Intel Core i9-11900H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900H and Intel Core Ultra 7 256V represent two distinct design philosophies for mobile computing: a high-power 11th-generation part with 16 threads versus a modern, efficient 8-thread Lunar Lake chip. Benchmark data shows a clear split: the i9-11900H dominates heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Core Ultra 7 256V excels at single-thread tasks, encryption, and floating-point math. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i9-11900H at 21,367 and the Ultra 7 256V at 21,112, placing both in the 75th percentile of all CPUs. This parity makes the choice entirely dependent on workload, as the head-to-head results reveal a 10-7 win split in favor of the older i9 processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900H has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 21,367, compared to 21,112 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. This places both processors in the 75th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ between the two chips?

A: Both processors feature 8 cores, but the i9-11900H supports 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 256V supports only 8 threads. This thread advantage is a primary factor in the i9's multi-threaded benchmark wins.

Q: In which benchmark does the Core Ultra 7 256V show its largest margin of victory?

A: The Ultra 7 256V wins the PassMark find prime numbers test by 54.7%, scoring 192 compared to 87 for the i9-11900H. This indicates significantly higher integer performance in that specific workload.

Q: What is the difference in process node and foundry?

A: The i9-11900H is built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, while the Ultra 7 256V is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. This architectural difference contributes to the efficiency gap between the two.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900H has a slightly higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.80 GHz for the Core Ultra 7 256V. However, the Ultra 7 has a higher base clock at 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i9-11900H features UHD Graphics 750, while the Ultra 7 256V is equipped with the more advanced Arc 140V. The benchmark data does not include graphics performance scores for either chip.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture of workload segregation. The Intel Core i9-11900H is the definitive winner for multi-threaded productivity and content-creation tasks. Its 16 threads provide a substantial advantage in rendering, video encoding, and software compilation, as evidenced by its 61.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,772 vs 10,399) and a 68.1% lead in PassMark integer math (72,882 vs 43,358). This processor is the choice for users who need raw, sustained throughput in applications that can utilize all available threads.

Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in scenarios that favor efficiency, single-thread responsiveness, and specific instruction sets. It takes a 23% lead in PassMark single-thread performance (4,029 vs 3,102) and a 16.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (285.5 vs 238). Furthermore, it dominates in cryptographic tasks with a 12.6% win in data encryption (13,998 vs 12,232) and shows a massive 54.7% advantage in prime number finding, indicating superior performance in scientific and mathematical workloads. Its 40.3% lead in the PassMark physics test (1,595 vs 953) also suggests better performance in simulation-based tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by three generations of architectural evolution. The i9-11900H is based on the Tiger Lake-H architecture, which utilizes Intel's 10 nm process node. In contrast, the Ultra 7 256V is a Lunar Lake part, fabricated on a much more advanced 3 nm process at TSMC. This node shrink is fundamental to the Ultra 7's significantly lower 17 W TDP compared to the i9's 35 W TDP.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The i9-11900H has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with a large 24 MB shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 256V, on the other hand, has a much larger 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 cache per core, but its shared L3 cache is halved to 12 MB. This suggests the newer chip relies more on faster, per-core cache for its single-thread performance, while the older chip depends on a larger pool of shared cache for its multi-threaded workloads.

The memory and I/O interfaces also reflect their respective eras. The i9-11900H uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Ultra 7's memory support is listed as motherboard-dependent. The i9 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Ultra 7 supports the newer PCIe Gen 5 but with only 4 lanes. The Ultra 7 also features a much more capable integrated GPU, the Arc 140V, versus the older UHD Graphics 750 on the i9.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets highlight the fundamental design divergence. The i9-11900H is a high-power part with a TDP of 35 W, while the Ultra 7 256V is an ultra-efficient part with a TDP of 17 W. The i9 features 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the Ultra 7 has 8 cores and 8 threads, lacking Hyper-Threading. Clock speeds are close, with the i9 having a 4.90 GHz boost and the Ultra 7 a 4.80 GHz boost, but the Ultra 7 has a higher base clock at 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

The processors use different sockets: the i9-11900H uses Intel BGA 1787, and the Ultra 7 256V uses Intel BGA 2833. The cache hierarchy is a key differentiator, with the i9 having a larger 24 MB L3 cache and the Ultra 7 having larger per-core L1 and L2 caches. The i9 supports DDR4 memory with a 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ultra 7's memory support is dependent on the motherboard. PCIe support also differs, with the i9 offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes and the Ultra 7 offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Notably, the i9 has a launch MSRP of $546, while the Ultra 7 has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results provide a granular view of performance. The i9-11900H's most significant victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 16,772 versus 10,399, a 61.3% advantage. This is complemented by a 68.1% win in PassMark integer math (72,882 vs 43,358) and a 29.4% lead in data compression (239,366 vs 184,985). It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1,690 vs 1,583.5, a 6.7% lead), Cinebench R20 multi-core (7,044 vs 6,958), and PassMark multithread (20,162 vs 19,530). Its wins in Cinebench R20 single-core (994 vs 982) and R23 single-core (2,367 vs 1,877.5) are notable, the latter being a 26.1% margin.

The Core Ultra 7 256V counters with decisive wins in several categories. Its largest victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 192 versus 87, a 54.7% difference. It also takes a 40.3% lead in PassMark physics (1,595 vs 953) and a 26.4% lead in floating-point math (58,576 vs 43,094). In single-thread tests, it leads by 23% in PassMark single-thread (4,029 vs 3,102) and by 16.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (285.5 vs 238). It also wins data encryption (13,998 vs 12,232, a 12.6% lead). The i9 wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Ultra 7 wins 7.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-11900H is the superior processor for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance. Its 16 threads and larger 24 MB L3 cache deliver decisive wins in rendering, compression, and integer-heavy tasks, such as the 61.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. This chip is for workloads that are heavily parallelized and can fully utilize its thread count.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the better choice for efficiency and single-thread responsiveness. With a 17 W TDP versus 35 W, it is designed for extended battery life and lighter workloads. Its strengths in single-thread tests, encryption, and floating-point math make it ideal for general productivity, scientific computing, and tasks that rely on fast single-core performance. The data suggests a user should choose the i9-11900H for heavy content creation and the Ultra 7 256V for a balanced, power-sipping mobile experience.