Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Core i9-11980HK

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X 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 7 5700X: 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

  • +0.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Ryzen 7 5700X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 7 5700X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +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

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,000 vs 14,029).
  • Launch MSRP is still $299 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.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i9-11980HK?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 5700X is ahead with a 13.3% 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 0.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 7 5700X also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 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 0.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-11980HK is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-11980HK vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-11980HK and Ryzen 7 5700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-11980HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11980HK scores 22,244 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 17.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,029 vs 14,000 (0.2% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,129 vs 2,116, a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-11980HK that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,766 vs 9,715 (0.5% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz+9%
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.4 GHz+31%
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-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-HK (2021)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
22,244
26,609+20%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,029
14,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,129
2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,766
9,715
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11980HK uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X) — the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,WM590 (Core i9-11980HK) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 7 5700X
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

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 AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Ryzen 7 5700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX; Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeatureCore i9-11980HKRyzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 32EUs
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Enthusiast Gaming Laptop
Gaming