AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 vs Intel Core i9-11900 Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900 and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target different worlds: one is a desktop part, the other a mobile part. The data shows a clear split in their performance profiles. The Intel chip wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks (9 of 15), often by significant margins in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. However, the AMD chip claims the newer process node, a much lower TDP, and superior scores in specific single-threaded and physics tests. The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Core i9-11900 is the performance pick for desktop workloads that scale with cores and cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is the efficient mobile choice with a strong showing in select single-thread tasks.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for distinct user profiles. For desktop users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance, the Intel Core i9-11900 is the definitive choice. Its benchmark scores show a commanding lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it posts a 37.6% advantage over the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360. It also leads in integer math (8.4% ahead), floating-point math (4.2% ahead), and data compression (11.1% ahead), making it the superior engine for content creation and heavy compute tasks. Its 82nd percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 32226 place it in the same league as the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, showing it remains competitive despite its age.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is the pick for mobile users who need efficiency without sacrificing single-core responsiveness. While it loses the overall head-to-head count, it wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test (2023 vs. 1913) and delivers a massive 22.3% win in the Passmark physics test. Its single-thread Passmark score of 3862 is 12.7% higher than the Intel chip’s 3373, and its 83rd percentile ranking is actually one point higher than the Intel part. However, its Cinebench R23 scores are dramatically lower (13794 multi-core and 1958 single-core), suggesting its performance is tuned for a different power envelope. The AMD chip is for those who prioritize battery life and portability, where its 28W TDP is a massive advantage over the Intel’s 65W figure.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i9-11900 uses the Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 276 mm². It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360, in contrast, is built on the Zen 5 architecture (codenamed Strix Point) on a much smaller 4 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC, with a die size of 233 mm². It also has 8 cores and 16 threads but operates at a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache layout differs significantly, offering 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of L3 cache.

These architectural choices have direct consequences. The Intel chip’s larger L3 cache (16 MB vs. 8 MB) likely contributes to its wins in data compression and integer math. The AMD chip’s smaller process node (4 nm vs. 14 nm) is a key factor in its dramatically lower 28W TDP versus the Intel’s 65W. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. On the platform side, the Intel uses Socket 1200 and supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD uses Socket FP8, supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus, and offers a much higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Intel sporting UHD Graphics 750 and the AMD featuring the Radeon 880M.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a pattern where the Intel Core i9-11900 dominates in most compute-heavy workloads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 excels in specific areas. The biggest win for Intel is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 18985 against AMD’s 13794, a massive 37.6% lead. The single-core Cinebench R23 test also goes to Intel, with a score of 2680 versus 1958, a 36.9% advantage. This suggests that the Intel chip’s higher boost clock and larger cache provide a significant edge in sustained all-core and single-core rendering tasks.

In the Passmark suite, Intel wins 6 of the 9 tests. It leads in data compression (285159 vs. 256603, an 11.1% gain), data encryption (13942 vs. 13264, a 5.1% gain), extended instructions (19654 vs. 18029, a 9% gain), floating-point math (48948 vs. 46996, a 4.2% gain), integer math (83893 vs. 77414, an 8.4% gain), and random string sorting (33054 vs. 28390, a 16.4% gain). The multithread test is close, with Intel winning 22456 to 22125, a narrow 1.5% margin.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360’s wins are narrower but notable. It wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with 2023 points to Intel’s 1913, a 5.4% lead. The R15 single-core test is essentially a tie, with AMD winning 271 to 270, a 0.4% margin. In the Passmark suite, AMD wins the physics test decisively (1257 vs. 977, a 22.3% lead) and the single-thread test (3862 vs. 3373, a 12.7% lead). It also wins the find prime numbers test (76 vs. 63, a 17.1% lead). The single-thread advantage is particularly interesting, as it shows the Zen 5 architecture can outperform the older Rocket Lake part in lightweight, frequency-sensitive workloads despite a lower boost clock.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows several key differences between the two processors. The most obvious is the process node: Intel uses 14 nm, while AMD uses 4 nm, which explains the massive difference in power consumption. The Intel Core i9-11900 has a TDP of 65W, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is rated at just 28W. This makes the AMD part far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops. The sockets are different (Intel Socket 1200 vs. AMD Socket FP8), and the memory support diverges: Intel supports DDR4, while AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is another differentiator, with AMD offering 89.6 GB/s versus Intel’s 51.2 GB/s.

Cache configurations also differ. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of L3. This means the AMD chip has more per-core cache but half the shared cache. The integrated graphics differ (UHD Graphics 750 vs. Radeon 880M), and the AMD part supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not. The PCIe lanes also differ, with Intel offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes and AMD offering Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Finally, the release dates are far apart: Intel launched on 2021-03-15 with a launch MSRP of $439, while AMD launched on 2025-01-05 with no listed MSRP. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD part is active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread performance in Passmark?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is the winner, scoring 3862 in the Passmark single-thread test, which is 12.7% higher than the Intel Core i9-11900’s score of 3373.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i9-11900 in multi-core rendering?

A: In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the Intel Core i9-11900 scores 18985, which is 37.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360’s score of 13794.

Q: Which processor has a lower power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 has a TDP of 28W, which is significantly lower than the Intel Core i9-11900’s TDP of 65W.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 supports up to 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth with DDR5/LPDDR5X memory, while the Intel Core i9-11900 supports 51.2 GB/s with DDR4 memory.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900 has a 16 MB shared L3 cache, which is double the 8 MB L3 cache found on the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900 wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 wins 6.