Intel Core i5-11600T vs Intel Core i7-9700KF Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a surprisingly one-sided outcome. The Intel Core i5-11600T wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, despite being a lower-tier product on paper. The Core i7-9700KF claims only a single victory, albeit a decisive one in Geekbench multicore. The i5-11600T is the superior choice for most workloads, offering consistent single-thread and multi-thread advantages across the Cinebench suite. The i7-9700KF retains a niche for users prioritizing Geekbench multicore performance, where it leads by 14.5%. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar overall performance tier. The i5-11600T, however, does so with a 35W TDP compared to the i7's 95W, making it the more efficient option. For new builds, the i5-11600T is the clear pick based on performance data alone. The i7-9700KF only makes sense if the Geekbench multicore workload is paramount, or if the user requires an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two Intel parts is substantial, spanning multiple generations. The Core i7-9700KF is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, a 14 nm design from Intel with a die size of 180.3 mm². It features 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. Its cache layout consists of 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics and uses the Intel Socket 1151.

The Core i5-11600T is a Rocket Lake part, also built on a 14 nm process but with a significantly larger die at 276 mm². It employs a different configuration: 6 cores and 12 threads, leveraging hyper-threading to reach 12 threads. Its cache hierarchy is more generous per core, with 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while maintaining the same 12 MB of shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s, and it supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Unlike the i7, it includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 750. The socket changes to Intel Socket 1200.

Clock speeds tell a contrasting story. The i7-9700KF has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost of 4.90 GHz. The i5-11600T has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) and a boost of 4.10 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the i5's architectural improvements and hyper-threading allow it to outperform the i7 in most tests. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5 does not. The i5 also has a much lower TDP of 35W versus 95W for the i7, underscoring its efficiency-focused design.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a clear pattern of the i5-11600T winning across the Cinebench suite, but with a notable exception in Geekbench multicore. The i5-11600T wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, though the margins are consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 1248 against the i7's 1219, a 2.3% advantage. The same 2.3% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5 scores 5201 versus 5082. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5 again leads by 2.3%, scoring 12385 compared to 12100 for the i7.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The i5-11600T wins every single-core Cinebench test by the same 2.3% margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 176 versus 172. In R20, it scores 734 versus 717. In R23, it scores 1748 versus 1708. This consistent 2.3% delta across all Cinebench tests suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage for Rocket Lake in that workload.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-11600T wins again, scoring 1791 against the i7's 1681, a 6.1% advantage. This is the largest single-core margin in the entire comparison. However, in Geekbench multicore, the i7-9700KF stages its only victory, scoring 7620 against the i5's 6653. This is a substantial 14.5% lead for the i7, likely driven by its two additional physical cores. The i5's 12 threads cannot compensate for the raw core count advantage in this specific test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700KF has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i7 has more physical cores, but the i5 has more threads due to hyper-threading.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-11600T scores 12385 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i7-9700KF scores 12100. This gives the i5 a 2.3% advantage in that test.

Q: How do the processors compare in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The i7-9700KF wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 7620, versus 6653 for the i5-11600T. This represents a 14.5% lead for the i7.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-9700KF has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the i5-11600T has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The i7 has the higher boost clock.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The i7-9700KF has a TDP of 95W, and the i5-11600T has a TDP of 35W. The i5 is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The i7-9700KF has no integrated graphics. The i5-11600T includes UHD Graphics 750.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11600T is the dominant performer in this comparison, winning 7 of 8 benchmark comparisons. Its wins are concentrated in the Cinebench suite, where it consistently beats the i7 by 2.3% in both single-core and multi-core tests. It also wins Geekbench single-core by a larger 6.1% margin. This makes it the better choice for users running Cinebench-based workloads, such as 3D rendering and animation, as well as applications that rely heavily on single-thread performance. Its higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and newer PCIe Gen 4 support also make it a more modern platform choice for storage and graphics expansion.

The Intel Core i7-9700KF has one clear area of dominance: Geekbench multicore. Its 14.5% lead in that test is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head comparison. This indicates that for workloads that scale with physical core count and are measured by Geekbench, the i7's 8 cores provide a tangible advantage over the i5's 6 cores. The i7 also offers an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking, a feature the i5 lacks. For users who plan to manually overclock and push clock speeds beyond stock values, the i7-9700KF is the only option here that supports that activity. Its higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz also gives it headroom in lightly-threaded tasks, though the benchmark data shows the i5 still wins in single-core tests despite the lower clock. The i7's 95W TDP, while higher, may be acceptable for users building a dedicated high-performance desktop without power constraints.