Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Core i7-7740X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results between the Intel Core i7-7740X and the Intel Core i7-11390H reveal a fascinating split. The i7-7740X secures six wins out of eight head-to-head tests, but the margins are razor thin across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 7740X scores 831 against 828 for the 11390H, a 0.4% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similarly close: 117 versus 116, a 0.9% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the 7740X posts 3465 against 3451 multicore (0.4% ahead) and 488 against 487 single-core (0.2% ahead). The R23 tests continue the trend: 8250 versus 8218 multicore (0.4% ahead) and 1164 versus 1160 single-core (0.3% ahead). These are margins that would vanish in run-to-run variance, yet they consistently favor the older desktop chip.

The story changes dramatically in Geekbench. Here the 11390H turns the tables with decisive victories. In Geekbench multicore, the mobile chip scores 5478 against 5246 for the 7740X, a 4.2% gap. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 1985 versus 1619, an 18.4% advantage for the 11390H. That is not a marginal difference; it is a generational leap in per-thread performance. The 7740X cannot match the newer architecture's efficiency in this workload.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The 7740X averages 2648 across all recorded tests, while the 11390H averages 2715. The mobile part holds a 2.5% edge in the aggregate, driven almost entirely by its Geekbench dominance. Both processors sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the middle of the performance distribution, but they get there through different strengths.

Where Each One Wins

The Cinebench results are evidence of the 7740X's sustained multicore capability. Despite being a 2017 desktop part with a 112 watt TDP, it edges out the 11390H in every Cinebench iteration, from R15 through R23. This suggests that workloads built around long-running render tasks, such as video encoding or 3D scene compilation, will see a slight but consistent advantage on the 7740X. The differences are small, though: the largest Cinebench delta is 0.9% in R15 single-core, so no user would notice a real-world difference in these tasks.

The 11390H owns the Geekbench results, and that matters for different reasons. Geekbench tends to stress memory latency, branch prediction, and short-burst integer and floating-point operations. The 18.4% single-core lead indicates that the 11390H's Tiger Lake architecture handles these patterns far better. For everyday responsiveness, web browsing, office productivity, and light creative work that relies on quick single-threaded actions, the 11390H is the clear winner. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock versus 4.60 GHz on the 7740X, combined with a newer microarchitecture, explains much of this gap.

The use-case split is straightforward. The 7740X is the pick for sustained all-core rendering where every Cinebench point counts, even if the margin is under 1%. The 11390H is the pick for general computing, application launches, and any task where single-threaded speed dominates. The Geekbench multicore result, where the 11390H leads by 4.2%, also hints that some mixed workloads will favor the mobile chip despite its lower 28 watt TDP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The 7740X uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically Kaby Lake-X, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 2066 platform, part of the Core i7 X-Series 7th Generation. The 11390H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, on a 10 nm process. It is a mobile part for Intel BGA 1449, belonging to the Core 11th Gen series. The die size for the 11390H is recorded at 146.1 mm², while the 7740X has no die size listed in the database.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The 7740X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The 11390H has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 and L3 on the 11390H are substantial, and they likely contribute to its Geekbench strength by reducing memory access latency for frequently used data.

Memory support also separates them. The 7740X uses DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus, while the 11390H uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus. However, the 11390H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure not available for the 7740X. PCIe capabilities differ too: the 7740X is Gen 3, while the 11390H is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The 11390H also includes integrated graphics, specifically Iris XE 96EU, whereas the 7740X has no integrated graphics listed.

The 7740X has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for manual overclocking. The 11390H is locked. Both processors use Intel as the foundry, and neither supports ECC memory. The 11390H has a part number of SRKSL, while the 7740X does not have one listed.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear contrasts beyond the architecture. The 7740X has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The 11390H starts at 2.90 GHz base but boosts to 5.00 GHz, giving it a higher peak frequency. The TDP difference is stark: 112 watts for the 7740X versus 28 watts for the 11390H. That is a 4x gap in power draw, yet the newer chip delivers competitive average scores.

Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, so thread count is identical. The process nodes differ: 14 nm versus 10 nm. The 7740X supports quad-channel memory, while the 11390H supports dual-channel. The market segments are desktop versus mobile, which explains the socket and TDP choices. The 7740X was released on 2017-06-25, and the 11390H on 2021-06-20. The 11390H has a launch MSRP of $426, which can be stated once as reference. The 7740X has no launch MSRP in the database.

The 11390H has integrated graphics, the 7740X does not. The 11390H has a larger L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB) and larger L1 and L2 per core. The 7740X has an unlocked multiplier; the 11390H does not. Both are marked as Active in production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i7-7740X wins 6 out of 8 tests, including all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. The Intel Core i7-11390H wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the single-core Geekbench gap between the two?

A: The 11390H scores 1985 in Geekbench single-core versus 1619 for the 7740X, a delta of -18.4% from the perspective of the 7740X, meaning the 11390H is 18.4% faster.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The 7740X has an average benchmark score of 2648, while the 11390H has an average of 2715. The 11390H is ahead by roughly 2.5%.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 7740X has a TDP of 112 watts, while the 11390H has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 11390H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the 7740X boosts to 4.60 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to two different buyers. The Intel Core i7-7740X is the choice for a desktop user who prioritizes consistent multicore rendering performance and has access to a quad-channel memory platform. Its six Cinebench wins, however narrow, show that a high-TDP desktop part from 2017 can still hold its own in sustained all-core workloads. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for enthusiasts who want to push clocks beyond the stock 4.60 GHz, though the database does not record what such overclocks achieve.

The Intel Core i7-11390H is the choice for anyone who values single-threaded speed and efficiency. Its 18.4% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. The 5.00 GHz boost clock, 12 MB of L3 cache, and larger per-core L2 cache clearly pay off in latency-sensitive tasks. The 28 watt TDP makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops, and the integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics remove the need for a discrete GPU in basic scenarios.

The overall average scores favor the 11390H (2715 versus 2648), but the margin is small. A user who primarily runs Cinebench-style workloads should lean toward the 7740X. A user who wants snappy general performance and does not need a discrete graphics card should lean toward the 11390H. The 7740X's quad-channel memory support is its hidden asset for memory-heavy desktop tasks, while the 11390H's Gen 4 PCIe and integrated graphics make it a more modern, self-contained package. The verdict is not about a single winner; it is about matching the right processor to the right workload.