Intel Core i5-11260H vs Intel Xeon Silver 4116 Comparison

The benchmark data presents a fascinating anomaly: the Intel Xeon Silver 4116, a server processor from 2017, and the Intel Core i5-11260H, a mobile chip from 2021, deliver nearly identical performance across every Cinebench test. The Xeon Silver 4116 technically wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are microscopic, ranging from 0% to 0.1%. Based on the average benchmark score, the Xeon Silver 4116 sits at 3733, while the Core i5-11260H is at 3721, a difference of just 0.3%. Both processors occupy the 56th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The choice between them, therefore, is not about raw speed but about their fundamentally different natures. The data indicates that the Xeon Silver 4116 is for a system builder populating a server motherboard with an Intel Socket 3647, requiring ECC memory support and 24 threads of throughput. Conversely, the Core i5-11260H is for a laptop buyer or a user seeking a compact, power-efficient mobile platform with integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 4 support. The Xeon wins on paper, but the Core i5 achieves parity in a fraction of the power envelope and physical footprint.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors explains why they are comparable in benchmarks despite their different market positions. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 is built on the Skylake-SP architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-11260H uses the newer Tiger Lake-H architecture on a 10 nm node. This generational leap in manufacturing allows the mobile chip to achieve similar performance with far fewer resources. The Xeon Silver 4116 packs 12 cores and 24 threads, double the 6 cores and 12 threads of the Core i5-11260H. The transistor count reflects this: the Xeon has 8,000 million transistors, whereas the Core i5's count is not listed, but its die size is 190 mm². The cache hierarchy also differs significantly. The Xeon Silver 4116 has an L1 cache of 64 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 16.5 MB. The Core i5-11260H counters with a larger L1 cache of 80 KB per core, a larger L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, but a smaller shared L3 cache of 12 MB. This suggests the Xeon relies on more physical cores and a larger aggregate cache pool, while the Core i5 leverages faster per-core cache and a more advanced process.

The clock speeds tell a similar story. Both processors have a base clock of 2.10 GHz, but the Core i5-11260H boosts to 4.40 GHz, significantly higher than the Xeon Silver 4116's 3.00 GHz boost. This higher boost clock is a direct result of the newer architecture and lower 35W TDP, compared to the Xeon's 85W TDP. The memory support also diverges: both use DDR4, but the Core i5-11260H specifies dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon Silver 4116 supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. The Xeon lacks integrated graphics and PCIe information, while the Core i5-11260H includes UHD Graphics and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 3647, while the Core i5 uses Intel BGA 1787, meaning they are physically locked into different platforms.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show that the Xeon Silver 4116 wins every single head-to-head test, but the margins are so small they are practically negligible. The largest win for the Xeon Silver 4116 is a 0.1% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 single-core, and R23 single-core. In the remaining tests—Cinebench R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core—the scores are effectively tied, with a 0% delta. This means that for pure Cinebench performance, there is no meaningful winner. The Xeon Silver 4116's 12 cores and 24 threads should theoretically dominate multi-threaded workloads, but the Core i5-11260H's higher 4.40 GHz boost clock and newer Tiger Lake architecture compensate for its halved core count.

The Core i5-11260H wins in areas that the benchmark suite does not capture. The data shows it has integrated UHD Graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely. This makes the Core i5-11260H the only option for a system without a discrete graphics card. The Core i5-11260H also has a significantly lower TDP of 35W versus the Xeon's 85W, making it the clear choice for battery-powered or thermally constrained environments. The Core i5-11260H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, enabling faster storage and GPU connectivity, while the Xeon's PCIe support is not specified. The Core i5-11260H also has a smaller die size of 190 mm², suggesting a more compact and energy-efficient design. For a user building a server with ECC memory and 24 threads, the Xeon Silver 4116 is the only option. For a user seeking a mobile processor with graphics and modern I/O, the Core i5-11260H is the only option.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-11260H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon has exactly double the core and thread count.

Q: Is there a significant performance difference in Cinebench benchmarks?

A: No. The Xeon Silver 4116 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but the largest margin is 0.1%. In three tests (R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, R23 multi-core), the delta is 0%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 supports ECC memory (eccMemory: true). The Intel Core i5-11260H does not support ECC memory (eccMemory: false).

Q: Does the Core i5-11260H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-11260H has integrated UHD Graphics. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has no integrated graphics (integratedGraphics: null).

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The Intel Core i5-11260H has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Core i5 boosts 1.40 GHz higher.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has a TDP of 85W. The Intel Core i5-11260H has a TDP of 35W. The Xeon has a TDP that is 50W higher.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is remarkable for its uniformity. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon Silver 4116 scores 1301 against the Core i5-11260H's 1300, a 0.1% win for the Xeon. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors score exactly 183, resulting in a 0% delta and a win for the Xeon Silver 4116 by tie-breaker. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 5421 against 5420, another 0% delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 765 against 764, a 0.1% win. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Xeon at 12908 against 12905, a 0% delta. Finally, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 1822 against 1821, a 0.1% win. The Xeon Silver 4116 wins all six tests, but the aggregate picture is one of parity.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this conclusion. The Xeon Silver 4116 has an average benchmark score of 3733, while the Core i5-11260H has 3721. The delta is 0.3%, which is within the margin of error for most benchmarking. Both processors share the same 56th percentile ranking among all CPUs, confirming they are statistical equals in overall performance. The nearest rivals list also shows how close these two are: the Xeon Silver 4116's nearest rival includes the Core i5-11260H with a deltaPct of 0.3%, while the Core i5-11260H's nearest rivals include the Xeon Silver 4116 with a deltaPct of -0.3%. They are each other's closest competitors, which is an extraordinary finding given their vastly different architectures and launch dates.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between these two processors are stark and define their respective use cases. The core count is the most obvious difference: the Xeon Silver 4116 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core i5-11260H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The process node also differs, with the Xeon using 14 nm and the Core i5 using 10 nm. The boost clock is a major differentiator: the Xeon boosts to 3.00 GHz, while the Core i5 boosts to 4.40 GHz. The TDP is another key split, with the Xeon at 85W and the Core i5 at 35W. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 3647, while the Core i5 uses Intel BGA 1787.

The cache configurations are distinct, with the Xeon offering 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus 16.5 MB of shared L3. The Core i5 offers 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus 12 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 8,000 million transistors, while the Core i5's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 190 mm². The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Core i5 does not. The Core i5 has dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon's memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. The Core i5 has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes and integrated UHD Graphics, while the Xeon has neither PCIe nor integrated graphics information. The release dates are separated by nearly four years: the Xeon Silver 4116 was released on 2017-07-10, and the Core i5-11260H was released on 2021-05-10. The Core i5-11260H has a launch MSRP of $250, while the Xeon Silver 4116 has no listed launch MSRP.