, and the AMD processor wins every single one. The margin is not close in any test. The smallest advantage appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ryzen 9 9950X scores 2202 against 1722 for the Intel chip, a 27.9% lead. That is the only contest under triple-digit percentage difference.

The largest gaps come from PassMark's extended instructions test. The AMD part scores 71564, the Intel part scores 8615, a 730.7% difference. Data compression shows a 571.9% gap (896544 versus 133434), integer math shows 612.2% (242097 versus 33991), and floating-point math shows 508.3% (159063 versus 26150). Encryption is similarly lopsided: 44366 versus 7231, a 513.6% delta.

Multithreaded workloads follow the same pattern. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives the AMD chip 40924 against 12201, a 235.4% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 6335 versus 1229, a 415.5% delta. PassMark multithread reports 66030 versus 11685, a 465.1% gap. The Ryzen 9 9950X also wins the single-thread PassMark test by 236.4% (4737 versus 1408) and the Cinebench R15 single-core test by 98.8% (344 versus 173).

In the database's aggregate scoring, the Ryzen 9 9950X sits at the 94th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 74640. Its nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745 (74761, 0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 (74496, 0.2% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4545P (75373, 1% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (75488, 1.1% behind). The Intel Core 5 211TE, by contrast, ranks at the 69th percentile with an average score of 15370. Its nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 7543 (15477, 0.7% behind), the AMD EPYC 7702P (15130, 1.6% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U (15682, 2% behind), and the Intel Core i3-1315U (15022, 2.3% ahead). The average-score gap between the two processors in this comparison is roughly 5x in favor of the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins all 15 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 211TE has zero wins.

Q: What is the smallest performance difference between the two?

A: The smallest delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ryzen 9 9950X leads by 27.9% (2202 versus 1722).

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 40924 versus 12201, a 235.4% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the gap is 415.5% (6335 versus 1229).

Q: What is the largest recorded difference?

A: PassMark extended instructions shows the biggest gap at 730.7%, with scores of 71564 for the AMD and 8615 for the Intel.

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

A: The AMD part leads by 236.4% in PassMark single-thread (4737 versus 1408) and by 98.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core (344 versus 173).

Q: Where do the two processors rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X is at the 94th percentile; the Core 5 211TE is at the 69th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 211TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a monolithic die of 215 mm². The Intel part's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip also has 80 KB of L1 per core, but a larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core and a much smaller 20 MB shared L3. Neither part uses 3D V-Cache.

Memory support is another split. The Ryzen 9 9950X supports DDR5 only, on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count. The AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD chip uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip uses UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part does not. The Intel part is a lower-power design with a 45 W TDP, while the AMD part carries a 170 W TDP. Production status for both is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core 5 211TE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base clock | 4.30 GHz | 1.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L2 cache (per core) | 1 MB | 1.25 MB |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $649 | $221 |

| Release date | 2024-08-14 | 2025-01-12 |

| Part number | 100-000001277 | SRQDL |

The core and thread counts are the most direct driver of the benchmark spread. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, the Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clock is 2.6 GHz higher on the AMD chip, and boost clock is 0.9 GHz higher. The Intel part compensates with a much lower TDP and a smaller L2 allocation per core, but the L3 deficit (20 MB versus 64 MB) is severe.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear split by workload class. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X delivers dramatically higher scores in every benchmark category present in the database. Its 94th-percentile standing versus the Intel chip's 69th percentile places them in different performance tiers entirely. The Ryzen 9 9950X is positioned among high-end desktop parts, with nearest rivals being the Ryzen 7 PRO 9745, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475, EPYC 4545P, and Core Ultra 9 285, all within 1.1% of its average score. The Core 5 211TE sits among lower-tier parts, with nearest rivals like the EPYC 7543, EPYC 7702P, Ryzen 3 7440U, and Core i3-1315U.

For workloads that scale with cores, threads, and cache, the choice is unambiguous. The AMD part's 64 MB L3 and 32 threads give it a 235.4% to 415.5% lead across Cinebench multi-core tests, and the PassMark math, compression, and encryption tests all show gaps above 500%. Single-thread performance also favors the AMD chip, though by a smaller margin (27.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 98.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 236.4% in PassMark single-thread).

The Intel Core 5 211TE does have advantages in the spec sheet that the benchmarks do not directly capture. Its 45 W TDP is 125 W lower than the AMD part, which matters for systems with limited cooling or power delivery. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving platform flexibility. Its launch MSRP is $221, which is lower than the AMD part's $649, though pricing is not a performance metric. The Intel chip also uses Intel Socket 1700, which may fit existing motherboard plans.

The verdict from the data: choose the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X for any workload where raw compute throughput, cache capacity, or memory bandwidth dominates. Choose the Intel Core 5 211TE for low-power builds where the 45 W TDP and dual memory standard support are the primary constraints. The benchmark results do not show a single test where the Intel part wins, so any selection of the Intel chip must be driven by platform or power considerations rather than measured performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins in every recorded benchmark. That includes all multi-threaded tests, all single-threaded tests, and all PassMark specialty tests. The most decisive wins are in extended instructions (730.7% lead), integer math (612.2%), data compression (571.9%), and data encryption (513.6%). Floating-point math follows at 508.3%, and PassMark multithread at 465.1%. Random string sorting shows a 536% lead, and prime number search shows 379.2%. Physics simulation in PassMark gives the AMD chip a 156.6% advantage.

The Intel Core 5 211TE has no benchmark wins in the database. Its areas of strength are not measured by the recorded tests. The specification data shows a 45 W TDP, which is 125 W lower than the AMD part. It also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, while the AMD chip is DDR5-only. The Intel chip's L2 cache per core is larger (1.25 MB versus 1 MB), but that does not translate into a win in any recorded test. Its lower boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 5.70 GHz) and smaller L3 cache (20 MB versus 64 MB) appear to outweigh that L2 advantage in every measured workload.

For a use-case split based strictly on the data: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the pick for rendering, compilation, data processing, encryption workloads, and any multi-threaded application where the 32 threads and 64 MB L3 can be utilized. The Intel Core 5 211TE is the pick for a system with a 45 W power envelope, where the lower TDP is a hard requirement, or for a platform that must accept DDR4 memory modules. The benchmark database does not provide any measured scenario where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD part.