Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core i5-11400F Comparison
Intel Core 7 150U
Core i5-11400F
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core i5-11400F
The Verdict
The data presents a clear split: the Intel Core 7 150U wins 8 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-11400F wins 11. The Core 7 150U is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness and lightweight workloads, where it leads by margins like 24.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core and 17.7% in Passmark single-thread. The Core i5-11400F is the pick for sustained multi-core throughput, with commanding wins such as 38.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 19.4% in Geekbench multi-core. Desktop builders needing heavy rendering or data compression should choose the 11400F, while mobile users prioritizing snappy single-thread performance and integrated graphics should choose the 150U. Notably, both processors sit at the 71st percentile vs all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only about 1.3% (17395 vs 17177), indicating overall performance parity despite divergent strengths.
Architecture Differences
The two chips come from different Intel design eras and market segments. The Core 7 150U is a mobile part built on the Raptor Lake architecture (codename Raptor Lake-U), manufactured on a 10 nm process node. It packs 10 cores and 12 threads, with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz and a base clock of 1.80 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, and includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The part is marked as Active production status and uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket.
The Core i5-11400F is a desktop processor from the Rocket Lake generation (codename Rocket Lake), built on a 14 nm process node. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache setup shares the same 80 KB L1 per core and 12 MB L3, but L2 is smaller at 512 KB per core. The die size is 276 mm². Memory support is limited to DDR4 (dual-channel), with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. It offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, but has no integrated graphics, and its production status is End-of-life. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1200 and was released earlier, with a launch MSRP of $157.
The process node difference (10 nm vs 14 nm) explains why the 150U achieves a higher boost clock and better single-thread results despite the 11400F's higher base clock. The 150U's 10 cores provide more parallelism for certain tasks, while the 11400F's 6 cores rely on higher sustained power (65 W TDP vs 15 W) for multi-core dominance.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core 7 150U's biggest wins come in single-thread and physics-oriented tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 254 vs 204, a 24.5% advantage. Passmark single-thread shows 3508 vs 2981, a 17.7% lead. The 150U also wins Passmark physics with 1012 vs 842, a 20.2% margin, and Passmark find prime numbers with 58 vs 51, a 13.7% edge. Geekbench single-core goes to the 150U at 1857 vs 1777, a 4.5% gain. Passmark floating-point math is nearly tied, with the 150U ahead by just 0.8% (34405 vs 34127). Cinebench R15 multi-core also favors the 150U, at 1505.5 vs 1445, a 4.2% margin.
The Core i5-11400F dominates sustained multi-core and data-heavy workloads. Its largest win is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 14340 vs 8883, a 38.1% advantage. Passmark extended instructions shows 14976 vs 8748, a 41.6% lead. Passmark data compression goes to the 11400F at 208472 vs 158622, a 23.9% margin. Passmark random string sorting is 24124 vs 18269, a 24.3% win for the desktop chip. Geekbench multi-core favors the 11400F at 7737 vs 6234, a 19.4% difference. Passmark multithread shows 16908 vs 14700, a 13.1% edge. Cinebench R20 multi-core is 6022 vs 5248, a 12.9% win, and Cinebench R20 single-core also goes to the 11400F at 850 vs 740, another 12.9% margin. Passmark integer math is 57624 vs 51057, an 11.4% lead, while Passmark data encryption is nearly tied at 10247 vs 10025, a 2.2% win for the 11400F. Cinebench R23 single-core goes to the 11400F at 2024 vs 1875.5, a 7.3% margin.
A pattern emerges: the 150U wins where clock speed and per-core efficiency matter, while the 11400F wins where sustained power delivery and raw throughput dominate. The 19.4% Geekbench multi-core gap and 38.1% Cinebench R23 multi-core gap are substantial, indicating the 11400F is the clear choice for rendering and compilation workloads.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?
A: The Intel Core 7 150U wins most single-thread tests. It leads by 24.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (254 vs 204), 17.7% in Passmark single-thread (3508 vs 2981), and 4.5% in Geekbench single-core (1857 vs 1777). However, the Core i5-11400F wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.3% (2024 vs 1875.5) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 12.9% (850 vs 740).
Q: How do the multi-core scores compare?
A: The Core i5-11400F is decisively ahead in multi-core. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 14340 vs 8883, a 38.1% gap. Geekbench multi-core is 7737 vs 6234, a 19.4% difference. Passmark multithread is 16908 vs 14700, a 13.1% lead. The only multi-core test the 150U wins is Cinebench R15 multi-core, by 4.2% (1505.5 vs 1445).
Q: Which chip is better for data compression and encryption?
A: The Core i5-11400F wins both. Passmark data compression scores 208472 vs 158622, a 23.9% advantage. Passmark data encryption is 10247 vs 10025, a 2.2% edge. The 11400F also wins Passmark random string sorting by 24.3% (24124 vs 18269).
Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?
A: No. The Core 7 150U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while the Core i5-11400F supports only DDR4, also dual-channel. The 11400F has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 150U's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data.
Q: Which chip includes integrated graphics?
A: Only the Core 7 150U includes integrated graphics, featuring Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core i5-11400F has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?
A: The Core 7 150U has an average benchmark score of 17395, while the Core i5-11400F averages 17177. This is a 0.4% difference in favor of the 150U, and both processors rank at the 71st percentile vs all CPUs.
Where Each One Wins
The Core 7 150U wins in single-threaded responsiveness, physics simulation, and prime-number computation. Its 24.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 20.2% lead in Passmark physics make it suitable for applications that are latency-sensitive or rely on per-core speed. The 17.7% Passmark single-thread advantage reinforces this. Floating-point math is a near tie, with the 150U ahead by only 0.8%, indicating that neither chip has a significant edge in that domain. The 150U also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, but that test appears to be an outlier given the 11400F's dominance in all other multi-core benchmarks.
The Core i5-11400F wins in sustained multi-core workloads, data compression, extended instruction sets, and integer math. The 38.1% Cinebench R23 multi-core victory is the largest margin in the entire comparison. Passmark extended instructions shows a 41.6% advantage, making the 11400F better for workloads that leverage SIMD and specialized instruction paths. Data compression and random string sorting are strong suits, with 23.9% and 24.3% leads respectively. The 11400F also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core, suggesting better performance in that specific benchmark suite.
For practical use: the 150U suits mobile productivity, general desktop responsiveness, and any task that benefits from its integrated Iris Xe Graphics. The 11400F suits desktop builds with a discrete GPU, where its 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide more expansion capability, and where sustained multi-threaded performance is critical.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the 150U and 2.60 GHz for the 11400F, but boost clocks favor the 150U at 5.40 GHz vs 4.40 GHz. TDP is dramatically different: 15 W for the mobile chip vs 65 W for the desktop chip.
Memory support diverges: the 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the 11400F supports only DDR4. The 11400F has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which the 150U lacks in the data. PCIe lane counts differ, with the 150U providing 8 lanes and the 11400F providing 20 lanes, both Gen 4.
Cache hierarchies are partially shared but differ in L2: both have 80 KB L1 per core and 12 MB shared L3, but the 150U has 1.25 MB L2 per core vs 512 KB per core on the 11400F. The process node is 10 nm for the 150U and 14 nm for the 11400F, with the 11400F having a die size of 276 mm². Integrated graphics are present only on the 150U (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU). Sockets are incompatible: BGA 1744 for the 150U and Socket 1200 for the 11400F. Production status is Active for the 150U and End-of-life for the 11400F. The 11400F has a launch MSRP of $157; the 150U has no listed launch MSRP. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.