Intel Core i7-11850HE vs Intel Xeon W-1290 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a remarkably consistent pattern between these two Intel processors. Across all six Cinebench tests in the comparison, the Intel Core i7-11850HE takes the win, yet the margins are narrow in every case. The largest advantage appears in single-core workloads, where the i7-11850HE leads by 2.1% in both Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the scores are 247 versus 242, while in R20 single-core they reach 1031 versus 1010.

Multi-core results tell a similar story with slightly smaller gaps. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the i7-11850HE at 1753 against the Xeon W-1290's 1718, a 2% difference. The R20 multi-core test records 7308 versus 7162, again a 2% edge. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: 17402 versus 17054 in multi-core, and 2456 versus 2407 in single-core, both at 2% deltas.

What stands out is that the Xeon W-1290, despite having 10 cores and 20 threads compared to the i7-11850HE's 8 cores and 16 threads, cannot convert its additional hardware into a multi-core victory. The i7-11850HE wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the database recording 6 wins for the i7-11850HE and 0 for the Xeon W-1290. This suggests that architectural efficiency matters more than raw core counts in these specific workloads.

Looking at the broader average benchmark scores, the i7-11850HE posts an average of 5095, while the Xeon W-1290 averages 4932. The percentile rankings are close: the i7-11850HE sits in the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Xeon W-1290 occupies the 59th percentile. In the nearest rival comparisons, the i7-11850HE sits within 0.5% of several competitors, including the AMD EPYC 7262 at 5109 (a delta of -0.3%) and the Intel Core i9-7900X at 5120 (a delta of -0.5%). The Xeon W-1290's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G at 4949 (delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core i5-12600HE at 4980 (delta -1%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures, and those differences explain why the smaller chip holds its ground. The i7-11850HE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process node. The Xeon W-1290 uses the older Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the newer process node for the i7-11850HE allows for higher efficiency per watt and per clock cycle.

Die sizes differ notably: the i7-11850HE measures 190 mm², while the Xeon W-1290 is larger at 206 mm². Despite the smaller die, the i7-11850HE packs more L3 cache per core. It has 24 MB of shared L3 cache across 8 cores, giving 3 MB per core. The Xeon W-1290 has 20 MB shared across 10 cores, which works out to 2 MB per core. L1 and L2 cache configurations also diverge: the i7-11850HE has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, whereas the Xeon W-1290 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon W-1290 on paper. Its base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, compared to the i7-11850HE's 2.10 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. However, the benchmark results show that the i7-11850HE's higher IPC (instructions per clock) from the newer architecture compensates for the lower raw clock speeds. The power envelope also differs dramatically: the i7-11850HE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Xeon W-1290 draws 80 watts. This makes the i7-11850HE a mobile-oriented part with substantial efficiency gains.

Memory support shows both support DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, but the i7-11850HE achieves 51.2 GB/s bandwidth versus 46.9 GB/s for the Xeon W-1290. ECC memory is a differentiator: the Xeon W-1290 supports ECC, while the i7-11850HE does not. PCIe capabilities also differ, with the i7-11850HE offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus the Xeon W-1290's Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-11850HE uses UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), while the Xeon W-1290 uses Intel UHD Graphics P630.

Sockets and market segments highlight their intended roles. The i7-11850HE uses Intel BGA 1787 and is classified as a mobile processor. The Xeon W-1290 uses Intel Socket 1200 and is categorized under server/workstation. Release dates differ by over a year: the i7-11850HE launched on August 2, 2021, while the Xeon W-1290 launched on May 12, 2020.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11850HE wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its advantages are clear across both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads. For users running rendering tasks that rely on Cinebench-style performance, the i7-11850HE delivers consistently higher scores, even if the margins are modest. Its 35-watt TDP makes it particularly attractive for mobile or thermally constrained environments where power draw is a concern. The higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s) and PCIe Gen 4 support also give it an edge in memory-intensive and I/O-heavy scenarios, assuming the platform can take advantage of those features.

The Xeon W-1290, despite losing every benchmark, has strengths that are not captured in the Cinebench tests. Its ECC memory support is a critical feature for workstation and server deployments where data integrity is paramount. The 10-core, 20-thread configuration provides more parallel hardware, which could help in workloads that scale with thread count beyond what Cinebench measures. With a base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost of 5.20 GHz, it also offers higher raw clock speeds that might benefit lightly threaded applications that are not cache-sensitive. The Xeon W-1290 targets a different market segment (server/workstation versus mobile), so its value proposition depends on platform requirements rather than raw benchmark scores alone.

The database shows the i7-11850HE at the 60th percentile and the Xeon W-1290 at the 59th percentile, so both sit near the same performance tier. The i7-11850HE's average benchmark score of 5095 is about 3.3% higher than the Xeon W-1290's 4932. For users who prioritize the Cinebench metrics recorded here, the i7-11850HE is the better performer. For users who need ECC memory or a larger core count for specific server workloads, the Xeon W-1290 remains the only choice between these two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850HE wins all three single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 247 versus 242 for the Xeon W-1290, a 2.1% advantage. In R20, it scores 1031 versus 1010 (2.1% delta), and in R23, it scores 2456 versus 2407 (2% delta).

Q: Does the Xeon W-1290's extra cores help in multi-core benchmarks?

A: No. Despite having 10 cores and 20 threads versus the i7-11850HE's 8 cores and 16 threads, the Xeon W-1290 loses every multi-core test. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 17402 for the i7-11850HE versus 17054 for the Xeon W-1290, a 2% gap.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i7-11850HE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Xeon W-1290 has a TDP of 80 watts. The i7-11850HE achieves higher benchmark scores while drawing less than half the power budget.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon W-1290 supports ECC memory. The i7-11850HE does not. This makes the Xeon W-1290 the appropriate choice for systems requiring error-correcting memory.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth numbers compare?

A: The i7-11850HE offers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Xeon W-1290 offers 46.9 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: Which processor has newer PCIe support?

A: The i7-11850HE supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Xeon W-1290 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The Verdict

The data points decisively to the Intel Core i7-11850HE for anyone measuring performance through Cinebench workloads. It wins all six head-to-head tests, holds a higher average benchmark score (5095 versus 4932), and does so with a fraction of the power draw (35 watts versus 80 watts). Its newer 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture, larger L3 cache per core (3 MB versus 2 MB), and faster memory bandwidth all contribute to this result.

Users should choose the i7-11850HE if they need a mobile processor with strong rendering performance, lower power consumption, and PCIe Gen 4 support. The fact that it achieves these results with fewer cores and threads indicates superior architectural efficiency.

The Xeon W-1290 remains relevant for server and workstation deployments where ECC memory is a requirement. Its 10-core configuration and higher clock speeds (3.20 GHz base, 5.20 GHz boost) provide a different set of capabilities, even if they do not translate into Cinebench wins. For workloads that are not measured in this comparison, such as memory-error-sensitive data processing or certain multi-threaded server tasks, the Xeon W-1290's feature set may be more appropriate.

In short: the i7-11850HE is the faster CPU according to every recorded benchmark, while the Xeon W-1290 offers platform-specific features that the i7-11850HE lacks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11850HE | Intel Xeon W-1290 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | 206 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | Intel UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | August 2, 2021 | May 12, 2020 |

| Launch MSRP | $400 | $498 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 5095 | 4932 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 60 | 59 |