Intel Core i5-11600T vs Intel Core i7-11700T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly consistent picture across most workloads. The Intel Core i7-11700T takes seven of the eight recorded head-to-head wins, with the single exception being a narrow Geekbench multicore result. In Cinebench tests, the i7-11700T holds a uniform 4.5% advantage across all six recorded runs. This consistency is notable: the delta does not fluctuate between single-core and multi-core tests, which suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

In Cinebench R15, the i7-11700T scores 1304 in multicore against 1248 for the i5-11600T, a 4.5% margin. The single-core result follows the same pattern, 184 versus 176, again a 4.5% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 reaches 5436 multicore and 767 single-core, while the i5 posts 5201 and 734 respectively. The margin remains locked at 4.5%. Cinebench R23 shows the same story: 12945 against 12385 in multicore, and 1827 against 1748 in single-core, with the same 4.5% delta.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-11600T actually wins, scoring 6653 against 6621 for the i7, a 0.5% edge for the six-core part. This is a narrow but real reversal. In Geekbench single-core, the i7 reclaims the lead with 1824 against 1791, a 1.8% margin, which is notably smaller than the 4.5% gap seen across all Cinebench runs.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend. The i7-11700T averages 3864 across all recorded tests, while the i5-11600T averages 3742. That puts the i7 roughly 3.3% ahead on average. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite the i7's consistent wins. The i7's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 at 3875 (0.3% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H at 3820 (1.1% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE at 3906 (1.1% behind the i7). The i5's closest competitors include the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 at 3733 (0.2% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE at 3732 (0.3% behind).

What stands out is that the Cinebench advantage is identical across every run, a rare uniformity in CPU benchmarking. The i7 leads by exactly 4.5% in R15, R20, and R23, regardless of thread count. This suggests that the clock speed and core configuration differences translate into a fixed performance ratio in rendering-style workloads. The Geekbench multicore reversal, however, shows that the i5 can outperform the i7 in at least one mixed workload, likely due to its higher base clock.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to the same Intel Core 11th Gen family, use the Rocket Lake architecture, and are built on Intel's 14 nm process node. They share the same foundry, the same 276 mm² die size, and the same Intel Socket 1200. Both are 35 W TDP parts, both support DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and both lack ECC memory support. They also share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The core counts differ significantly. The i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads. This is a two-core, four-thread difference in favor of the i7. The base clocks also differ, but not in the direction one might expect: the i5 has a higher base clock at 1700 MHz, while the i7 sits at 1400 MHz. The boost clocks reverse this relationship, with the i7 reaching 4.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz for the i5.

Cache allocations differ as well. Both chips use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is shared, and here the i7 offers 16 MB versus 12 MB for the i5. That 4 MB difference aligns with the extra two cores, since Rocket Lake allocates L3 on a per-core basis.

The integrated graphics are identical: both feature UHD Graphics 750. Both are desktop parts, both are end-of-life products, and both were released on the same date. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The launch MSRP for the i7-11700T is $323, while the i5-11600T has a launch MSRP of $213. The part numbers are SRKNT for the i7 and SRKNX for the i5.

The architecture is therefore identical in every structural way except for core count, cache size, and clock speeds. The higher base clock on the i5 is likely a consequence of the lower core count, allowing each core to draw more of the 35 W power envelope. The i7 compensates with a higher boost clock and two additional cores.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split in use cases. The i7-11700T wins every Cinebench test by exactly 4.5%, covers seven of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, and has the higher boost clock, more cores, and more L3 cache. For rendering workloads, video encoding, or any task that scales with thread count, the i7 is the better choice based on the recorded measurements. Its average benchmark score of 3864 versus 3742 for the i5 confirms this overall advantage.

The i5-11600T, however, wins the Geekbench multicore test by 0.5%. It also has a higher base clock at 1700 MHz, which can benefit lightly threaded workloads that rely on sustained frequencies rather than short bursts to boost clocks. In the database, the i5's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-1245U at 3775, which sits 0.9% ahead, while the i7's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 at 3875, only 0.3% ahead.

Users who prioritize maximum multi-threaded throughput, particularly in Cinebench-style rendering, should select the i7-11700T. Users who want a six-core part with a higher base clock and who value the slight Geekbench multicore edge should consider the i5-11600T. Both processors sit in the same 56th percentile overall, so the practical difference in general computing may be modest, but the benchmark data consistently favors the i7 in the majority of tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700T wins seven of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests and Geekbench single-core.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench tests?

A: The i7-11700T leads by exactly 4.5% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, for both single-core and multicore runs.

Q: Does the i5-11600T win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i5-11600T wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 6653 against 6621 for the i7, a 0.5% margin.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i5 has a higher base clock at 1700 MHz, while the i7 has a higher boost clock at 4.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors use the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both feature UHD Graphics 750.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-11700T has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-11600T has 12 MB.

Where Each One Wins

Multi-threaded rendering and content creation: The i7-11700T dominates here. It leads by 4.5% in all three Cinebench multicore tests, including a 12945 to 12385 score in Cinebench R23 multicore. The additional two cores and 4 MB of L3 cache provide a measurable advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

Single-core performance across Cinebench: The i7 wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by 4.5% as well. Its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz drives this advantage, making it the better choice for applications that rely on short, high-frequency bursts.

Geekbench single-core: The i7 takes this test with 1824 against 1791, a 1.8% margin. The gap is smaller than in Cinebench, but the i7 still comes out ahead.

Geekbench multicore: This is the i5's only victory. A score of 6653 against 6621 gives it a 0.5% edge. The higher base clock of 1700 MHz may contribute to this result, as the i5 can sustain higher frequencies under certain load patterns.

Lightly threaded everyday tasks: The i5's higher base clock suggests it may hold up well in scenarios where boost clocks cannot be sustained for long periods. The benchmark data does not directly measure sustained workloads, but the clock configuration favors the i5 in this regard.

Power-constrained systems: Both processors share a 35 W TDP, so neither has a thermal advantage on paper. However, the i5 achieves its performance with fewer cores, which may translate to more headroom for the integrated UHD Graphics 750 in combined CPU-GPU workloads.

Overall benchmark average: The i7 leads with an average score of 3864 versus 3742 for the i5. This makes the i7 the stronger all-round performer in the database, even though both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs.