Intel Core i5-11600KF vs Intel Core i7-11800H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i5-11600KF are both 11th Gen Intel parts, but they target different worlds: one is a mobile processor, the other a desktop chip. The benchmark data shows a clear split—the i7-11800H wins 15 of the 25 head-to-head tests, while the i5-11600KF takes 10. The i7-11800H’s advantage is built on its 8 cores and 16 threads, which dominate multi-threaded workloads, while the i5-11600KF counters with higher clock speeds that push it ahead in single-threaded and lightly-threaded tasks. The overall average benchmark scores are close—19,998 for the i7-11800H versus 19,723 for the i5-11600KF—placing both in the same performance tier, with the i7-11800H sitting at the 74th percentile of all CPUs and the i5-11600KF at the 73rd.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core i7-11800H comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 85 against the i5-11600KF’s 59—a massive 44.1% advantage. This is a clear signal that the i7-11800H’s additional cores and threads provide a substantial edge in integer-heavy, highly parallel computations. The i7-11800H also shows strong leads in floating point math and integer math, scoring 42,423 and 71,423 respectively, which are both 11.3% ahead of the i5-11600KF’s 38,129 and 64,195. These results indicate that for scientific computing, financial modeling, or any workload that relies on heavy arithmetic, the i7-11800H is the more capable processor.

In contrast, the Intel Core i5-11600KF’s biggest wins are in single-threaded performance. The Geekbench single-core test shows the i5-11600KF at 1,904, which is 12.5% higher than the i7-11800H’s 1,666. Similarly, in PassMark single-thread, the i5-11600KF scores 3,327 versus 3,043, an 8.5% lead. The 3DMark 2-thread and 4-thread tests also favor the i5-11600KF, with scores of 1,861 and 3,492 respectively, beating the i7-11800H by 5.6% and 6.4%. These numbers suggest that for older games or applications that only use a few cores, the i5-11600KF will feel snappier.

The multi-core picture is more nuanced. While the i7-11800H wins the 3DMark 16-thread test (6,518 versus 6,237, a 4.5% lead) and the 3DMark max-thread test (6,548 versus 6,240, a 4.9% lead), the i5-11600KF actually wins the Geekbench multi-core test decisively, scoring 8,688 against the i7-11800H’s 7,986—an 8.1% margin. This is an outlier, as the Cinebench tests all favor the i7-11800H, albeit by small margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-11800H scores 16,663 versus 16,503, a 1% lead, and in Cinebench R20 multi-core the scores are 6,998 versus 6,931, also a 1% lead. The i7-11800H also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1,679 versus 1,663) and all single-core Cinebench variants, though by less than 1%.

The PassMark suite shows a mixed bag. The i7-11800H wins PassMark multithread (20,012 versus 19,513, a 2.6% lead), data encryption (12,241 versus 12,198), random string sorting (28,411 versus 27,767, a 2.3% lead), and floating point math. The i5-11600KF counters with wins in data compression (242,730 versus 239,304, a 1.4% lead), extended instructions (17,619 versus 16,068, an 8.8% lead), and physics (954 versus 938). The 3DMark 8-thread test goes to the i7-11800H (5,384 versus 5,238, a 2.8% lead), while the single-thread 3DMark test goes to the i5-11600KF (962 versus 908).

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: the Intel Core i7-11800H is the better processor for multi-threaded productivity and compute-heavy tasks. Its 44.1% lead in prime number finding and 11.3% leads in both integer and floating point math are not marginal—they are substantial advantages that will translate into faster rendering, compiling, and data analysis. The i7-11800H also holds a narrow but consistent edge in all Cinebench tests, which are a proxy for real-world 3D rendering workloads. For users who prioritize raw throughput across many cores, the i7-11800H is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i5-11600KF, however, is the pick for gaming and lightly-threaded applications. Its 12.5% lead in Geekbench single-core and 8.5% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate that it will deliver higher frame rates in games that rely on a few fast cores. The i5-11600KF also wins in 3DMark 2-thread and 4-thread tests, which are more representative of gaming loads than the max-thread tests. The i5-11600KF’s wins in data compression and extended instructions also suggest it handles AVX-512 or similar instruction sets more efficiently. If the workload is primarily single-threaded or uses four or fewer cores, the i5-11600KF is the more responsive part.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i7-11800H at 19,998 and the i5-11600KF at 19,723. This means that for a mixed workload, the two processors will feel similar. However, the i7-11800H’s wins in more numerous tests (15 versus 10) and its significant margins in key compute tests give it a broader performance envelope. The i5-11600KF’s wins are concentrated in fewer tests, but they are in areas that matter for gaming. The choice comes down to whether the workload is more parallel (i7-11800H) or more serial (i5-11600KF).

