Core i7-1280P vs Core i7-11850H

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 i7-1280P vs Core i7-11850H 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 i7-1280P vs Core i7-11850H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1280P

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 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.
❌Launch MSRP is still $482 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11850H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i7-1280P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,873 vs 20,043).
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i7-1280P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1280P better than Core i7-11850H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11850H is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-1280P pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-1280P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-1280P is the better buy right now. Core i7-1280P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $482 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11850H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (41.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-1280P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-1280P vs Core i7-11850H Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1280P

The Core i7-1280P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,043 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1280P packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-11850H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-1280P has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-1280P versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-1280P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11850H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i7-1280P scores 20,043 against the Core i7-11850H's 19,873 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-1280P. Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-1280P	Core i7-11850H
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.5 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	20,043	19,873
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,911

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1280P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-11850H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1280P	Core i7-11850H
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-1280P) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11850H). The Core i7-11850H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i7-1280P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.