Intel Core i5-11500B vs Intel Core i7-1260U

Intel Core i5-11500B

The Intel Core i5-11500B is a hexa-core processor for desktops and mini PCs. It is based on the Tiger Lake architecture (H45) and was presented in Q2 2021. The chip offers a TDP of 65 watts (configurable). The six processor cores can clock from 3.3 to 4.6 GHz (single-core turbo). The processor offers 12 MB level 3 cache and supports DDR4 RAM with up to 3,200 MT/s. The integrated graphics are based on the Xe architecture and are named UHD Graphics (32 EUs). In the 11500B it clocks from 350 to 1,450 MHz. The chip is manufactured using the 10 nm SuperFin process.

Performance

The performance of the Intel Core i5-11500B depends primarily on the performance of the installed cooling unit. The TDP of the SoC can also be lowered. In principle, however, the Intel Core i5-11500B should offer slightly more performance than an Intel Core i5-11400H (6 cores 2.7 - 4.5 GHz).

Features

As with the smaller Tiger Lake chips, Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6E) and Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 are (partially) integrated into the chip for faster, cheaper and space-saving implementations in desktops and mini-PCs. The i5-11500B also offers 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes.

Intel Core i7-1260U

The Intel Core i7-1260U is a mobile CPU for thin and light laptops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was announced in early 2022 and offers 2  performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 12 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 1.1 to 4.7 GHz on the performance cluster and 0.8 to 3.5 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 12 MB L3 cache. The 1260U offers "Enterprise" vPro management features. Compared to the P-series (28W) or H-series (45W), or even the 15W U-series, the 9W TDP will limit the sustained performance.

Performance

Compared to the old 7 Watt Comet Lake-Y series (like the i7-10510Y), the performance should be clearly better thanks to the 10 cores and the improved architecture of the P-cores. Compared to the 15 W U-series (like the similar specified Core i7-1265U) the sustained performance will be clearly limited by the 9 Watt TDP. As always, the performance will also greatly depend on the cooling solution, especially for fanless laptops and tablets.

Features

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, and LPDDR4x-4267. The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for a GPU and two x4 for SSDs).

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and offers all 96 EUs (Execution Units) operating at up to 0.95 GHz.

Power consumption

This 12th gen Core i7 processor has a Base power consumption of 9 W, with 29 W being its maximum Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption. It is built with Intel's 2nd gen 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for decent energy efficiency.