Core i7-11850H vs Core Ultra 7 268V

Intel

Core i7-11850H

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 268V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 5 GHz2024
Core Ultra family
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Core i7-11850H vs Core Ultra 7 268V 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 i7-11850H vs Core Ultra 7 268V 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 i7-11850H vs Core Ultra 7 268V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 268V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 268V

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (19,698 vs 19,873).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850H better than Core Ultra 7 268V?
Yes. Core i7-11850H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11850H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% 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 i7-11850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-11850H is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-11850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 268V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 7.0% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 7 268V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-11850H vs Core Ultra 7 268V Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-11850H

The Core i7-11850H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,873 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 268V

The Core Ultra 7 268V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,698 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i7-11850H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core Ultra 7 268V's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 268V — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 268V (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-11850H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11850H scores 19,873 against the Core Ultra 7 268V's 19,698 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-11850H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,911 vs 2,437, a 24.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 268V that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 268V.

FeatureCore i7-11850HCore Ultra 7 268V
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 8
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5 GHz+4%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+14%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)+100%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2.5 MB (per core)+100%
Process
10 nm SuperFin
3 nm-70%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark
19,873
19,698
Cinebench R23 Multi
10,653
Geekbench 6 Single
1,911
2,437+28%
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,000
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11850H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11850H versus LPDDR5x-8533 on the Core Ultra 7 268V — the Core Ultra 7 268V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-11850H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11850H) vs 8 (Core Ultra 7 268V) — the Core i7-11850H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11850H) and SoC (Core Ultra 7 268V).

FeatureCore i7-11850HCore Ultra 7 268V
Socket
FCBGA1787
FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
LPDDR5x-8533+167%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+300%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+150%
8
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11850H 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 (Core i7-11850H) and Arc Graphics 140V (Core Ultra 7 268V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop, Core Ultra 7 268V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H; Core Ultra 7 268V rivals Core Ultra 7 155H.

FeatureCore i7-11850HCore Ultra 7 268V
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics
Arc Graphics 140V
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Workstation Laptop
Productivity