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i7-11800H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF uses the Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process difference is significant: the i7-11800H’s die size is 190 mm², while the i5-11600KF’s is 276 mm². The smaller die on a more advanced node allows the i7-11800H to pack 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the i5-11600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads.

The cache configurations also differ notably. The i7-11800H has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and a 24 MB shared L3 cache. The i5-11600KF has only 512 KB of L2 cache per core and a 12 MB shared L3 cache. This means the i7-11800H has double the L3 cache and more than double the L2 cache per core, which helps in workloads that repeatedly access large datasets. The L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core.

Both processors support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and both have PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. However, the integrated graphics differ. The i7-11800H includes Intel UHD Graphics 750, while the i5-11600KF has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. The market segments reflect this: the i7-11800H is a mobile processor, while the i5-11600KF is a desktop part.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: the i7-11800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-11600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads. The clock speeds also differ significantly. The i7-11800H has a base clock of 1,900 MHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i5-11600KF has a much higher base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. This explains the i5-11600KF’s single-thread advantage.

The thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator. The i7-11800H has a TDP of 35 watts, typical for a mobile chip, while the i5-11600KF has a TDP of 125 watts, reflecting its desktop orientation. The sockets are different as well: the i7-11800H uses Intel BGA 1787, while the i5-11600KF uses Intel Socket 1200. The i5-11600KF has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked, while the i7-11800H is locked.

The production status also differs: the i7-11800H is listed as Active, while the i5-11600KF is End-of-life. The release dates are close, with the i5-11600KF launching on March 15, 2021, and the i7-11800H on May 10, 2021. The launch MSRP for the i7-11800H is $395, and the launch MSRP for the i5-11600KF is $237. Both processors have part numbers: SRKT3 for the i7-11800H and SRKNV for the i5-11600KF.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-11800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600KF wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1,904, which is 12.5% higher than the i7-11800H’s 1,666. It also wins the PassMark single-thread test with 3,327 versus 3,043.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-11800H includes Intel UHD Graphics 750. The Intel Core i5-11600KF has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11800H wins 15 of 25 head-to-head tests, including a 44.1% lead in PassMark find prime numbers and 11.3% leads in both integer and floating point math. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 16,663 versus 16,503 for the i5-11600KF.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-11800H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i5-11600KF has a TDP of 125 watts.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600KF has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-11800H does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11800H is the winner for multi-threaded rendering and computational tasks. Its 8 cores and 16 threads give it a 44.1% advantage in prime number computation and an 11.3% advantage in both integer and floating point math. The i7-11800H also wins all Cinebench tests, including R23 multi-core (16,663 versus 16,503), making it the better choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulations. Its larger 24 MB L3 cache and 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache support these workloads. The i7-11800H also wins PassMark multithread (20,012 versus 19,513) and random string sorting, indicating strength in data processing and sorting algorithms.

The Intel Core i5-11600KF is the winner for gaming and single-threaded responsiveness. Its higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz and base clock of 3.90 GHz drive wins in Geekbench single-core (1,904 versus 1,666, a 12.5% lead) and PassMark single-thread (3,327 versus 3,043, an 8.5% lead). The i5-11600KF also wins the 3DMark 2-thread and 4-thread tests, which are more representative of gaming loads. Its 8.8% lead in PassMark extended instructions suggests better handling of advanced instruction sets. For users who prioritize high frame rates in games that use four or fewer cores, the i5-11600KF is the superior choice. Its wins in data compression (242,730 versus 239,304) also make it slightly better for file archiving tasks.