Intel Core i7-10850H vs Intel Core i7-11800H

Intel Core i7-10850H

The Intel Core i7-10850H is a high-end processor for laptops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-H, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 2.7 and 5.1 GHz (with Thermal Velocity Boost and Turbo Boost 3.0). Using only Turbo Boost 3.0 (when the temperatures don't allow the the Thermal Velocity Boost) a single core can reach 4.9 GHz. All six cores can reach 4.4 GHz. The processor is still manufactured on the old 14nm (14nm++) process. 

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced on the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

The Core i7-10850H supports the management features vPro, TXT and SIPP.

Performance

The average 10850H in our database proves to be a somewhat disappointing CPU, only matching the Core i5-10500H and the Ryzen 5 5500U in multi-thread performance. While the Core i7 will have no issue running any app or any game you can install in 2021, there are better options out there both in terms of sheer power and in terms of power efficiency.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are, and how competent the cooling solution of your system is.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD 630 in the Core i7-9750H. As a low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power consumption

This Core i7 series chip has a default TDP, also known as the long-term power limit, of 45 W, a value that laptop makers are free to reduce somewhat (with 35 W being the minimum Intel-recommended value) resulting in lower clock speeds and lower performance. Either way, the CPU is way too power-hungry to be the heart of a passively cooled mini-PC, laptop, tablet.

The i7-10850H is manufactured on one of the old 14 nm Intel processes leading to subpar, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i7-11800H

The Intel Core i7-11800H is a high-end octa-core SoC for gaming laptops and mobile workstations. It is belongs to the Tiger Lake H45 family and was announced in mid 2021. It integrates eight Willow Cove processor cores (16 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading). The base clock speed depends on the TDP setting and is 2.3 GHz at 45 W. The single core Boost can be as high as 4.6 GHz while all cores can run at up to 4.2 GHz. The CPU offers 24 MB of Level 3 cache and supports DDR4-3200 memory.

The SoC also has the improved UHD Graphics iGPU with 32 EUs which is similar to the Iris Xe iGPUs.

Furthermore, Tiger Lake SoCs add PCIe 4 support (20 lanes in the H45 series), AI hardware acceleration, and the partial integration of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 and Wi-Fi 6E in the chip.

All articles on Tiger Lake can be found in our Tiger Lake architecture hub.

Performance

The average 11800H in our database is a powerhouse, as of mid 2022. Its multi-thread performance is most comparable to that of the octa-core AMD Ryzen 7 5800H.

Thanks to its decent cooling solution and a long-term CPU power limit of 165 W, the Alienware x17 R1 is among the fastest laptops powered by the 11800H that we know of. It can be almost 50% faster in CPU-bound workloads than the slowest system featuring the same chip in our database, as of August 2023.

Power consumption

This Core i7 series chip has a default TDP, also known as the long-term power limit, of 45 W that laptop makers are allowed to reduce slightly, 35 W being the lowest Intel-recommended value. Doing so will result in lower clock speeds and lower performance. Either way, a proper cooling solution is a must for a CPU like this.

The Core i7-11800H is built with Intel's third-gen 10 nm process marketed as SuperFin for average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.