Intel Core i5-9600KF vs Intel Core i7-11375H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11375H and Intel Core i5-9600KF represent two very different approaches to CPU design, one a low-power mobile part and the other a high-power desktop chip. The benchmark data reveals a surprising outcome: the newer 4-core mobile processor wins the majority of head-to-head tests, while the older 6-core desktop chip secures a decisive victory in one specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the database is the near-total sweep by the Intel Core i7-11375H. Across the Cinebench suite, the mobile chip wins every single test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-11375H scores 985 against 911 for the i5-9600KF, an 8.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 138 versus 128, a 7.8% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-11375H posts 4105 multicore and 579 single-core, while the i5-9600KF manages 3799 and 536 respectively, yielding an 8.1% and 8% margin. The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the i7-11375H scores 9775 multicore and 1380 single-core, beating the i5-9600KF's 9047 and 1277 by 8% and 8.1%.

The one exception to this dominance is Geekbench multicore. Here, the i5-9600KF turns the tables with a score of 6184, defeating the i7-11375H's 5383 by a substantial 13% margin. This is a significant reversal. The i5-9600KF has 6 physical cores versus the i7-11375H's 4, and in this particular test, that raw core count advantage appears to outweigh the architectural efficiency of the newer chip.

However, in Geekbench single-core, the i7-11375H reclaims its lead with a score of 1800, beating the i5-9600KF's 1595 by a commanding 12.9%. This is the largest single-core delta in the entire comparison and highlights the Tiger Lake architecture's strength in lightly threaded workloads.

The overall win tally is lopsided: the i7-11375H wins 7 out of 8 benchmarks, while the i5-9600KF wins only 1. The average benchmark scores reflect this, with the i7-11375H averaging 3018 and the i5-9600KF averaging 2935. Both processors sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the middle of the overall performance distribution.

FAQ

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

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Intel Core i7-11375H wins all three Cinebench multicore tests, with an 8.1% lead in R15, an 8.1% lead in R20, and an 8% lead in R23. However, the Intel Core i5-9600KF wins Geekbench multicore by 13%.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The i7-11375H leads in every single-core test. The smallest margin is 7.8% in Cinebench R15, and the largest is 12.9% in Geekbench, with an 8% lead in R20 and an 8.1% lead in R23.

Q: Do the two processors have the same number of cores?

A: No. The i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9600KF has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What are the thermal design power limits of these chips?

A: The i7-11375H has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i5-9600KF has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: Which processor uses a newer manufacturing process?

A: The i7-11375H is built on a 10 nm process, whereas the i5-9600KF uses Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The i7-11375H is listed as Active, while the i5-9600KF is marked as End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel generations and design philosophies. The i7-11375H is based on the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, and is built on a 10 nm process node. The i5-9600KF uses the Coffee Lake architecture, part of the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, on a 14 nm process. This process advantage is a key factor in the i7-11375H's ability to deliver higher performance at a far lower TDP.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The i7-11375H features 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The i5-9600KF has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a smaller 9 MB shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 cache on the Tiger Lake chip likely contributes to its strong single-threaded performance.

The i7-11375H includes integrated Iris XE graphics with 96 execution units, while the i5-9600KF has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the mobile chip a more self-contained solution, though the desktop chip's lack of iGPU is expected for a KF-series part. PCIe support also differs: the i7-11375H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i5-9600KF is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i7-11375H also has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 51.2 GB/s, compared to 42.7 GB/s for the i5-9600KF, despite both supporting DDR4 in dual-channel mode.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core and thread count. The i7-11375H packs 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9600KF offers 6 cores but only 6 threads, meaning it lacks Hyper-Threading. Clock speeds also differ: the i7-11375H has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the i5-9600KF starts at 3.70 GHz base and boosts to 4.60 GHz. The i5-9600KF has a higher base clock, but the i7-11375H has a higher boost ceiling.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The i7-11375H is rated at 28 watts TDP, while the i5-9600KF consumes 95 watts, more than three times as much. The socket and market segment reflect this: the i7-11375H uses Intel BGA 1449 and is a mobile part, while the i5-9600KF uses Intel Socket 1151 and is a desktop part.

The i5-9600KF has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, whereas the i7-11375H is locked. The i7-11375H launched on 2021-01-10 with a launch MSRP of $482. The i5-9600KF was released earlier, on 2019-01-07, and has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The i7-11375H is still in active production, while the i5-9600KF is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for most tasks: the Intel Core i7-11375H is the stronger performer despite having fewer physical cores. Its 8% lead across all Cinebench tests, both single and multi-core, demonstrates that its 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture, higher boost clock, and Hyper-Threading more than compensate for the core deficit. The single-core performance is especially impressive, with a 12.9% lead in Geekbench and 8.1% in Cinebench R23.

The i5-9600KF's sole victory in Geekbench multicore, a 13% margin, shows that there are workloads where its 6 physical cores still matter. For applications that scale aggressively with raw core count and are not optimized for simultaneous multithreading, the older desktop chip retains an edge. However, this is an isolated result among the 8 tested benchmarks.

From a system design perspective, the i7-11375H accomplishes this with a 28 watt TDP versus the i5-9600KF's 95 watts. The database also shows the i7-11375H offers PCIe Gen 4 support, integrated graphics, and a larger L3 cache. The i5-9600KF counters with an unlocked multiplier and a higher base clock.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11375H is the pick for single-threaded performance, mobile or low-power systems, and anyone needing integrated graphics. Its wins in every single-core benchmark, combined with its 8% multicore lead in Cinebench, make it the better all-around choice in the recorded data. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock and 12 MB L3 cache support this profile. The 28 watt TDP also makes it viable in compact or thermally constrained builds.

The Intel Core i5-9600KF is the choice when a workload specifically favors more physical cores and is not well-served by Hyper-Threading. Its 13% Geekbench multicore victory is the only recorded instance where it outpaces the i7-11375H, but it is a decisive one. The 6 cores, 6 threads configuration, a 3.70 GHz base clock, and an unlocked multiplier suggest a user who prioritizes multi-threaded applications that scale with physical core count and who values overclocking headroom. This chip is also a desktop part, so it suits traditional tower builds rather than portable systems.