Intel Core i5-11300H vs Intel Core i7-5930K Comparison

This comparison pits a modern 11th-gen mobile processor against a desktop Haswell-E part from a previous era. The data shows a clear generational shift in performance characteristics, with the newer chip dominating most CPU-bound workloads while the older chip holds a specific advantage in one test. The following analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and practical implications based solely on the provided data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a decisive picture for most tests, with the Intel Core i5-11300H taking seven of the eight head-to-head matchups. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-11300H scores 919 against the i7-5930K’s 886, a 3.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar margin: 129 versus 125, a 3.2% advantage for the newer chip. These are modest but consistent wins.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The i5-11300H posts 3833 in multicore versus 3692 for the i7-5930K, a 3.8% delta. Single-core R20 sees the i5 at 540 and the i7 at 521, a 3.6% edge. The R23 results mirror this exactly in percentage terms: multicore scores are 9127 for the i5 and 8791 for the i7 (3.8% difference), while single-core scores are 1288 versus 1241 (3.8% difference). Across all six Cinebench tests, the i5-11300H wins by a narrow but consistent 3.2% to 3.8% margin.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-5930K turns the tables decisively, scoring 5715 against the i5-11300H’s 4907. That is a 14.1% deficit for the mobile chip, and it represents the only victory for the desktop processor in this comparison. However, Geekbench single-core flips back to the i5-11300H with a dominant 1589 versus 1225, a 29.7% advantage. This is the largest performance gap in either direction across all tests.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall balance: the i5-11300H sits at 2792, while the i7-5930K is at 2775. Their percentile rankings among all CPUs are identical at 51, and the nearest-rival data confirms they are close overall. The i5-11300H is 0.6% above the i7-5930K in average score, while the i7-5930K sits 0.4% below an AMD Ryzen 3 5400U and effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i5-11300H is the better all-around processor for most users. It wins the majority of benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, and its single-core Geekbench lead is substantial. The newer architecture delivers higher performance in CPU-bound tasks that rely on per-core speed, which is increasingly important for everyday applications, gaming, and productivity software.

The i7-5930K does have one clear strength: Geekbench multicore. Its 14.1% lead in that specific test suggests it handles heavily threaded workloads that scale well across many cores better than the i5-11300H. For users running applications that are specifically optimized for many cores and threads, the older desktop chip would be the better choice.

That said, the i5-11300H achieves its results while being a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, compared to the i7-5930K’s 140 W TDP. The sheer efficiency difference is remarkable, though the data does not include power consumption figures beyond TDP. The i5-11300H is also an active production part, while the i7-5930K is end-of-life.

For a new build, the i5-11300H is the pragmatic pick. For a specific workload that demands maximum multi-threaded Geekbench performance, the i7-5930K remains viable, but its time has largely passed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel’s design. The i5-11300H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process node. The i7-5930K uses the Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-E, on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance and efficiency differences observed.

Core counts differ significantly. The i5-11300H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i5-11300H still wins most multicore tests, demonstrating the impact of newer architecture and higher clock speeds. The i5-11300H has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7-5930K has a base of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz. The modern chip’s much higher boost clock is a clear advantage in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

Cache layouts also diverge. The i5-11300H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-5930K has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3. The i7’s larger total L3 cache is a legacy of its desktop HEDT design, but the i5’s per-core L2 is larger, which benefits certain workloads.

Memory support differs as well. Both support DDR4, but the i5-11300H uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-5930K uses a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-5930K’s higher memory bandwidth is a notable advantage for memory-intensive tasks, though it requires a more expensive platform.

PCIe support is another generational leap. The i5-11300H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-5930K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes. The newer standard offers higher bandwidth per lane, but the older chip offers more lanes. The i5-11300H includes integrated Iris XE 80EU graphics, while the i7-5930K has no integrated graphics at all. The i5-11300H is also a locked multiplier part, whereas the i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-11300H is faster, scoring 9127 compared to the i7-5930K’s 8791, a 3.8% difference.

Q: Does the i7-5930K win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the Geekbench multicore test, scoring 5715 against the i5-11300H’s 4907, a 14.1% lead.

Q: What is the largest single-core performance gap?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the i5-11300H leads by 29.7%, scoring 1589 versus 1225 for the i7-5930K.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-11300H has an average score of 2792, while the i7-5930K has an average of 2775. The i5-11300H is 0.6% higher.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory, but the i5-11300H uses dual-channel while the i7-5930K uses quad-channel, giving the i7 higher peak bandwidth at 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Can the i7-5930K be overclocked?

A: Yes, it has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-11300H does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11300H wins in every Cinebench test and in Geekbench single-core. This makes it the clear choice for single-threaded performance, including typical desktop responsiveness, office productivity, web browsing, and gaming that relies on per-core speed. Its 29.7% Geekbench single-core lead is the standout figure. It also wins all Cinebench multicore tests despite having fewer cores and threads, which suggests it is better for most rendering and content creation workloads that use Cinebench as a proxy. The integrated Iris XE graphics mean it can output to a display without a discrete GPU, which is not possible with the i7-5930K.

The Intel Core i7-5930K wins only in Geekbench multicore. This indicates it is better for workloads that are specifically optimized for many threads and benefit from its 6 cores and 12 threads. Its quad-channel memory bus and higher memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s) also give it an edge in memory-sensitive applications. For users who already have a Socket 2011-3 platform or need the 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the i7-5930K offers platform-level advantages that the mobile BGA 1449 chip cannot match. Its unlocked multiplier is also a point in its favor for enthusiasts who value overclocking.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark. The i5-11300H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, but boost clocks favor the newer chip at 4.40 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. TDP is a major divergence: 28 W for the i5-11300H versus 140 W for the i7-5930K.

The process node is 10 nm for the i5-11300H and 22 nm for the i7-5930K. Die size is 146.1 mm² for the i5, while the i7 is 356 mm² with 2,600 million transistors. Cache sizes differ: L1 is 80 KB per core on the i5 versus 64 KB per core on the i7; L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core; L3 is 8 MB shared versus 15 MB shared.

Memory support sees the i5 using dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7 uses quad-channel with 68.3 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes on the i5 versus Gen 3 with 40 lanes on the i7. The i5 has integrated Iris XE 80EU graphics; the i7 has none. The i5 uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, while the i7 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The i5 is a locked multiplier part; the i7 is unlocked. The i5 is active production with a launch MSRP of $309, while the i7 is end-of-life.