CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-11800H vs Core i7-12800H
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.
The 8 E-cores significantly reduce render times in Premiere and Blender.
Gaming
Consistently high frame rates in modern titles, limited only by the discrete GPU.
Excellent frame rates in modern titles, rarely bottlenecking current mobile GPUs.
Virtualization
16 threads make it highly capable for local VMs and containerized development.
20 threads provide ample resources for running multiple VMs locally.
Efficiency
Consumes more power than newer 12th Gen Alder Lake parts under load.
Can draw up to 115W under load, requiring robust laptop cooling.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Capable of running medium-sized local AI models
- AVX-512 and DL Boost accelerate CPU-based inference
- Iris Xe provides some AI acceleration
- Capable of running local LLMs at acceptable speeds for a mobile chip
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
- Won't bottleneck RTX 3070/3080 mobile GPUs
- High average FPS in CPU-heavy titles like CS:GO
- Depends heavily on laptop thermal design
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
- Excellent 14-core, 20-thread multi-threaded performance
- Iris Xe 96EU provides great fallback graphics
- High 4.8 GHz single-core boost
- Supports fast DDR5 memory
- Intel Thread Director optimizes workload scheduling
Cons
- High power draw under turbo (115W)
- Soldered to motherboard, no upgrade path
- Can run hot in thin-and-light chassis
- Locked multiplier
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
Core i7-12800H
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXRival
Mobile Flagship
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800HRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i9-12900HRival
Mobile Flagship
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
Mobile Creator
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-12700HRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i7-12650HAlt
Cheaper alternative if multi-threading is less critical.
- Intel Core i7-1280PAlt
Better efficiency for thinner, lighter laptops.
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 delivers near-desktop multi-threaded performance and excellent Iris Xe integrated graphics, making it the go-to choice for premium creator and gaming laptops.
Best for: Premium gaming laptops or creator machines where a mix of single and multi-core performance is needed.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-11800H or Core i7-12800H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-11800H comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. 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 i7-11800H or Core i7-12800H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11800H leads with a gaming performance score of 95/100 among Intel Core i7-11800H and Core i7-12800H.
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), Core i7-12800H (45 W).
Do Intel Core i7-11800H and Core i7-12800H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-11800H: Intel BGA 1787, Core i7-12800H: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core i7-12800H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-11800H (8 cores), Core i7-12800H (14 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-11800H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-11800H (18,500), Core i7-12800H (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.