Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 8645HS

Intel

Core i9-11980HK

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 8645HS

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 8645HS 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 i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 8645HS 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 8645HS: 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

  • +5.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 5 8645HS.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8645HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 8645HS moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 8645HS

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,316 vs 14,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8645HS better than Core i9-11980HK?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 8645HS is ahead with a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK pulls ahead with 5.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-11980HK also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
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 5.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 8645HS still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 8645HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 8645HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 8645HS Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 8645HS

The Ryzen 5 8645HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,257 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-11980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8645HS offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-11980HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8645HS — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 8645HS uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11980HK scores 22,244 against the Ryzen 5 8645HS's 22,257 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 8645HS. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,029 vs 13,316 (5.2% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,129 vs 2,574, a 18.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 8645HS that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,766 vs 10,675 (8.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 8645HS). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8645HS.

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 5 8645HS
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
5 GHz
5 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
4.3 GHz+65%
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-HK (2021)
Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark
22,244
22,257
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,029+5%
13,316
Geekbench 6 Single
2,129
2,574+21%
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,766
10,675+9%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11980HK uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 8645HS uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11980HK versus LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 5 8645HS — the Ryzen 5 8645HS supports 134.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8645HS supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM570,WM590 (Core i9-11980HK) and SoC (Ryzen 5 8645HS).

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 5 8645HS
Socket
FCBGA1787
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
LPDDR5x-7500+134%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-11980HK has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 5 8645HS). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 32EUs (Core i9-11980HK) and Radeon 760M (Ryzen 5 8645HS) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 5 8645HS targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX; Ryzen 5 8645HS rivals Core i5-13500H.

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 5 8645HS
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 32EUs
Radeon 760M
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V (SVM)
Target Use
Enthusiast Gaming Laptop
Gaming