Intel Core i5-11400H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 134U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U and the Intel Core i5-11400H represent two very different philosophies for mobile computing, separated by roughly two and a half years of silicon evolution. The data shows a clear split: the newer Ultra 5 134U, built on Intel's 7 nm Meteor Lake process, prioritizes efficiency and single-thread responsiveness, while the older 10 nm Tiger Lake-H i5-11400H is a power-hungry brute that dominates sustained multi-threaded workloads. The benchmark results indicate that the i5-11400H wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the nature of those victories and the context of power envelopes define which processor belongs in which machine.

The Verdict

The data paints a straightforward picture for buyers. The Intel Core i5-11400H is the clear choice for users who need raw, sustained multi-core performance for demanding applications like video rendering or code compilation, as it leads the Ultra 5 134U by massive margins in multi-core Cinebench tests. Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is the superior option for thin-and-light systems where battery life and thermal headroom are paramount, given its 9 W TDP versus the i5's 35 W TDP and its wins in single-core Passmark and physics simulations. If the workload is short, bursty, or heavily reliant on a single thread, the Ultra 5 134U's architecture shines; if the workload is long and threaded, the i5-11400H is unmatched. For a user prioritizing portability and responsiveness over all-out compute, the Ultra 5 134U is the pick, while the i5-11400H is for those who value throughput over efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different design nodes and philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is fabricated on a 7 nm process and uses the Meteor Lake architecture, featuring a hybrid core layout with 12 cores and 14 threads. Its base clock is 700 MHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz, and it integrates an Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics solution. The chip has a 12 MB shared L3 cache, with 112 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, and supports DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus. It connects via an Intel BGA 2551 socket with Gen 4 PCIe limited to 8 CPU lanes. The i5-11400H, in contrast, is built on the older 10 nm Tiger Lake-H architecture, using a traditional 6-core, 12-thread layout. It operates at a 2.20 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost, drawing 35 W of power. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with the same 12 MB shared L3, and it uses DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-11400H is built on a 190 mm² die and uses an Intel BGA 1787 socket, offering more PCIe lanes (Gen 4, 20 lanes) and a simpler UHD Graphics iGPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking discrepancy in the data is in multi-core Cinebench results, where the i5-11400H decisively outperforms the Ultra 5 134U. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 12859 against the Ultra 5's 5572, a 56.7% lead for the older chip. This pattern replicates in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with scores of 1296 versus 894 (a 31% gap), and in R20 multi-core with 5400 versus 4725 (a 12.5% difference). The i5-11400H also wins in data compression (190855 vs 124771, a 34.6% lead), random string sorting (22512 vs 13702, a 39.1% gap), and extended instructions (12971 vs 7002, a 46% advantage). In Passmark multithread, the i5 wins 15346 to 12464, an 18.8% margin.

The Ultra 5 134U, however, claims victory in every single-core and latency-sensitive test. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 221 versus 182 (a 21.4% lead), and Passmark single-thread with 3063 versus 2975 (a 3% advantage). The most significant wins for the Ultra 5 come in Passmark physics (883 vs 678, a 30.2% lead) and find prime numbers (56 vs 47, a 19.1% edge). It also edges out the i5 in floating-point math (32425 vs 32060, a 1.1% margin). Interestingly, the i5-11400H wins Cinebench R20 single-core (762 vs 666) and R23 single-core (1815 vs 1576), as well as Passmark integer math (53286 vs 51306) and data encryption (9309 vs 8077), showing that the older chip's higher boost clock still matters in some single-threaded scenarios. The Ultra 5 wins 6 head-to-head tests overall, with the i5 taking 11.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H is significantly faster in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12859 versus the Ultra 5 134U's 5572, a 56.7% advantage, and in Passmark multithread it leads 15346 to 12464 (an 18.8% difference).

Q: Does the newer Ultra 5 134U have better single-thread performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Ultra 5 134U wins Passmark single-thread (3063 vs 2975) and Cinebench R15 single-core (221 vs 182), but the i5-11400H wins Cinebench R20 single-core (762 vs 666) and R23 single-core (1815 vs 1576).

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U has a TDP of 9 W, while the Intel Core i5-11400H has a TDP of 35 W, making the Ultra 5 substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which chip supports faster memory?

A: The Ultra 5 134U supports DDR5 memory, while the i5-11400H supports DDR4. The i5-11400H also has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the Ultra 5's bandwidth is listed as dependent on the motherboard.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ultra 5 134U has an average benchmark score of 15910, placing it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-11400H has an average score of 15749, placing it in the 69th percentile. The Ultra 5 is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 40, while the i5 is 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The Ultra 5 134U integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, which is a more advanced GPU solution compared to the i5-11400H's older UHD Graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400H is the definitive winner for sustained, heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its 56.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 46% lead in extended instructions make it the obvious choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific computing that can utilize all 12 threads. It also dominates data-heavy tasks like compression (34.6% lead) and random string sorting (39.1% lead), indicating it handles large data sets and sorting algorithms with ease. The i5's wins in encryption and integer math further cement its position for productivity tasks that involve number crunching and data processing.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is the winner for efficiency-focused and latency-critical scenarios. Its 30.2% lead in Passmark physics and 19.1% lead in find prime numbers suggest superior handling of real-time simulations and algorithmic workloads. A 3% edge in Passmark single-thread and a 21.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core make it better for everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications. The 9 W TDP, versus the i5's 35 W, makes the Ultra 5 the only sensible choice for fanless or passively cooled ultraportable laptops, where sustained performance is thermally limited. For users with workloads that are short, bursty, or single-threaded, the Ultra 5 delivers a snappier experience while consuming a fraction of the power.