Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel

Core i5-11400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $117 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 730, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,034 vs 21,845).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +47.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 64.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $299 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i5-11400T?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 47.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 67.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 47.0% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 67.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 64.3% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 47.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 71.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11400T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11400T and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-11400T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400T scores 13,034 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 50.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400T vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureCore i5-11400TRyzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock
1.3 GHz
3.7 GHz+185%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB+167%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
13,034
21,845+68%
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,891
Geekbench 6 Single
1,767
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,179
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11400T) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11400T) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

FeatureCore i5-11400TRyzen 5 5600X
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11400T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400T) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i5-11400T includes integrated graphics (UHD 730), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400T targets Productivity, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400.

FeatureCore i5-11400TRyzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD 730
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Productivity
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400T was priced at $182, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($182 vs $299), Core i5-11400T was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400T delivers 71.6 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11400TRyzen 5 5600X
MSRP
$182-39%
$299
Performance per Dollar
71.6
73.1+2%
Release Date
2021
2020

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