CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-11800H vs Intel Core i9-11950H
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.
Strong performance in professional applications, especially those that scale well to 8 cores, though 12th/13th‑gen H‑series CPUs now surpass it in multi‑core workloads.
Gaming
Consistently high frame rates in modern titles, limited only by the discrete GPU.
Delivers high-refresh 1080p gaming performance when paired with a modern discrete GPU, but newer CPUs often push higher minimums and better 1% lows.
Virtualization
16 threads make it highly capable for local VMs and containerized development.
Very good for running several VMs on a mobile workstation, thanks to 8 cores, 16 threads and vPro/VT-d support.
Efficiency
Consumes more power than newer 12th Gen Alder Lake parts under load.
Configurable TDP helps, but 10 nm SuperFin is less efficient than Intel 7 or AMD’s 7 nm mobile parts at similar performance levels.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Capable of running medium-sized local AI models
- AVX-512 and DL Boost accelerate CPU-based inference
- Intel Deep Learning Boost (AVX-512 VNNI) accelerates some CPU-based inference workloads.
- No dedicated NPU; AI performance is modest compared to newer chips with built-in NPUs.
- Suitable for light on-device inference, not large-scale training or LLM serving.
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
- 5.0 GHz single-core boost helps keep frame times low in CPU-heavy titles.
- Modern 12th/13th-gen H-series CPUs generally offer better gaming performance and efficiency.
- Best experience with a midrange or better discrete GPU (e.g., RTX 3070 / A2000 and above).
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
- 8 high-performance Willow Cove cores with 16 threads
- Up to 5.0 GHz single-core boost for responsive CPU work
- Intel vPro platform with enterprise security and manageability
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes from the CPU for NVMe and GPUs
- Configurable 35–45 W TDP for flexible laptop designs
- Strong professional and creator performance in its power envelope
Cons
- Discontinued; replaced by more efficient 12th/13th-gen mobile platforms
- 10 nm SuperFin is less efficient than Intel 7 and AMD 7 nm mobile parts
- Multiplier locked; no overclocking headroom
- Only 8 cores, while newer HX-series offer 12–16 cores
- Integrated UHD Graphics 32EU is only suitable for light workloads
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 i9-11950H
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-Performance Mobile / Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11980HKRival
Enthusiast Mobile / Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-10885HRival
Previous-Gen Mobile Workstation
- Intel Core i9-12900HXAlt
More performance and efficiency cores, better multi-core performance, and newer platform with DDR5/PCIe 5.0 support.
- Intel Core i7-12800HXAlt
Hybrid architecture with more total threads and stronger multi-core performance in a similar power class.
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 powerful 8-core mobile vPro CPU for business workstations and heavy laptop workloads, offering strong single‑threaded performance and enterprise security, but now outpaced by 12th/13th‑gen designs in efficiency and multi‑core performance.
Best for: Used or discounted mobile workstation where vPro, ECC-capable platforms, and 8-core performance matter more than latest-gen efficiency.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-11800H or Intel Core i9-11950H?
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 Intel Core i9-11950H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11800H leads with a gaming performance score of 95/100 among Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i9-11950H.
Do Intel Core i7-11800H and Intel Core i9-11950H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-11800H: Intel BGA 1787, Intel Core i9-11950H: FCBGA1787), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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), Intel Core i9-11950H (12,840). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.