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 i5-9500 vs Core i7-11390H 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 i5-9500 vs Core i7-11390H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9500

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11390H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11390H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-11390H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Core i7-11390H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,798 vs 9,829).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11390H better than Core i5-9500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11390H is ahead with a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9500 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-11390H also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i7-11390H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11390H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-9500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-9500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-11390H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9500 vs Core i7-11390H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9500

The Core i5-9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,829 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i7-11390H

The Core i7-11390H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 9,798 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-11390H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-9500 versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-11390H — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-11390H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-9500 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-11390H uses Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-9500 scores 9,829 against the Core i7-11390H's 9,798 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-9500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,468 vs 1,948, a 28.1% lead for the Core i7-11390H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9500 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-11390H.

Feature	Core i5-9500	Core i7-11390H
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)
PassMark	9,829	9,798
Geekbench 6 Single	1,468	1,948+33%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-11390H uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11390H — the Core i7-11390H supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-9500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9500) vs 20 (Core i7-11390H) — the Core i7-11390H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9500) and HM570,QC570,WM590 (Core i7-11390H).

Feature	Core i5-9500	Core i7-11390H
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11390H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9500) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-11390H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9500 targets Desktop, Core i7-11390H targets Thin & Light Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500 rivals Ryzen 5 2600; Core i7-11390H rivals Ryzen 7 5800U.

Feature	Core i5-9500	Core i7-11390H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Thin & Light Gaming Laptop