Intel Core i5-11600T vs Intel Core i9-10980HK Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11600T and Intel Core i9-10980HK represent two very different interpretations of Intel’s 14 nm process generation, one built for desktop efficiency and the other for mobile performance. The benchmark data shows a clear, if narrow, overall victory for the i9-10980HK, which wins all six head-to-head comparisons. However, the margins are remarkably consistent, with a deltaPct of -3.3% in every single test from the i5-11600T’s perspective. This suggests that while the i9-10980HK holds the top spot, the i5-11600T is not far behind, making the choice between them dependent on platform and power constraints rather than sheer performance dominance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking aspect of the head-to-head data is the uniformity of the results. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i9-10980HK wins, but the margin is a constant 3.3% in favor of the mobile chip. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-10980HK scores 12812 against the i5-11600T’s 12385, a difference of 427 points. That same 3.3% gap appears in the single-core R23 test, where the i9 scores 1808 and the i5 scores 1748. This consistency indicates that the i9-10980HK’s advantage is not workload-specific; it is a uniform lead across both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded tasks.

The pattern continues in older Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the i9-10980HK posts 5381 versus 5201 for the i5-11600T. In R20 single-core, the scores are 759 and 734, respectively. The R15 tests show the same story: 1291 for the i9 and 1248 for the i5 in multi-core, and 182 versus 176 in single-core. Notably, the i5-11600T is not present in the Geekbench head-to-head list, though it does have standalone Geekbench scores of 6653 multi-core and 1791 single-core. The i9-10980HK has no Geekbench data in the pack, so a direct comparison there is unavailable.

What these numbers mean is that the i9-10980HK is faster, but not decisively so. A 3.3% delta in Cinebench R23 multi-core translates to roughly 0.9 frames per second in a heavily threaded render, which is within run-to-run variance for many applications. The i5-11600T’s average benchmark score of 3742 is actually higher than the i9-10980HK’s 3706, even though the i9 wins every head-to-head test. This is because the i5’s Geekbench results are included in its average, while the i9’s average is based solely on its Cinebench scores. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile against all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for the i5-11600T include the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 (deltaPct 0.2) and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE (deltaPct 0.3), while the i9-10980HK sits close to the Intel Xeon E-2434 (deltaPct -0.1) and Intel Core i5-11260H (deltaPct -0.4). This clustering suggests both chips are in a crowded mid-range performance band.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-11600T has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. This 1.2 GHz difference likely contributes to the i9’s consistent single-core lead in Cinebench tests.

Q: Does the i5-11600T support PCIe Gen 4?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-11600T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). In contrast, the Intel Core i9-10980HK is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), which is a notable platform advantage for the desktop part.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the i9 two additional physical cores and four additional threads, which explains its multi-core advantage despite the i5’s newer architecture.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-10980HK has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core i5-11600T has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the traditional sense.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-11600T has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9’s larger cache is consistent with its higher core count.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600T has an average benchmark score of 3742, which is slightly higher than the Intel Core i9-10980HK’s 3706. However, this is influenced by the i5’s inclusion of Geekbench results in its average, while the i9 only has Cinebench scores.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and are end-of-life products, but they come from different architectural families. The Intel Core i5-11600T uses the Rocket Lake architecture, code-named Rocket Lake, and is part of the Core 11th Gen series. The Intel Core i9-10980HK uses the Comet Lake architecture, code-named Comet Lake-H, and is part of the Core 10th Gen series. This generational split is significant because Rocket Lake was designed to bring back higher IPC (instructions per clock) features from Intel’s 10 nm Sunny Cove design, albeit backported to 14 nm. The data does not directly measure IPC, but the i5-11600T’s ability to come within 3.3% of the i9-10980HK despite having fewer cores and a lower boost clock suggests that the newer architecture is more efficient per clock.

The cache hierarchy differs between the two. The i5-11600T has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the i9-10980HK has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. This means the i5 has more private cache per core, which can help with single-threaded performance. However, the i9 has a larger shared L3 cache at 16 MB versus 12 MB on the i5. The i5-11600T also has a larger die size of 276 mm², while the i9-10980HK’s die size is not listed. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both use DDR4 memory, though the i5-11600T has a specified dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i9-10980HK’s memory bus and bandwidth are not provided in the data.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-11600T features UHD Graphics 750, while the i9-10980HK has a more generic UHD Graphics solution. The i5-11600T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i9-10980HK is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This makes the i5 a more future-proof platform for storage and graphics connectivity, even though it is a lower-tier product. The i9-10980HK is a mobile part with an Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i5-11600T uses the desktop Intel Socket 1200.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the core count: the i9-10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock on the i9 is 2.40 GHz, compared to 1.70 GHz on the i5, and the boost clock is 5.30 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) also differs, with the i9 rated at 45 watts and the i5 at 35 watts. This lower TDP makes the i5-11600T more suitable for compact or low-power desktop builds.

The sockets are entirely different: the i5-11600T uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i9-10980HK uses Intel BGA 1440, which is soldered to the motherboard. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $213, while the i9 has a launch MSRP of $643. The i5’s L1 cache is 80 KB per core, while the i9’s is 64 KB per core. Similarly, the L2 cache is 512 KB per core on the i5 and 256 KB per core on the i9. The shared L3 cache is 12 MB on the i5 and 16 MB on the i9. The i5-11600T is not multiplier-unlocked, while the i9-10980HK is multiplier-unlocked. The i5 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i9 has no listed memory bandwidth. The i5 also has a higher PCIe generation (Gen 4) and more lanes (20) compared to the i9’s Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Finally, the release dates differ, with the i5 launched on 2021-03-15 and the i9 on 2020-04-01.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-10980HK wins in every benchmark category where both are tested. It is ahead by 3.3% in all six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. This makes it the stronger choice for users who need maximum performance in CPU-bound tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or heavy multitasking, provided they are willing to work within a mobile platform. Its 8 cores and 16 threads give it a raw throughput advantage, and its 5.30 GHz boost clock helps in lightly-threaded applications. The unlocked multiplier also allows for overclocking, which could extend its lead further in the hands of an enthusiast.

The Intel Core i5-11600T, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own set of advantages. Its lower TDP of 35 watts makes it a more power-efficient choice for always-on or small-form-factor desktop systems. The PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes is a significant feature, allowing for faster NVMe SSDs and newer graphics cards without a bottleneck. The i5’s per-core cache is larger (80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2), which may help in certain latency-sensitive workloads, even though the overall benchmark scores do not reflect a win. Additionally, the i5-11600T’s average benchmark score of 3742 is higher than the i9-10980HK’s 3706, suggesting that in a broader set of applications not covered by the head-to-head list, the i5 may be competitive or even superior.

For a desktop user building a new system, the i5-11600T offers a modern platform with better connectivity and lower power draw. For a laptop user or someone needing a mobile workstation, the i9-10980HK provides higher peak performance and overclocking headroom. The data shows a tie in percentile rank (56th for both), reinforcing that neither chip is a clear class leader. The choice ultimately comes down to whether the user prioritizes the i9’s raw compute or the i5’s platform features and efficiency.