Core i5-11260H vs Core i7-11700T

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 i7-11700T 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 i7-11700T: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700T.

Core i7-11700T

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core i5-11260H needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-11260H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,393 vs 15,459).
❌Launch MSRP is still $323 MSRP, while Core i5-11260H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11260H better than Core i7-11700T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700T is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11260H pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-11700T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11260H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-11700T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-11260H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11700T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-11700T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (47.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-11700T is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-11260H vs Core i7-11700T 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 i7-11700T

The Core i7-11700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,393 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11260H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11260H versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11700T — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700T (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-11700T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11260H scores 15,459 against the Core i7-11700T's 15,393 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-11260H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11260H vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700T.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i7-11700T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+86%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	15,459	15,393
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,497

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11260H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-11700T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i7-11700T
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA1200
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 i7-11700T). The Core i7-11700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i5-11260H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700T rivals Ryzen 7 5700G.