Intel Core i5-11600K vs Intel Core i7-10700 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two Intel desktop processors into clear use-case camps. The Intel Core i5-11600K wins 20 of the 25 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-10700 takes 5. That is not a narrow margin, but the losses for the i5 are concentrated in specific workload types, so the choice is not simply "the i5 is faster."

The i5-11600K dominates single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks. In 3DMark, it wins the 2-thread test by 18.9%, the 4-thread test by 17.2%, the 8-thread test by 6.5%, and the single-thread test by 21.9%. That pattern repeats across Cinebench, Geekbench, and PassMark single-thread scores. For everyday responsiveness, office work, web browsing, and any application that relies on one or two strong cores, the i5-11600K is the clear leader.

The i7-10700 wins where raw thread count matters more than per-core speed. It takes the 3DMark 16-thread test by 3.4% and the max-thread test by 6.7%. It also wins PassMark data compression by 3.7%, floating point math by 1.4%, and random string sorting by 11.8%. Those are workloads that scale well across many cores, and the i7 has 8 cores and 16 threads versus the i5's 6 cores and 12 threads.

For heavily multithreaded productivity like video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific computing, the i7-10700's extra physical cores give it an edge, but only in tests that specifically use all available threads. The i5 fights back hard in many multicore tests, however, so the i7's advantage is not universal. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5 wins by 51.7%, which is a massive reversal of the expected core-count logic. That suggests the i5's architectural efficiency more than compensates for its two fewer cores in certain rendering workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the Intel Socket 1200, which means they fit the same motherboards. That is where the similarities end.

The i5-11600K uses the Rocket Lake architecture, while the i7-10700 uses Comet Lake. Rocket Lake is a newer core design that brings substantial IPC improvements over Comet Lake, which is why the i5 can beat the i7 in single-thread tests despite having a lower core count. The i5 has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The i7 has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i5's higher clocks, combined with the architectural upgrade, explain its dominance in lightly threaded work.

Cache configurations differ as well. The i5 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7's larger L3 pool helps in some multithreaded scenarios, but the i5's per-core L1 advantage supports its single-thread strength.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, dual-channel. The i5 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i7 is rated at 46.9 GB/s. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, versus the i7's PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. That makes the i5 the more forward-looking choice for storage and GPU connectivity.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i5 has UHD Graphics 750, the i7 has UHD Graphics 630. Neither is a gaming GPU, but the i5's newer iGPU is a small bonus for systems without a discrete card.

The i5 is an unlocked part, meaning it supports overclocking, while the i7's multiplier is locked. The i5 has a TDP of 125 watts, compared to the i7's 65 watts, so the i5 will run hotter and demand better cooling. The i7 is still listed as active production, while the i5 is end-of-life. The i5's launch MSRP was $262, and it launched in March 2021; the i7 launched in April 2020 with no recorded MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is the Cinebench series. In Cinebench R15, the i5 scores 1668 multicore versus the i7's 1099, a 51.8% lead. The single-core result is 235 versus 155, a 51.6% edge. Cinebench R20 shows a 6951 versus 4582 multicore score, a 51.7% delta, and a 981 versus 646 single-core score, a 51.9% delta. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 16552 versus 10910 multicore (51.7%) and 2336 versus 1540 single-core (51.7%). This is not a small gap; the i5 is over half again as fast in every Cinebench test, which is remarkable given the i7's two extra cores.

Geekbench tells the same story. The i5 scores 9238 multicore versus the i7's 5092, an 81.4% advantage, and 1973 single-core versus 1275, a 54.7% edge. These are some of the largest deltas in the dataset and confirm that the Rocket Lake core design delivers a major performance uplift over Comet Lake, even when comparing a 6-core part to an 8-core part.

PassMark results are more mixed. The i5 wins data encryption by 127%, scoring 12212 versus 5379. That is the single biggest win for either CPU. The i5 also takes extended instructions by 9%, prime numbers by 23.4%, integer math by 2.7%, multithread by 20.8%, physics by 18.9%, and single-thread by 15.7%. The i7 fights back in data compression (252113 versus 242740, a 3.7% win), floating point math (38823 versus 38269, a 1.4% win), and random string sorting (31585 versus 27870, an 11.8% win).

In 3DMark, the i5 wins the 2-thread, 4-thread, 8-thread, and single-thread tests by margins from 6.5% to 21.9%. The i7 wins the 16-thread and max-thread tests by 3.4% and 6.7%, respectively. That split makes sense: 3DMark's multi-threaded tests scale with core count, while its lower-thread tests reward per-core speed.

The average benchmark scores in the database reflect this overall picture. The i5 has an average score of 19786, while the i7 sits at 19145, a gap of about 3.3%. Both CPUs rank at the 73rd percentile among all recorded processors, so they are in the same performance tier overall, but the i5 is consistently ahead in most tests.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i5-11600K if your work is dominated by single-threaded performance, light threading, or any of the Cinebench and Geekbench workloads. The data shows a 50% or greater lead in every Cinebench test and a 54.7% lead in Geekbench single-core. The i5 also wins PassMark multithread by 20.8%, so it is not a slouch in general productivity. If you value overclocking, PCIe Gen 4 support, and faster memory bandwidth, the i5 is the better pick. Its unlocked multiplier and higher boost clock make it the more flexible platform for enthusiasts.

Choose the Intel Core i7-10700 if your software genuinely scales across 16 threads and you need the extra two physical cores. The i7 wins 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread tests, PassMark data compression, floating point math, and random string sorting. That points to workloads like data compression, large sort operations, and some scientific computing that favor many cores over fast cores. The i7 also has a lower TDP of 65 watts, so it is easier to cool and fits more modest builds.

For gaming, the i5 is the better choice based on its single-thread wins, especially the 21.9% lead in 3DMark single-thread and 15.7% lead in PassMark single-thread. For heavy rendering, the i5's Cinebench dominance suggests it is actually the better renderer, which is counterintuitive given the i7's core count. Only specific multithreaded tasks like compression and sorting lean toward the i7.

The i7-10700 is still in active production, while the i5-11600K is end-of-life, so availability may factor into a purchase decision. On raw performance, the i5 wins the majority of tests and wins them by large margins. The i7 is the niche pick for thread-count-sensitive workloads, but the i5 is the stronger all-around processor.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is better for single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600K wins every single-thread test in the database. It leads by 21.9% in 3DMark single-thread, 51.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 51.9% in Cinebench R20 single-core, 51.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 54.7% in Geekbench single-core, and 15.7% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Does the i7-10700 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 5 of the 25 head-to-head tests. Specifically, it takes 3DMark 16-thread by 3.4%, 3DMark max-thread by 6.7%, PassMark data compression by 3.7%, PassMark floating point math by 1.4%, and PassMark random string sorting by 11.8%.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-10700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i5-11600K has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i5 wins the majority of multithreaded tests due to its architectural advantages.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1200. However, the i5-11600K supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i7-10700 is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Q: Can I overclock both processors?

A: No. The i5-11600K has an unlocked multiplier and supports overclocking. The i7-10700's multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The i5-11600K wins PassMark data encryption by 127%, scoring 12212 versus 5379. The i7-10700's largest win is PassMark random string sorting by 11.8%, with scores of 31585 versus 27870.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-11600K | Intel Core i7-10700 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 65 W |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

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

| Launch Date | 2021-03-15 | 2020-04-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $262 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRKNU | SRH6Y |