AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 vs Intel Core i9-11980HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-11980HK dominates the head-to-head benchmark comparison, winning 12 of the 15 recorded tests against the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345. The AMD chip secures only 3 wins, though two of those are in single-threaded workloads where it shows a clear advantage.

The most decisive Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i9-11980HK scores 18,617 versus the Ryzen AI 7 345's 11,461, a commanding 62.4% lead. This gap reflects the Intel processor's 8-core, 16-thread configuration against the AMD chip's 6-core, 12-thread setup, allowing the Intel part to pull far ahead in heavily threaded rendering work. The single-core Cinebench R23 result also favors Intel, with 2,628 against 1,818, a 44.6% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a closer margin, with Intel ahead at 1,876 versus 1,712, a 9.6% difference.

In the PassMark suite, Intel extends its lead across most workloads. The find prime numbers test shows a 61.3% delta, with Intel scoring 100 against AMD's 62. Integer math follows with Intel at 78,682 versus 63,475, a 24% edge. Random string sorting favors Intel by 24.7%, with scores of 31,709 and 25,435 respectively. Data encryption shows Intel ahead at 13,813 versus 11,814, a 16.9% margin. The multithread score gives Intel 22,436 against 19,927, a 12.6% win. Data compression results show Intel at 266,571 versus 237,484, an 12.2% advantage. Floating point math favors Intel by 8.5%, with 46,262 against 42,621. Extended instructions show a narrower 3.8% Intel lead, 17,654 versus 17,003. The physics test is the closest race, with Intel winning by just 2.1%, scoring 1,112 against 1,089.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 takes the single-thread PassMark tests decisively, scoring 3,875 against Intel's 3,261, a 15.8% advantage. This appears in both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries, confirming the result. The AMD chip also edges out Intel in Cinebench R15 single-core, with 271 versus 264, a 2.6% win.

Overall average benchmark scores place the Intel part at 30,422 against the AMD chip's 29,461. Both processors sit in the 81st percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating comparable overall positioning despite the Intel chip's broader benchmark dominance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK wins 12 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 wins 3.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel chip leads by 62.4%, scoring 18,617 against the AMD processor's 11,461.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 faster in any single-threaded test?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins PassMark single-thread with 3,875 versus 3,261 for Intel, a 15.8% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 2.6%, scoring 271 against 264.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK records an average score of 30,422, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 averages 29,461, a difference of roughly 3.3%.

Q: What are the closest rival comparisons for each processor?

A: For the Intel chip, the nearest rival in average score is the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS at 30,390, a 0.1% difference. For the AMD chip, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X at 29,447, a 0% difference.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-11980HK boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 190 mm². It belongs to the Core 11th Gen family. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 uses the Krackan Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation based on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process node.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Intel chip provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD chip offers 6 cores and 12 threads. This explains the Intel advantage in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the additional cores and threads directly translate into higher scores.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both processors share the same L1 cache size at 80 KB per core. The L2 cache differs, with Intel allocating 1.25 MB per core versus AMD's 1 MB per core. The L3 cache shows a major difference: the Intel chip has 24 MB shared L3, while the AMD processor has only 4 MB. This large L3 advantage for Intel likely contributes to its strong showing in data compression and encryption tests, where larger cache can reduce memory access latency.

Memory support reflects the generational gap. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel access, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel. The memory bandwidth figures show AMD's advantage at 89.6 GB/s versus Intel's 51.2 GB/s, a difference that could matter in memory-intensive tasks, though the benchmark data does not show AMD overcoming Intel in the measured workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics units are distinct: Intel uses UHD Graphics 750, and AMD uses Radeon 840M.

Production status and release timeline separate these parts. The Intel chip is end-of-life, released on 2021-05-10, while the AMD chip is active, released on 2025-01-14. The Intel part carries an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip is locked. The Intel part number is SRKSZ, and the AMD part number is 100-000002122.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i9-11980HK and AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 differ on nearly every specification field. Core count: Intel has 8, AMD has 6. Thread count: Intel has 16, AMD has 12. Base clock: Intel runs at 2.60 GHz, AMD at 2.00 GHz. Boost clock: Intel reaches 5.00 GHz, AMD reaches 4.60 GHz. TDP: Intel is rated at 45 W, AMD at 28 W, making the AMD chip more power-efficient on paper.

Socket types are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1787, AMD uses Socket FP8. Process node: Intel is on 10 nm, AMD is on 4 nm. Foundry: Intel fabricates its own chip, AMD uses TSMC. Die size: Intel measures 190 mm², AMD has no recorded die size.

Cache differences: L2 is 1.25 MB per core for Intel versus 1 MB per core for AMD, and L3 is 24 MB shared for Intel versus 4 MB for AMD. Memory support: Intel uses DDR4, AMD uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth: Intel records 51.2 GB/s, AMD records 89.6 GB/s. PCIe: Intel has 20 Gen 4 lanes, AMD has 14 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics: Intel has UHD Graphics 750, AMD has Radeon 840M.

Release timing and status: Intel released on 2021-05-10 and is end-of-life, AMD released on 2025-01-14 and is active. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD part does not. The Intel launch MSRP was $583; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate the Intel Core i9-11980HK is the stronger performer across the majority of tested workloads, winning 12 of 15 head-to-head tests. Its multi-core advantage is particularly pronounced, with a 62.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 61.3% lead in prime number finding. The average benchmark score of 30,422 versus 29,461 puts the Intel chip ahead by roughly 3.3%, and both processors sit in the 81st percentile of all CPUs.

However, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 is not without merit. It wins single-threaded PassMark tests by 15.8%, scoring 3,875 against 3,261, and takes Cinebench R15 single-core by a narrow 2.6% margin. The AMD chip also operates at a lower 28 W TDP versus Intel's 45 W, and it supports newer DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with higher bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. Its active production status and 2025 release date mean it represents current technology, while the Intel part is end-of-life.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance, rendering, and computational workloads, the Intel Core i9-11980HK is the clear choice based on recorded data. For users who favor single-thread responsiveness, lower power draw, and modern memory support, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 offers specific advantages, though it trails in overall benchmark average.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11980HK wins in all multi-threaded and most compute-intensive categories. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows its largest margin at 62.4%, making it the preferred option for rendering and video encoding workloads. The prime number test, with a 61.3% lead, indicates strength in integer-heavy mathematical computation. Integer math and random string sorting both show around 24% advantages, suggesting solid performance in general programming and data processing tasks. Data encryption at 16.9% and data compression at 12.2% point to efficiency in data handling and security-related workloads. Floating point math at 8.5% and extended instructions at 3.8% round out its computational dominance. The multithread score at 12.6% confirms its edge in parallel processing. Even the physics test, the closest contest, goes to Intel at 2.1%.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 wins specifically in single-threaded scenarios. The PassMark single-thread score of 3,875 versus 3,261, a 15.8% margin, indicates faster per-core execution for lightly threaded applications. The Cinebench R15 single-core win at 271 versus 264, while narrow at 2.6%, adds to this pattern. These results suggest the AMD chip may feel snappier in everyday tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as basic productivity and browsing. The lower 28 W TDP also makes it a more power-conscious choice for thin-and-light laptops, and the DDR5/LPDDR5X memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth positions it for memory-bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, even if the recorded benchmarks do not show it converting that bandwidth into test wins.