Intel Core 5 210H vs Intel Core i7-11850H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11850H and Intel Core 5 210H are two mobile processors separated by three years of architecture, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i7-11850H holds a slim 0.3% lead in average score (24935 vs 24872), but this aggregate figure masks a dramatic split: the older Tiger Lake chip wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the newer Raptor Lake part takes 6. The deciding factor is workload type — the i7-11850H dominates sustained multi-core and integer tasks, while the Core 5 210H counters with superior single-thread and floating-point performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest victory for the Intel Core i7-11850H comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 16673 against 11830 for the Core 5 210H — a 40.9% advantage. This is not an isolated result; the i7-11850H also leads Cinebench R20 multi-core by 7.7% (7002 vs 6504) and R15 multi-core is the one exception, with the Core 5 210H ahead by 4.4% (1757 vs 1680). The single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern: the i7-11850H wins R20 single-core by 7.6% (988 vs 918) and R23 single-core by 32.9% (2353 vs 1771), but loses R15 single-core by 4% (247 vs 237).

PassMark testing reinforces the i7-11850H’s multi-threaded dominance. The largest delta in the entire test suite is in find prime numbers, where the i7-11850H scores 87 versus 53 — a 64.2% lead. Integer math shows a 17.1% advantage (71996 vs 61503), multithread is 9.9% higher (20059 vs 18252), and random string sorting is 21.1% better (28395 vs 23451). Extended instructions go to the i7-11850H by 18.1% (15788 vs 13370), and data compression is 8.8% ahead (236949 vs 217805). Even data encryption, the closest contest, favors the i7-11850H by 0.2% (12214 vs 12187).

The Core 5 210H’s wins are concentrated in specific areas. Its best result is PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3539 against 3069 — a 13.3% margin. It also wins floating-point math by 5.6% (45057 vs 42540) and physics by 8.3% (1040 vs 954). These three victories, plus the R15 results, show the newer chip is not without merit, but its overall multi-core deficit is decisive in the benchmark tally.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct Intel design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-11850H is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core 5 210H uses Raptor Lake-H, also on a 10 nm node but with a different core design. Both have 8 cores, but the i7-11850H supports 16 threads, whereas the Core 5 210H supports 12 — this 4-thread difference is the primary reason for the i7-11850H’s multi-core superiority.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The i7-11850H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 12 MB found on the Core 5 210H. L2 cache favors the Core 5 210H at 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core on the i7-11850H. Both share 80 KB of L1 per core. The i7-11850H’s larger L3 cache likely contributes to its strong showing in data compression and integer workloads, while the Core 5 210H’s larger L2 may help its single-thread efficiency.

Memory and PCIe support differ. The i7-11850H supports only DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Core 5 210H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is not specified in the data. PCIe configuration is a notable split: the i7-11850H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 210H offers Gen 5 with only 8 lanes. The newer chip has a higher base clock (2.20 GHz vs 2.10 GHz) but identical 4.80 GHz boost clock.

Other differences: the i7-11850H has a 35W TDP versus 45W for the Core 5 210H, and the i7-11850H uses Intel BGA 1787 socket while the Core 5 210H uses Intel BGA 1744. Integrated graphics also differ — UHD Graphics 750 on the i7-11850H versus Iris Xe Graphics 48EU on the Core 5 210H. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11850H is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its 40.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 64.2% lead in prime number calculation make it suitable for rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. The 17.1% integer math advantage and 21.1% random string sorting lead point to strength in database and compilation workloads. Data compression, 8.8% ahead, benefits archiving and file transfer tasks. The i7-11850H also wins the only two Geekbench tests in the pack: multi-core 8002 and single-core 1703, though the Core 5 210H lacks Geekbench scores for direct comparison.

The Intel Core 5 210H wins where single-thread responsiveness matters. Its 13.3% PassMark single-thread lead (3539 vs 3069) suggests faster day-to-day application launching and snappier UI interactions. The 5.6% floating-point math advantage (45057 vs 42540) indicates better performance in certain scientific and financial simulations that rely on FPU throughput. The 8.3% physics win (1040 vs 954) hints at stronger gaming physics simulation, though the i7-11850H’s overall multi-core dominance would likely benefit broader gaming scenarios.

For battery-conscious users, the i7-11850H’s lower 35W TDP versus 45W for the Core 5 210H is relevant, though the newer chip’s single-thread efficiency may compensate in light workloads. The Core 5 210H’s DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity offer future-proofing for storage and GPU bandwidth, but the i7-11850H’s 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide more total I/O lanes today.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850H has an average benchmark score of 24935, which is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 210H’s 24872.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-11850H scores 87 versus 53 for the Core 5 210H — a 64.2% advantage.

Q: Does the newer Core 5 210H outperform the older i7-11850H in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Core 5 210H wins 6 of 17 head-to-head tests, including PassMark single-thread (3539 vs 3069, 13.3% higher), floating-point math (45057 vs 42540, 5.6% higher), and physics (1040 vs 954, 8.3% higher).

Q: How do thread counts compare?

A: The i7-11850H has 16 threads, while the Core 5 210H has 12 threads, despite both having 8 cores.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory standards?

A: The Core 5 210H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11850H supports only DDR4.

Q: Are both processors in active production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-11850H and Intel Core 5 210H have a production status of "Active".

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-11850H as the superior processor for compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads. Its 40.9% Cinebench R23 multi-core lead and 64.2% prime number advantage are not marginal — they represent a generational gap in parallel performance. The 16-thread configuration and 24 MB of L3 cache give it a structural advantage that the Core 5 210H cannot overcome, despite the latter’s newer architecture. For users running renderers, compilers, or data-processing tasks, the i7-11850H is the unambiguous pick.

The Intel Core 5 210H is the better choice for single-thread-bound applications and users who prioritize responsiveness over raw throughput. Its 13.3% PassMark single-thread lead and 5.6% floating-point win make it attractive for interactive work, light gaming, and productivity suites that are not fully multi-threaded. The DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 5 interface also give it a modern connectivity edge. However, its 12-thread count and 12 MB L3 cache limit its ceiling in heavily parallel tasks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly tied (within 0.3%), and both processors sit at the 77th percentile of all CPUs. The decision should rest on workload: choose the i7-11850H for multi-core excellence, choose the Core 5 210H for single-thread speed and newer platform features. The i7-11850H’s 11-6 win count in head-to-head tests gives it the overall benchmark crown, but the Core 5 210H’s specific victories are meaningful for the right user.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11850H | Intel Core 5 210H |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 45W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Raptor Lake |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 8 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | Iris Xe Graphics 48EU |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2024-12-17 |

| Launch MSRP | $395 | $342 |

| Part Number | SRKT4 | SRQ6RQ5MN |