CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10300H vs Core i5-11400H
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.
Easily handles heavy multitasking and office applications.
Gaming
Good for 1080p gaming when paired with a GTX 1650 or RTX 3050.
Excellent 1080p gaming performance when paired with mid-range GPUs.
Virtualization
Not ideal for running multiple VMs.
Capable of running light virtual machines efficiently.
Efficiency
14nm on mobile is not as battery-friendly as 7nm alternatives.
Strong efficiency metrics due to the 10nm SuperFin node.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Basic CPU inference only.
- AVX-512 support for AI workloads
- GNA 2.0 for background noise cancellation
- No dedicated NPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- Sufficient for budget gaming laptops.
- May bottleneck modern CPU-heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
- Excellent for eSports and older games.
- Ideal for RTX 3060 / RX 6600M tier laptops
- Strong single-core boost speeds
- Handles modern AAA titles at high settings
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
- Strong single-core performance
- 6 cores and 12 threads
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Good power efficiency
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to motherboard
- Only supports DDR4 (no DDR5)
- 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 i5-11400H
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11260HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600XRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-11500HAlt
Offers higher clocks and better integrated graphics (UHD 750).
Better single-core performance for older games.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5700UAlt
Lower power alternative for thin-and-light laptops.
A newer 12th Gen alternative with better multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head
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 highly balanced 6-core mobile CPU offering excellent mid-range performance for gaming and productivity.
Best for: If you are shopping for a mid-range gaming laptop from the 2021-2022 era, the Intel Core i5-11400H remains a highly viable option. It provides excellent value, delivering 6-core performance that easily handles modern games when paired with a mid-tier GPU like an RTX 3050 Ti or RTX 3060. For students and casual content creators, this processor offers more than enough power for 1080p video editing and coding. However, if you are buying new today, you might find better efficiency and multi-threaded performance in newer Ryzen 6000 or 13th-gen Intel chips. When considering a laptop with the 11400H, prioritize models with robust cooling, as thermal throttling can limit its boost clocks. Overall, for budget buyers who don't need the absolute latest architecture, it remains a solid, cost-effective choice for everyday computing and gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10300H or Core i5-11400H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-11400H comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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 i5-11400H?
For gaming, the Core i5-11400H leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-10300H and Core i5-11400H.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-11400H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-10300H (45 W), Core i5-11400H (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-10300H and Core i5-11400H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10300H: BGA 1440, Core i5-11400H: Intel BGA 1787), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core i5-11400H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-10300H (4 cores), Core i5-11400H (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.