AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which wins 14 of the 15 shared benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 211E takes a single win, but the scale of the AMD victories is substantial across most workloads.

The largest margin appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the AMD processor scores 423 against 43 for the Intel part, a delta of 883.7%. This test measures pure integer calculation throughput, and the result indicates a fundamental advantage in computational density. Similarly, passmark_physics shows a 481.6% delta, with the AMD chip scoring 4083 versus 702. Physics simulations often rely on heavy floating-point and multi-threaded execution, and the data confirms the AMD part handles this workload class with far greater headroom.

Cinebench R15 multicore also heavily favors the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The score of 3647 versus 2055 represents a 77.5% advantage. This is an older rendering benchmark, but it remains a reliable indicator of sustained multi-core throughput. The passmark_multithread result reinforces the pattern: 40009 versus 23833, a 67.9% delta. Both processors have 16 threads, so the difference stems from per-thread efficiency and memory subsystem performance rather than raw thread count.

The extended instructions test shows a 79.7% delta (38808 versus 21592). This benchmark typically exercises SIMD and specialized instruction paths, and the AMD architecture delivers a clear edge. Data compression also favors AMD, with a 35% delta (468017 versus 346757), while random string sorting shows a 41.4% delta (48526 versus 34308). Integer math is 32.4% higher on the AMD side (116709 versus 88117), and floating-point math is 19.7% higher (79456 versus 66402). Data encryption shows a 23.5% delta (22158 versus 17938).

The single-threaded comparisons are closer. In passmark_single_thread, the AMD chip scores 4430 against 4006, a 10.6% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 328 versus 289, a 13.5% delta. These are meaningful but modest gains compared to the multi-threaded margins.

The one Intel win is notable for its contradiction of the overall trend. In cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore, the Intel Core 5 211E scores 2878 against 2080 for the AMD part, a delta of -27.7% from the AMD perspective. This is a significant reversal and suggests the Intel chip has a specific strength in certain single-threaded rendering workloads. However, in the other single-threaded tests, the AMD processor maintains a lead. The discrepancy between the R23 single-core result and the other single-threaded benchmarks indicates workload-specific behavior rather than a general single-thread advantage for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins decisively in compute-heavy, multi-threaded, and specialized instruction workloads. The data shows advantages in compression, encryption, integer math, floating-point math, physics, prime number finding, extended instructions, and random string sorting. The 883.7% margin in prime number finding and the 481.6% margin in physics are the standout results. These are workloads that stress raw computational throughput, and the AMD architecture handles them with a wide gap.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins only in cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore, where it posts a 27.7% higher score. This is a rendering workload that uses a single core, and the result suggests the Intel chip has a specific tuning advantage for that scenario. However, the Intel part loses the other single-threaded tests (R15 single-core and passmark_single_thread), so this is not a general single-core victory. It is a narrow, benchmark-specific outcome.

For users prioritizing rendering workloads that resemble Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel part has a measurable edge. For essentially every other recorded workload, the AMD processor is faster, often by a wide margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which contributes to the AMD part's higher transistor density and efficiency.

The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 16 threads. Both have 16 threads, but the AMD part achieves its thread count with fewer physical cores, relying on simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part uses 10 physical cores to reach the same thread count. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core for both. The L2 cache differs: 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2 MB per core for Intel. The L3 cache is a major differentiator: 96 MB shared for AMD versus 20 MB shared for Intel. The AMD L3 cache is 4.8 times larger, which benefits workloads with large working sets that fit in cache.

The die size also differs significantly. The AMD processor has a die size of 70.6 mm², while the Intel processor is 257 mm². The AMD chip integrates 8,315 million transistors; the Intel chip has no recorded transistor count in the database. The smaller die and newer process node allow the AMD part to deliver higher performance per unit area.

Both processors support ECC memory. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD side: 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe support differs: the AMD chip offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has 8 additional CPU PCIe lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel Core 5 211E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz and a base clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel part has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz and a base clock of 2.70 GHz. The AMD base clock is substantially higher, which helps explain its multi-threaded dominance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores. Both have 16 threads. The AMD base clock is 4.70 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for Intel. The AMD boost clock is 5.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz for Intel. The AMD TDP is 120 watts, while the Intel TDP is 65 watts.

The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD socket is AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel socket is Intel Socket 1700. The AMD L2 cache is 1 MB per core, and the Intel L2 cache is 2 MB per core. The AMD L3 cache is 96 MB shared, and the Intel L3 cache is 20 MB shared. The AMD die size is 70.6 mm², and the Intel die size is 257 mm². The AMD transistor count is 8,315 million; the Intel transistor count is not recorded.

Memory support: AMD is DDR5 only, Intel is DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for AMD, 76.8 GB/s for Intel. PCIe: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics: AMD has Radeon Graphics, Intel has UHD Graphics 730. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part number is 100-000001084; the Intel part number is SRQERQ65F. The AMD release date is 2024-11-06; the Intel release date is 2025-01-12.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 211E has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: How do the L3 cache sizes compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D supports DDR5 only.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Intel Core 5 211E has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 5 211E has a locked multiplier.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768, while the Intel Core 5 211E has an average benchmark score of 37829.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear overall winner. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins 14 of 15 head-to-head tests and posts an average benchmark score of 39768, compared to 37829 for the Intel Core 5 211E. The AMD part also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 87 versus 86 for the Intel part.

Workloads that stress multi-threaded throughput, physics simulation, prime number finding, extended instructions, and data compression all strongly favor the AMD processor. The margins in these tests are large, ranging from 19.7% to 883.7%. The AMD part also leads in most single-threaded tests, albeit by smaller margins of 10.6% to 13.5%.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins only in cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore, where it scores 2878 versus 2080. This single result does not offset the broader trend. The Intel part also has a lower TDP (65 watts versus 120 watts), which may be relevant for power-constrained systems, but the recorded data does not include power efficiency measurements.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers higher performance across nearly every recorded benchmark, with a larger L3 cache, higher clocks, newer process node, and higher memory bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 211E offers DDR4 compatibility and a lower TDP, but the performance data favors AMD in almost every scenario. Users who need maximum computational throughput should select the AMD part. Users with a specific workload matching Cinebench R23 single-core may see a benefit from the Intel part, but the data shows that is the only area of Intel advantage.