Intel Core i7-11600H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins 14 of the 19 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-11600H wins 5.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V leads by 51.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 20.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 33.1% in Passmark single-thread testing.

Q: Does the Core i7-11600H win any multi-core tests?

A: Yes, it takes Cinebench R23 multi-core by 22.5% over the Core Ultra 7 258V, though the Ultra 7 leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 19.2% and R20 multi-core by 20.8%.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V supports LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7-11600H uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V has an average benchmark score of 20454, placing at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7-11600H scores 19921, placing at the 73rd percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the Core i7-11600H reaches 4.60 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-11600H uses Tiger Lake-H on Intel's 10 nm process. This process advantage is substantial, allowing the Ultra 7 to deliver higher performance in a 17 W TDP package. The Core i7-11600H carries a 35 W TDP, which reflects its older, less efficient design.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-11600H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The older chip relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 12 threads, whereas the newer Ultra 7 uses a simpler 8-thread layout. The Core i7's extra threads help in some multi-threaded workloads, but the Ultra 7's architecture efficiency often compensates.

Cache structures also diverge. The Core Ultra 7 258V allocates 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-11600H uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the Ultra 7 support its single-threaded dominance, while the i7's larger L3 pool helps its multi-core performance in certain tests.

Memory support is another major architectural split. The Core Ultra 7 258V pairs with LPDDR5X across a dual-channel bus, delivering 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i7-11600H supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. This nearly 2.7x bandwidth advantage for the Ultra 7 explains its strong results in memory-sensitive workloads.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Core Ultra 7 258V offers Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while the Core i7-11600H provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Ultra 7 includes Arc 140V, while the i7-11600H has UHD Graphics 750.

The Core Ultra 7 258V uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, while the Core i7-11600H uses Intel BGA 1787. The die size of the i7-11600H is 190 mm², while the Ultra 7's die size is not recorded in the database. The Ultra 7 released on 2024-09-23, while the i7-11600H launched on 2021-05-10.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V as the stronger overall processor for most users. It wins 14 of 19 benchmarks, dominates single-threaded workloads, and achieves a higher average benchmark score (20454 versus 19921). Its 74th percentile ranking versus the i7's 73rd percentile confirms the overall advantage, though the gap is narrow in aggregate terms.

The Core i7-11600H remains relevant for specific multi-threaded scenarios. Its 22.5% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 22.6% win in Passmark integer math show that the older chip's 12 threads can still outperform the Ultra 7's 8 threads in certain sustained workloads. Users running long multi-core render jobs may prefer the i7-11600H.

For everyday computing, productivity, and single-threaded applications, the Core Ultra 7 258V is the clear choice. Its 51.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 33.1% lead in Passmark single-thread translate to snappier response in most software. The Ultra 7 also offers dramatically higher memory bandwidth, which benefits integrated graphics and memory-intensive tasks.

Content creators working with short bursts of multi-core activity will favor the Ultra 7, as it wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 19.2% and R20 multi-core by 20.8%. Those who need sustained multi-core throughput for extended periods, where the i7-11600H's R23 result shines, should consider the older chip.

The launch MSRP of the Core i7-11600H is $395; the database does not record a launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 7 258V.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Intel Core i7-11600H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Lunar Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Process node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | LPDDR5X | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Arc 140V | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Release date | 2024-09-23 | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $395 |

| Die size | Not recorded | 190 mm² |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 7 258V's most decisive victory comes in Passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 185 against the i7-11600H's 65, a 184.6% advantage. This test highlights the Ultra 7's superior per-core efficiency and integer processing capability. The physics test shows a similar pattern, with the Ultra 7 scoring 1565 versus 763, a 105.1% lead. The floating-point math result also favors the Ultra 7 heavily, 57372 versus 32963, a 74% difference.

Single-threaded tests consistently favor the Core Ultra 7 258V. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 285 versus 188, a 51.6% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core delivers 951 versus 787, a 20.8% advantage. Passmark single-thread records 4018 versus 3019, a 33.1% win. Geekbench single-core adds another 9.1% edge, 2100 versus 1924.

Multi-core results are split between the two processors. The Core Ultra 7 258V wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 1596.5 versus 1339, a 19.2% margin. It also takes Cinebench R20 multi-core, 6739 versus 5580, a 20.8% win. Geekbench multi-core shows a substantial 42.1% lead, 9325 versus 6563. Passmark multithread favors the Ultra 7 by 17.4%, 18887 versus 16093.

The Core i7-11600H counters with wins in specific workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core is its largest victory, 13286 versus 10301, a 22.5% margin. Passmark integer math also favors the i7, 55437 versus 42889, a 22.6% win. The i7 edges ahead in Passmark data compression by 7.4% (190721 versus 176686) and in random string sorting by 2.9% (22217 versus 21580). Cinebench R23 single-core is nearly tied, with the i7 winning by just 0.2% (1875 versus 1872).

Data encryption belongs to the Core Ultra 7 258V, 13534 versus 9718, a 39.3% lead. Extended instructions also favor the Ultra 7, 14717 versus 12938, a 13.8% win. Across all 19 head-to-head tests, the Ultra 7 accumulates 14 wins against the i7's 5.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V dominates in single-threaded responsiveness. Its 51.6% Cinebench R15 single-core lead and 33.1% Passmark single-thread advantage make it the stronger choice for everyday applications, web browsing, office work, and lightly threaded software. The 9.1% Geekbench single-core edge reinforces this pattern.

Memory bandwidth is a clear Ultra 7 strength. With 136.5 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s, the Ultra 7 excels in bandwidth-sensitive tasks such as integrated graphics workloads, data encryption, and physics simulations. The 39.3% encryption win and 105.1% physics win support this interpretation.

Short-duration multi-core bursts favor the Ultra 7. Its wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (19.2%) and R20 multi-core (20.8%) show that brief multi-threaded tasks, like photo editing or quick video exports, run faster on the newer chip. The 42.1% Geekbench multi-core lead provides further confirmation.

The Intel Core i7-11600H wins in sustained multi-core rendering. Its 22.5% Cinebench R23 multi-core advantage over the Ultra 7 suggests that longer rendering workloads, which stress the processor over extended periods, benefit from the i7's 6 cores and 12 threads. The 22.6% integer math win indicates strength in computation-heavy integer tasks.

Data compression and sorting workloads favor the i7-11600H. The 7.4% compression win and 2.9% random string sorting win show that archival and sorting operations run slightly better on the older chip. These are narrow margins, but they are consistent across both tests.

The Core i7-11600H also wins the near-tie in Cinebench R23 single-core by 0.2%, though this margin is effectively negligible. Users interested in that specific benchmark may see essentially identical results, but the overall single-threaded picture strongly favors the Ultra 7.

For most users, the Core Ultra 7 258V is the better processor. Its wins span more categories, and its advantages in single-thread and memory bandwidth are large. The Core i7-11600H serves a narrower audience: those running prolonged multi-core workloads where its thread count and 18 MB L3 cache provide a measurable benefit.