Core i7-11800H vs Ryzen 5 5600

Intel

Core i7-11800H

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i7-11800H vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-11800H vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-11800H vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11800H

2021

Why buy it

  • +10% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i7-11800H.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 12,180).
  • Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-11800H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11800H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i7-11800H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 is ahead with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11800H pulls ahead with 10% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 5600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11800H is the stronger fit. You are getting 10% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-11800H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 10% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11800H vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-11800H

The Core i7-11800H 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,838 points. Launch price was $395.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i7-11800H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-11800H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11800H versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-11800H (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-11800H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11800H scores 19,838 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 8.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,180 vs 11,077 (9.5% advantage for the Core i7-11800H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,896 vs 2,052, a 7.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,795 vs 8,600 (9.8% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11800H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i7-11800HRyzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+5%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
3.5 GHz+84%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 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)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
19,838
21,550+9%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,180+10%
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
1,896
2,052+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,795
8,600+10%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11800H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-11800H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM580,HM570,WM590 (Core i7-11800H) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

FeatureCore i7-11800HRyzen 5 5600
Socket
FCBGA1787
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 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-11800H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11800H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i7-11800H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11800H targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11800H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.

FeatureCore i7-11800HRyzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Desktop