Intel Core i7-11850HE vs Intel Core i9-9820X Comparison

The benchmark data presents a striking picture: across every single Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison, the Intel Core i9-9820X edges out the Intel Core i7-11850HE. However, the margins are remarkably thin, with the older desktop processor winning all six tests by a margin of only 0.3% to 0.4%. This makes the matchup less about raw dominance and more about platform characteristics, efficiency, and specific workload suitability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-9820X secures a clean sweep in the six direct Cinebench comparisons, but the victory is quantitative, not qualitative. In the multi-core tests, the i9-9820X scores 1759 in Cinebench R15, 7332 in R20, and 17459 in R23. The i7-11850HE trails by a mere 0.3% in each case, posting scores of 1753, 7308, and 17402 respectively. This translates to a performance gap of just 6 to 57 points, which is well within the margin of run-to-run variance for most benchmarking. The data suggests that in sustained multi-threaded rendering, the two processors deliver essentially equivalent performance, despite the i9-9820X having 2 more cores and 4 more threads.

The single-core results follow the exact same pattern. The i9-9820X leads with 248 points in Cinebench R15, 1034 in R20, and 2464 in R23. The i7-11850HE is nearly level, scoring 247, 1031, and 2456 respectively. The deltas are 0.4% for the R15 test and 0.3% for both R20 and R23, meaning the i7-11850HE’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz effectively neutralizes the architectural age of the i9-9820X, which boosts to 4.20 GHz. For a user looking at these numbers, the conclusion is clear: neither chip offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in this benchmark suite.

It is also importantly the i7-11850HE has additional benchmark data not available for the i9-9820X. In Geekbench, the mobile chip scores 8576 in multi-core and 1984 in single-core. This data point is not comparable to the i9-9820X, but it does provide context for the i7-11850HE’s overall capability. The aggregate average benchmark score for the i7-11850HE is 5095, while the i9-9820X sits at 5049. This places the i7-11850HE in the 60th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the AMD EPYC 7262 at 5109 (a 0.3% difference). The i9-9820X is also in the 60th percentile, with its closest competitor being the Intel Core i9-12900TE at 5050. In essence, both processors occupy the same performance tier, but the i7-11850HE has a slightly higher aggregate score due to its Geekbench performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras for Intel. The i7-11850HE is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the i9-9820X uses the older Skylake-X architecture on a 14 nm node. This process advantage allows the i7-11850HE to achieve its performance with dramatically lower power consumption. The i7-11850HE has a TDP of just 35 watts, compared to the i9-9820X’s 165 watts. This is a 130-watt difference that has profound implications for system design and cooling requirements.

The core configurations also differ significantly. The i9-9820X packs 10 cores and 20 threads, while the i7-11850HE offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-11850HE matches the i9-9820X in multi-threaded workloads, which points to the efficiency of the newer Tiger Lake architecture. The cache hierarchies are distinct as well. The i7-11850HE features 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 24 MB L3 cache. The i9-9820X has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2, and a smaller shared L3 cache of 16.5 MB. The larger L3 cache on the i7-11850HE may help in certain data-heavy workloads, even though the benchmark scores suggest it doesn't translate to a decisive win here.

Memory support is another area of divergence. Both support DDR4 memory, but the i9-9820X utilizes a quad-channel memory bus, yielding a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The i7-11850HE is limited to dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This is a significant advantage for the i9-9820X in memory-intensive tasks, even if Cinebench does not fully expose it. PCIe support also differs: the i7-11850HE offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i9-9820X provides Gen 3 with 44 lanes. The newer standard offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but the i9-9820X offers far more lanes for expansion. The i7-11850HE includes integrated UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), while the i9-9820X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Where Each One Wins

Given the near-identical Cinebench scores, the "wins" for each processor are defined by their platform characteristics rather than raw compute. The i7-11850HE wins decisively in power efficiency. Its 35-watt TDP makes it suitable for compact mobile workstations and systems where heat dissipation is a challenge. The i9-9820X, with its 165-watt TDP, demands a robust cooling solution and a power supply capable of handling significant peaks. The data shows that the i7-11850HE achieves 99.7% of the i9-9820X’s multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 while using a fraction of the power budget.

The i9-9820X wins in platform expandability and memory bandwidth. Its quad-channel memory controller provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 67% higher than the i7-11850HE’s 51.2 GB/s. For users working with large datasets that must reside in system memory, this could be a decisive factor. Additionally, the 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes on the i9-9820X allow for extensive multi-GPU configurations or high-speed storage arrays, whereas the i7-11850HE’s 20 Gen 4 lanes are more limited, though each lane offers more bandwidth.

The i7-11850HE also wins on the feature of integrated graphics. This allows for a system to function without a dedicated GPU, which is not possible with the i9-9820X. The i7-11850HE is a mobile processor, meaning it is designed for laptops and other portable devices, while the i9-9820X is a desktop part for the Intel Socket 2066 platform. The i9-9820X also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for user overclocking, while the i7-11850HE is locked. The i9-9820X, however, is end-of-life, while the i7-11850HE is still an active production part.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, albeit nuanced, verdict. For a new system build, the Intel Core i7-11850HE is the more logical choice for most users. It delivers performance that is statistically indistinguishable from the i9-9820X in Cinebench workloads, while consuming 130 fewer watts. The i7-11850HE also benefits from a newer process node, a larger L3 cache, and integrated graphics. Its active production status and lower launch MSRP of $400 further cement its status as the more sensible option when compared to the i9-9820X, which launched at $889.

The Intel Core i9-9820X is only the better choice for a specific niche: users who require the quad-channel memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s) or the 44 PCIe lanes for heavy expansion. If a workload is bottlenecked by memory throughput, the i9-9820X’s architecture holds a distinct advantage that is not reflected in Cinebench scores. However, for general productivity, rendering, and single-threaded tasks, the i7-11850HE matches it exactly. The i9-9820X’s higher core count of 10 cores does not yield a benefit in these tests, as the i7-11850HE’s newer architecture compensates for the deficit. Ultimately, the i7-11850HE is the superior all-around processor, while the i9-9820X is a specialized tool for a niche workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X is marginally faster, winning all single-core Cinebench tests by 0.3% to 0.4%, with scores like 248 vs 247 in R15 and 2464 vs 2456 in R23.

Q: What is the biggest difference between the two chips?

A: The most significant difference is power consumption. The i7-11850HE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i9-9820X has a TDP of 165 watts, a gap of 130 watts.

Q: Does the i9-9820X have more cores and threads?

A: Yes, the i9-9820X has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite this, their multi-core benchmark scores are nearly identical.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The i9-9820X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The i7-11850HE has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The i9-9820X has superior memory bandwidth at 85.3 GB/s due to its quad-channel memory bus, while the i7-11850HE has 51.2 GB/s with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Does the i7-11850HE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features UHD Graphics (Xe-LP). The i9-9820X does not have any integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11850HE | Intel Core i9-9820X |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 165 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Skylake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16.5 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 44 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Launch MSRP | $400 | $889 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |