Intel Core i5-11500H

The Intel Core i5-11500H is a 6-core, 12-thread mobile processor from Intel’s 11th Gen Tiger Lake-H family. Built on a 10 nm process with a 35 W TDP, this chip targets performance laptops where power efficiency and sustained output matter. Its benchmark profile shows a processor that is balanced but not class-leading, sitting at the 60th percentile of all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 3919.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is revealing. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 1897 points single-core and 13440 points multi-core. That multi-core figure is roughly 7.1 times the single-core result, which is close to the theoretical scaling limit for 6 physical cores with Hyper-Threading. Real-world scaling rarely reaches that ratio, so the data suggests the processor is well-saturated under full multi-threaded loads.

Single-thread performance is the stronger relative asset. In Geekbench, the single-core score of 1800 is solid for a mobile chip of this era, while the multi-core score of 6233 shows a less dramatic gain — only about 3.5 times the single-core figure. This indicates that in lighter, latency-sensitive workloads, the i5-11500H can stretch its legs, but in heavily threaded tasks, thermal or power constraints may temper the expected 6-core advantage.

The Cinebench R20 results reinforce this pattern: 796 single-core versus 5644 multi-core, a 7.1x ratio identical to R23. The consistency across both Cinebench versions points to a processor that handles sustained all-core loads predictably. For users, this means tasks like video rendering or code compilation will benefit from the full core count, but the chip does not exhibit the dramatic multi-thread blowout seen in higher-tier H-series parts.

Power and Thermals

The 35 W TDP places this chip in a modest power class for a 6-core mobile processor. This is not a power-hungry HX-series part; it is a mainstream H-series component designed for thinner gaming laptops and mobile workstations. The thermal implication is that a capable air cooler or a modest heat-pipe solution should suffice, without needing exotic vapor chambers or oversized cooling modules.

That said, the 35 W envelope does not tell the whole story. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz is aggressive for this power class, so sustained all-core boosts may force the chip to pull more current than the TDP suggests, depending on the laptop’s power limits. The 10 nm process helps efficiency, but the data shows a processor that will generate noticeable heat under extended multi-threaded stress — not extreme, but enough to require well-designed chassis airflow.

The integrated UHD Graphics 750 adds a small thermal burden during light GPU tasks, but it is not a gaming-grade iGPU. For CPU-only workloads, the 35 W TDP class suggests that most modern laptops with dual-fan designs can hold this chip at reasonable temperatures. Users should expect some fan noise under full load, but the processor should not throttle severely in a properly engineered chassis.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data shows a processor that is remarkably close to its nearest rivals — almost to the point of statistical noise. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-11500H scores 13440, which is a strong result for a 35 W chip. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 6233 is lower than Cinebench would suggest, indicating that the chip performs better under sustained, heavily threaded loads than under bursty, mixed workloads.

Single-core performance is the standout. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1897 is competitive for mobile processors of this generation, and the Geekbench single-core 1800 result confirms that day-to-day responsiveness — web browsing, office apps, light code editing — will feel snappy. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz clearly pays off in these short, single-threaded bursts.

Comparing across the full benchmark suite, the average score of 3919 places it just below the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U (3934, a -0.4% delta) and just above the Intel Core i5-12500TE (3917, a 0% delta). The spread among all four nearest rivals is less than 1%, meaning that in aggregate performance, this chip is interchangeable with its closest competition. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 5644 is the highest absolute number in the pack, but it does not translate into a dominant average because single-thread scores are more moderate.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-12500TE: This rival has an average score of 3917, essentially identical to the i5-11500H’s 3919, with a deltaPct of 0. The two chips are performance twins in aggregate, though the 12500TE is a desktop-class part with a different power profile. In single-threaded tasks, the i5-11500H’s 4.60 GHz boost gives it a slight edge, but the overall data shows no meaningful winner.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G: With an average score of 3927, this AMD part edges out the i5-11500H by 0.2%. That margin is negligible in real-world use. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G is a 6-core part as well, but it includes integrated graphics that are more capable than UHD Graphics 750. For pure CPU workloads, the i5-11500H holds its own; for light gaming without a discrete GPU, the AMD option would be preferable based on iGPU reputation, though the benchmark pack does not include iGPU scores.

AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE: This rival scores 3906, which is 0.3% lower than the i5-11500H. The delta is inverted — the Intel chip is slightly ahead here. The 4600GE is a low-power desktop part, so the comparison is more about efficiency than raw speed. The i5-11500H’s higher boost clock helps it win in single-threaded scenarios, but the aggregate scores are within rounding error of each other.

AMD Ryzen 7 4800U: The highest-scoring rival at 3934, the 4800U is 0.4% ahead of the i5-11500H. This is an 8-core part, yet it only manages a 0.4% lead in average score — a testament to the i5-11500H’s strong single-thread performance and efficient multi-thread scaling. For users who need 8 cores for specific workloads, the 4800U is the better choice, but the benchmark data shows the i5-11500H is not far behind.

Who Should Consider It

The Intel Core i5-11500H is best suited for users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness over raw multi-core muscle. Gamers will find that the 4.60 GHz boost clock and strong single-core scores in Cinebench and Geekbench translate to solid frame pacing in CPU-bound titles, especially when paired with a discrete GPU. The 60th percentile ranking means it is above average but not a top-tier part, so high-refresh-rate esports titles will be fine, while heavily threaded AAA games may see some CPU limitation.

Content creators who work primarily in applications that use a few cores — such as photo editing in Lightroom or basic video editing in Premiere — will appreciate the single-thread headroom. The 12 MB of shared L3 cache and 6 cores handle these tasks with ease. However, for 3D rendering or heavy multi-track video exports, the multi-core scores (13440 in R23) are adequate but not exceptional; users with demanding render farms should look at 8-core alternatives.

Office and general productivity users will find this chip more than sufficient. The single-core Geekbench score of 1800 ensures smooth web browsing, spreadsheet work, and code compilation. The 35 W TDP also means it can run in thinner laptops without aggressive cooling, making it a good fit for portable workstations. For users who want a balance of performance and battery life, this processor is a sensible middle ground — not the fastest, but very capable for its power class.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-11500H?

A: The launch MSRP is $250.

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

A: It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: What is its performance percentile compared to all CPUs?

A: It sits at the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the benchmark database.

Q: How does it compare to the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U?

A: The Ryzen 7 4800U has an average score of 3934, which is 0.4% higher than the i5-11500H’s 3919.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the process node and socket?

A: It is built on Intel’s 10 nm process and uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket, part of the Tiger Lake-H architecture.