Intel Core i7-11600H vs Intel Core i7-11800H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i7-11600H are two mobile processors from the same Tiger Lake-H family, yet benchmark results show they are far from identical. The data reveals a decisive overall victory for the i7-11800H, which wins 18 of the 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 19998 compared to 19921 for the i7-11600H. The single exception is a notable Geekbench single-core result where the i7-11600H takes the lead, but this does little to offset the i7-11800H’s substantial advantages in multi-threaded, math, and encryption workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear choice for most users: the Intel Core i7-11800H is the superior processor for nearly all demanding tasks. Its wins are not marginal; in multi-core Cinebench tests, it leads by 25.4% across R15, R20, and R23, and it posts a 21.7% advantage in Geekbench multicore. The i7-11800H is particularly dominant in integer math (28.8% ahead), floating-point math (28.7% ahead), and prime number finding (30.8% ahead), making it the pick for compute-heavy applications like video rendering, scientific simulations, and data processing. The i7-11600H, by contrast, should only be considered if single-threaded Geekbench performance is the primary concern, where it leads by 13.4%, or if the user is strictly optimizing for that one metric. For general productivity, content creation, and multi-tasking, the i7-11800H’s additional cores and larger cache deliver a consistently higher performance tier. The i7-11600H holds a 73rd percentile ranking versus the i7-11800H’s 74th, and its only benchmark win is a narrow 0.8% margin in Passmark single-thread tests, which is negligible in real-world terms.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-11800H wins 18 out of 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-11600H wins only one.

Q: In which specific test does the Intel Core i7-11600H outperform the i7-11800H?

A: The i7-11600H wins the Geekbench single-core test, scoring 1924 against the i7-11800H’s 1666, a delta of -13.4% for the i7-11800H.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two processors?

A: The i7-11800H leads by 25.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, and by 21.7% in Geekbench multicore.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i7-11800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11600H has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both processors share the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the i7-11800H and i7-11600H feature UHD Graphics 750.

Q: Are there any differences in memory bandwidth support?

A: No, both processors support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 10 nm process node and share the same Tiger Lake-H architecture and codename, with a die size of 190 mm². The fundamental architectural difference lies in the core configuration. The i7-11800H features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11600H is a 6-core, 12-thread part. This difference in core count is the primary driver of the performance disparity in multi-threaded workloads. The cache hierarchy also diverges: while both have identical L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (1.25 MB per core) caches, the i7-11800H has a significantly larger L3 cache of 24 MB shared, compared to 18 MB shared on the i7-11600H. This larger L3 cache can reduce memory latency and improve performance in applications that repeatedly access large datasets. Both processors share the same socket (Intel BGA 1787), PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), and are produced by Intel.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields, most notably their core configuration and clocks. The i7-11800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the i7-11600H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock speeds differ as well: the i7-11800H has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz, while the i7-11600H has a higher base clock of 2500.00 MHz. Interestingly, both processors have an identical boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The L3 cache size differs, with the i7-11800H offering 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared on the i7-11600H. Both processors have a TDP of 35, support DDR4 memory, and have a launch MSRP of $395. The part numbers also differ: SRKT3 for the i7-11800H and SRKT9 for the i7-11600H. All other specifications, including the 10 nm process node, 190 mm² die size, dual-channel memory bus, 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, and UHD Graphics 750, are identical.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern of dominance for the i7-11800H across almost every category. In Cinebench, the i7-11800H scores 1679 in R15 multicore against 1339 for the i7-11600H, a 25.4% lead. The same 25.4% delta appears in R20 multicore (6998 vs 5580) and R23 multicore (16663 vs 13286). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same trend, with the i7-11800H leading by 25.5% in R15 (236 vs 188) and 25.4% in both R20 (987 vs 787) and R23 (2352 vs 1875). Geekbench multicore shows a 21.7% advantage for the i7-11800H (7986 vs 6563), but the i7-11600H fights back in Geekbench single-core with a score of 1924 versus 1666, a 13.4% lead for the i7-11600H.

Passmark results further illustrate the i7-11800H’s strength. In data compression, it scores 239304 versus 190721, a 25.5% lead. Data encryption shows a 26% advantage (12241 vs 9718). Extended instructions see a 24.2% lead (16068 vs 12938). The most significant delta is in find prime numbers, where the i7-11800H leads by 30.8% (85 vs 65). Floating-point math (42423 vs 32963) and integer math (71423 vs 55437) show leads of 28.7% and 28.8%, respectively. Passmark multithread scores are 20012 for the i7-11800H versus 16093 for the i7-11600H, a 24.4% difference. Physics tests show a 22.9% lead (938 vs 763), and random string sorting shows a 27.9% lead (28411 vs 22217). The only close result is Passmark single-thread, where the i7-11800H scores 3043 versus 3019, a marginal 0.8% win.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11800H is the clear winner for multi-threaded and compute-intensive tasks. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration, combined with the larger 24 MB L3 cache, delivers substantial leads in Cinebench multicore, Geekbench multicore, and all Passmark multi-threaded tests. For users running video editing software, 3D rendering, code compilation, or data analysis, the i7-11800H’s 25-30% performance advantage in these workloads is decisive. The encryption and compression results (26% and 25.5% leads, respectively) also make it the preferred choice for security and file-handling tasks.

The i7-11600H’s sole victory in Geekbench single-core (1924 vs 1666) suggests it may hold a slight edge in lightly-threaded applications that are sensitive to that specific benchmark’s scoring. However, this advantage does not carry over to other single-threaded tests; the i7-11800H wins Cinebench single-core by 25.4-25.5% and Passmark single-thread by 0.8%. Therefore, the i7-11600H’s win is an isolated data point rather than a trend. For any workload that can utilize more than a few threads, the data overwhelmingly favors the i7-11800H. The i7-11600H might be suitable for a user who exclusively runs a specific single-threaded application that mirrors Geekbench’s scoring, but even then, the performance delta in Passmark single-thread is negligible. The i7-11800H is the superior choice for virtually all other scenarios.