Core i5-11300H vs Core i7-6800K

Intel

Core i5-11300H

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-6800K

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Core i5-11300H vs Core i7-6800K 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 i5-11300H vs Core i7-6800K 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 i5-11300H vs Core i7-6800K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11300H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 140W, a 112W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-6800K

2016

Why buy it

  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11300H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (10,715 vs 10,792).
  • Launch MSRP is still $434 MSRP, while Core i5-11300H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 400% higher power demand at 140W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11300H better than Core i7-6800K?
Yes. Core i5-11300H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 i5-11300H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% 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 i5-11300H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-11300H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-11300H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6800K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11300H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11300H vs Core i7-6800K Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11300H

The Core i5-11300H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 10,792 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-6800K

The Core i7-6800K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11300H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6800K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-6800K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11300H versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-11300H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-11300H uses the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-6800K uses Broadwell-E (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11300H scores 10,792 against the Core i7-6800K's 10,715 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-11300H. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-11300H vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K.

FeatureCore i5-11300HCore i7-6800K
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+16%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256 kB (per core)
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)
Broadwell-E (2016)
PassMark
10,792
10,715
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11300H uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-6800K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-11300HCore i7-6800K
Socket
FCBGA1449
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0