Intel Core i7-11375H vs Intel Core i7-6850K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. The Core i7-6850K and the Core i7-11375H are separated by nearly five years of architecture, and that gap shows in very different ways across the test suite. The most decisive victory for the desktop part comes in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-6850K scores 6629 against 5383 for the mobile chip, a commanding 23.1% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison, and it reflects the desktop processor's fundamental design strengths.

However, that is the only benchmark where the older chip comes out ahead. The newer Tiger Lake part wins the remaining seven tests, though the margins in the Cinebench suite are remarkably tight. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-11375H scores 9775 versus 9672 for the i7-6850K, a slim 1.1% edge. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the mobile chip posts 4105 against 4062, another 1% margin. Even in Cinebench R15 multicore, the results are close: 985 versus 974, a 1.1% difference. These narrow wins suggest that despite having fewer cores and threads, the newer architecture is able to compensate effectively in this workload.

Single-core results tell a more complex story. The Cinebench single-core tests are nearly identical between the two parts. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-11375H scores 1380 against 1365 for the i7-6850K, a 1.1% difference. The R20 single-core test shows 579 versus 573, again a 1% gap. The R15 single-core result is 138 versus 137, a negligible 0.7% difference. These are essentially statistical ties, which is surprising given the massive clock speed differences between the two chips.

The Geekbench single-core test breaks that pattern decisively. Here the i7-11375H scores 1800 against 1217 for the i7-6850K, a massive 32.4% advantage. This is the second-largest delta in the comparison, and it highlights the architectural efficiency gains of the newer processor. The mobile chip's boost clock of 5.00 GHz, combined with the Tiger Lake microarchitecture, delivers a substantial single-threaded performance lead in this particular benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture of workload suitability. The i7-6850K is the pick for tasks that scale heavily with multiple threads and memory bandwidth. Its Geekbench multicore score of 6629 demonstrates that the combination of 6 cores, 12 threads, and quad-channel DDR4 memory provides real advantages in multi-threaded applications that are sensitive to memory throughput. The 23.1% lead in this benchmark is not trivial, and it suggests the desktop part will feel noticeably faster in heavily parallelized productivity workloads.

The i7-11375H, despite being a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, wins everywhere else. The Cinebench results, even with their narrow margins, all favor the Tiger Lake chip. This includes both multicore and single-core variants, meaning the newer part holds its own even in multi-threaded rendering tasks. The Geekbench single-core result is the standout, with a 32.4% advantage. This translates to snappier responsiveness in lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and tasks where a single thread is the bottleneck.

The practical takeaway is straightforward. The i7-6850K is better suited for multi-threaded, memory-intensive workloads where its Geekbench multicore lead matters. The i7-11375H is the better overall performer for most general computing, with wins in seven of eight benchmarks, including all of the Cinebench tests and a dominant Geekbench single-core result.

Architecture Differences

These two processors come from different eras of Intel design. The i7-6850K uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-E variant, built on a 14 nm process node. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is 15 MB. The chip includes 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It uses DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration, providing 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The processor connects to the system via PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes. It was released in 2016 and is now end-of-life.

The i7-11375H is a Tiger Lake-H part, built on a 10 nm process. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is 12 MB. The die size is 146.1 mm². It also uses DDR4 memory, but in a dual-channel configuration, yielding 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The chip includes Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics, something the i7-6850K lacks entirely. The i7-11375H has a base clock of 3.00 GHz but boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the i7-6850K runs at 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The mobile part is actively in production.

The core count difference is significant, but the newer architecture compensates with higher instructions per clock and a much higher boost clock. The L2 cache difference is notable: 256 KB per core on the older chip versus 1.25 MB per core on the newer one. This larger per-core cache likely contributes to the newer part's ability to keep pace in multi-threaded Cinebench tests despite having only two-thirds the cores.

The i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i7-11375H is locked. The desktop part also has a 140 W TDP compared to 28 W for the mobile chip, which explains the cooling requirements but also highlights the efficiency of the newer architecture.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear recommendation based on workload. For users running heavily multi-threaded applications that benefit from memory bandwidth, the i7-6850K is the stronger choice. Its Geekbench multicore lead of 23.1% over the i7-11375H is substantial, and the quad-channel memory interface provides a real advantage in bandwidth-sensitive tasks. The unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking headroom for enthusiasts willing to push the chip further.

For everyone else, the i7-11375H is the better buy from a pure performance standpoint. It wins seven of eight benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests. The margins in Cinebench are narrow, but they are consistent. The Geekbench single-core result is the most compelling argument: a 32.4% advantage that translates to faster response in everyday applications. The integrated Iris XE graphics add functionality the i7-6850K simply does not have. The 28 W TDP means it can be cooled with much smaller solutions, and the chip remains actively in production.

The i7-6850K is end-of-life, while the i7-11375H is still active. The newer part has a higher launch MSRP of $482 compared to $617 for the older chip. The data does not justify choosing the i7-6850K unless the specific multi-threaded, memory-heavy workload is the primary use case. The i7-11375H offers better or equal performance in most tests, with a much more modern feature set.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher Geekbench multicore score?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K, with a score of 6629 compared to 5383 for the i7-11375H. This represents a 23.1% advantage for the desktop part.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-11375H wins both tests. In multicore, it scores 9775 against 9672 for the i7-6850K, a 1.1% margin. In single-core, it scores 1380 against 1365, also a 1.1% margin.

Q: What is the biggest single-core performance difference?

A: The Geekbench single-core test shows the largest gap. The i7-11375H scores 1800, which is 32.4% higher than the i7-6850K's 1217.

Q: Does the i7-6850K have integrated graphics?

A: No, the i7-6850K has no integrated graphics. The i7-11375H includes Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics.

Q: What are the memory configurations for these processors?

A: The i7-6850K supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i7-11375H supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-11375H is locked.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-6850K | Intel Core i7-11375H |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Tiger Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 146.1 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris XE 96EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2016-05-30 | 2021-01-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $617 | $482 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR2PC | SRKH4 |