Intel

11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK

iGPU:: Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU)
Boost/Base Clock:: 5.0 GHz / 2.6 GHz
Core/Thread Count:: 8 Core / 16 Thread
Cache:: 24MB L3 + 10MB L2 + 640KB L1
TDP:: 45 Watts
CPU Process Node:: 10 Nanometers SuperFin
CPU Socket:: BGA1499
CPU Series:: Tiger Lake H, 11th Gen Intel Core
Form Factor:: Laptop

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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026

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11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK Review

The 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK was Intel's flagship Tiger Lake H mobile processor, 8 cores and 16 threads reaching up to 5.0 GHz boost clock within a 45 Watt TDP, unlocked for overclocking as the "K" suffix indicates.

As Intel's top gaming laptop chip of the Tiger Lake H generation, this processor was specifically positioned to compete directly with AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 5900HX and 5980HS, a genuinely close competitive battle for mobile gaming laptop supremacy at the time.

Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU)

A modest integrated GPU relative to the U-series Iris Xe configurations, sized for a flagship chip almost always paired with a discrete GPU in gaming laptop designs.

How Is the Core i9-11980HK in Terms of Performance

The genuinely high 5.0 GHz boost clock and unlocked multiplier for overclocking made this chip Intel's clearest answer to AMD's competing Ryzen 9 mobile flagships, with independent reviews at the time treating the two as directly comparable competitors.

Benchmarks

Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 13,298 and single-core scores of 1,563 place this chip among the strongest mobile processors of its generation. Geekbench 5 multi-core scores of 9,177 confirm genuinely flagship-tier gaming laptop performance.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Best for

Flagship gaming laptops wanting the strongest available Tiger Lake H performance with overclocking headroom

Not for

Budget-conscious buyers, the non-K 11800H, covered elsewhere on this site, delivers similar core performance for less without the overclocking headroom

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Intel
Product Line	Core i9
Model Number	11980HK
Codename	Tiger Lake
Release Year	2021

Segment and platform

Market Segment	Laptop
Microarchitecture	Tiger Lake H, 11th Gen Intel Core
Socket	FCBGA1787
Process Node	10 nm

Core configuration

Total Cores	8
Performance Cores	8
Efficiency Cores	0
Total Threads	16
SMT Enabled	Yes

Clock speeds

P-Core Base Clock	2.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock	5.0 GHz

Cache

L2 Cache	10 MB
L3 Cache	24 MB

Memory

Memory Type	DDR4

Graphics and AI

Integrated Graphics	Yes

Form Factor	Laptop
TDP	45 W
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU)

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK?

The 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, a 2.6 GHz base and 5.0 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of L3 cache and a 45 W TDP. Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU). Socket: FCBGA1787.

Will the 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK work with my current setup?

The 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK lists CPU Socket is BGA1499. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.

Who is the 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK best suited to?

Best suited to: Flagship gaming laptops wanting the strongest available Tiger Lake H performance with overclocking headroom.

What are the drawbacks of the 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK?

Not the best fit for: Budget-conscious buyers, the non-K 11800H, covered elsewhere on this site, delivers similar core performance for less without the overclocking headroom.