CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Core i7-1260P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-11390H is a refreshed 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor offering a 5.0 GHz turbo clock, designed for premium thin-and-light performance laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 4.6 GHz all-core boost makes it feel exceptionally snappy in daily tasks.
Excels at multitasking, heavy office workloads, and web browsing with dozens of tabs open.
Gaming
High frame rates in CPU-bound esports titles, limited in modern AAA by 4 cores.
Handles esports titles and older games at 1080p well, but struggles with demanding AAA titles without a discrete GPU.
Virtualization
4 cores restrict heavy VM usage, but fine for light containerization.
Capable of running local virtual machines for development purposes, though limited by memory bandwidth.
Efficiency
28W TDP is well-optimized, though sustaining 5.0 GHz requires good cooling.
The E-cores provide excellent idle and low-load efficiency, extending battery life significantly.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Includes Intel DL Boost
- 4 cores limit local AI inference performance
- Uses CPU-based inference for AI workloads
- Lacks a dedicated NPU found in later Meteor Lake generations
Content Creation
Gaming
- 5.0 GHz boost is excellent for CS:GO and Valorant
- Higher all-core turbo helps maintain frame pacing
- 4 cores will bottleneck in highly threaded games
- Relies on Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics
- Suitable for Minecraft, CS:GO, and League of Legends
- Not recommended for modern AAA gaming without discrete GPU
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 5.0 GHz single-core boost
- 4.6 GHz all-core turbo is excellent for a 4-core chip
- Iris Xe graphics with 1400 MHz boost
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 8 threads
- Locked multiplier
- Niche availability in laptops
- Base clock slightly lower than 11375H
Pros
- Excellent multi-core performance for a 28W chip
- Hybrid architecture improves multitasking heavily
- Supports fast DDR5 memory
- Strong integrated graphics (96EU)
- Good sustained performance in well-cooled chassis
Cons
- 28W base TDP requires decent cooling
- No unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Battery life is shorter than 15W U-series equivalents
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-11390H
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11375HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
ARM Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
Newer 12th Gen architecture with better multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-11320HAlt
A budget-friendly 4-core alternative with very close single-core performance.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Better power efficiency for purely ultraportable use.
Intel Core i7-1260P
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
Offers slightly higher clock speeds for marginally better performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter battery life in thinner chassis due to 15W TDP.
Compare head-to-headSimilar P-core count but lower price point in laptops.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Excellent efficiency and integrated graphics performance.
Lower power consumption variant for premium ultrabooks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
Essentially a slightly tuned i7-11375H, offering excellent single-threaded performance but showing its age with only 4 cores.
Best for: Finding a thin-and-light laptop with excellent single-core snappiness
Read the full reviewA highly capable mobile processor that brought desktop-class hybrid architecture to thin-and-light laptops, offering excellent multi-core scaling.
Best for: Purchasing a used or discounted premium ultrabook from 2022.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-11390H or Intel Core i7-1260P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11390H leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i7-11390H and Intel Core i7-1260P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-11390H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-11390H (28 W), Intel Core i7-1260P (64 W).
Do Intel Core i7-11390H and Intel Core i7-1260P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-11390H: Intel BGA 1449, Intel Core i7-1260P: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-1260P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-11390H (4 cores), Intel Core i7-1260P (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-11390H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-11390H (11,500), Intel Core i7-1260P (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.