CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10300H vs Core i5-11260H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10300H is a 10th generation mobile processor designed for budget gaming laptops and mobile workstations. Part of the Comet Lake-H family, it was released in September 2020. Built on Intel's 14nm process, it features 4 cores and 8 threads, offering adequate multi-tasking capabilities for entry-level gaming. The base clock is set at 2.5 GHz, with a max turbo boost of 4.5 GHz. It operates within a 45W TDP envelope, balancing performance and thermal constraints typical of mobile devices. The processor includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2933 MT/s. It integrates basic Intel UHD Graphics, though laptops featuring this chip almost always include a dedicated GPU. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, it provides sufficient bandwidth for a mobile discrete graphics card and fast NVMe storage, making it a staple in affordable gaming laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores limit heavy multi-threaded tasks.
Handles everyday applications and multitasking efficiently.
Gaming
Good for 1080p gaming when paired with a GTX 1650 or RTX 3050.
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming when paired with a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Not ideal for running multiple VMs.
Adequate for basic virtual machine workloads.
Efficiency
14nm on mobile is not as battery-friendly as 7nm alternatives.
Excellent power-to-performance ratio thanks to the 10nm process.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Basic CPU inference only.
- Includes AVX-512 for basic AI tasks
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Suitable for light inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Sufficient for budget gaming laptops.
- May bottleneck modern CPU-heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
- Excellent for eSports and older games.
- Handles 1080p gaming well with a discrete GPU
- May struggle with CPU-heavy titles at ultra settings
- Good foundation for budget gaming laptops
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Decent single-core performance
- Sufficient for budget eSports gaming
- Supports 2933 MT/s memory
- Widely available in affordable laptops
Cons
- Only 4 cores in an 8-thread world
- 14nm process is inefficient on mobile
- Soldered to motherboard, no upgrades
- Outperformed by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H
Pros
- Good 6-core, 12-thread performance
- Supports PCIe 4.0
- Power-efficient 10nm node
- Supports high-speed DDR4-3200 memory
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Lower clock speeds than i7 variants
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Basic integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10300H
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550HRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 7 3750HRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Better architecture and higher core count.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HAlt
Much better IPC and battery life.
- Intel Core i7-10750HAlt
More cores for better multitasking.
Slightly cheaper but similar performance.
Compare head-to-head
Core i5-11260H
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11370HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Offers slightly higher clock speeds for a marginal price increase.
For users needing 8 cores for heavier workloads.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-11300HAlt
A lower power option (28W) for thinner laptops.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HAlt
Superior multi-core performance for demanding creators.
Our Verdict on Each
A standard 4-core mobile CPU that gets the job done for budget gaming, but struggles to compete with AMD's multi-core mobile offerings of the same era.
Best for: Buying a heavily discounted used gaming laptop.
Read the full reviewA solid, budget-friendly 6-core mobile CPU that balances power and efficiency for everyday gaming and productivity.
Best for: The Intel Core i5-11260H remains a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a capable mobile processor. If you are in the market for a mid-range gaming laptop or a creator notebook priced under $1000, this processor provides excellent bang for your buck. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration is still highly relevant for modern multitasking, moderate video editing, and mainstream gaming when paired with an RTX 3050 or RX 6600M. However, if your workflow involves heavy 3D rendering or intense streaming, stepping up to an i7 or a newer Ryzen 7 might yield better long-term value. When evaluating laptops with this chip, ensure the cooling solution is robust, as thermal throttling can significantly impact sustained performance. Overall, for students and casual creators, the i5-11260H delivers a well-rounded experience that shouldn't be overlooked.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10300H or Core i5-11260H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-11260H comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10300H or Core i5-11260H?
For gaming, the Core i5-11260H leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-10300H and Core i5-11260H.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-11260H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-10300H (45 W), Core i5-11260H (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-10300H and Core i5-11260H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10300H: BGA 1440, Core i5-11260H: Intel BGA 1787), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core i5-11260H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-10300H (4 cores), Core i5-11260H (6 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10300H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10300H (9,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.