Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Core i7-1185G7E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data presents a curious split: the Intel Core i7-1185G7E dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Core i7-11390H strikes back decisively in Geekbench. Across six Cinebench tests, the 1185G7E claims victory every time, but the margins are remarkably thin—never exceeding 1.7%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 1185G7E scores 836 against 828 for the 11390H, a 1% edge. Single-core R15 shows 118 versus 116, a 1.7% gap. The pattern repeats in R20 multicore (3487 vs 3451, -1%) and R20 single-core (492 vs 487, -1%). Cinebench R23 follows the same script: multicore 8303 vs 8218 (-1%) and single-core 1172 vs 1160 (-1%).

These are not commanding victories. The 1185G7E wins six of eight head-to-head tests, but the largest delta in its favor is just 1.7%. The story flips dramatically in Geekbench. The 11390H scores 1985 in single-core, a full 13% ahead of the 1185G7E's 1756. That is a substantial, meaningful gap. In Geekbench multicore, the 11390H edges ahead again, 5478 vs 5459, a slim 0.3% margin.

What does this imply? The 11390H's single-core Geekbench advantage suggests a fundamentally different responsiveness profile under certain workloads, while the 1185G7E's consistent, if narrow, Cinebench wins point to sustained rendering throughput. The overall win tally—2 for the 11390H, 6 for the 1185G7E—could mislead. A 13% single-core victory carries more weight than six 1% margins. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the 11390H sits at 2715, the 1185G7E at 2703, a difference of just 0.4% overall. These two processors are nearly inseparable in aggregate performance, yet their individual test profiles diverge sharply.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185G7E wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-11390H wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-11390H scores 1985 versus 1756 for the 1185G7E—a 13% difference.

Q: How close are they in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 1185G7E leads with 8303 against 8218 for the 11390H, a margin of just 1%.

Q: Do they have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both feature 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The 11390H has an average benchmark score of 2715, while the 1185G7E scores 2703, a difference of 0.4%.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 11390H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the 1185G7E boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Tiger Lake architecture and the 10 nm process node from Intel, but they diverge in codename and design intent. The 11390H is designated Tiger Lake-H, while the 1185G7E is Tiger Lake-U. This distinction matters. The H-series targets higher sustained performance, evidenced by its 28 W TDP, while the U-series is built for efficiency at 15 W TDP. Despite this, the 1185G7E manages to outperform the 11390H in most Cinebench tests—a counterintuitive result that raises questions about how thermal headroom translates to real-world gains.

The integrated graphics differ in naming: the 11390H features Iris XE 96EU, while the 1185G7E carries Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU. The "LP" in the latter suggests low-power design, yet both have 96 execution units. The 11390H uses a larger die at 146.1 mm² versus 144 mm² for the 1185G7E. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process and share the same BGA 1449 socket. The 11390H is part of the Tiger Lake-H generation, while the 1185G7E belongs to Willow Cove-U—the architecture name for the U-series variant.

PCIe lane counts present another key divergence. The 11390H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 1185G7E is limited to Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). This is a substantial difference in expansion capability, suggesting the 11390H is designed for more connected devices or faster storage arrays. The 1185G7E's memory support includes DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the 11390H lists only DDR4. Both run dual-channel memory, but the 11390H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 1185G7E does not list a bandwidth figure. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several clear contrasts. Most obvious is the TDP: the 11390H draws 28 W, while the 1185G7E draws just 15 W. Base clocks differ wildly—the 11390H runs at 2.90 GHz, while the 1185G7E lists 1800.00 MHz (the unusual formatting likely indicates 1.80 GHz). Boost clocks show the 11390H reaching 5.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the 1185G7E. The 11390H has a higher base and boost clock, yet loses most benchmarks—a puzzle worth investigating.

Memory support splits them: the 11390H supports DDR4 only, while the 1185G7E supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The 11390H offers 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the 1185G7E offers only 4. Die size differs slightly: 146.1 mm² for the 11390H, 144 mm² for the 1185G7E. The 11390H launched on 2021-06-20, while the 1185G7E released earlier on 2020-09-01. Part numbers also differ: SRKSL for the 11390H, SRK0X for the 1185G7E. The 11390H has a launch MSRP of $426, while the 1185G7E has a launch MSRP of $431.

Both share identical core counts (4 cores, 8 threads), the same L1/L2/L3 cache layout, the same socket, same process node, same manufacturer, same market segment (mobile), and both are marked as Active in production status. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The generation labels differ: "Core i7 (Tiger Lake-H)" for the 11390H and "Core i7 (Willow Cove-U)" for the 1185G7E.

The Verdict

The data does not support a simple "winner." The 1185G7E wins more tests, but the 11390H wins the most important one—Geekbench single-core by 13%. If single-core responsiveness matters most, the 11390H is the clear choice. That 13% delta is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark. However, the 1185G7E's sweep of all six Cinebench tests, even by narrow margins, indicates more consistent multi-threaded rendering performance.

The 11390H's higher TDP (28 W vs 15 W) does not translate into benchmark superiority—in fact, the lower-power 1185G7E wins more tests. This inverts expectations. The 11390H's higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) also fails to secure Cinebench wins, yet it dominates in Geekbench single-core. The 1185G7E's earlier release date (September 2020 vs June 2021) suggests it had more time for driver or firmware maturity, which could explain its Cinebench edge.

For users prioritizing raw single-thread performance in Geekbench-style workloads, the 11390H offers a decisive advantage. For those running Cinebench-based rendering tasks, the 1185G7E provides marginal but consistent gains. The 11390H's 20 PCIe lanes make it more suitable for systems requiring extensive connectivity, while the 1185G7E's 4 lanes limit expansion. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both are locked, so overclocking is off the table.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-11390H wins in Geekbench single-core (1985 vs 1756, +13%) and Geekbench multicore (5478 vs 5459, +0.3%). This points to strengths in applications that leverage Geekbench's workload patterns—typically short, bursty tasks that benefit from high boost clocks. The 5.00 GHz boost clock likely drives this advantage. The 11390H also brings 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, enabling more storage devices or discrete GPUs. Its larger die (146.1 mm²) and higher TDP (28 W) suggest more thermal headroom for sustained boosts, even if the benchmarks don't consistently reflect it. The 11390H's 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is a stated advantage, though the 1185G7E doesn't list a comparable figure.

Intel Core i7-1185G7E wins all six Cinebench tests: R15 multicore (836 vs 828), R15 single-core (118 vs 116), R20 multicore (3487 vs 3451), R20 single-core (492 vs 487), R23 multicore (8303 vs 8218), and R23 single-core (1172 vs 1160). Each win is narrow (1-1.7%), but the consistency is notable. This processor achieves these results at 15 W TDP—nearly half the 11390H's 28 W. The 1185G7E also supports LPDDR4X memory, which could benefit power-sensitive designs. Its earlier release date (September 2020) may indicate more mature platform support. The 1185G7E's average benchmark score (2703) trails the 11390H (2715) by only 0.4%, making it nearly equivalent overall while consuming less power.

The choice hinges on workload. The 11390H for Geekbench-driven single-thread tasks and connectivity; the 1185G7E for Cinebench rendering and power efficiency. The data shows two processors with nearly identical average performance but opposite strengths—a genuine split decision.