Core i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Core i9-11900KB

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 5800X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 7 5800X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (22,693 vs 27,712).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Costs $90 less on MSRP ($449 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
  • Delivers 46.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core i9-11900KB?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 22.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% 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 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 22.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 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?
Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in $90 cheaper on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $539 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 46.6% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-11900KB and Ryzen 7 5800X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 19.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+4%
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.8 GHz+15%
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
22,693
27,712+22%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,645
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 i9-11900KB) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i9-11900KB) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 5800X).

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 5800X
Socket
FCBGA1787
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
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

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11900KB supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 7 5800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-11900KB was priced at $539, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($539 vs $449), Ryzen 7 5800X was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900KB delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 37.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 5800X
MSRP
$539
$449-17%
Performance per Dollar
42.1
61.7+47%
Release Date
2021
2020

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