AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 vs Intel Core i9-11950H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11950H and AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 are mobile processors aimed at different points in the performance spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects a clear split between heavy multi-threaded workloads and lighter single-threaded tasks. The Intel part, an 8-core, 16-thread Tiger Lake-H chip from 2021, dominates the AMD Zen 5-based 6-core, 12-thread part in the majority of tests, but the AMD chip counters with notable single-thread and physics wins. The data shows the Intel i9-11950H wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Ryzen AI 5 435 takes four.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i9-11950H comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17279 against the Ryzen AI 5 435’s 11333. That is a 52.5% advantage, a massive gap that underscores the Intel chip’s core-count and thread-count advantage in heavily parallel rendering workloads. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is also in Intel’s favor, with the i9-11950H scoring 2439 versus 1816, a 34.3% delta. This is surprising given the AMD part’s newer architecture, but the data is unambiguous.

The Intel chip also leads in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 1741 to the AMD’s 1686, a smaller 3.3% margin. However, the Ryzen AI 5 435 takes the Cinebench R15 single-core test with a score of 260 against Intel’s 245, a 5.8% difference. This pattern—Intel winning multi-core and AMD winning single-core—repeats across the PassMark suite.

In PassMark integer math, the i9-11950H posts 74649 versus 61026 for the Ryzen AI 5 435, a 22.3% lead. Floating-point math also favors Intel, with 44137 versus 40627, an 8.6% delta. The prime number finding test shows a massive Intel advantage: 93 versus 58, a 60.3% gap. Data compression and encryption also go to Intel, with 246195 versus 225374 (9.2%) and 12658 versus 11110 (13.9%), respectively. Random string sorting sees Intel ahead by 18% (29375 versus 24891), and the PassMark multi-thread score is 20900 versus 19000, a 10% win for Intel. Extended instructions are nearly tied, with Intel scoring 16361 to AMD’s 16197, a marginal 1% lead.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 counters in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3734 versus Intel’s 3141, a 15.9% lead. It also wins PassMark physics, 1075 versus 1013, a 5.8% advantage. Those are the only two PassMark wins for AMD, plus the Cinebench R15 single-core result, giving it four total wins. The pattern is stark: Intel dominates anything that scales with cores and threads, while AMD’s newer Zen 5 cores show superior per-core efficiency in specific tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11950H is the clear choice for workloads that use all available cores. The 52.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the stronger pick for video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. The 60.3% lead in prime number finding suggests it is also better suited for mathematical and scientific computations that are heavily parallelized. Data compression and encryption tasks, which often benefit from multiple threads, are also firmly in Intel’s corner, with 9.2% and 13.9% leads respectively. If a laptop is used for content creation or heavy number-crunching, the i9-11950H’s 8 cores and 16 threads are the decisive factor.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is the better option for single-threaded responsiveness and physics simulations. The 15.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and 5.8% lead in PassMark physics indicate that this chip has a per-core performance edge that can benefit everyday application loading, spreadsheet work, and certain game physics calculations. Its 5.8% win in Cinebench R15 single-core reinforces that point. For users who spend more time in lightweight, latency-sensitive applications rather than long multi-core renders, the Ryzen AI 5 435’s faster single-core speed is a tangible advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i9-11950H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process node. It is a monolithic design with a die size of 190 mm². The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Gorgon Point, fabricated on TSMC’s 4 nm process node. The Intel part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel’s L3 cache is 24 MB shared, while AMD’s L3 cache is only 4 MB. Both have the same L1 cache per core (80 KB), but Intel has a larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus AMD’s 1 MB.

Memory support is another major split. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, also dual-channel, with a significantly higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are also different: Intel uses UHD Graphics 750, while AMD uses Radeon 840M. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is active production. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $556.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H has higher multi-core performance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 17279 versus 11333 for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435, a 52.5% advantage.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 faster in any test?

A: Yes. The AMD chip wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test (260 versus 245), PassMark single-thread (3734 versus 3141), and PassMark physics (1075 versus 1013), along with the PassMark singlethread test.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-11950H supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i9-11950H has a 24 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 has a 4 MB L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i9-11950H and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 have a locked multiplier, meaning neither is unlocked for overclocking.

Specification Differences

• Cores: Intel 8, AMD 6
• Threads: Intel 16, AMD 12
• Base Clock: Intel 2.10 GHz, AMD 2.00 GHz
• Boost Clock: Intel 5.00 GHz, AMD 4.50 GHz
• TDP: Intel 35 W, AMD 28 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1787, AMD Socket FP8
• Process Node: Intel 10 nm, AMD 4 nm
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• L2 Cache (per core): Intel 1.25 MB, AMD 1 MB
• L3 Cache: Intel 24 MB shared, AMD 4 MB
• Memory Support: Intel DDR4, AMD DDR5/LPDDR5X
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel 51.2 GB/s, AMD 89.6 GB/s
• ECC Memory: Intel false, AMD true
• PCIe: Intel Gen 4, 20 Lanes, AMD Gen 4, 14 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 750, AMD Radeon 840M
• Production Status: Intel End-of-life, AMD Active
• Release Date: Intel 2021-05-10, AMD 2026-01-04
• Launch MSRP: Intel $556, AMD null

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate a clear split in purpose. The Intel Core i9-11950H is the superior processor for any workload that leverages its 8 cores and 16 threads. Its 52.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 60.3% lead in prime number finding make it the obvious pick for sustained, heavy parallel processing. Users rendering video, compiling code, or running multi-threaded scientific simulations should choose the Intel part based on the data.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is the better choice for users who prioritize single-threaded speed and power efficiency. Its 15.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and 5.8% win in PassMark physics, combined with a lower TDP of 28 W versus Intel’s 35 W, make it a compelling option for thin-and-light laptops that need snappy responsiveness for everyday tasks. The AMD chip also offers modern DDR5 memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC capability, which the Intel part lacks. For general productivity and light workloads, the Ryzen AI 5 435’s per-core efficiency is the deciding factor. The Intel i9-11950H, despite being older, remains a heavy hitter for multi-threaded performance.