Core i5-11500H vs Core i7-9700K

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 i5-11500H vs Core i7-9700K 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 i5-11500H vs Core i7-9700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500H

2021

Why buy it

✅+8.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 15,669).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core i5-11500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500H better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500H pulls ahead with 8.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11500H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-11500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 8.8% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-11500H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500H vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500H

The Core i5-11500H 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 15,669 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500H versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500H uses the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500H scores 15,669 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 8.5% lead for the Core i5-11500H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11500H	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake H45 (2021)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	15,669+9%	14,397
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,532	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,801	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,248	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i5-11500H supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500H) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i5-11500H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11500H) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Core i5-11500H	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11500H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU) (Core i5-11500H) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500H targets Gaming, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

Feature	Core i5-11500H	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU)	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop