Intel Core i5-11260H vs Intel Core i5-1245U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1245U and Intel Core i5-11260H are both mobile processors that land in the same performance percentile, yet they achieve this through fundamentally different designs. The 1245U, a 10-core Alder Lake-U part, and the 11260H, a 6-core Tiger Lake-H part, are separated by a generation of architecture and a major difference in thermal design. Benchmark results show a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the newer 1245U across all tested Cinebench workloads, while the 11260H counters with a higher base clock and a larger physical die. This analysis breaks down the data to determine which processor wins in specific scenarios and where their architectural differences matter most.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is remarkably consistent: the Intel Core i5-1245U wins all six Cinebench comparisons, but by margins that are barely outside the margin of error. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the 1245U scores 1315 against the 11260H's 1300, a 1.2% advantage. This pattern repeats in single-core R15, with the 1245U winning 185 to 183, a 1.1% lead. The story does not change in newer test versions. In Cinebench R20, the 1245U posts a 5482 multi-core score and a 773 single-core score, beating the 11260H's 5420 and 764 by 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, shows the same trend: the 1245U scores 13053 multi-core and 1842 single-core, while the 11260H scores 12905 and 1821. The deltaPct for R23 is 1.1% in multi-core and 1.2% in single-core.

These margins are small, but they are absolute across every test. The largest win for the 1245U is a 1.2% lead, appearing in R15 multi-core, R20 single-core, and R23 single-core. The 11260H never wins a single benchmark in this head-to-head comparison. However, it is critical to contextualize these numbers. An average benchmark score of 3775 for the 1245U places it in the 56th percentile of all CPUs, with its closest rival being the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 at a 0% deltaPct. The 11260H has an average score of 3721, also in the 56th percentile, and sits just 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE. In the grand scheme, both processors are functionally equivalent in performance, trading blows within a 1.5% band.

The single-core results are particularly telling. The 1245U's 1.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (1842 vs. 1821) suggests that its newer Alder Lake architecture offers a marginal IPC improvement over Tiger Lake, despite the 11260H's higher base clock of 2.10 GHz compared to the 1245U's 1.60 GHz. The multi-core results are also interesting because the 1245U manages to win with 10 cores and a 15W TDP against the 11260H's 6 cores and 35W TDP. The efficiency of the Alder Lake hybrid design appears to overcome the raw power advantage of the Tiger Lake-H part.

Where Each One Wins

Given the data, the Intel Core i5-1245U is the winner in every measurable benchmark category between these two. It holds a 1.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and R20 single-core, and a 1.1% lead in R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core. The largest gap is 1.2%, which is consistent across multiple tests. For users running Cinebench workloads, the 1245U is the faster chip, albeit by a hair.

The Intel Core i5-11260H does not have a single benchmark win to claim. Its strength lies outside the Cinebench suite. The data shows the 11260H has a higher base clock (2.10 GHz vs. 1.60 GHz) and a larger die size (190 mm² vs. no data for the 1245U). The 11260H also supports a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure not provided for the 1245U. Furthermore, the 11260H has a launch MSRP of $250, which can be stated once as a reference point. For sustained workloads that depend on raw clock speed, the 11260H's higher base clock could provide an advantage in scenarios where the 1245U's boost clock is not sustained. However, benchmark results do not confirm this advantage in Cinebench tests.

In practical terms, the 1245U is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering tasks. The 11260H is the better choice for users who prioritize a higher base clock for non-boosted, sustained operations, or who need the specific memory bandwidth specification. The 11260H's 35W TDP also suggests it is designed for larger chassis with better cooling, whereas the 1245U's 15W TDP indicates a focus on efficiency and thinner laptops. The data does not show a use case where the 11260H outperforms the 1245U in computation, but its higher TDP and base clock make it a different class of mobile processor for heavier systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-1245U scores 13053 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-11260H's score of 12905.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the Intel Core i5-11260H wins?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the Intel Core i5-1245U wins all 6 benchmarks, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. The 11260H has zero wins.

Q: How do these processors compare in terms of power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-1245U has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Core i5-11260H has a TDP of 35W. The 11260H is a higher-power part designed for more robust cooling solutions.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-1245U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i5-11260H supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-1245U has an average benchmark score of 3775, and the Intel Core i5-11260H has an average score of 3721. This places both in the 56th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-11260H has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors reveal distinct design philosophies. The most obvious difference is core count: the Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11260H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clocks also differ significantly, with the 11260H running at 2.10 GHz compared to the 1245U's 1.60 GHz. Both processors share the same boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which explains their similar single-core performance.

The TDP is another major divider. The 1245U is rated at 15W, while the 11260H is rated at 35W. This is a 20W difference that reflects their intended use cases: ultra-portable laptops versus performance-oriented notebooks. The sockets are different as well, with the 1245U using Intel BGA 1744 and the 11260H using Intel BGA 1787. Memory support diverges, with the 1245U accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 11260H is limited to DDR4. The 11260H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the 1245U.

The integrated graphics differ: the 1245U features Iris Xe 80EU, while the 11260H has UHD Graphics. The 11260H has a launch MSRP of $250, while the 1245U has no launch MSRP listed. The die size is another contrast, with the 11260H measuring 190 mm² and the 1245U having no listed die size. The release dates also differ, with the 11260H launching on 2021-05-10 and the 1245U on 2022-02-22. The part numbers are SRLFSSRLWY for the 1245U and SRKT0 for the 11260H.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these are two different generations of Intel mobile silicon. The Intel Core i5-1245U is based on Alder Lake, with the codename Alder Lake-U. The Intel Core i5-11260H is based on Tiger Lake, specifically Tiger Lake-H. Both are built on a 10 nm process node and manufactured by Intel, but the architectural implementations are distinct. Alder Lake represents a hybrid architecture shift, while Tiger Lake is a traditional monolithic design.

The cache hierarchy is identical in structure: both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the performance difference comes from the core microarchitecture itself, not cache capacity. The 1245U's Alder Lake architecture is newer, which likely explains its small but consistent benchmark lead despite a lower base clock. The 11260H's Tiger Lake architecture, while older, is designed for higher power envelopes, as evidenced by its 35W TDP and larger 190 mm² die.

The integrated graphics also reflect the architectural generational gap. The 1245U uses Iris Xe 80EU, a more capable graphics solution, while the 11260H uses the older UHD Graphics. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), so expansion capabilities are equal. The memory controller differs, with the 1245U supporting DDR5 in addition to DDR4, a feature absent on the 11260H. This makes the 1245U more future-proof for memory upgrades, though the 11260H's specified 51.2 GB/s bandwidth suggests its DDR4 implementation is well-optimized. The production status for both is listed as "Active," meaning neither is discontinued.