Quick Verdict
A massive leap for Intel's mobile lineup, offering excellent 8-core multi-threaded performance and strong single-core speeds for gaming.
Overview
Launch
May 11th, 2021
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Mobile
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.
Featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, the i7-11800H operates at a base clock of 1.9 GHz and boosts up to 4.6 GHz.
Built on the 10nm SuperFin process, it utilizes the Willow Cove architecture and packs a massive 24MB L3 cache. With 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, it supports the fastest mobile GPUs and NVMe SSDs.
It rapidly became a favorite for mid-to-high-tier gaming laptops, offering an excellent balance of single-threaded gaming performance and multi-threaded productivity.
Specifications
Performance
Blazes through heavy multi-threaded applications like Premiere Pro and Blender.
16 threads make it highly capable for local VMs and containerized development.
Consistently high frame rates in modern titles, limited only by the discrete GPU.
Consumes more power than newer 12th Gen Alder Lake parts under load.
- •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
- •Capable of running medium-sized local AI models
- •AVX-512 and DL Boost accelerate CPU-based inference
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-H
Codename
8C / 16T
Core Config
24 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i7-11800H utilizes the larger Tiger Lake-H die, maximizing the Willow Cove architecture across 8 cores. Built on Intel's 10nm SuperFin process, it balances high clock speeds with substantial parallel processing capability.
CPU Design
Features 8 Willow Cove cores with 16 threads, utilizing a 3MB L2 cache and a massive 24MB L3 cache (compared to the 12MB on 4-core variants).
Memory Subsystem
Supports dual-channel DDR4-3200 memory, providing standard bandwidth for modern gaming and creator laptops.
PCIe & I/O
Includes 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, enabling direct connection to high-end discrete graphics and ultra-fast NVMe RAID configurations.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier, but features configurable TDP up to 45W and configurable TDP-down to 28W for manufacturer flexibility.
- Higher IPC and boost clocks
- Massive L3 cache increase (24MB vs 16MB)
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Better power efficiency
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core i7-11800H launched in mid-2021 as part of the 8-core Tiger Lake-H rollout.</br>This was a critical release for Intel, as the previous 10th Gen Comet Lake-H architecture was showing its age against AMD's Ryzen 4000 series.</br>The 11800H quickly became the most popular CPU in the 11th Gen mobile lineup, offering a perfect price-to-performance ratio.
</br>Its large 24MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 support allowed laptop manufacturers to build highly competitive gaming machines.</br>This chip effectively held the line for Intel until the release of the hybrid Alder Lake architecture in early 2022.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher IPC and boost clocks
- Massive L3 cache increase (24MB vs 16MB)
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Better power efficiency
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a discounted 11th Gen gaming laptop for high-end 1080p/1440p gaming
Avoid if…
- Battery life is your absolute top priority
- You plan to run heavily multi-threaded server workloads
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 24MB L3 cache was the largest ever put in a mainstream Intel mobile processor at its launch.
It was considered the 'sweet spot' CPU for 2021 gaming laptops.
Despite having integrated graphics (UHD 750), almost all laptops pairing this CPU use a discrete GPU.
The all-core turbo is 4.2 GHz, which is highly sustained under good cooling.
It supports AVX-512, making it popular for specific scientific computing tasks.
The base clock is unusually low at 1.9 GHz to maintain the 35W TDP rating.
Features Intel Thermal Velocity Boost, though only on the top-tier i9 models of this generation.
Compatible with the HM570 and QM580 chipsets.
Die size is 190 mm², substantially larger than the 4-core Tiger Lake-U dies.
Launched at a highly competitive price of $395.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-11800H good for gaming?
Yes, its high clock speeds and 24MB cache make it exceptional for gaming.
How many cores does the i7-11800H have?
It has 8 cores and 16 threads.
Does the i7-11800H support PCIe 4.0?
Yes, it supports 20 lanes of PCIe 4.0.
What is the TDP of the i7-11800H?
The base TDP is 35W, with a configurable TDP-up of 45W.
Does the i7-11800H have DDR5 support?
No, it only supports DDR4-3200 memory.
Can you overclock the i7-11800H?
No, the multiplier is locked, but TDP and power limits can be adjusted by manufacturers.
What is the boost clock of the i7-11800H?
The maximum turbo boost clock is 4.6 GHz.
Is the i7-11800H better than the Ryzen 7 5800H?
They are very close, but the i7 often edges out in gaming due to its larger L3 cache.
Does the i7-11800H come with integrated graphics?
Yes, it features Intel UHD Graphics 750, though laptops typically use a discrete GPU.
What socket does the i7-11800H use?
It uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the L3 cache size on the i7-11800H?
It features a massive 24MB L3 cache.
What is the base clock of the i7-11800H?
The base clock is 1.9 GHz.
When was the i7-11800H released?
It was released on May 11th, 2021.
What is the launch price of the i7-11800H?
The launch price was $395.
Does the i7-11800H support AVX-512?
Yes, it supports AVX-512 instructions.
What is the all-core turbo speed of the i7-11800H?
The all-core turbo speed is up to 4.2 GHz.
What integrated graphics does the i7-11800H use?
It uses Intel UHD Graphics 750.
Is the i7-11800H unlocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
What memory speed does the i7-11800H support?
It supports DDR4-3200 MT/s memory.
Can the i7-11800H handle 4K video editing?
Yes, its 8 cores and 16 threads make it highly capable for 4K video editing.