Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Core i7-5930K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between these two Intel processors is unusually lopsided, yet the single most revealing result flips the entire narrative. Across the eight recorded tests, the Intel Core i7-5930K claims seven victories, while the Intel Core i7-11390H secures only one. That lone win, however, is the largest margin in the entire dataset.

Starting with the multi-core workloads, the i7-5930K consistently leads by a narrow but repeatable margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 886 against 828, a 7% advantage. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (3692 vs 3451, 7%) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (8791 vs 8218, 7%). Geekbench multi-core shows a slightly tighter gap: 5715 vs 5478, a 4.3% edge for the older desktop part. These results are notable because the i7-5930K is from 2014, while the i7-11390H launched in 2021, yet the older chip maintains a consistent lead in heavily threaded tests.

Single-core results tell a more complex story. In the Cinebench suite, the i7-5930K wins all three single-core tests by exactly 7% to 7.8%. Cinebench R15 single-core: 125 vs 116 (7.8%). Cinebench R20 single-core: 521 vs 487 (7%). Cinebench R23 single-core: 1241 vs 1160 (7%). These are modest margins, but they contradict expectations for a processor with a 5.00 GHz boost clock versus a 3.70 GHz one.

Then comes the outlier: Geekbench single-core. Here the i7-11390H scores 1985, while the i7-5930K manages only 1225. That is a 38.3% deficit for the desktop chip, the largest delta in any test by far. This result suggests that the Geekbench single-core workload measures something fundamentally different from Cinebench's single-threaded test, likely a mix of memory latency, branch prediction, and newer instruction execution that favors the Tiger Lake architecture. The i7-11390H's 5.00 GHz boost clock, combined with its 10 nm process, appears to deliver a generational leap in per-core efficiency that the older Haswell design cannot match in this specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The usage split is clear. The i7-5930K dominates in rendering and productivity tasks that scale with core count. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, paired with 15 MB of shared L3 cache, give it an advantage in Cinebench multi-core tests across all three versions. The margins hover around 7%, which is meaningful for long-running renders where every percentage point translates to real time saved. Its 68.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, enabled by a quad-channel DDR4 interface, also supports multi-threaded workloads that stream large datasets.

The i7-11390H wins decisively in Geekbench single-core, which is a proxy for responsive, latency-sensitive applications like web browsing, office productivity, and light coding. The 38.3% lead here is massive and indicates that for tasks that rely on a single thread's raw speed, the mobile chip is in a different class. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock, 80 KB of L1 cache per core, and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core (compared to 64 KB and 256 KB respectively on the i7-5930K) all contribute to this result. For users who prioritize snappy single-threaded performance over multi-core throughput, the i7-11390H is the better choice.

Interestingly, the Cinebench single-core tests do not align with Geekbench. The i7-5930K wins those by 7% to 7.8%, suggesting that Cinebench's single-core workload is more sensitive to the older chip's higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) and does not fully exploit the newer architecture's advantages. This divergence between benchmark suites is a reminder that "single-core performance" is not a single, universal metric.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial. The i7-5930K uses the Haswell-E architecture on a 22 nm process node, with 2,600 million transistors spread across a 356 mm² die. The i7-11390H uses Tiger Lake-H on a 10 nm process, with a much smaller 146.1 mm² die. Process node shrinkage alone explains much of the efficiency difference: the newer chip achieves a 5.00 GHz boost clock while consuming a 28 W TDP, versus the older chip's 140 W TDP with a 3.70 GHz boost.

Core configurations differ sharply. The i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads; the i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having 50% more cores, the older chip only manages a 7% lead in multi-core Cinebench tests, indicating that per-core throughput on the Tiger Lake part is substantially higher. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the i7-5930K offers 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 15 MB shared L3. The i7-11390H provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 12 MB shared L3. The larger L2 cache on the mobile chip is particularly notable, as it reduces latency for frequently accessed data.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-5930K uses quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth; the i7-11390H uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. The older chip's memory bandwidth advantage is significant for multi-threaded workloads, but the newer chip's lower latency and higher clock speed compensate in single-threaded tasks. PCIe support also differs: the i7-5930K offers Gen 3 with 40 lanes, while the i7-11390H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The newer standard doubles per-lane bandwidth, though the older chip has more total lanes.

The i7-11390H includes integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics; the i7-5930K has no integrated graphics. The mobile chip also has an unlocked multiplier? No, it does not. The i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier, the i7-11390H does not. The i7-5930K targets desktop sockets (Intel Socket 2011-3), while the i7-11390H is a mobile BGA 1449 part. Neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. For multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, or any workload that saturates all cores, the i7-5930K is the winner. Its 7% lead in every Cinebench multi-core test, combined with 68.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, makes it the better tool for sustained compute. The 140 W TDP and desktop socket indicate it was designed for exactly this purpose.

For single-threaded responsiveness, particularly in applications that resemble the Geekbench single-core workload, the i7-11390H is superior by a wide margin. Its 38.3% lead in that test, driven by a 5.00 GHz boost clock and newer architecture, makes it the better choice for everyday computing, light productivity, and any task where latency matters more than throughput.

The Cinebench single-core results complicate this simple split. The i7-5930K wins those by 7% to 7.8%, suggesting that its higher base clock and older instruction scheduling are better suited to that specific workload. Users should consider which benchmark suite best represents their actual usage. The i7-11390H's integrated graphics and 28 W TDP also make it the only viable option for compact, power-constrained systems. The i7-5930K, with its 140 W TDP and no iGPU, requires a dedicated graphics card and a substantial cooling solution.

In short: choose the i7-5930K for heavy multi-threaded desktop workloads, choose the i7-11390H for mobile use or single-threaded performance. The data does not support a single "best" verdict.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i7-11390H in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i7-11390H scores 1985 versus 1225 for the i7-5930K, a 38.3% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-5930K has a 140 W TDP, while the i7-11390H has a 28 W TDP.

Q: Does the i7-5930K have integrated graphics?

A: No, it does not. The i7-11390H includes Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The i7-5930K has 68.3 GB/s via quad-channel DDR4, compared to 51.2 GB/s dual-channel on the i7-11390H.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-11390H does not.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i7-11390H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 28 W |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Tiger Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 146.1 mm² |

| 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 | 68.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris XE 96EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2014-08-31 | 2021-06-20 |

| Launch MSRP | N/A | $426 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR20R | SRKSL |