Intel Core i7-10700K vs Intel Core i7-11700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10700K and Intel Core i7-11700 are both 8-core, 16-thread desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1200 platform, but benchmark data shows they are not interchangeable. The i7-11700 wins 19 of the 25 head-to-head tests, while the i7-10700K takes 6. The overall average benchmark scores are close — 22230 for the i7-10700K and 21891 for the i7-11700 — yet the pattern of wins is highly workload-specific. The i7-11700 dominates in raw compute throughput and single-threaded performance, while the i7-10700K counterattacks in memory-sensitive and specialized tasks. Both sit at the 75th percentile against all CPUs, but their nearest rivals differ, with the i7-10700K trading blows with AMD Ryzen 5 parts and the i7-11700 aligning with AMD EPYC server chips.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-11700’s most decisive victory comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 12704 against 6468 for the i7-10700K, a 49.1% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the dataset, and it indicates a substantial architectural uplift in cryptographic instruction handling. The i7-11700 also leads in PassMark integer math by 16.4%, scoring 79687 versus 66642, and in floating-point math by 10.9%, with 46369 against 41306. These are not marginal wins; they reflect a generational improvement in execution efficiency.

Single-threaded performance strongly favors the i7-11700. In 3DMark single-thread, it scores 949 versus 823, a 13.3% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 10.2% lead, with 2471 against 2220. Geekbench single-core follows the same trend, 1895 versus 1701, another 10.2% delta. The i7-11700’s boost clock is 4.90 GHz versus 5.10 GHz for the i7-10700K, yet the newer architecture delivers higher per-clock performance. The i7-11700 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 10.2%, scoring 17504 against 15727, and PassMark multithread by 10%, 20672 versus 18609.

The i7-10700K’s wins are narrower and more specialized. Its biggest victory is in PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 36633 against 30147, a 21.5% advantage. It also leads in PassMark data compression, 295418 versus 263563, a 12.1% delta. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7-10700K wins 9430 to 9003, a 4.7% margin, despite losing nearly every other multi-threaded test. It wins PassMark physics by 7.5% (933 versus 868) and PassMark extended instructions by 5.8% (19387 versus 18323). The two chips tie exactly in PassMark find prime numbers, both at 55.

The remaining tests show a consistent pattern. In 3DMark, the i7-11700 wins every thread count, with deltas ranging from 0.2% at 8 threads (5640 versus 5628) to 11.2% at 2 threads (1827 versus 1622). Cinebench R15 and R20 both show the i7-11700 ahead by 10.1% in single-core and multi-core alike. PassMark single-thread goes to the i7-11700 by 6.7%, 3263 versus 3043. The i7-11700’s wins are broad and consistent, while the i7-10700K’s are isolated to specific memory and encryption-adjacent workloads.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyer profiles. The i7-11700 is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput, single-threaded responsiveness, and modern instruction-set efficiency. Its 10% lead across Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, plus its 16.4% advantage in integer math, make it the stronger processor for rendering, compilation, and general productivity. The 49.1% lead in encryption is a standout for anyone handling secure data operations.

The i7-10700K, despite losing 19 of 25 tests, is not obsolete. Its 21.5% win in random string sorting and 12.1% win in data compression suggest it handles certain memory-bound or cache-sensitive workloads better. The Geekbench multi-core win (4.7%) is an outlier but real. For users whose workloads are dominated by sorting, compression, or physics calculations, the i7-10700K holds a measurable edge. However, the i7-11700’s production status is end-of-life, while the i7-10700K remains active, which may influence availability. Neither chip has a launch MSRP for the i7-10700K, but the i7-11700’s launch MSRP was $323.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The i7-10700K is based on Comet Lake, a 14 nm architecture, while the i7-11700 uses Rocket Lake, also on 14 nm but with a different design. The i7-11700’s die size is 276 mm²; the i7-10700K’s die size is not listed. Both use the same Intel Socket 1200.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i7-10700K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the i7-11700 increases both to 80 KB and 512 KB per core, respectively. L3 cache is identical at 16 MB shared. The i7-11700’s larger per-core caches likely explain its strong single-threaded and integer performance, as more data can reside closer to the execution units.

PCIe support differs. The i7-10700K offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-11700 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. This gives the i7-11700 both higher bandwidth per lane and more lanes for expansion. Integrated graphics also differ, with the i7-10700K featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the i7-11700 featuring UHD Graphics 750. Memory bandwidth is higher on the i7-11700, at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s, even though both support dual-channel DDR4.

The i7-10700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-11700 does not. The i7-10700K’s base clock is 3.80 GHz with a 5.10 GHz boost, while the i7-11700 operates at a lower 2.50 GHz base but boosts to 4.90 GHz. The i7-10700K carries a 125 W TDP versus 65 W for the i7-11700, meaning the newer chip achieves higher performance with a lower power envelope.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are concentrated in clocks, cache, PCIe, and graphics. The i7-10700K has a 3.80 GHz base clock and 5.10 GHz boost clock; the i7-11700 has a 2.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The i7-10700K’s TDP is 125 W, while the i7-11700’s is 65 W. L1 cache is 64 KB per core for the i7-10700K and 80 KB per core for the i7-11700. L2 cache is 256 KB per core versus 512 KB per core.

PCIe generation and lane count differ: Gen 3, 16 lanes for the i7-10700K; Gen 4, 20 lanes for the i7-11700. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 versus UHD Graphics 750. Memory bandwidth is 46.9 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. The multiplier is unlocked on the i7-10700K and locked on the i7-11700. The i7-10700K’s part number is SRH72; the i7-11700’s is SRKNS. The i7-11700 has a listed die size of 276 mm²; the i7-10700K’s is not provided.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700K has an average benchmark score of 22230, while the Intel Core i7-11700 scores 21891. The difference is 339 points, or roughly 1.5%.

Q: How much faster is the i7-11700 in single-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-11700 scores 2471 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the i7-10700K scores 2220. This represents a 10.2% advantage for the i7-11700.

Q: Does the i7-10700K win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes, the i7-10700K wins in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 9430 against 9003 for the i7-11700, a 4.7% margin. It also wins in PassMark physics and PassMark data compression.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark data encryption, where the i7-11700 scores 12704 versus 6468 for the i7-10700K, a 49.1% advantage for the i7-11700.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus. However, the i7-11700 has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, compared to 46.9 GB/s for the i7-10700K.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-10700K has a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz, compared to 4.90 GHz for the i7-11700. Despite this, the i7-11700 wins most single-threaded benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11700 is the winner for general-purpose computing, content creation, and any workload that leverages modern instruction sets. Its 10.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, combined with a 16.4% advantage in integer math, makes it the better choice for video rendering, software compilation, and office productivity. The 49.1% encryption win is decisive for security-focused applications, and the 10.9% floating-point lead benefits scientific simulations and 3D modeling. The i7-11700 also wins all 3DMark thread tests, indicating better gaming and DX12 performance, with deltas from 0.2% at 8 threads to 13.3% at single-thread.

The i7-10700K wins in specific, niche scenarios. Its 21.5% lead in random string sorting makes it faster for database indexing and text processing. The 12.1% win in data compression favors archiving and backup tasks. The 7.5% physics win suggests better performance in certain game physics engines, and the 5.8% win in extended instructions covers specialized SIMD workloads. The Geekbench multi-core win (4.7%) is notable, though it contradicts the Cinebench results, suggesting the i7-10700K performs better under Geekbench’s specific memory access patterns. For users with workloads centered on sorting, compression, or physics, the i7-10700K remains competitive. For everyone else, the i7-11700 is the stronger processor.