Core i9-11900H vs Ryzen 5 230

Intel

Core i9-11900H

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 230

6 Cores12 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i9-11900H vs Ryzen 5 230 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 i9-11900H vs Ryzen 5 230 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 i9-11900H vs Ryzen 5 230: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900H

2021

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 230 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (20,009 vs 20,186).
  • 25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 230 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 230

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i9-11900H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 230 better than Core i9-11900H?
Yes. Ryzen 5 230 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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, Ryzen 5 230 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.1% 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 5 230 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 230 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 230 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $200 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (100.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 230 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11900H vs Ryzen 5 230 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-11900H

The Core i9-11900H 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 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: 20,009 points. Launch price was $546.

AMD

Ryzen 5 230

The Ryzen 5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,186 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-11900H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 230 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-11900H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900H versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 230 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-11900H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 230 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900H scores 20,009 against the Ryzen 5 230's 20,186 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 230. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900H vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 230.

FeatureCore i9-11900HRyzen 5 230
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
4.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.5 GHz+67%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)+50%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm SuperFin
4 nm-60%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark
20,009
20,186
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 230 uses FP8 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-11900HRyzen 5 230
Socket
FCBGA1787
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0