Intel Core i5-11260H vs Intel Core i7-8086K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8086K and Intel Core i5-11260H represent two very different eras of Intel silicon, yet benchmark data shows a surprising split. The i5-11260H wins six of eight head-to-head tests, but the i7-8086K takes the Geekbench victories, and by a massive margin in multi-core. The data indicates that the newer mobile chip is the superior compute engine in most rendering workloads, while the older desktop part holds a distinct advantage in Geekbench's specific test methodology. Both CPUs land at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores differ by only 79 points, with the i7-8086K at 3800 and the i5-11260H at 3721.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Geekbench multi-core test, where the Intel Core i7-8086K scores 7920 against the i5-11260H's 5780. That is a 37% advantage for the desktop chip, the largest delta in the entire comparison. This is a decisive win that cannot be overlooked, suggesting that the i7-8086K's architecture handles Geekbench's workload far more efficiently than the Tiger Lake part. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-8086K also prevails, scoring 1697 versus 1595, a 6.4% lead.

However, the Cinebench suite tells a completely different story. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i5-11260H wins every single one. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 7.1% to 7.2% in each case. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-11260H scores 12905, while the i7-8086K manages 11975, a 7.2% deficit. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R23 single-core, with the i5-11260H at 1821 and the i7-8086K at 1690. The i5-11260H also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core (5420 vs 5029) and single-core (764 vs 709), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (1300 vs 1206) and single-core (183 vs 170).

The consistency of the Cinebench deltas is noteworthy. Every single Cinebench test shows a 7.1% or 7.2% gap, which points to a fundamental efficiency advantage for the i5-11260H's architecture in this specific rendering workload. The i7-8086K's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz does not translate into a Cinebench win, as the i5-11260H's 4.40 GHz boost clock is sufficient to outpace it. The i5-11260H wins six of the eight total head-to-head benchmarks, but the i7-8086K's Geekbench multi-core victory is so large that it skews the overall picture. The average benchmark scores confirm this: the i7-8086K sits at 3800, slightly above the i5-11260H's 3721, meaning the Geekbench win nearly cancels out the Cinebench sweeps.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8086K has an average benchmark score of 3800, while the Intel Core i5-11260H has an average of 3721. The difference is 79 points, making the i7-8086K marginally ahead on average.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks does each CPU win?

A: The Intel Core i5-11260H wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, all of them being Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i7-8086K wins the remaining two, which are the Geekbench multi-core and single-core tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-8086K scores 7920 versus the i5-11260H's 5780, a 37% lead. This is the only double-digit percentage difference in the entire comparison.

Q: How does the i5-11260H compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE?

A: The i5-11260H has an average benchmark score of 3721, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has an average score of 3732. This puts the i5-11260H at a 0.3% deficit relative to that rival.

Q: How does the i7-8086K compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-9700KF?

A: The i7-8086K has an average benchmark score of 3800, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF has an average of 3787. The i7-8086K holds a 0.3% advantage over this rival.

Q: Does the i5-11260H win any benchmark by more than 10%?

A: No. The i5-11260H's largest win is a 7.2% margin in several Cinebench tests. Its wins are consistent but never exceed that 7.2% threshold.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11260H is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads, which are heavily used for 3D rendering and animation. It takes the R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests with a consistent 7.2% margin. For users running Cinebench-based rendering tasks, the i5-11260H is the better performer. Its wins are uniform across all versions of the benchmark, indicating that the Tiger Lake architecture scales effectively in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering scenarios. The data suggests that for content creation involving Cinema 4D or similar software, the i5-11260H should be the preferred choice.

The Intel Core i7-8086K wins decisively in Geekbench multi-core, with a 37% advantage. This is a massive lead that makes it the superior option for workloads that align with Geekbench's test parameters, which often include integer and floating-point operations, memory tests, and cryptography. For users running software that is sensitive to the specific mix of operations in Geekbench, the i7-8086K is far ahead. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 6.4%, showing a broader advantage in this benchmark suite. The i7-8086K's wins are concentrated but significant, making it the pick for Geekbench-specific performance.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in their socket, clock speeds, TDP, and PCIe support. The i7-8086K uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-11260H uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket. The i7-8086K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, whereas the i5-11260H has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The TDP is vastly different: the i7-8086K has a 95 W TDP, while the i5-11260H has a 35 W TDP. The i7-8086K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-11260H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The i7-8086K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-11260H does not. The i7-8086K was released on 2018-06-04, while the i5-11260H was released on 2021-05-10. The i7-8086K has a launch MSRP of $425, while the i5-11260H has a launch MSRP of $250.

Architecture Differences

The i7-8086K is built on the Coffee Lake architecture with a 14 nm process node, while the i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm node. Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, and both share 12 MB of L3 cache. However, the L1 and L2 caches differ. The i7-8086K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, while the i5-11260H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The i5-11260H also has a die size of 190 mm², which is not listed for the i7-8086K. The memory bandwidth differs, with the i7-8086K at 42.7 GB/s and the i5-11260H at 51.2 GB/s, though both support dual-channel DDR4 memory. The i7-8086K features UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-11260H has UHD Graphics. The i7-8086K is a desktop part, while the i5-11260H is a mobile part. The i7-8086K is end-of-life, while the i5-11260H is active.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload. For Cinebench-based rendering, the Intel Core i5-11260H is the outright winner, taking all six tests with a 7.2% edge. Its lower TDP of 35 W versus 95 W also indicates it achieves this performance with significantly lower power draw, which is characteristic of the 10 nm node. Users running Cinema 4D or similar render engines should choose the i5-11260H without hesitation.

For Geekbench performance, the Intel Core i7-8086K is the dominant choice, particularly in multi-core where its 37% lead is overwhelming. The i7-8086K also edges out the i5-11260H in Geekbench single-core by 6.4%. This suggests that for applications that mirror Geekbench's workload, the older desktop chip is far superior. The i7-8086K's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and unlocked multiplier also make it a candidate for overclocking, which could widen its lead in single-threaded tasks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i7-8086K at 3800 and the i5-11260H at 3721. This indicates that on a broad mix of workloads, the two are comparable. The i5-11260H wins more tests, but the i7-8086K wins the largest one. The production status is also a factor: the i7-8086K is end-of-life, while the i5-11260H is active. The i5-11260H is the modern choice with PCIe Gen 4 support and a smaller process node. For a new build, the i5-11260H is the safer bet, but for Geekbench-specific tasks, the i7-8086K's raw numbers are undeniable.