Core i5-10500H vs Core i5-11320H

Intel

Core i5-10500H

6 Cores12 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-11320H

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i5-10500H vs Core i5-11320H Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-10500H vs Core i5-11320H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-10500H vs Core i5-11320H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10500H

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Draws 2W instead of 28W, a 27W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,435 vs 1,447).

Core i5-11320H

2021

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (10,879 vs 10,970).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 1766.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 1.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10500H better than Core i5-11320H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11320H is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10500H pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-10500H also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10500H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-10500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11320H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10500H vs Core i5-11320H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-10500H

The Core i5-10500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 153 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,970 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-11320H

The Core i5-11320H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,879 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10500H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-11320H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10500H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-11320H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10500H uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11320H uses Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500H scores 10,970 against the Core i5-11320H's 10,879 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-10500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,435 vs 1,447, a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-11320H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-10500H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-11320H.

FeatureCore i5-10500HCore i5-11320H
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
153 kB
1.25 MB (per core)+737%
Process
14 nm
10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture
Comet Lake-H (2020)
Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)
PassMark
10,970
10,879
Cinebench R23 Multi
5,852
Geekbench 6 Single
1,435
1,447
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,633
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10500H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-11320H uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i5-10500H versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11320H — the Core i5-11320H supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10500H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10500H) vs 20 (Core i5-11320H) — the Core i5-11320H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM470,QM480,WM490 (Core i5-10500H) and HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11320H).

FeatureCore i5-10500HCore i5-11320H
Socket
BGA1440
FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11320H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10500H) and Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU) (Core i5-11320H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500H targets Performance Laptop, Core i5-11320H targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-10500H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H; Core i5-11320H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-10500HCore i5-11320H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Performance Laptop
Productivity