Intel Core i5-11400F vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F records an average benchmark score of 17177, while the Intel Core i5-1235U records 16770. The 11400F also sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, versus the 70th percentile for the 1235U.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-11400F scores 14340 against the 1235U's 9774, a delta of 46.7%. The gap is consistent across Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the 11400F leads by 46.7% in both.

Q: Does the mobile chip win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-1235U wins four of the nineteen head-to-head tests. It takes PassMark single-thread with 3151 versus 2981, and it dominates PassMark find prime numbers with 954 versus 51. It also wins PassMark floating point math with 43303 versus 34127.

Q: What is the difference in core counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both processors support the same thread count, but the mobile part uses a hybrid arrangement to reach 10 cores.

Q: Which processor is newer and what process node does it use?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U was released on 2022-02-22 and uses a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-11400F was released on 2021-03-15 and uses a 14 nm process node.

Q: Are there any differences in integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has no integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i5-1235U includes Iris Xe 80EU graphics. This is a notable difference for systems that rely on the CPU's built-in display output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The Intel Core i5-11400F is a desktop part from the Rocket Lake family, built on a 14 nm process node. It uses the Intel Socket 1200 and features 6 cores with 12 threads. Its base clock is 2.60 GHz and its boost clock reaches 4.40 GHz. The chip includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 11400F is marked as end-of-life production status, and its launch MSRP was $157.

The Intel Core i5-1235U is a mobile processor from the Alder Lake-U family, built on a 10 nm process node. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and features 10 cores with 12 threads, a hybrid design typical of Alder Lake. Its base clock is listed at 1300.00 MHz, though its boost clock also reaches 4.40 GHz. The 1235U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it includes integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics. The 1235U is listed as active production status.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 10 nm. The newer 10 nm process allows the 1235U to pack 10 cores into a 15 W TDP, while the 11400F has a 65 W TDP with only 6 cores. Both chips support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The 1235U's cache layout differs notably, with a larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB versus 512 KB), which may help with certain workloads despite the lower base clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-11400F wins 15 of the 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, often by substantial margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 11400F scores 14340 against 9774, a 46.7% advantage. The same delta appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, where the 11400F leads by 46.7% in both cases. Single-core Cinebench results are similar: the 11400F leads by 47.8% in R15 and by 46.8% in R20 and R23.

GeekBench results show a narrower gap. In GeekBench multi-core, the 11400F scores 7737 versus 5308, a 45.8% lead. In GeekBench single-core, the 11400F scores 1777 versus 1609, a 10.4% advantage. PassMark tests reveal a mixed picture. The 11400F leads in PassMark integer math with 57624 versus 48553, an 18.7% margin, and in PassMark multithread with 16908 versus 12923, a 30.8% margin. PassMark physics also favors the 11400F, 842 versus 686, a 22.7% delta. Data compression and random string sorting both favor the 11400F by just over 41%, with scores of 208472 versus 147450 and 24124 versus 17050 respectively. Extended instructions show the largest 11400F win at 83.2%, with 14976 versus 8176.

The Intel Core i5-1235U takes four wins. The most dramatic is PassMark find prime numbers, where the 1235U scores 954 versus 51, a 94.7% delta in its favor. PassMark floating point math goes to the 1235U, 43303 versus 34127, a 21.2% advantage. PassMark single-thread and singlethread both go to the 1235U, with identical scores of 3151 versus 2981, a 5.4% margin. PassMark data encryption is close, with the 11400F winning 10247 versus 9347, a 9.6% delta, the smallest 11400F win outside of GeekBench single-core.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 11400F has 6 cores, while the 1235U has 10 cores. Both have 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the 11400F runs at 2.60 GHz, while the 1235U lists a 1300.00 MHz base clock. Boost clocks are identical at 4.40 GHz for both. TDP differs by a wide margin: the 11400F is rated at 65 W, the 1235U at 15 W.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1200 for the 11400F versus Intel BGA 1744 for the 1235U. The architecture and codename differ: Rocket Lake versus Alder Lake, and Rocket Lake-S versus Alder Lake-U. The process node is 14 nm for the 11400F and 10 nm for the 1235U. The 11400F has a die size of 276 mm², while the 1235U does not have a recorded die size.

Cache configurations differ in L2: the 11400F has 512 KB per core, while the 1235U has 1.25 MB per core. L1 and L3 are the same at 80 KB per core and 12 MB shared respectively. Memory support differs: the 11400F supports only DDR4, while the 1235U supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed for the 11400F at 51.2 GB/s, but no value is recorded for the 1235U. Integrated graphics are absent on the 11400F and present as Iris Xe 80EU on the 1235U.

Market segment and production status differ: the 11400F is a desktop part marked end-of-life, while the 1235U is a mobile part marked active. Release dates differ by nearly a year, with the 11400F launching on 2021-03-15 and the 1235U on 2022-02-22. The 11400F has a launch MSRP of $157, while the 1235U has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers also differ: SRKP1 for the 11400F and SRLFR for the 1235U.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400F is the clear winner in multi-threaded productivity workloads. Cinebench multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23 all show a consistent 46.7% lead. GeekBench multi-core shows a 45.8% advantage. PassMark multithread shows a 30.8% lead, and PassMark integer math shows an 18.7% lead. The 11400F also wins in data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and physics simulations. For users running rendering, compilation, or other heavily parallel tasks, the desktop chip offers a substantial performance cushion.

The Intel Core i5-1235U wins in specific single-threaded and specialized workloads. PassMark single-thread shows a 5.4% edge, and PassMark find prime numbers shows a massive 94.7% advantage. PassMark floating point math also favors the 1235U by 21.2%. The mobile chip's higher L2 cache per core and newer process node may explain its strength in prime number calculations and floating point math, where memory latency and cache capacity can matter more than raw core count.

The 1235U's wins are narrow in single-thread performance but decisive in the prime number test. The 11400F's wins are broad and often large. The data suggests the 11400F is the better choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the 1235U excels in specific math-intensive single-thread scenarios. The 1235U also brings integrated graphics and a much lower TDP, which are relevant for mobile systems where power efficiency and display output are priorities.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes a clear case for the Intel Core i5-11400F in performance terms. It wins 15 of 19 head-to-head comparisons, including all Cinebench tests, all GeekBench tests, and the majority of PassMark tests. The average benchmark score difference is 17177 versus 16770, a 2.4% gap in favor of the 11400F. The 11400F also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 71 versus 70.

The Intel Core i5-1235U is not without merit. It wins four tests, including PassMark single-thread and the prime number workload, and it does so while consuming far less power at 15 W versus 65 W. The 1235U also includes integrated graphics, which the 11400F lacks entirely. For a mobile system where battery life and portability matter, the 1235U's lower TDP and integrated GPU are significant advantages.

The 11400F is the choice for desktop users who need maximum multi-threaded performance and already have a discrete GPU. The 1235U is the choice for mobile users who need a capable processor with integrated graphics and low power draw. The data does not show a single winner across all scenarios; it shows two processors optimized for different environments. The 11400F's 46.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the superior raw performer, but the 1235U's 94.7% win in prime numbers and its 5.4% edge in PassMark single-thread highlight that the mobile chip has its own strengths. The recorded data supports selecting the 11400F for desktop workstations and the 1235U for ultraportable laptops.