Intel Core i7-11370H vs Intel Core i7-9850H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is decisive, though not uniform. The Intel Core i7-11370H wins 7 of the 8 recorded benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-9850H takes a single victory. The margin of that lone win, however, is substantial.

In Geekbench multicore, the Core i7-9850H scores 6087 against 5485 for the Core i7-11370H, a delta of 11% in favor of the older chip. This result reflects the Core i7-9850H's physical advantage: 6 cores and 12 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads in the Core i7-11370H. The newer processor cannot overcome that deficit when all threads are loaded in this particular workload.

Every other comparison goes to the Core i7-11370H. The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of victory. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i7-11370H scores 987 versus 925, a 6.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 139 against 130, a 6.5% lead. The R20 multicore test yields 4113 versus 3856, a 6.2% gap, while the R20 single-core test shows 580 against 544, again 6.2%. Cinebench R23 follows the identical trajectory: multicore at 9793 versus 9182 and single-core at 1382 versus 1296, both with a 6.2% margin. The Geekbench single-core comparison is the largest of the entire set: the Core i7-11370H scores 1667 against 1449, a 13.1% lead.

The data shows a clear split. The Core i7-9850H wins the Geekbench multicore test by a double-digit margin, likely due to its extra cores. The Core i7-11370H wins every single-core test and also wins the Cinebench multicore tests despite having fewer physical cores. This suggests that the Core i7-11370H's architectural efficiency, built on a newer 10 nm process, allows it to outperform the older 14 nm chip even in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core i7-11370H is the stronger overall performer in this comparison. It wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench variants and the Geekbench single-core test. The only area where the Core i7-9850H takes the lead is Geekbench multicore, where its 6-core, 12-thread configuration delivers an 11% advantage.

For users whose workloads depend on Geekbench multicore performance, the Core i7-9850H is the better choice. The data shows that this chip can handle parallel workloads with a measurable edge in that specific test. However, for every other measured scenario, the Core i7-11370H delivers higher scores. The Cinebench results are particularly telling: despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads, the Core i7-11370H outperforms the Core i7-9850H by roughly 6% across the board in both single-core and multicore tests.

The Core i7-11370H also carries a lower TDP of 28 watts versus 45 watts for the Core i7-9850H. This means the newer chip achieves its superior benchmark results while drawing less power, a meaningful distinction for mobile platforms. The Core i7-9850H is marked end-of-life in the database, while the Core i7-11370H is listed as active production. The launch MSRP of the Core i7-11370H is $426.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-9850H wins only in Geekbench multicore, with a score of 6087 and an 11% delta over the Core i7-11370H. This is the clear use case for the older chip: any workload that mirrors Geekbench's multicore scaling. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it has a structural advantage that manifests in this test.

The Core i7-11370H wins in every other category. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, it takes both single-core and multicore tests, with deltas ranging from 6.2% to 6.5%. The Geekbench single-core test shows its largest win at 13.1%. This pattern indicates that the Core i7-11370H is better suited for single-threaded applications and for Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are enough to beat the 6-core chip in Cinebench multicore, which suggests that the newer architecture compensates for the core deficit.

Users running Geekbench-heavy tasks, such as certain system-level benchmarks or specific productivity suites, should favor the Core i7-9850H. Users running Cinebench-based rendering, single-threaded applications, or general-purpose workloads should favor the Core i7-11370H. The latter also benefits from a lower TDP, making it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The Core i7-9850H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-11370H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.60 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, both favoring the Core i7-11370H. The TDP is 45 watts for the Core i7-9850H and 28 watts for the Core i7-11370H.

The process node differs: the Core i7-9850H uses 14 nm, while the Core i7-11370H uses 10 nm. Die size is 149 mm² for the older chip and 146.1 mm² for the newer one. Cache configurations differ notably. The Core i7-9850H has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, while the Core i7-11370H has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Both share 12 MB L3.

Memory bandwidth favors the Core i7-11370H at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The PCIe interface also differs: the Core i7-9850H supports Gen 3, while the Core i7-11370H supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 for the Core i7-9850H and Iris XE 96EU for the Core i7-11370H. Sockets are Intel BGA 1440 and Intel BGA 1449, respectively. The release dates are April 2019 for the Core i7-9850H and January 2021 for the Core i7-11370H.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11370H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Core i7-11370H win in all Cinebench tests?

A: Yes, the Core i7-11370H wins every Cinebench comparison: R15 multicore at 987 versus 925, R15 single-core at 139 versus 130, R20 multicore at 4113 versus 3856, R20 single-core at 580 versus 544, R23 multicore at 9793 versus 9182, and R23 single-core at 1382 versus 1296.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Core i7-11370H scores 1667 versus 1449, a 13.1% advantage. The Core i7-9850H's win in Geekbench multicore is an 11% margin.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, the Core i7-9850H is marked end-of-life, while the Core i7-11370H is listed as active production.

Q: Which chip has the lower power draw?

A: The Core i7-11370H has a TDP of 28 watts, compared to 45 watts for the Core i7-9850H.

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory. Both support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Core i7-9850H is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR codename, using a 14 nm process node. The Core i7-11370H uses the Tiger Lake architecture with the Tiger Lake-H codename, manufactured on a 10 nm process. This process difference is the most fundamental distinction, as it enables the newer chip to achieve higher clock speeds and better power efficiency simultaneously.

The core and thread counts differ, as noted: 6 cores and 12 threads for the Core i7-9850H versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the Core i7-11370H. Despite fewer cores, the Core i7-11370H manages higher base and boost clocks. Cache hierarchies are also different. The Core i7-11370H has larger per-core L1 (80 KB versus 64 KB) and much larger per-core L2 (1.25 MB versus 256 KB). Both share the same 12 MB L3 cache.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the Core i7-11370H at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The PCIe generation is newer on the Core i7-11370H as well, supporting Gen 4 with 20 CPU-only lanes, while the Core i7-9850H supports Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ, with the Core i7-11370H featuring Iris XE 96EU compared to UHD Graphics 630 on the Core i7-9850H. The die sizes are close, 149 mm² versus 146.1 mm², though the newer chip achieves this on a smaller process node.

The release timeline shows a gap of roughly two years, with the Core i7-9850H launching in April 2019 and the Core i7-11370H in January 2021. The production status confirms this: the older chip is end-of-life, while the newer one remains active. The part numbers are SRFCN for the Core i7-9850H and SRKH5 for the Core i7-11370H. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both target the mobile market segment.