CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-11800H vs Intel Core i7-12700H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-11800H is an 8-core, 16-thread high-performance mobile processor built on the 10nm SuperFin process, designed for heavy-duty gaming laptops and mobile workstations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Blazes through heavy multi-threaded applications like Premiere Pro and Blender.
Excellent multi-threaded performance for heavy rendering tasks.
Gaming
Consistently high frame rates in modern titles, limited only by the discrete GPU.
Pushes high framerates in modern games when paired with an RTX 30/40 series mobile GPU.
Virtualization
16 threads make it highly capable for local VMs and containerized development.
Handles local development VMs well.
Efficiency
Consumes more power than newer 12th Gen Alder Lake parts under load.
Good power scaling, though 115W turbo can drain batteries quickly.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Capable of running medium-sized local AI models
- AVX-512 and DL Boost accelerate CPU-based inference
- Good for local inference
- Typically paired with Nvidia GPUs for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Massive 24MB L3 cache boosts game performance significantly
- Handles CPU-bound titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator well
- Pairs perfectly with RTX 3060 and 3070 mobile GPUs
- Scales well with high-end mobile GPUs
- Single-core speed is top-tier
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent 8-core, 16-thread performance
- Massive 24MB L3 cache significantly boosts gaming
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage and GPUs
- Competitive single-core clock speeds
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- 35W base TDP can run hot in poorly cooled laptops
- Does not support DDR5 or LPDDR5
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake in hybrid efficiency
Pros
- Incredible 14-core mobile performance
- Excellent single-core boost speeds
- Iris Xe graphics save battery when gaming is not needed
- Supports fast DDR5 memory
- Good balance of power and efficiency
Cons
- Soldered to the motherboard
- Can run hot in poorly cooled laptop chassis
- High turbo power draw limits battery life under load
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-11800H
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11900HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
ARM Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
Better for thin-and-light laptops if 8 cores are not needed.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
A budget-friendly alternative with 6 cores that performs well in gaming.
A newer generation with significantly better multi-core performance via a hybrid architecture.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-12700H
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800HRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i9-12900HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2 ProRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
Mobile
Newer generation with better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-headBetter budget option for mid-range gaming laptops.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A massive leap for Intel's mobile lineup, offering excellent 8-core multi-threaded performance and strong single-core speeds for gaming.
Best for: Buying a discounted 11th Gen gaming laptop for high-end 1080p/1440p gaming
Read the full reviewA phenomenal mobile CPU that balances gaming speeds with heavy multi-core rendering power, making it the heart of premium laptops.
Best for: Buying a high-end gaming or creator laptop that needs to balance heavy workloads with portability.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-11800H or Intel Core i7-12700H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11800H leads with a gaming performance score of 95/100 among Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i7-12700H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-11800H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-11800H (35 W), Intel Core i7-12700H (45 W).
Do Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i7-12700H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-11800H: Intel BGA 1787, Intel Core i7-12700H: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-12700H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-11800H (8 cores), Intel Core i7-12700H (14 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-12700H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-11800H (18,500), Intel Core i7-12700H (26,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.