Intel Core i5-11400H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-11400H dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 13 of the 17 benchmark tests against the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U. The most decisive victories come in synthetic workloads that stress extended instruction sets and data manipulation. In PassMark extended instructions, the i5-11400H scores 12,971 against 8,620 for the Ultra 5 115U, a 50.5% advantage. Random string sorting shows a similarly large gap, with the i5-11400H posting 22,512 versus 15,124, a 48.8% lead. Data compression also favors the older chip heavily: 190,855 against 141,945, a 34.5% difference.

In integer math, the i5-11400H scores 53,286 compared to 41,043 for the Ultra 5 115U, a 29.8% margin. The Cinebench suite reinforces this pattern across every version tested. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-11400H reaches 12,859 while the Ultra 5 115U manages 10,855, an 18.5% advantage. Single-core results in that same test show 1,815 versus 1,532, also an 18.5% delta. Cinebench R20 and R15 follow the same trajectory: multi-core scores of 5,400 versus 4,559 (18.4%) and 1,296 versus 1,094 (18.5%), respectively. Single-core in R20 shows 762 versus 643 (18.5%), and R15 shows 182 versus 154 (18.2%).

The PassMark multithread test gives the i5-11400H a 17.8% win, 15,346 against 13,024. Floating point math is closer but still favors the i5-11400H: 32,060 versus 30,538, a 5% margin. Data encryption shows a modest 8.2% edge for the i5-11400H, 9,309 versus 8,606.

The Ultra 5 115U claims four wins, and they are concentrated in specific areas. PassMark physics is its largest victory: 898 versus 678, a 24.5% advantage for the newer chip. Prime number finding also goes to the Ultra 5 115U, 53 versus 47, an 11.3% lead. In PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread (the same test recorded twice), the Ultra 5 115U scores 3,057 versus 2,975, a 2.7% edge. These wins, however, are isolated. The overall benchmark average tells a different story: the Ultra 5 115U has a higher average score of 16,753 against 15,749 for the i5-11400H, but this includes a broader set of workloads beyond the head-to-head list.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-11400H is the stronger processor for compute-heavy tasks that rely on sustained multi-core throughput and instruction-level parallelism. Its sweep of all Cinebench versions, from R15 through R23, both single and multi-core, points to consistent superiority in rendering workloads. The 18.5% margins across the board suggest architectural efficiency in floating-point and integer execution rather than a single-test anomaly. The large wins in data compression, random string sorting, and extended instructions make it the clear choice for productivity applications that involve archiving, database operations, or any workload that benefits from wide SIMD execution units.

The i5-11400H also wins in integer math by nearly 30%, which translates well to general application logic, spreadsheet calculations, and compilation tasks. Its multithread score of 15,346 versus 13,024 reinforces the picture: this is a chip that sustains high throughput across all cores without throttling relative to its rival. The encryption win, though smaller at 8.2%, still indicates better cryptographic performance for disk encryption or VPN workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U wins where the workload is either physics simulation or single-thread latency. The 24.5% physics advantage is notable, as that test often reflects gaming or real-time simulation scenarios. The 2.7% single-thread win in PassMark is small but consistent, and the prime number finding test, which relies on rapid integer iteration, shows an 11.3% edge. These results suggest the Ultra 5 115U has a more efficient low-power core design that excels in bursty, latency-sensitive operations. Its 15W TDP against 35W for the i5-11400H also indicates it can deliver these results in a substantially lower power envelope, which matters for thin-and-light chassis.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: for raw performance in multi-core and most single-core workloads, the Intel Core i5-11400H is the superior processor. It wins 13 out of 17 direct comparisons, with margins ranging from 5% to over 50%. Anyone running Cinebench-based rendering, data compression pipelines, integer-heavy development workloads, or encryption tasks should favor the i5-11400H without hesitation. Its 12 threads versus 10 for the Ultra 5 115U, combined with a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, explains much of the gap.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is the better choice for workloads that prioritize physics simulation or highly responsive single-thread operations, and its 70th percentile ranking versus the i5-11400H's 69th percentile shows it is not far behind overall. The Ultra 5 115U also has a higher average benchmark score of 16,753, which includes tests beyond the head-to-head set, suggesting it may handle a broader mix of tasks more evenly. However, in the direct comparisons measured, the i5-11400H wins decisively. The physics win for the Ultra 5 115U (898 versus 678) is substantial, but it is the exception rather than the rule. For users who value consistent multi-core muscle, the i5-11400H is the data-backed pick. For users who need a low-power chip with strong physics and decent single-thread performance, the Ultra 5 115U is credible, but it sacrifices significant throughput in nearly every other measured category.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H wins 13 of the 17 tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U wins 4.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the i5-11400H scores 12,971 versus 8,620, a 50.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U ever beat the i5-11400H in multi-core tests?

A: No. The i5-11400H wins every Cinebench multi-core test: R15 (1,296 vs 1,094), R20 (5,400 vs 4,559), and R23 (12,859 vs 10,855).

Q: In which single test does the Ultra 5 115U have its biggest win?

A: PassMark physics, where it scores 898 versus 678, a 24.5% lead over the i5-11400H.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Ultra 5 115U wins PassMark single-thread (3,057 vs 2,975, a 2.7% edge), but the i5-11400H wins all Cinebench single-core tests, including R23 (1,815 vs 1,532, an 18.5% edge).

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark average?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has an average benchmark score of 16,753, compared to 15,749 for the i5-11400H.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i5-11400H is part of the Core 11th Gen series, built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture with a 10 nm process node. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket. Its cache layout is 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The die size is 190 mm². The i5-11400H supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Its PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are provided by UHD Graphics.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1, built on the Meteor Lake architecture with a 7 nm process node. It has 8 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 1500.00 MHz (listed as such in the database) and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The socket is Intel BGA 2049. Its cache is larger per core: 112 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2, but the shared L3 is smaller at 10 MB. The die size is not recorded. Memory support is DDR5, depending on the motherboard, on a dual-channel bus with a higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

The core count difference is significant: the Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores but only 10 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with some efficiency cores that do not support hyper-threading. The i5-11400H has 6 cores and 12 threads, so it offers more threads overall. The TDP difference is stark: 35W for the i5-11400H versus 15W for the Ultra 5 115U, which explains why the Ultra 5 115U achieves lower sustained multi-core scores despite having more cores. The process node advantage (7 nm versus 10 nm) and newer memory support (DDR5 versus DDR4) are offset by lower power limits and a smaller L3 cache. The i5-11400H was released on 2021-05-10 with a launch MSRP of $250, while the Ultra 5 115U launched later on 2023-12-13 with no recorded launch MSRP. Both are mobile processors with active production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.