Intel Core i5-11500T vs Intel Core i7-9700E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T wins all 8 recorded head-to-head tests against the Intel Core i7-9700E. The database shows zero wins for the i7-9700E across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench, in both single-core and multi-core runs.

Q: How large is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The largest single-core margin is in Geekbench, where the i5-11500T scores 1696 versus 1497, a 13.3% advantage. The Cinebench single-core deltas are smaller, ranging from 2.2% to 2.7% in favor of the i5.

Q: Do the two CPUs have the same L3 cache size?

A: Yes, both have 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Their L1 and L2 caches differ, however: the i5-11500T has 80 KB L1 and 511 KB L2 per core, while the i7-9700E has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The i5-11500T supports 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the i7-9700E supports 42.7 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-11500T has an average benchmark score of 3288, placing it in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. The i7-9700E has an average score of 3197, also in the 53rd percentile. The i5 leads by roughly 2.8% in average score.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock and what does that imply?

A: The i7-9700E boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the i5-11500T boosts to 3.90 GHz. Despite the lower boost clock, the i5 still wins every single-core benchmark, indicating that architectural efficiency outweighs raw clock speed in these tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and socket families, which explains several key divergences. The Intel Core i5-11500T is built on Rocket Lake, the 11th Gen architecture, and uses the Intel Socket 1200. The Intel Core i7-9700E belongs to Coffee Lake, the 9th Gen architecture, and uses the Intel Socket 1151. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node, but the similarities largely end there.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i5-11500T has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning it supports Hyper-Threading. The i7-9700E has 8 cores and 8 threads, so it does not. This is a classic trade-off: the i7 offers two additional physical cores, while the i5 offers twice as many threads per core. In threaded workloads, the i5's 12 threads often compensate for its 2-core deficit, as the benchmark results confirm.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i5-11500T provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 511 KB of L2 per core. The i7-9700E provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the i5 likely contribute to its superior single-core performance, especially in the Geekbench test where the gap is pronounced.

Die size is another differentiator. The i5-11500T has a die size of 276 mm², while the i7-9700E has a smaller 180.3 mm² die. The larger die on the i5 reflects the more complex Rocket Lake architecture, which includes newer IPC improvements despite the same 14 nm node. The i5 also integrates UHD Graphics 750, whereas the i7 integrates the older UHD Graphics 630.

PCIe support differs as well. The i5-11500T offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-9700E offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the i5 a bandwidth advantage for modern GPUs and NVMe storage. Memory bandwidth follows a similar pattern: the i5 supports 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the i7. The i5 also has a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 65 watts for the i7, making the i5 the more power-efficient choice on paper.

Release timing separates the two by nearly two years. The i7-9700E was released in April 2019, while the i5-11500T arrived in March 2021. Both are now listed as end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a consistent picture: the i5-11500T wins every recorded test, but the margins are not uniform. The most striking result is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5 scores 1696 against the i7's 1497. That 13.3% delta is the largest of any test in the comparison. It suggests that the Rocket Lake architecture delivers a substantial IPC uplift over Coffee Lake, particularly in workloads that favor memory latency and branch prediction.

The multi-core Geekbench test shows a smaller edge. The i5 scores 5774, the i7 scores 5661, a 2% difference. Here, the i7's two extra cores nearly close the gap against the i5's Hyper-Threading advantage. If the i7 had a higher boost clock in this scenario, it might have taken the lead, but the data shows it did not.

Cinebench results follow a narrow pattern. In Cinebench R15, the i5 wins multi-core 1093 to 1069 (2.2%) and single-core 154 to 150 (2.7%). In R20, the i5 leads multi-core 4558 to 4457 (2.3%) and single-core 643 to 629 (2.2%). In R23, the i5 wins multi-core 10854 to 10613 (2.3%) and single-core 1532 to 1498 (2.3%). These deltas are remarkably consistent, hovering around 2.2% to 2.7% across all Cinebench versions. The consistency implies that the architectural advantage of the i5 is stable across rendering workloads, regardless of the benchmark generation.

The multi-core Cinebench results are particularly informative. Despite having 8 physical cores, the i7-9700E cannot outpace the 6-core, 12-thread i5-11500T. The i5's per-thread efficiency and larger caches compensate for its lower core count. In every Cinebench multi-core test, the i5 holds a 2.2% to 2.3% lead, which is a narrow but real margin.

The i7's closest performance comes in Geekbench multi-core, where the 2% gap is the smallest of any test. This suggests that the i7's 8 cores are more competitive in certain multi-threaded scenarios, but not enough to overcome the i5's overall efficiency. The i5 also wins the average benchmark score comparison, 3288 to 3197.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several specification fields. The i5-11500T has 6 cores and 12 threads; the i7-9700E has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the i5 and 2.60 GHz for the i7. Boost clocks are 3.90 GHz for the i5 and 4.40 GHz for the i7. TDP is 35 watts for the i5 and 65 watts for the i7.

Socket types differ: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1200, the i7 uses Intel Socket 1151. The architectures are Rocket Lake versus Coffee Lake. Die sizes are 276 mm² for the i5 and 180.3 mm² for the i7. L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the i5 versus 64 KB per core on the i7. L2 cache is 511 KB per core on the i5 versus 256 KB per core on the i7.

Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the i5 and 42.7 GB/s for the i7. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 20 lanes on the i5 versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the i7. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 750 on the i5 and UHD Graphics 630 on the i7. Release dates are March 2021 for the i5 and April 2019 for the i7. The launch MSRP for the i5 is $192, and for the i7 it is $323. Both have locked multipliers and do not support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11500T wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-core performance, especially in Geekbench where the 13.3% lead is decisive. Users who run lightly threaded applications, such as legacy software, certain games, or productivity tools that rely on a single fast core, will see the clearest benefit from the i5. The i5 also wins all multi-core tests, making it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded workloads, despite having fewer physical cores.

The i7-9700E does not win any benchmark in this comparison, but it holds its own in multi-core scenarios. Its 8 physical cores keep the gap narrow in Geekbench multi-core (2%) and Cinebench multi-core (2.2% to 2.3%). For users who value raw core count over thread efficiency, the i7 might still be considered, but the data does not support it as a performance winner. The i7 does have a higher base clock and boost clock, which could matter in specific workloads that scale with frequency rather than architecture, but no benchmark in the database reflects that advantage.

The i5 also wins on efficiency. Its 35 watt TDP is nearly half the i7's 65 watt TDP, and it still outperforms the i7 in every test. This makes the i5 the better option for compact systems, low-noise builds, or environments where thermal output is a concern. The i5's newer PCIe Gen 4 support and higher memory bandwidth further favor it for modern storage and expansion cards.

The Verdict

The database is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-11500T outperforms the Intel Core i7-9700E in all 8 recorded benchmarks. The i5 wins both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench. Its largest margin is 13.3% in Geekbench single-core, and its smallest is 2% in Geekbench multi-core. The i5 also has a higher average benchmark score, 3288 versus 3197, and a lower TDP, 35 watts versus 65 watts.

For a user choosing between these two, the i5-11500T is the clear pick based on performance data. It delivers better results in every measured workload while consuming less power. The i7-9700E offers more physical cores and higher clock speeds, but those advantages do not translate into benchmark wins. The i5's newer architecture, larger caches, and Hyper-Threading support overcome the i7's core and frequency advantages.

The only scenario where the i7 might be considered is if a system requires the Intel Socket 1151 platform or the specific Coffee Lake feature set, but even then, the benchmark data shows no performance benefit. The i5-11500T is the superior processor in this head-to-head comparison, and the recorded measurements support that conclusion without exception.