Core i7-11850H vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel

Core i7-11850H

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.8 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 i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (19,873 vs 21,845).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • +9.9% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11850H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850H better than Ryzen 5 5600X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11850H is ahead with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X pulls ahead with 9.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600X 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-11850H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 5600X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 9.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-11850H

The Core i7-11850H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,873 points. Launch price was $299.

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

The Core i7-11850H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-11850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-11850H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-11850H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11850H scores 19,873 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 9.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850H vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureCore i7-11850HRyzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+4%
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.7 GHz+48%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 MB+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
10 nm SuperFin
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
19,873
21,845+10%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,911
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11850H uses the FCBGA1787 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 i7-11850H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11850H) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

FeatureCore i7-11850HRyzen 5 5600X
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 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-11850H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11850H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i7-11850H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.

FeatureCore i7-11850HRyzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Workstation Laptop
Desktop