Intel Core i5-11600K vs Intel Core i7-11600H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11600H has an average benchmark score of 19921, which is 0.7% higher than the Intel Core i5-11600K's 19786. In the nearestRivals data, the i7-11600H sits within 0.5% of the AMD EPYC 7713P, while the i5-11600K trails the i5-11600KF by 0.3%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-11600K leads decisively in single-core tests. It scores 235 vs 188 in Cinebench R15 single-core (20% ahead), 981 vs 787 in Cinebench R20 single-core (19.8% ahead), and 2336 vs 1875 in Cinebench R23 single-core (19.7% ahead). Geekbench single-core shows a narrower 2.5% gap, with the i5 at 1973 versus the i7's 1924.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-11600K wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. The largest margin is in Geekbench multicore, where the i5 scores 9238 against the i7's 6563, a 29% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5 leads with 16552 versus 13286 (19.7% ahead).

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the i7-11600H beats the i5-11600K?

A: Yes, exactly one: PassMark find prime numbers. The i7-11600H scores 65, which is 12.1% higher than the i5-11600K's 58. This is the only win for the i7 across all 19 head-to-head tests.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The i7-11600H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-11600K has a TDP of 125 watts. This reflects the i7's mobile design versus the i5's desktop orientation.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory and PCIe specifications?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both also feature PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and integrate UHD Graphics 750. Neither supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The i7-11600H is built on Tiger Lake-H, using Intel's 10 nm process node, while the i5-11600K uses Rocket Lake on a 14 nm node. This process difference is significant: the i7's die size is 190 mm², whereas the i5's die is 276 mm². Both CPUs share the same 6-core, 12-thread configuration, but the underlying architecture differs in cache layout and clock strategy.

Cache allocations diverge notably. The i7-11600H provides 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, totaling 7.5 MB across all cores, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-11600K has a smaller 256 KB L2 per core (1.5 MB total) and 12 MB of shared L3. The i7's larger L3 cache could benefit workloads with repetitive data access, though the i5's higher clocks appear to compensate in most tests.

Clock speeds tell a clear story. The i7-11600H operates at a 2.50 GHz base clock with a 4.60 GHz boost, reflecting its 35-watt TDP and mobile market segment. The i5-11600K runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, enabled by its 125-watt desktop TDP. The i5 also has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7 is locked.

The socket and form factor differ completely: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1787 and is soldered for mobile use, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1200 for desktop builds. The i7's production status is "Active," whereas the i5 is marked "End-of-life." The i7 launched on 2021-05-10 with a launch MSRP of $395; the i5 launched earlier on 2021-03-15 with a launch MSRP of $262.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is lopsided: the i5-11600K wins 18 of 19 comparisons. The story is consistent across rendering, synthetic, and integer workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 1668 against the i7's 1339, a 19.7% margin. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 (6951 vs 5580, also 19.7%) and Cinebench R23 (16552 vs 13286, 19.7%). Single-core Cinebench results show nearly identical deltas: 20% in R15, 19.8% in R20, and 19.7% in R23.

Geekbench multicore delivers the largest gap of the entire comparison. The i5-11600K scores 9238 versus the i7's 6563, a 29% advantage. This suggests the i5's higher sustained clocks provide a substantial edge in mixed-thread workloads. Geekbench single-core is the closest test outside the i7's sole win: the i5 scores 1973, only 2.5% ahead of the i7's 1924.

PassMark results reinforce the i5's dominance. Data compression shows the i5 at 242740 vs 190721 (21.4% ahead). Data encryption follows at 12212 vs 9718 (20.4% ahead). Extended instructions show a 26.6% gap, with the i5 scoring 17615 versus 12938. Integer math favors the i5 at 64664 vs 55437 (14.3% ahead), and floating-point math shows 38269 vs 32963 (13.9% ahead). The multithread test gives the i5 a 17.6% edge (19527 vs 16093). Physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests all favor the i5 by margins between 9.7% and 20.3%.

