Intel Core i7-11850H vs Intel Core i7-13620H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11850H and Intel Core i7-13620H are two mobile processors that, despite being separated by two generations, land within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score. The 11850H scores 24935, while the 13620H scores 24911. This near-identical overall performance masks a significant divergence in workload-specific strengths, making the choice between them highly dependent on the intended use case.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the complete reversal of form in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23, the older i7-11850H wins both tests decisively. Its single-core score of 2353 beats the 13620H’s 1833 by 28.4%. The multi-core gap is smaller but still favors the 11850H, which scores 16673 versus 15176, a 9.9% advantage. This is the only multi-core benchmark where the 11850H emerges victorious.

The 13620H dominates everywhere else, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. In Cinebench R15, the 13620H scores 2281 multi-core, which is 26.3% ahead of the 11850H’s 1680. The single-core R15 result is closer, with the 13620H at 263 versus 237, a 9.9% lead. Cinebench R20 shows a similar pattern: the 13620H leads by 15.7% in both single-core (1172 vs 988) and multi-core (8305 vs 7002).

The PassMark suite reveals where the 13620H’s architectural advantages translate into raw throughput. The biggest single delta is in PassMark physics, where the 13620H scores 1671, a massive 42.9% ahead of the 11850H’s 954. Floating point math also shows a substantial gap, with the 13620H scoring 59762 versus 42540, a 28.8% lead. Data compression favors the 13620H by 15.8% (281335 vs 236949), and data encryption by 21.5% (15568 vs 12214).

Other PassMark tests reinforce the 13620H’s general superiority. It leads in integer math by 11.1% (80948 vs 71996), in multithread by 17.1% (24192 vs 20059), and in single-thread by 14.5% (3589 vs 3069). The margins shrink in extended instructions (9.8% lead) and random string sorting (3.4% lead), but the direction is consistent. The 13620H even wins the prime numbers test, scoring 99 versus 87, a 12.1% margin.

Architecture Differences

The two chips represent distinct design philosophies from Intel. The i7-11850H is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture, using a 10 nm process node. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i7-13620H uses the newer Raptor Lake-H architecture, also on a 10 nm node, but features 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Both chips have 24 MB of shared L3 cache, but the L2 cache differs: the 11850H has 1.25 MB per core, while the 13620H has 2 MB per core.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The 11850H is limited to DDR4, while the 13620H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the 11850H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the 13620H does not list a bandwidth figure. The integrated graphics also differ, with the 11850H featuring UHD Graphics 750 and the 13620H featuring UHD Graphics 770.

The PCIe implementation is notably different. The 11850H provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 13620H moves to PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This is a trade-off between older but more numerous lanes versus newer but fewer lanes. The physical sockets differ as well, with the 11850H using Intel BGA 1787 and the 13620H using Intel BGA 1744, meaning they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

Power characteristics also separate the two. The 11850H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the 13620H has a higher TDP of 45 watts. The 11850H launched on 2021-05-10 with an MSRP of $395, while the 13620H launched later on 2023-01-03 with a higher launch MSRP of $502.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-13620H is the clear winner for most compute-heavy workloads. Its 42.9% lead in physics simulations makes it the better choice for scientific computing or any application that relies on rigid body dynamics. The 28.8% advantage in floating point math points to strengths in financial modeling, signal processing, and any task that requires heavy decimal arithmetic. The 21.5% edge in data encryption suggests better performance for VPNs, disk encryption, and secure communications. For general productivity, the 17.1% lead in multithread and 14.5% lead in single-thread performance make it the more responsive chip for everyday use.

The i7-13620H also excels in data compression (15.8% lead) and integer math (11.1% lead), which are relevant for database operations, file archiving, and software compilation. Its higher base and boost clocks, combined with 2 MB of L2 cache per core, give it a consistent advantage in latency-sensitive tasks. The support for DDR5 memory is a forward-looking advantage, allowing systems to use faster memory modules if the rest of the platform supports them.

The i7-11850H’s wins are narrow but specific. Its 28.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the most significant, suggesting that in certain single-threaded rendering or ray-tracing scenarios, it can outperform the newer chip. The 9.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is also notable, as it is the only multi-threaded test where the 11850H comes out ahead. This could indicate that the 13620H’s extra cores are not always fully utilized in all rendering workloads, or that the 11850H’s power characteristics allow it to sustain higher clocks in some scenarios.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-13620H is the superior processor for the vast majority of use cases. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with particularly large margins in physics (42.9%), floating point math (28.8%), and data encryption (21.5%). Its higher core count, faster clocks, and larger L2 cache make it the better choice for multitasking, content creation, and any workload that can utilize more than 8 threads. The support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 also gives it a platform-level advantage for future-proofing.

The i7-11850H is the pick only if your primary workload is specifically Cinebench R23 rendering. In that test, it wins both single-core and multi-core by 28.4% and 9.9% respectively. For anyone running that exact benchmark suite, the 11850H is the data-backed choice. Its lower 35-watt TDP also suggests it may be easier to cool in thin-and-light chassis, though the data does not include thermals or sustained clock behavior.

For everyone else, the 13620H is the obvious recommendation. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (24935 vs 24911), but the 13620H’s wins are broadly distributed across many different test types, indicating more consistent performance across diverse applications. The 11850H’s wins are concentrated in a single benchmark family, making it a niche performer.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850H has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 24935, compared to the i7-13620H’s 24911. The difference is only 0.1%.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The i7-11850H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i7-13620H has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-11850H wins, scoring 16673 versus the i7-13620H’s 15176, a 9.9% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark physics, where the i7-13620H scores 1671 versus the i7-11850H’s 954, a 42.9% lead.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i7-11850H supports DDR4 only. The i7-13620H supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-13620H has a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to the i7-11850H’s 4.80 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11850H | Intel Core i7-13620H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Raptor Lake |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $395 | $502 |

| Part Number | SRKT4 | SRMJ0 |