Intel Core i5-11600KF vs Intel Core i7-8700K Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-11600KF is the clear winner in this comparison. Benchmark results show it ahead in every single recorded test, with 19 wins and zero losses. The data is unambiguous: the i5-11600KF outperforms the i7-8700K across all workloads measured.

For users building or upgrading a desktop system, the i5-11600KF is the stronger choice for both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. Its average benchmark score of 19723 places it in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-8700K also sits at the 73rd percentile but with a lower average score of 19238. The i5-11600KF's nearest rival in the database is the Intel Core i5-12500, which scores 19668, a negligible 0.3% difference. The i7-8700K's closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-10700, scores 19145, putting it 0.5% behind the 8700K.

The i5-11600KF is particularly dominant in encryption and prime number workloads, where it leads by 155.4% and 51.3% respectively. This is not a marginal victory; it is a generational leap. The i7-8700K, while still a capable desktop processor, cannot match the newer architecture's efficiency in these specific tests.

The i5-11600KF carries a launch MSRP of $237, while the i7-8700K had a launch MSRP of $359. Both are end-of-life products, but the i5-11600KF offers measurably higher performance across the board.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different generations and use different sockets. The i5-11600KF is built on Rocket Lake architecture, released on 2021-03-15, and uses Intel Socket 1200. The i7-8700K is Coffee Lake, released on 2017-10-04, and uses Intel Socket 1151. Both use a 14 nm process node from Intel's foundry, but the die sizes differ significantly: the i5-11600KF has a die size of 276 mm², while the i7-8700K is smaller at 154 mm².

Both processors feature 6 cores and 12 threads, so the core count is identical. The cache hierarchy, however, differs. The i5-11600KF has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-8700K has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache, so the total L3 is equal, but the per-core L1 and L2 are larger on the i5-11600KF.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, with dual-channel memory buses. The i5-11600KF has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the i7-8700K is limited to 42.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i5-11600KF supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8700K supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7-8700K includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-11600KF has no integrated graphics. Both have unlocked multipliers, and both lack ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-11600KF is faster in every multi-core test recorded. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 16503 versus 11527 for the i7-8700K, a 43.2% lead. PassMark multithread shows 19513 versus 13576, a 43.7% advantage.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-11600KF wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it scores 2329 versus 1627, a 43.1% difference. Geekbench singlecore shows 1904 versus 1575, a 20.9% lead.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads. However, the i5-11600KF has larger per-core caches (80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2) compared to the i7-8700K (64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2).

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The i5-11600KF supports a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i7-8700K supports 42.7 GB/s. Both use DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i7-8700K wins?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head benchmarks show the i5-11600KF winning all 19 tests, with the i7-8700K recording zero wins.

Q: What is the production status of these CPUs?

A: Both are marked as end-of-life. The i5-11600KF was released in March 2021, while the i7-8700K was released in October 2017.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11600KF | Intel Core i7-8700K |

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

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 154 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2017-10-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $237 | $359 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-11600KF dominates every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the i5-11600KF scores 12198 versus 4776, a massive 155.4% lead. This is the single biggest performance gap in the dataset.

In Cinebench tests, the results are remarkably consistent. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 1663 versus 1161, a 43.2% lead. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows 234 versus 163, a 43.6% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 6931 versus 4841, a 43.2% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 978 versus 683, a 43.2% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 16503 versus 11527, a 43.2% lead. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2329 versus 1627, a 43.1% lead. The consistency across generations of Cinebench tests indicates a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Geekbench results show a smaller but still significant gap. Multicore scores are 8688 versus 7140, a 21.7% lead. Singlecore scores are 1904 versus 1575, a 20.9% lead.

PassMark tests reveal a wide range of deltas. Data compression shows 242730 versus 198951, a 22% lead. Extended instructions show 17619 versus 13514, a 30.4% lead. Find prime numbers shows 59 versus 39, a 51.3% lead. Floating point math shows 38129 versus 28538, a 33.6% lead. Integer math shows 64195 versus 45892, a 39.9% lead. Multithread shows 19513 versus 13576, a 43.7% lead. Physics shows 954 versus 811, a 17.6% lead. Random string sorting shows 27767 versus 25270, a 9.9% lead. Single thread shows 3327 versus 2720, a 22.3% lead.

The smallest margin is in PassMark random string sorting at 9.9%, which is still a clear win for the i5-11600KF.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the i5-11600KF wins in every category. There is no workload type where the i7-8700K comes out ahead. The i5-11600KF is superior in single-threaded tasks, multi-threaded tasks, encryption, compression, math operations, physics simulations, and sorting algorithms.

The i7-8700K's only advantage is its lower TDP of 95 W compared to 125 W for the i5-11600KF, which may be relevant for users with power constraints. It also includes integrated graphics, which the i5-11600KF lacks, so users who do not have a discrete GPU would need to consider that difference.

For users who already own a Socket 1151 motherboard, the i7-8700K may still serve adequately, but the data shows it is decisively outperformed by the i5-11600KF. The i5-11600KF requires a Socket 1200 motherboard, but the performance gains are substantial across all measured benchmarks.

In summary, the i5-11600KF is the recommended choice for any workload represented in the database. Its consistent 20% to 155% performance advantage over the i7-8700K makes it the superior processor for both gaming and productivity tasks, based on the benchmark evidence.