Core i5-11300H vs Core i7-9850H

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 i7-9850H 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 i7-9850H: 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

✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,792 vs 10,862).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-11300H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850H better than Core i5-11300H?

Yes. Core i7-9850H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9850H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.0% 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 i7-9850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% 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 i7-9850H still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-9850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-11300H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11300H vs Core i7-9850H Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-9850H

The Core i7-9850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,862 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11300H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9850H offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11300H versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-9850H — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11300H uses the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-9850H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11300H scores 10,792 against the Core i7-9850H's 10,862 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-9850H. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-11300H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850H.

Feature	Core i5-11300H	Core i7-9850H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,792	10,862
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11300H uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11300H	Core i7-9850H
Socket	FCBGA1449	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-11300H) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9850H). The Core i7-9850H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-11300H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9850H targets High Performance Laptop.