Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U Performance Spectrum

Core i9-11980HK

8 / 16

22,244

0.0%

22,373

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 PRO 8640U 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 PRO 8640U: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,244 vs 22,373).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U moves to FP7 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11980HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U better than Core i9-11980HK?

Yes. Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 PRO 8640U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% 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 5 PRO 8640U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FP7 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 i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U 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 PRO 8640U

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (1 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: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-11980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-11980HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11980HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11980HK scores 22,244 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U's 22,373 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+2%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.5 GHz+35%
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 (2024−2025)
PassMark	22,244	22,373
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,029	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,129	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,766	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11980HK uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U
Socket	FCBGA1787	FP7
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX.