Intel Core i5-11600T vs Intel Core i9-10885H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern: the Intel Core i5-11600T wins seven of the eight recorded comparisons, with its strongest margin coming in Geekbench single-core. In that test, the i5-11600T scores 1791 against the i9-10885H's 1447, a 23.8% advantage. This is the largest delta between the two parts in either direction, and it signals a substantial per-thread performance gap that carries through every single-core workload in the database.

The Cinebench suite tells a similar story across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-11600T posts 1248 versus 1219 for the i9-10885H, a 2.4% win. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in margin: 176 to 172, a 2.3% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-11600T again leads in both categories, with a 5201 to 5082 multi-core win (2.3%) and a 734 to 717 single-core win (2.4%). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 as well: 12385 to 12102 in multi-core (2.3%) and 1748 to 1708 in single-core (2.3%).

The only reverse result appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the i9-10885H scores 6764 against the i5-11600T's 6653, a 1.6% edge. This is a modest win, and it is the sole benchmark in the entire head-to-head set where the mobile i9 pulls ahead. Notably, the i9-10885H's multi-core win in Geekbench does not translate to Cinebench multi-core, where it trails by roughly two percent in every iteration. The consistency of the Cinebench results suggests the i5-11600T's architectural advantages outweigh the i9's higher core count in these workloads, while Geekbench multi-core slightly favors the extra cores and threads of the i9.

Looking at the broader database context, the i5-11600T holds a 56th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i9-10885H sits at the 55th percentile. Their average benchmark scores reflect this proximity: 3742 for the i5-11600T and 3651 for the i9-10885H. The nearest rivals for the i5-11600T include the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 at 3733 (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE at 3732 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i5-11260H at 3721 (0.6% behind). The i9-10885H's closest competitors are the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 at 3658 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Xeon E5-1681 v3 at 3643 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core i3-13100E at 3668 (0.5% ahead). These figures place both chips in the same performance tier, but the i5-11600T consistently edges out the i9 by roughly 2% in most renders while delivering a much larger single-core lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i5-11600T is a Rocket Lake desktop part built on the 14 nm node, with a die size of 276 mm². It pairs 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The i9-10885H is a Comet Lake-H mobile chip, also on 14 nm, but with a smaller die at 206 mm². It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The i9's higher core count and higher clocks are offset by its older microarchitecture, which appears to hurt its per-thread efficiency.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-11600T allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 12 MB L3. The i9-10885H uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a larger shared 16 MB L3. The i5's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-core advantage, while the i9's bigger L3 pool helps in multi-threaded scenarios where more shared data can be cached close to the cores.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the i5-11600T runs dual-channel with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i9-10885H also runs dual-channel but at 46.9 GB/s. The i5's higher memory bandwidth gives it an edge in memory-sensitive workloads. PCIe support also differs: the i5-11600T offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-10885H is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This makes the i5 more suited to modern storage and graphics expansion.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-11600T carries UHD Graphics 750, while the i9-10885H has UHD Graphics 630. The i5's newer iGPU is paired with Rocket Lake's architecture, which includes architectural refinements over Comet Lake. Both chips are end-of-life, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-11600T uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i9-10885H uses Intel BGA 1440, reflecting their desktop versus mobile positioning.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11600T dominates in single-threaded performance. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1791 is 23.8% higher than the i9's 1447, and it also wins every Cinebench single-core test by about 2.3%. This makes it the better choice for applications that rely on per-core speed, such as lightly threaded productivity tasks, legacy software, and workloads where a single fast core is the bottleneck. The i5 also wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, though by smaller margins around 2.3 to 2.4%, indicating that its architectural efficiency compensates for having two fewer cores.

The i9-10885H's only recorded victory is in Geekbench multi-core, where its 6764 score tops the i5's 6653 by 1.6%. This suggests that in certain multi-threaded workloads, the combination of 8 cores, 16 threads, and a higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz can overcome the i5's per-core advantages. Users running heavily parallelized applications that scale well across cores might see a modest benefit from the i9 in this specific benchmark. However, the i9's win is narrow, and it does not carry over to Cinebench, where the i5 leads in every category.

For sustained multi-threaded renders, the Cinebench results favor the i5-11600T across R15, R20, and R23. The i5's 12385 in R23 multi-core versus the i9's 12102 represents a 2.3% lead, and similar margins appear in R15 and R20. The i9's higher TDP of 45 watts versus 35 watts for the i5 suggests it draws more power, but the recorded data shows no power efficiency metric, so any efficiency comparison must remain qualitative. The i5's lower TDP, combined with its benchmark wins, makes it the more efficient performer in the measured tests.

The Verdict

For users who prioritize single-core speed, the Intel Core i5-11600T is the clear choice. Its 23.8% lead in Geekbench single-core is decisive, and its consistent 2.3% advantages across all Cinebench single-core tests reinforce this. Even in multi-core workloads, the i5 leads in the Cinebench suite, which covers the most common rendering benchmarks in the database. The i5's higher memory bandwidth, newer PCIe Gen 4 support, and larger per-core caches all support its position as the stronger overall processor.

The i9-10885H is only preferable in scenarios where Geekbench multi-core performance is the primary metric, since that is the sole test it wins. Its 1.6% edge there is real but narrow, and it comes with a higher TDP and an older platform. Mobile users who specifically need that Geekbench multi-core result might consider the i9, but the data shows that the i5-11600T wins seven of eight head-to-head comparisons and holds a higher average benchmark score (3742 versus 3651). The i5 also occupies a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs (56th versus 55th). Based strictly on the recorded measurements, the i5-11600T is the better performer in the majority of workloads, and the i9-10885H is a niche pick for its single Geekbench multi-core win.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600T scores 1791 in Geekbench single-core, while the Intel Core i9-10885H scores 1447, giving the i5 a 23.8% advantage.

Q: Does the i9-10885H ever beat the i5-11600T in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i9-10885H wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 6764 versus 6653 for the i5-11600T, a 1.6% margin.

Q: What are the core counts of the two processors?

A: The i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-10885H has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-11600T scores 12385, and the i9-10885H scores 12102, with the i5 leading by 2.3%.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i9-10885H has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-11600T has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i5-11600T has an average benchmark score of 3742, and the i9-10885H has an average benchmark score of 3651.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11600T | Intel Core i9-10885H |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Core 11th Gen | Core 10th Gen |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1700 MHz | 2400 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Rocket Lake | Comet Lake-H |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 206 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2020-04-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $213 | $556 |

| Part Number | SRKNX | SRJ8J |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 56 | 55 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 3742 | 3651 |