AMD Ryzen 7 7730U vs Intel Core i7-11700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700K and AMD Ryzen 7 7730U are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The data shows a complete sweep in the head-to-head benchmarks, with the Intel part winning all 17 recorded tests. However, the Ryzen 7 7730U is a 15-watt mobile part, while the Core i7-11700K is a 125-watt desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier. This fundamental difference in power envelopes and market positioning explains the performance gulf, yet both processors land at the 78th percentile among all CPUs, indicating that the mobile chip delivers competitive performance relative to its class.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K wins across every benchmark category in the head-to-head comparison, making it the clear choice for compute-heavy desktop workloads. Its largest advantages appear in multi-threaded rendering tasks, where the data shows a 91.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 60.3% lead in Geekbench multi-core. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, the 11700K's sustained high power draw translates directly into substantially shorter completion times. The single-core performance gap is equally decisive, with a 100.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, which benefits everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications like web browsing or office productivity.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, despite losing every head-to-head test, still holds a distinct advantage in its intended environment. As a 15-watt mobile processor with a 4.50 GHz boost clock, it is designed for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency and thermal management take priority over raw performance. The benchmark results indicate that the 7730U delivers approximately 70-80% of the 11700K's multi-threaded performance in several PassMark tests, such as integer math (72352 vs 86390) and floating-point math (38460 vs 51119), while consuming a fraction of the power. For users who need all-day battery life and adequate performance for everyday tasks, the 7730U is the logical choice. The 11700K, by contrast, is a desktop-only part that cannot be used in a portable form factor.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Core i7-11700K uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U uses the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Barcelo-R), manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The AMD chip packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die, whereas the Intel part's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. This process advantage allows the 7730U to achieve its 15-watt TDP while still offering 8 cores and 16 threads.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both processors share 16 MB of L3 cache, but the Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core versus 64 KB per core for the AMD chip. L2 cache is identical at 512 KB per core. The 11700K features faster clock speeds, with a 3.60 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, compared to the 7730U's 2.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for both, with identical 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the AMD chip is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The 11700K includes UHD Graphics 750 integrated graphics, while the 7730U features Radeon Graphics (Vega 8). The AMD chip supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Intel part. The Intel processor has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the AMD chip is locked. The 11700K uses the Intel Socket 1200, and the 7730U uses AMD Socket FP6.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 results show the most extreme disparity. The Intel Core i7-11700K scores 20666 in multi-core versus 10801.5 for the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, a 91.3% advantage. In single-core R23, the gap widens to 100.6%, with scores of 2917 and 1454.5 respectively. This suggests that the 11700K's 5.00 GHz boost clock combined with Rocket Lake's architecture delivers roughly double the single-threaded rendering throughput.

Geekbench results follow a similar pattern. The 11700K posts 10521 in multi-core against 6565 for the 7730U, a 60.3% lead. Single-core Geekbench shows a 28.1% advantage, with scores of 1974 versus 1541. The smaller single-core gap here compared to Cinebench R23 indicates that the Zen 3 architecture in the 7730U is relatively competitive per clock, but the Intel chip's higher clock speeds and power headroom ultimately prevail.

PassMark tests reveal the breadth of the Intel advantage. The largest wins come in data compression (322689 vs 225023, 43.4% ahead), extended instructions (22964 vs 14619, 57.1% ahead), and random string sorting (36755 vs 23651, 55.4% ahead). The smallest margins appear in data encryption, where the 11700K leads by only 9.7% (15638 vs 14258), and single-thread performance, where the lead is 12.8% (3390 vs 3004). Integer math shows a 19.4% gap (86390 vs 72352), while floating-point math shows a 32.9% gap (51119 vs 38460). Find prime numbers scores 66 versus 45, a 46.7% difference. Physics simulation shows a 38.3% lead (1039 vs 751), and the overall PassMark multi-thread score is 24408 versus 18037, a 35.3% advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K is faster in every multi-threaded benchmark recorded. It leads by 91.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 60.3% in Geekbench multi-core, and 35.3% in PassMark multi-thread.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The 11700K wins all single-core tests. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2917 versus 1454.5 for the 7730U, a 100.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows a narrower 12.8% lead.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U has a TDP of 15 watts. This 110-watt difference reflects the desktop versus mobile design targets.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip additionally supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K has a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The AMD Ryzen 7 7730U has a 2.00 GHz base clock and a 4.50 GHz boost clock.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-11700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U is locked.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700K | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Rocket Lake | Barcelo-R |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 180 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | Radeon Graphics (Vega 8) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $399 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRKNL | 100-000000942 |