Intel Core i5-11400H vs Intel Core i7-9750H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11400H and Intel Core i7-9750H are both six-core, twelve-thread mobile processors, but they come from different generations and are built on different architectures. The i5-11400H is a Tiger Lake-H part, while the i7-9750H is a Coffee Lake-HR chip. The benchmark data shows a consistent and substantial performance advantage for the newer i5-11400H across every single test recorded, making this comparison less about rivalry and more about generational progress.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H wins every multi-threaded benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12859 versus 8973 for the i7-9750H, a 43.3% difference. The PassMark multithread score shows a similar gap: 15346 versus 10671, a 43.8% lead.

Q: How much better is the single-core performance of the i5-11400H?

A: The i5-11400H leads by 43.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1815 versus 1266) and by 23.8% in PassMark single-thread tests (2975 versus 2404). The Geekbench single-core score is 1569 versus 1349, a 16.3% advantage.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Core i7-9750H wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data includes 19 benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Core i5-11400H wins all 19. The smallest margin is in PassMark physics, where the i5-11400H scores 678 versus 670, a 1.2% lead.

Q: What is the most dramatic performance gap between the two?

A: The largest difference is in PassMark data encryption. The i5-11400H scores 9309, while the i7-9750H scores 3756, giving the i5 a 147.8% advantage. This indicates a major architectural improvement in cryptographic workloads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the i5-11400H has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s compared to 42.7 GB/s for the i7-9750H.

Q: Which processor uses a newer manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the i7-9750H uses the older 14 nm process. This is a key factor in the efficiency and performance differences.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is significant. The i5-11400H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on a 10 nm process node, while the i7-9750H is based on the older Coffee Lake-HR architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink allows the newer chip to deliver higher performance within a lower thermal envelope.

The i5-11400H has a die size of 190 mm² and features a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core and a much larger L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core. The i7-9750H, with its 149 mm² die, has a smaller 64 KB L1 cache per core and only 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Both share a 12 MB L3 cache.

The memory controller differs as well. While both support DDR4, the i5-11400H provides 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, notably higher than the 42.7 GB/s of the i7-9750H. This can benefit memory-intensive tasks. Additionally, the i5-11400H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, whereas the i7-9750H is limited to PCIe Gen 3.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-11400H comes with UHD Graphics, while the i7-9750H has the older UHD 630. The i5-11400H is currently marked as an active production part, while the i7-9750H is listed as end-of-life. The i7 also uses a different socket (Intel BGA 1440) compared to the i5's Intel BGA 1787.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: the i5-11400H is faster in every measured category. The Cinebench suite shows the most consistent gap, with the i5-11400H winning R15, R20, and R23 by roughly 43% in both single and multi-core tests. For instance, Cinebench R23 multi-core sees a 12859 to 8973 score, a 43.3% win, while single-core is 1815 to 1266, a 43.4% win.

Geekbench results show a narrower but still decisive lead for the i5-11400H. In multi-core, the score is 6396 versus 5323, a 20.2% advantage. Single-core is 1569 versus 1349, a 16.3% lead. This suggests that the i5's architectural advantages are more pronounced in sustained workloads than in shorter, burst-like tests.

The PassMark suite reveals where the i5-11400H truly excels. Data encryption is a massive win, with the i5 scoring 9309 against 3756, a 147.8% improvement. Integer math also shows a strong 40.9% lead (53286 versus 37822), and floating-point math is 37.3% ahead (32060 versus 23343). The i5 also leads in data compression by 26.9% (190855 versus 150443) and in extended instructions by 41.2% (12971 versus 9187). The smallest wins are in physics (678 versus 670, a 1.2% lead) and random string sorting (22512 versus 19862, a 13.3% lead). Even the PassMark single-thread score, which often favors older high-clock chips, is 23.8% higher on the i5-11400H at 2975 versus 2404.

Specification Differences

The differences in specifications are direct and explain the performance gap. The i5-11400H has a base clock of 2.20 GHz, while the i7-9750H has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz. However, both have the same boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i5 compensates for its lower base clock with a more efficient architecture and a lower TDP of 35 watts, compared to the i7's 45 watts.

The process node is a major differentiator: 10 nm for the i5 versus 14 nm for the i7. The cache hierarchy is also different, with the i5 featuring larger L1 and L2 caches per core. The i5's memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s, which is higher than the i7's 42.7 GB/s. The i5 also supports newer PCIe Gen 4 technology, whereas the i7 is limited to Gen 3. The integrated graphics differ (UHD Graphics versus UHD 630), and the production status is Active for the i5 versus End-of-life for the i7. The release dates are also years apart, with the i5 launching in 2021 and the i7 in 2019.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-11400H is the superior processor in this comparison. It wins all 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with average leads of 43% in Cinebench workloads and a massive 147.8% lead in data encryption. The i5 does this while also having a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 45 watts, indicating better performance-per-watt.

The i5-11400H's newer 10 nm architecture, larger caches, and higher memory bandwidth give it a decisive advantage over the older 14 nm i7-9750H. The i7's only nominal advantages are its higher base clock of 2.60 GHz and its larger die size at 149 mm², but these do not translate into any benchmark wins. The i7-9750H is a capable six-core part from its era, but the data shows it is clearly outclassed by the newer i5.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the i5-11400H wins every benchmark, the use-case split is heavily skewed. The i5-11400H is the clear choice for any workload where performance matters. Its wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12859 versus 8973) and PassMark multithread (15346 versus 10671) make it the better pick for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. Its dominance in PassMark data encryption (9309 versus 3756) suggests it is far better suited for security-related tasks and VPNs.

The i5-11400H also excels in single-threaded tasks, as shown by its 43.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 23.8% lead in PassMark single-thread. This makes it the better choice for everyday applications, office work, and gaming, where single-core performance is often the limiting factor.

The i7-9750H does not have a single benchmark win to its name. Its higher base clock of 2.60 GHz does not manifest in any real-world advantage in the recorded data. For users still on a system with an i7-9750H, the data suggests an upgrade to the i5-11400H would provide a substantial performance uplift across the board. For anyone choosing between these two in a new laptop, the i5-11400H is the only rational choice based on the measurements.