Intel Core i5-8600K vs Intel Core i7-11390H Comparison

The Verdict

The data is decisively split by workload type. The Intel Core i5-8600K wins 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, but the Intel Core i7-11390H claims the single most striking victory in Geekbench single-core, at 23.7% ahead. For users prioritizing sustained multi-threaded desktop workloads, the i5-8600K is the clear choice from the recorded measurements. For users whose primary tasks rely on raw single-thread speed, the i7-11390H is the better pick, despite its mobile positioning. The i5-8600K also holds a slight overall average benchmark advantage at 2807 versus 2715, good for a 51st percentile ranking versus the i7-11390H's 50th percentile. The i7-11390H is the better buy for single-core-focused workloads, but the i5-8600K is the more balanced performer across the full benchmark suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras and market segments. The i5-8600K is a desktop part built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the i7-11390H is a mobile processor based on Tiger Lake-H, built on a 10 nm node. The i5-8600K features 6 cores and 6 threads with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i7-11390H also has a smaller die size at 146.1 mm², whereas the i5-8600K's die size is not recorded.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-8600K uses 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 9 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-11390H has 80 KB of L1 per core and a substantially larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the i7-11390H has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the i5-8600K. Neither supports ECC memory.

Connectivity and graphics also differ. The i5-8600K uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-11390H uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are the UHD Graphics 630 on the i5-8600K versus the Iris XE 96EU on the i7-11390H. The i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-11390H is locked. The i5-8600K is end-of-life and uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-11390H is active and uses Intel BGA 1449. The i5-8600K was released on 2017-10-04, and the i7-11390H on 2021-06-20.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-8600K leads in every Cinebench test recorded. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 867 against 828, a 4.7% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it wins 122 to 116, a 5.2% edge. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 3616 versus 3451, a 4.8% lead, and Cinebench R20 single-core shows 510 versus 487, a 4.7% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the pattern with 8611 versus 8218, a 4.8% win, and Cinebench R23 single-core is 1215 versus 1160, a 4.7% advantage. Geekbench multicore is the i5-8600K's largest victory, with 5997 versus 5478, a 9.5% gap.

The i7-11390H's lone win is Geekbench single-core, and it is substantial. It scores 1985 versus 1514 for the i5-8600K, a 23.7% margin. That is the single largest percentage difference in either direction across all eight recorded tests. This illustrates the i7-11390H's high boost clock of 5.00 GHz delivering exceptional single-thread performance, even as its 4-core, 8-thread configuration trails the 6-core i5-8600K in all multi-threaded workloads. The i5-8600K's boost clock is only 4.30 GHz, but its additional two physical cores provide consistent multi-core superiority.

The average benchmark scores reflect this same dynamic. The i5-8600K averages 2807, ranking in the 51st percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-11390H averages 2715, ranking in the 50th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-8600K include the Intel Atom x7211RE (2811, -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-11300H (2792, 0.6%), the Intel Xeon E-2324G (2823, -0.6%), and the Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 (2789, 0.7%). The i7-11390H's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon D-1577 (2715, 0%), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U (2713, 0.1%), the Intel Xeon E-2226G (2709, 0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U (2722, -0.2%).

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-8600K wins all four multi-core tests recorded. It leads by 4.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 4.8% in Cinebench R20 multicore, 4.8% in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 9.5% in Geekbench multicore.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11390H wins Geekbench single-core by a significant 23.7% margin, scoring 1985 versus 1514. However, the i5-8600K wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by margins between 4.7% and 5.2%.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The i5-8600K has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-8600K's extra physical cores contribute to its multi-core wins.

Q: What are the boost clock differences?

A: The i7-11390H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the i5-8600K has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The i7-11390H's higher boost clock aligns with its Geekbench single-core victory.

Q: Which processor ranks higher overall?

A: The i5-8600K ranks in the 51st percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 2807. The i7-11390H ranks in the 50th percentile with an average score of 2715.

Q: Are these processors from the same architecture generation?

A: No. The i5-8600K is from the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, released in 2017. The i7-11390H is from the Tiger Lake-H architecture on a 10 nm process, released in 2021.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-8600K is the winner in every multi-threaded scenario recorded. Its 6-core, 6-thread configuration delivers consistent advantages in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, all with margins between 4.7% and 4.8%, and a larger 9.5% lead in Geekbench multicore. Users running rendering tasks, video encoding, compilation workloads, or any application that scales with core count should prefer the i5-8600K based on the data. Its average benchmark score of 2807 also places it higher in the overall percentile ranking at 51 versus 50.

The i7-11390H wins decisively in Geekbench single-core with a 23.7% margin, the largest win of any test in the comparison. This is driven by its 5.00 GHz boost clock versus the i5-8600K's 4.30 GHz. However, it loses all three Cinebench single-core tests, which complicates the single-core picture. The i7-11390H's victory is specific to Geekbench's methodology, while the i5-8600K holds a narrower but consistent lead in Cinebench single-core tests. For workloads that resemble Geekbench's single-thread test, such as certain legacy applications or lightly threaded productivity tools, the i7-11390H offers the stronger result.

The i7-11390H also brings newer platform features. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i5-8600K is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i7-11390H has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, and its Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics are a more capable solution than the UHD Graphics 630. The i7-11390H is also an active product, while the i5-8600K is end-of-life, which may matter for long-term availability.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The i5-8600K has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for the i5-8600K and 2.90 GHz for the i7-11390H. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. Thermal design power is 95 watts for the i5-8600K versus 28 watts for the i7-11390H, reflecting the mobile nature of the latter.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1151 for the i5-8600K and Intel BGA 1449 for the i7-11390H. Architecture is Coffee Lake for the i5-8600K and Tiger Lake for the i7-11390H. Process nodes are 14 nm and 10 nm, respectively. The i7-11390H has a recorded die size of 146.1 mm², while the i5-8600K's die size is not recorded.

Cache hierarchies diverge: L1 cache is 64 KB per core on the i5-8600K versus 80 KB per core on the i7-11390H. L2 cache is 256 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache is 9 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 versus Iris XE 96EU. The i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-11390H does not. Market segments are Desktop for the i5-8600K and Mobile for the i7-11390H. Production status is End-of-life for the i5-8600K and Active for the i7-11390H. Release dates are 2017-10-04 and 2021-06-20, respectively. The i5-8600K has a launch MSRP of $257, and the i7-11390H has a launch MSRP of $426. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, and neither supports ECC memory.