Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 3600

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-11980HK

8 / 16

22,244

+25.8%

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11980HK

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅+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 i9-11980HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 14,029).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i9-11980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11980HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11980HK better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core i9-11980HK is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 47.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 25.8% higher 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, Core i9-11980HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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, Core i9-11980HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 47.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-11980HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11980HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11980HK

The Core i9-11980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 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: 22,244 points. Launch price was $583.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-11980HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-11980HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11980HK scores 22,244 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 22.8% lead for the Core i9-11980HK. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,029 vs 9,500 (38.5% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,129 vs 1,295, a 48.7% lead for the Core i9-11980HK that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,766 vs 1,898 (134.9% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+19%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
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, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-HK (2021)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	22,244+26%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,029+48%	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,129+64%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,766+415%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11980HK uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 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 i9-11980HK) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,WM590 (Core i9-11980HK) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Ryzen 5 3600
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	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11980HK supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 32EUs	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation