Core i5-11400H vs Ryzen 5 5600U

Intel

Core i5-11400H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600U

6 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Ryzen family
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Core i5-11400H vs Ryzen 5 5600U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11400H vs Ryzen 5 5600U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11400H vs Ryzen 5 5600U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11400H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU, while Ryzen 5 5600U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • 133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Ryzen 5 5600U

2021

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (15,088 vs 15,262).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11400H better than Ryzen 5 5600U?
Yes. Core i5-11400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-11400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11400H vs Ryzen 5 5600U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-11400H

The Core i5-11400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,262 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600U

The Ryzen 5 5600U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-U (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,088 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11400H and Ryzen 5 5600U share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-11400H versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600U — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-11400H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 5600U uses Cezanne-U (Zen 3) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400H scores 15,262 against the Ryzen 5 5600U's 15,088 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-11400H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400H vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600U.

FeatureCore i5-11400HRyzen 5 5600U
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+7%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+17%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
10 nm SuperFin
7 nm-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Cezanne-U (Zen 3) (2021)
PassMark
15,262+1%
15,088
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,150
Geekbench 6 Single
1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,500
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600U uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-11400HRyzen 5 5600U
Socket
FCBGA1787
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400H) / not specified (Ryzen 5 5600U). The Core i5-11400H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU), while the Ryzen 5 5600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-11400HRyzen 5 5600U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Laptop