Intel Core i5-11260H vs Intel Core i5-11600T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11600T and the Intel Core i5-11260H are both six-core, twelve-thread processors from Intel's 11th Gen family, yet they target entirely different platforms: one is a desktop chip, the other a mobile part. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, where the desktop 11600T dominates in Geekbench tests, while the mobile 11260H consistently wins across all Cinebench workloads. This creates a nuanced picture where the "better" processor depends entirely on the specific workload and benchmark methodology.

Where Each One Wins

The division of victories is stark, with the Intel Core i5-11260H taking six of the eight head-to-head benchmark wins, while the Intel Core i5-11600T claims only two. However, the magnitude and nature of these wins tell a more complex story than the raw win count suggests.

The 11260H's victories are narrow but consistent across the entire Cinebench suite, covering both R15, R20, and R23 versions, and both single-core and multi-core tests. The deltas are remarkably uniform, hovering around 4% for multi-core tests and between 3.8% and 4% for single-core tests. This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in how the Tiger Lake-H chip handles Cinebench's rendering workloads, rather than a test-specific quirk.

The 11600T's wins, by contrast, are decisive and concentrated in Geekbench. Its multi-core score of 6653 against the 11260H's 5780 represents a 15.1% advantage, and its single-core score of 1791 against 1595 is 12.3% higher. These are substantial margins, indicating that the Rocket Lake desktop chip excels in the types of integer and floating-point operations that Geekbench emphasizes, which often reflect real-world application responsiveness and general productivity tasks.

This creates a clear use-case split. For rendering, 3D modeling, and other Cinebench-style workloads, the 11260H holds a consistent, if modest, edge. For general system responsiveness, office productivity, and applications that mimic Geekbench's mixed workload patterns, the 11600T is the clear winner with double-digit percentage advantages.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different Intel architectures from the same generation. The 11600T is built on Rocket Lake, which uses Intel's Cypress Cove cores fabricated on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 276 mm². The 11260H uses Tiger Lake-H, featuring Willow Cove cores on Intel's more advanced 10 nm process, resulting in a smaller 190 mm² die.

These architectural differences manifest in several key areas. The L2 cache is the most notable divergence: the 11600T has 512 KB per core, while the 11260H has a substantially larger 1.25 MB per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache and identical 80 KB L1 caches per core. The larger L2 cache on the Tiger Lake-H chip likely contributes to its Cinebench advantage, as those workloads benefit from having more data closer to the cores.

The integrated graphics also differ, with the 11600T featuring UHD Graphics 750, while the 11260H lists simply "UHD Graphics" without a specific model number. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and both offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

The production statuses are notably different: the 11600T is listed as end-of-life, while the 11260H remains active. The 11600T launched in March 2021 on the Intel Socket 1200 platform, while the 11260H arrived in May 2021 on the BGA 1787 mobile socket.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a pattern of consistent, narrow wins for the 11260H. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1300 against the 11600T's 1248, a 4% advantage. The single-core test in R15 shows a similar story: 183 versus 176, a 3.8% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 5420 versus 5201 (4% difference), and single-core is 764 versus 734 (3.9% difference). The R23 tests continue this trend with multi-core scores of 12905 versus 12385 (4% gap) and single-core of 1821 versus 1748 (4% gap).

These consistent 3.8-4% advantages across all Cinebench versions suggest a predictable performance relationship in rendering tasks. The 11260H's higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus the 11600T's 1.70 GHz likely plays a role, as does its 4.40 GHz boost clock versus 4.10 GHz. The larger L2 cache is another probable contributor.

The Geekbench results flip the script dramatically. The 11600T's multi-core score of 6653 is 15.1% higher than the 11260H's 5780. Its single-core score of 1791 beats 1595 by 12.3%. These are not marginal differences; they represent a substantial performance gap favoring the desktop chip.

Interestingly, despite the 11260H winning two-thirds of the tests, both processors share the same 56th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also very close: the 11600T averages 3742, while the 11260H averages 3721, a difference of just 0.6%. This proximity is reflected in their nearest rivals, with both processors appearing in each other's comparison lists with deltas under 1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-11260H wins with a score of 12905, which is 4% higher than the Intel Core i5-11600T's 12385.

Q: How much of an advantage does the 11600T have in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The 11600T scores 6653, which is 15.1% higher than the 11260H's 5780, representing the largest performance gap in any head-to-head benchmark.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads, with identical 80 KB L1 caches per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the difference in L2 cache size?

A: The 11260H has 1.25 MB per core, while the 11600T has 512 KB per core, a significant difference that may explain the mobile chip's Cinebench advantage.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 11260H boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the 11600T boosts to 4.10 GHz. The 11260H also has a higher base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 1.70 GHz.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: No, the 11600T uses a 14 nm process with a 276 mm² die, while the 11260H uses a 10 nm process with a 190 mm² die.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11600T | Intel Core i5-11260H |

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

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Rocket Lake | Tiger Lake-H |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 190 mm² |

| Base Clock | 1.70 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $213 | $250 |

| Part Number | SRKNX | SRKT0 |

The two processors share several specifications, including 6 cores, 12 threads, 12 MB L3 cache, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and a 35 W TDP. Neither supports ECC memory or has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear case for different usage scenarios. The Intel Core i5-11260H is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, consistently outperforming the 11600T by about 4% across all versions of the benchmark. Its larger L2 cache and higher clock speeds appear to provide a tangible benefit in these compute-intensive tasks, despite its 10 nm process advantage.

However, the Intel Core i5-11600T is the superior processor for Geekbench-style workloads, with a 12-15% advantage that is three to four times larger than the 11260H's Cinebench wins. This suggests that for general productivity, web browsing, office applications, and other mixed workloads, the desktop chip offers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.

The average benchmark scores nearly identical, with the 11600T at 3742 and the 11260H at 3721, a 0.6% difference. Both occupy the same 56th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are roughly equivalent in overall performance. The choice ultimately comes down to whether the user prioritizes Cinebench rendering (11260H) or Geekbench-style general performance (11600T), and whether the desktop or mobile form factor is more appropriate for their needs. The 11600T's status as end-of-life may also factor into long-term availability considerations, though both remain capable processors in their respective segments.