Core i5-11260H vs Core i7-11600H

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 i5-11260H vs Core i7-11600H 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 i5-11260H vs Core i7-11600H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11260H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11600H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-11600H

2021

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-11260H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11260H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,441 vs 15,459).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11260H better than Core i7-11600H?

Yes. Core i5-11260H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11260H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11260H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11260H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11260H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11260H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11260H vs Core i7-11600H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11260H

The Core i5-11260H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,459 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-11600H

The Core i7-11600H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,441 points. Launch price was $395.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11260H and Core i7-11600H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11260H versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11600H — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-11600H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-11600H uses Tiger Lake H45 (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-11260H scores 15,459 against the Core i7-11600H's 15,441 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-11260H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11260H vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i7-11600H.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i7-11600H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Tiger Lake H45 (2021)
PassMark	15,459	15,441
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,903

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1787 socket with PCIe 4.0.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i7-11600H
Socket	FCBGA1787	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-11260H) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11600H). The Core i7-11600H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-11260H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11600H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11600H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.