The i7-11600H's only victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 65 versus the i5's 58. This 12.1% advantage is notable but isolated; it suggests a specific algorithmic affinity in the i7's Tiger Lake architecture for prime-number calculations, but it does not translate to broader wins.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across several key specification fields. The i7-11600H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the i5-11600K runs at 3.90 GHz. Boost clocks differ by 0.30 GHz: 4.60 GHz for the i7 versus 4.90 GHz for the i5. TDP is the most dramatic difference: 35 watts for the i7 versus 125 watts for the i5.

Cache layouts differ in L2 and L3. The i7 provides 1.25 MB L2 per core versus the i5's 256 KB per core. L3 cache is 18 MB shared on the i7 versus 12 MB shared on the i5. Process nodes differ (10 nm for the i7, 14 nm for the i5), as do die sizes (190 mm² vs 276 mm²). The i7 uses Intel BGA 1787; the i5 uses Intel Socket 1200. The i7's market segment is Mobile; the i5's is Desktop. The i7 is listed as Active production; the i5 is End-of-life. The multiplier is unlocked only on the i5. Launch dates differ (2021-05-10 for the i7, 2021-03-15 for the i5), as do launch MSRPs ($395 vs $262). Part numbers also differ: SRKT9 for the i7, SRKNU for the i5.

Identical specifications include cores (6), threads (12), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (dual-channel), memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s), ECC support (false for both), PCIe (Gen 4, 20 lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), and foundry (Intel).

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11600K wins in nearly every measurable performance category. It is the clear choice for multi-core rendering, where Cinebench R23 shows a 19.7% advantage (16552 vs 13286). It also dominates Geekbench multicore by 29%, indicating strong scaling across mixed workloads. For content creation, data compression (242740 vs 190721) and encryption (12212 vs 9718) both favor the i5 by roughly 20% or more. Integer-heavy tasks like PassMark integer math (64664 vs 55437) and extended instructions (17615 vs 12938) also go to the i5.

The i5-11600K is the better pick for single-threaded responsiveness. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3344 beats the i7's 3019 by 9.7%, and Cinebench single-core margins hover near 20%. For gamers or users running lightly threaded applications, the i5's higher boost clock (4.90 GHz vs 4.60 GHz) translates directly to better frame pacing and snappier application response.

The i7-11600H wins exactly one benchmark: PassMark find prime numbers, with a 12.1% edge (65 vs 58). This suggests a niche advantage in prime-number computation, which could matter for specific cryptographic or mathematical workloads. Additionally, the i7's larger L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB) may provide benefits in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not confirm this beyond the single prime-number test.

The i7-11600H also holds advantages outside raw performance. Its 35-watt TDP versus 125 watts means it fits in thermally constrained mobile chassis. Its Active production status contrasts with the i5's End-of-life status, indicating ongoing availability. For users prioritizing efficiency and portability over peak throughput, the i7 is the practical choice.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-11600K is the superior performer in 18 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 19786 trails the i7's 19921 by only 0.7%, but that aggregate figure masks the i5's dominance in individual tests. In Geekbench multicore, the i5 leads by 29%; in Cinebench R23 multicore, it leads by 19.7%; in PassMark multithread, it leads by 17.6%. The i5's higher base and boost clocks (3.90/4.90 GHz vs 2.50/4.60 GHz) enable consistent wins across rendering, encryption, compression, and math workloads.

The i7-11600H should be chosen by users who need a 35-watt mobile processor with active production support. It wins only the PassMark find prime numbers test (65 vs 58, a 12.1% edge), but its larger 18 MB L3 cache and 10 nm process node offer architectural advantages that do not show up in most benchmarks. For laptop builds or compact systems where 125 watts of TDP is unacceptable, the i7 is the only viable option between these two.

The i5-11600K is the pick for desktop users who want maximum performance per clock and do not face power constraints. Its 125-watt TDP and unlocked multiplier allow for overclocking headroom, and its End-of-life status does not diminish its benchmark results. The launch MSRP of $262 for the i5 versus $395 for the i7 reflects the desktop part's position as the higher-value processor for raw throughput. However, the i7's Active production status and mobile form factor give it a distinct role. Choose the i5 for performance, the i7 for portability and efficiency.