Intel Core i5-13500TE vs Intel Core i7-11850HE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11850HE and the Intel Core i5-13500TE present a fascinating study in generational contrast versus raw core count. The data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the older i7 across every benchmark tested, while the newer i5 brings architectural advancements and platform features that the numbers alone do not capture. This analysis walks through the head-to-head results, architectural differences, and the specific use cases where each processor demonstrates its strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably one-sided in favor of the Intel Core i7-11850HE, which wins all six head-to-head comparisons. The margins, however, are consistently slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-11850HE scores 1753 against the i5-13500TE’s 1743, a delta of just 0.6%. The single-core R15 test is even closer, with the i7 scoring 247 versus 246 for the i5, a 0.4% advantage. This pattern of narrow victories repeats across the entire Cinebench suite.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-11850HE again takes the multi-core test with a score of 7308 compared to 7263 for the i5-13500TE, another 0.6% delta. The single-core R20 result shows the i7 at 1031 and the i5 at 1025, also a 0.6% difference. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, follows the same trend: the i7-11850HE scores 17402 in multi-core versus 17294 for the i5-13500TE, while the single-core test shows 2456 against 2441. Every single benchmark in the head-to-head set concludes with the same winner and a deltaPct of either 0.4% or 0.6%.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The i7-11850HE holds an average score of 5095, while the i5-13500TE trails slightly at 5002. This places the i7 in the 60th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i5’s 59th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip underscore their similar standing in the broader market. The i7’s closest competitor is the AMD EPYC 7262 with an average score of 5109, a negligible -0.3% delta, and the Intel Core i9-7900X at 5120, a -0.5% delta. The i5-13500TE sits essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650G at 5002, showing a 0% delta, and is just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i3-12300HE.

Architecture Differences

The most significant architectural divergence lies in the core configurations. The Intel Core i7-11850HE is a Tiger Lake-H part built on a 10 nm process, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-13500TE is a Raptor Lake-S desktop chip, also on a 10 nm process, but it packs 14 cores and 20 threads. This means the i5 has 6 more cores and 4 more threads, yet it still loses every benchmark, indicating that the i7’s higher clock speeds are the deciding factor. The i7-11850HE boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i5-13500TE boosts to 4.50 GHz, a 0.20 GHz advantage for the older chip. The base clocks are even more divergent, with the i7 running at 2.10 GHz and the i5 at a very low 1300.00 MHz.

Cache configurations are largely identical. Both processors share an 80 KB (per core) L1 cache and a 1.25 MB (per core) L2 cache. The L3 cache is also the same at 24 MB shared for both. Die size differs, with the i7 measuring 190 mm² and the i5 at 215 mm², though this does not translate into a performance advantage for the larger die. The sockets are completely different: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1787, indicating a mobile design, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop platforms.

Memory support marks another clear split. The i7-11850HE supports only DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-13500TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though its memory bandwidth figure is not listed. Critically, the i5 supports ECC memory, while the i7 does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7 provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are present on both, with the i7 featuring UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) and the i5 featuring UHD Graphics 770.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-11850HE wins in every compute-heavy scenario tested. It leads in all multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests, meaning it should be preferred for tasks that rely on raw CPU throughput, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that scales with clock speed. The i7’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz gives it a distinct edge in single-threaded performance, which is crucial for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. Its 60th percentile standing, as opposed to the i5’s 59th, reinforces that it is the stronger performer on average.

The Intel Core i5-13500TE, despite losing every benchmark, wins in areas that the test scores do not directly measure. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide a higher core count, which could be beneficial for highly parallel workloads that are not perfectly optimized for clock speed. However, the data shows that in Cinebench, which is a well-threaded test, the i7 still prevails. The i5’s real advantages are platform-level: it supports DDR5 memory, which offers higher bandwidth potential, and it includes ECC memory support, a feature absent on the i7. The i5 also uses the newer PCIe Gen 5 interface, which provides more bandwidth for compatible devices.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear, though narrow, performance winner: the Intel Core i7-11850HE. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks and holds a higher average score and percentile ranking. For users who prioritize absolute compute performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the i7 is the better choice. Its higher boost clock and consistent 0.6% deltas across the board make it the stronger processor for single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks alike.

The Intel Core i5-13500TE is the better pick for users who need specific platform features over peak performance. Its support for DDR5 memory and ECC memory makes it suitable for workstations or servers where data integrity and memory bandwidth are critical. The i5 also offers 14 cores versus 8, which may be a consideration for users who expect future software to scale better with core count, even though the current benchmarks do not reflect that advantage. Additionally, the i5 is a desktop part with a Socket 1700 interface, making it a more conventional choice for building a fixed workstation, whereas the i7 is a mobile BGA part. The i5’s launch MSRP is $235, while the i7’s is $400, though pricing considerations are secondary to the performance and feature data presented here.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850HE is faster in every multi-core test. It scores 1753 versus 1743 in Cinebench R15, 7308 versus 7263 in R20, and 17402 versus 17294 in R23, each with a 0.6% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-13500TE win any benchmark?

A: No. In the available head-to-head data, the i5-13500TE wins 0 benchmarks, while the i7-11850HE wins all 6.

Q: What is the core and thread difference between the two?

A: The i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-13500TE has 14 cores and 20 threads, giving the i5 a 6-core and 4-thread advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-11850HE supports only DDR4, while the i5-13500TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i5 also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-11850HE has an average benchmark score of 5095, placing it in the 60th percentile. The i5-13500TE has an average score of 5002, placing it in the 59th percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-11850HE has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, which is higher than the i5-13500TE’s boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11850HE | Intel Core i5-13500TE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | Core 11th Gen | Core 13th Gen |

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 1300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-H | Raptor Lake-S |

| Generation | Core i7 (Tiger Lake-H) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake) |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2021-08-02 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $400 | $235 |

| Part Number | SRKWZ | SRMFZ |