Intel Core i5-10600 vs Intel Core i7-11370H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11370H and Intel Core i5-10600 are separated by only 0.9% in average benchmark score, making them near-identical performers in aggregate, but their underlying designs point to very different use cases. The i7-11370H is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor built on Intel’s 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture, while the i5-10600 is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop chip on the older 14 nm Comet Lake process. Benchmark results show the i5-10600 wins 5 of 6 head-to-head tests, yet the i7-11370H delivers essentially the same single-core performance with far lower power consumption, making the choice a matter of platform priorities rather than raw speed.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-10600 takes the clear lead in multi-threaded workloads, though by margins so small they are nearly within noise. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-10600 scores 9809 against the i7-11370H’s 9793, a 0.2% advantage. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (4119 vs 4113) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (988 vs 987). This is surprising given the i5-10600’s 50% more cores and 50% more threads, but the i7-11370H’s newer architecture and higher per-core efficiency close the gap. For sustained rendering or heavy multitasking, the i5-10600 is the nominal winner, but the data shows the difference is negligible in practice.

Single-core performance is effectively a tie. The i5-10600 edges ahead in Cinebench R23 single-core (1384 vs 1382) and Cinebench R20 single-core (581 vs 580), while Cinebench R15 single-core is dead even at 139 for both. The i7-11370H’s boost clock matches the i5-10600 at 4.80 GHz, but the Tiger Lake architecture’s higher instructions-per-clock means it needs fewer cores to keep pace. For tasks that rely on a single thread — legacy software, some games, basic office work — neither chip has a meaningful advantage.

The real split is platform, not performance. The i7-11370H is a mobile part with a 28 W TDP, designed for thin-and-light laptops where power and heat are limited. The i5-10600 is a 65 W desktop part, intended for socketed motherboards with active cooling. The i7-11370H wins on efficiency and portability, while the i5-10600 wins on core count and upgradeability. If the workload is short bursts of single-threaded activity, the i7-11370H’s low power draw makes it the better fit for battery-powered devices. If the workload is prolonged multi-threaded rendering on a desktop, the i5-10600’s extra cores provide a more stable foundation, even if the score gap is minimal.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and process nodes. The i7-11370H is built on Intel’s 10 nm process with the Tiger Lake-H architecture, while the i5-10600 uses the 14 nm Comet Lake design. This node difference explains much of the efficiency gap: the i7-11370H delivers comparable performance at less than half the TDP (28 W vs 65 W). The i7-11370H’s die size is 146.1 mm², whereas the i5-10600’s die size is not listed in the data, but the larger process node typically implies a larger physical footprint.

Core and cache configurations diverge significantly. The i7-11370H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-10600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-11370H maintains the same 12 MB shared L3 cache as the i5-10600, which helps it compensate in multi-threaded tests. Per-core cache differs: the i7-11370H has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the i5-10600 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The i7-11370H’s larger per-core L2 cache is a key architectural advantage, reducing reliance on slower L3 accesses.

Memory bandwidth also favors the newer chip. The i7-11370H supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-10600 manages 42.7 GB/s on the same dual-channel setup. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the i7-11370H offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i5-10600 is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the mobile chip a notable advantage for fast NVMe storage or external GPUs, despite its lower core count.

Integrated graphics are in different leagues. The i7-11370H pairs with Iris XE 96EU, a much more capable GPU than the i5-10600’s UHD Graphics 630. For systems without a discrete graphics card, the i7-11370H is the clear choice for light gaming or hardware-accelerated video encoding. The i5-10600’s UHD 630 is adequate for basic display output but struggles with any graphical workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides the only direct comparison data, and it tells a consistent story of near-parity. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-10600 wins with 9809 against 9793, a 0.2% margin. The i7-11370H’s 4 cores and 8 threads are outmatched by the i5-10600’s 6 cores and 12 threads, but only barely — the Tiger Lake architecture’s efficiency nearly erases the core deficit. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the same gap: 4119 for the i5-10600, 4113 for the i7-11370H, again a 0.1% difference.

Single-core results are even closer. Cinebench R23 single-core gives the i5-10600 a 1384 score versus 1382 for the i7-11370H, a 0.1% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core is 581 to 580, also a 0.1% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core is a perfect tie at 139. The i7-11370H’s single-core performance is remarkable given its 28 W TDP — it matches a 65 W desktop chip on a one-thread workload. This suggests that for lightly threaded applications, the mobile chip is the more efficient option.

The only win for the i7-11370H in the head-to-head data is Cinebench R15 single-core, which is a draw at 139. The i5-10600 takes the remaining five tests, but the largest margin is 0.2% (Cinebench R20 single-core and Cinebench R23 multi-core). These deltas are so small that they fall within typical run-to-run variance. The data does not show a decisive performance winner; it shows two chips that are functionally equivalent in Cinebench, with the i5-10600 holding a marginal edge due to its extra cores.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the i7-11370H’s average benchmark score is 2861, while the i5-10600 sits at 2837. The i7-11370H’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U at 2865 (0.1% higher), and the i5-10600’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-6800K at 2838 (0% difference). Both chips land at the 51st percentile of all CPUs, meaning they sit squarely in the mid-range of the performance distribution. The i7-11370H’s 3DMark scores — 3583 for 16 threads, 3588 for max threads, 896 for single thread — show it scales well across thread counts, but no comparable 3DMark data exists for the i5-10600.

The Verdict

For desktop users with a Socket 1200 motherboard, the i5-10600 is the logical pick. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, a 65 W TDP that is manageable with a capable air cooler, and a 0.2% multi-core advantage in Cinebench R23. The data shows it wins 5 of 6 head-to-head tests, and while the margins are tiny, the extra cores provide headroom for future workloads that scale beyond 8 threads. Its 12 MB L3 cache matches the i7-11370H, and the 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth is sufficient for most desktop tasks.

For mobile users or those building a compact system around the Intel BGA 1449 socket, the i7-11370H is the better choice. It matches the i5-10600 on single-core performance (1382 vs 1384 in Cinebench R23), delivers 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes — a significant advantage for modern SSDs. Its 28 W TDP allows for thinner laptops with longer battery life, and the Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics are far superior to the UHD 630. The i7-11370H’s 3DMark single-thread score of 896 indicates strong low-thread performance, which is typical for everyday use.

Neither chip is a clear overall winner. The i5-10600 is the safer bet for multi-threaded desktop workloads, while the i7-11370H is the more versatile mobile processor with better I/O and graphics. If you already own a Socket 1200 board, the i5-10600 is a sensible upgrade. If you’re buying a laptop, the i7-11370H is a well-balanced choice. The 0.9% average benchmark difference between them is negligible; the decision comes down to platform and power constraints.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-10600 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11370H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: They are effectively tied. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-10600 scores 1384 versus 1382 for the i7-11370H, a 0.1% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core is a draw at 139 for both.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The Intel Core i7-11370H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core i5-10600 is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-11370H has a 28 W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-10600 has a 65 W TDP. The i7-11370H draws less than half the power.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-11370H features Iris XE 96EU graphics, which are significantly more capable than the UHD Graphics 630 found in the Intel Core i5-10600.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the i7-11370H wins?

A: In the head-to-head data, the i7-11370H ties the i5-10600 in Cinebench R15 single-core (139 vs 139), which is counted as a win for the i7-11370H. The i5-10600 wins the other five tests, but all margins are 0.2% or less.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11370H | Intel Core i5-10600 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris XE 96EU | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2021-01-10 | 2020-04-29 |

| Part Number | SRKH5 | SRH37 |