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Intel Core i7-11600H

Intel Core i7-11600H: A Balance of Power and Mobility in 2025

An analysis of the processor for those seeking a versatile laptop

Architecture and Process Technology: 10nm SuperFin and New Horizons

The Intel Core i7-11600H processor, released as part of the Tiger Lake line, represents an important step in the evolution of mobile CPUs. Its Willow Cove architecture, built on a 10nm SuperFin process, ensures high transistor density and energy efficiency. This allows for 6 cores and 12 threads with a base frequency of 2.8 GHz and turbo mode up to 4.6 GHz. Key features include:

- 18MB L3 cache — accelerating access to frequently used data.

- Integrated Intel UHD graphics for the 11th generation — 32 execution units (EUs), supporting 4K@60Hz and HDMI 2.0.

- Support for PCIe 4.0 — fast data transfer for SSDs and external devices.

The Willow Cove architecture also improves branch prediction and security (for example, Control-Flow Enforcement technology). While the integrated GPU lags behind discrete graphics cards, it handles light gaming and video rendering up to 1080p well.

Power Consumption and TDP: Is 35W the Limit?

The nominal TDP of the processor is 35W, but in reality, power consumption can reach 45–50W in turbo mode. This creates a load on the cooling system, especially in thin laptops. Intel, however, compensates for this with technology:

- Intel Dynamic Tuning 2.0 — adaptively adjusts power based on load.

- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 — automatically boosts the most powerful cores.

For users, this means that for office tasks, the CPU operates in a power-saving mode, while rendering or gaming allows it to unleash its potential, provided the cooling system can handle it.

Performance: From Excel to Cyberpunk 2077

Office Work and Multimedia:

- Running 20+ browser tabs + streaming video — no lag.

- Rendering 4K video in Premiere Pro: 15–20% faster than the i7-10750H (Comet Lake).

Gaming:

- In games with integrated graphics (such as CS:GO, Dota 2) — stable 60–80 FPS on medium settings.

- Paired with a discrete graphics card (NVIDIA RTX 3050) — comfortable gaming in AAA projects on high settings (Full HD).

Turbo Mode:

Under load, the processor can briefly hold frequencies up to 4.6 GHz, but after 2–3 minutes, it may throttle in compact cases. In gaming laptops with quality cooling (e.g., MSI Katana GF66), the performance drop is minimal.

Use Cases: Who is the i7-11600H Suitable For?

- Students and Office Workers: Multitasking, document handling, and video conferencing.

- Creative Professionals: Video editing, 3D modeling (especially in conjunction with discrete GPUs).

- Casual Gamers: Gaming at medium settings or with an external graphics card.

The processor is not suitable for heavy 8K rendering or 240Hz streaming — for such needs, it's better to opt for models with 8+ cores (e.g., AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX).

Battery Life: How Long Will the Battery Last?

With a TDP of 35W, laptops equipped with this CPU typically have batteries ranging from 50 to 70 Wh. Results:

- Office mode (50% brightness, Wi-Fi): 6–8 hours.

- Video playback: Up to 5 hours.

- Gaming: 1.5–2 hours.

Power-saving technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift — instant switching between modes.

- Windows 11 Optimization — background process suspension.

Tip: choose models with a battery capacity of 60 Wh or more and fast charging functionality.

Comparison with Competitors: AMD, Apple, and Previous Generations

- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (Zen 3): Cheaper by $50–100, but weaker in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single Core ~1600). Better suited for multi-threaded workloads.

- Apple M1: More energy-efficient (up to 18 hours of battery life), but limited compatibility with Windows software.

- Intel Core i7-11800H (Tiger Lake): 10–15% more powerful, but with a TDP of 45W — leading to higher heat output.

In 2025, the i7-11600H remains relevant in the budget segment of gaming and business laptops.

Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying?

Strengths:

- High single-threaded performance.

- Support for Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe 4.0.

- Optimal for hybrid tasks (work + gaming).

Weaknesses:

- Heating in thin cases.

- Integrated graphics are weaker than AMD Radeon Vega.

Recommendations for Laptop Selection

1. Type of Device:

- Ultrabook (e.g., ASUS ZenBook 14): Emphasis on portability, but may experience throttling.

- Gaming Laptop (Acer Nitro 5): Better cooling, but weight from 2.2 kg.

- Workstation (Lenovo ThinkPad P15): Maximum reliability and upgradeability.

2. What to Look For:

- Cooling system (at least 2 fans + copper heat pipes).

- RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200.

- SSD: NVMe PCIe 4.0 (speeds starting from 3GB/s).

3. Prices in 2025:

- Basic models: $800–1000.

- Premium segment: $1100–1400.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i7-11600H in 2025 is an excellent choice for those seeking versatility without overpaying for top-of-the-line components. It is suitable for:

- Users needing power for work and casual gaming.

- Those valuing portability but unwilling to sacrifice performance.

Key benefits include support for modern interfaces, a balance of price and quality, and compatibility with the Windows ecosystem. If your budget is limited to $1000–1200, this processor is a reasonable compromise.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

May 2021

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i7-11600H

Code Name

Tiger Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.60 GHz

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

18 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1787

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

10 nm SuperFin

TDP

35 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16+1x4 | 2x8+1x4 | 1x8+3x4

Microprocessor PCIe Revision

Gen 4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

Up to 3200 MT/s

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

128 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

51.2 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® UHD Graphics for 11th Gen Intel® Processors

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.45 GHz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

12.1

Execution Units

The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

7680x4320@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP 1.4b | DP 1.4 | HDMI 2.0b

Miscellaneous

Intel Image Processing Unit

6.0

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2 | Intel® AVX-512

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

18 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel High Definition Audio

Yes

Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)

Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) provides a common, robust method of hot plug and LED management for NVMe-based solid state drives.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology

CET - Intel Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) helps protect against the misuse of legitimate code snippets through return-oriented programming (ROP) control-flow hijacking attacks.

Yes

Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost)

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.6

OpenCL Support

OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for heterogeneous parallel programming.

3.0

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1845

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

6673

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1374

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

5832

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

3106

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

16685

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core Ultra 5 134U

2041 +10.6%

Core i7-1255U

1939 +5.1%

Core i7-11600H

1845

Ryzen 9 3900XT

1716 -7%

Xeon Gold 6314U

1656 -10.2%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i5-1250P

7515 +12.6%

Ryzen 7 5800H

7087 +6.2%

Core i7-11600H

6673

EPYC 7351P

6297 -5.6%

Xeon W-1250

5856 -12.2%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-11400

1505 +9.5%

Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE

1437 +4.6%

Core i7-11600H

1374

Xeon w5-2455X

1316 -4.2%

Xeon E-2186G

1275 -7.2%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i7-1255U

6389 +9.6%

Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G

6034 +3.5%

Core i7-11600H

5832

Xeon E-2146G

5524 -5.3%

Xeon E5-2667 v2

5239 -10.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon Gold 6526Y

3241 +4.3%

Ryzen 9 5900HX

3196 +2.9%

Core i7-11600H

3106

Core i9-9900KS

3040 -2.1%

Xeon E-2278G

2942 -5.3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon Silver 4214R

18342 +9.9%

Xeon W-11555MRE

17484 +4.8%

Core i7-11600H

16685

Ryzen 5 4500

16138 -3.3%

Xeon E5-2680 v3

15331 -8.1%