Intel Core i5-11400T vs Intel Core i5-11500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11400T and Intel Core i5-11500T are two 35 W Rocket Lake desktop processors that appear nearly identical on paper, but benchmark results reveal a clear split in their strengths. The 11400T consistently leads in Cinebench workloads, while the 11500T takes a decisive advantage in Geekbench tests. The overall average benchmark score for the 11400T is 3309, placing it in the 54th percentile of all CPUs, while the 11500T scores 3288, sitting in the 53rd percentile. This places the two chips within 0.6% of each other in average score, with the 11400T holding the edge. The data shows that the choice between them depends entirely on which benchmark suite you prioritize.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is where the Intel Core i5-11400T builds its lead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 11400T scores 1120 against the 11500T's 1093, a 2.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern, with the 11400T scoring 157 versus 154, a 1.9% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 11400T maintains its dominance with a multicore score of 4667 compared to 4558 for the 11500T, a 2.4% difference. In R20 single-core, the 11400T scores 658 while the 11500T scores 643, again a 2.3% gap. The trend continues in Cinebench R23: the 11400T posts a multicore score of 11113 versus 10854 for the 11500T, a 2.4% win, and a single-core score of 1569 versus 1532, another 2.4% edge. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 11400T is the consistent winner, taking a 6-0 sweep in that benchmark family.

The tables turn completely in Geekbench. The 11500T scores 5774 in Geekbench multicore, while the 11400T manages 5591, giving the 11500T a 3.2% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more pronounced: the 11500T scores 1696 against the 11400T's 1597, a 5.8% lead. This is the largest deltPct in any of the head-to-head benchmarks, showing that the 11500T's higher boost clock pays off significantly in this workload. The 11500T wins both Geekbench tests, giving it a 2-0 record there, but the overall head-to-head tally stands at 6 wins for the 11400T and 2 wins for the 11500T.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, the 11400T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600, both with an average score of 3303, placing them just 0.2% behind the 11400T. The Intel Core i7-7800X scores 3333, which is 0.7% ahead of the 11400T. For the 11500T, its closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2374G with an average score of 3278, just 0.3% behind, followed by the Intel Core i3-12100T and AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516, both at 3277. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 at 3303 sits 0.5% ahead of the 11500T.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400T is the clear choice for rendering and CPU-intensive compute tasks that rely on Cinebench-style workloads. Its consistent 2.4-2.5% lead in multicore Cinebench R20 and R23 suggests that sustained all-core loads favor this chip. The single-core Cinebench results also favor the 11400T, with a 1.9% lead in R15 and a 2.3% lead in R20, meaning even lightly threaded Cinebench tasks go to the 11400T. If your workflow includes 3D rendering, video encoding, or any application that uses Cinebench-like rendering paths, the 11400T holds a measurable, if modest, advantage. The 11400T's average benchmark score of 3309 also places it slightly higher than the 11500T's 3288, reinforcing its position as the stronger overall performer in the aggregate.

The Intel Core i5-11500T wins decisively in Geekbench, a suite that often reflects more diverse, real-world application patterns including compression, encryption, and image processing. The 3.2% multicore lead and the substantial 5.8% single-core lead indicate that the 11500T's higher 3.90 GHz boost clock (versus 3.70 GHz for the 11400T) delivers tangible benefits in these mixed workloads. The 11500T also carries the newer UHD Graphics 750 integrated GPU, while the 11400T has the UHD Graphics 730, which may matter for systems relying on the iGPU for basic display output or hardware acceleration. For users who run a broad mix of applications and want the best single-threaded response in non-rendering tasks, the 11500T is the better performer.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i5-11400T is the better choice for rendering and Cinebench-type workloads, while the Intel Core i5-11500T is preferable for Geekbench-style general computing. The 11400T wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with its largest victory being a 2.5% edge in Cinebench R15 multicore. The 11500T's wins are fewer but more decisive, particularly the 5.8% single-core Geekbench advantage. The 11400T also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (3309 vs 3288) and a better percentile ranking (54th vs 53rd). However, the 11500T's launch MSRP is $192, while the 11400T is $182, a detail worth noting but not a deciding factor in performance terms.

For a PC builder focused on rendering, the 11400T is the data-backed pick. For general desktop use with varied applications, the 11500T's Geekbench performance makes it the stronger option. Both are end-of-life products with a 35 W TDP, so thermal and power considerations are identical. The 11400T's 6-2 win tally in direct comparisons gives it the aggregate edge, but the 11500T's Geekbench dominance cannot be ignored. Choose the 11400T for Cinebench-heavy workloads; choose the 11500T for everything else.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T has an average benchmark score of 3309, while the Intel Core i5-11500T scores 3288, a difference of 0.6% in favor of the 11400T.

Q: How big is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 11400T scores 11113 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the 11500T scores 10854, giving the 11400T a 2.4% lead.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1696, compared to the 11400T's 1597, a 5.8% advantage for the 11500T.

Q: What are the closest rivals to the 11400T?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 are both within 0.2% of the 11400T's average score, while the Intel Core i7-7800X is 0.7% ahead.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same integrated graphics?

A: No, the 11400T features UHD Graphics 730, while the 11500T features UHD Graphics 750.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The 11400T has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the 11500T boosts to 3.90 GHz, which explains the 11500T's lead in Geekbench tests.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's Rocket Lake architecture, using the same 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. They share the same die size of 276 mm² and the same socket (Intel Socket 1200). The core configuration is identical: 6 cores and 12 threads. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core for both, and the L3 cache is 12 MB shared on both chips. The key architectural difference lies in the L2 cache: the 11400T has 512 KB per core, while the 11500T has 511 KB per core, a negligible 1 KB difference that likely has no measurable impact. The integrated graphics differ, with the 11400T using UHD Graphics 730 and the 11500T using UHD Graphics 750. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and neither supports ECC memory. Both have PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock is 1300 MHz for the 11400T and 1500 MHz for the 11500T, a 200 MHz difference. The boost clock is 3.70 GHz for the 11400T and 3.90 GHz for the 11500T, also a 200 MHz gap. The L2 cache differs slightly: 512 KB per core for the 11400T versus 511 KB per core for the 11500T. The integrated graphics are different, as noted: UHD Graphics 730 for the 11400T and UHD Graphics 750 for the 11500T. The launch MSRP differs, with the 11400T at $182 and the 11500T at $192. The part numbers are SRKP2 for the 11400T and SRKNZ for the 11500T. All other specifications, including TDP (35 W), cores (6), threads (12), L3 cache (12 MB), memory support, PCIe lanes, socket, architecture, process node, and release date (2021-03-15), are identical between the two.