Core i7-11800H vs Xeon E5-2686 v4

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 i7-11800H vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 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 i7-11800H vs Xeon E5-2686 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11800H

2021

Why buy it

✅+111.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 145W, a 100W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Xeon E5-2686 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2686 v4, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2686 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (895 vs 1,896).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,822 vs 7,795).
❌222.2% higher power demand at 145W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11800H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11800H better than Xeon E5-2686 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2686 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-11800H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11800H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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 i7-11800H is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-11800H still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-11800H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-11800H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-11800H vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11800H

The Core i7-11800H 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,838 points. Launch price was $395.

Xeon E5-2686 v4

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,860 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-11800H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11800H versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 — a 42.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-11800H (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-11800H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11800H scores 19,838 against the Xeon E5-2686 v4's 19,860 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2686 v4. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,896 vs 895, a 71.7% lead for the Core i7-11800H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,795 vs 6,822 (13.3% advantage for the Core i7-11800H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11800H vs 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2686 v4.

Feature	Core i7-11800H	Xeon E5-2686 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	18 / 36+125%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+53%	3 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.3 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	45 MB+88%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4.5 MB+260%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	19,838	19,860
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,180	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,896+112%	895
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,795+14%	6,822

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11800H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11800H versus DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 — the Core i7-11800H supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2686 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-11800H) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2686 v4). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11800H) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2686 v4) — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM580,HM570,WM590 (Core i7-11800H) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 v4).

Feature	Core i7-11800H	Xeon E5-2686 v4
Socket	FCBGA1787	FCLGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1536 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-11800H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11800H) vs Yes (Xeon E5-2686 v4). The Core i7-11800H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11800H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-11800H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.