Intel Core i7-11700 vs Intel Core i7-11700F Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700F and Intel Core i7-11700 are nearly identical Rocket Lake desktop processors, separated primarily by the presence of integrated graphics on the latter. The benchmark data reveals a remarkably close contest, with the Core i7-11700 securing 13 wins against the Core i7-11700F’s 12 wins in the head-to-head suite. The average benchmark scores are also within 0.4% of each other, with the 11700F at 21988 and the 11700 at 21891. Both chips share the same 8-core, 16-thread configuration, a 2.50 GHz base clock, a 4.90 GHz boost clock, and a 65 W TDP. The only specification difference is the integrated UHD Graphics 750 on the 11700, which the 11700F lacks, alongside a launch MSRP of $323 for the 11700 versus $298 for the 11700F.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive advantage in the entire benchmark suite belongs to the Intel Core i7-11700F in Geekbench multicore. Here, the 11700F scores 9680 against the 11700’s 9003, a substantial 7.5% lead. This is the only test with a delta exceeding 3.2%, making it the single largest performance gap between the two processors. This result is particularly notable because it suggests that in certain heavily threaded synthetic workloads, the 11700F can pull noticeably ahead, despite the identical core and clock specifications. In contrast, the 11700’s largest wins are smaller in magnitude. Its best showing is in 3dmark_16_threads, where it scores 7624 versus 7378, a 3.2% advantage. This is followed by a 2.3% lead in 3dmark_8_threads (5640 vs 5513) and a 2.1% lead in 3dmark_max_threads (7640 vs 7479).

The pattern across the 3DMark suite is consistent: the Intel Core i7-11700 wins every single test, from single-thread (949 vs 943, a 0.6% lead) to 16-thread (7624 vs 7378, a 3.2% lead). This indicates that in this specific benchmark, the 11700 holds a small but consistent edge across all thread counts. The 11700F fights back in the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests. The margins are narrow but uniform: the 11700F leads by 0.7% in R15 multicore (1777 vs 1764), R20 multicore (7405 vs 7351), and R23 multicore (17633 vs 17504). In single-core Cinebench tests, the 11700F also leads by 0.8% in R15 (250 vs 248) and R20 (1045 vs 1037), and by 0.7% in R23 (2489 vs 2471). This shows that in rendering workloads, the 11700F is consistently, if marginally, faster.

The PassMark suite is split. The 11700F wins in data compression (266035 vs 263563, a 0.9% lead), find prime numbers (56 vs 55, a 1.8% lead), physics (885 vs 868, a 2% lead), random string sorting (30498 vs 30147, a 1.2% lead), and multithread (20728 vs 20672, a 0.3% lead). The 11700 wins in data encryption (12704 vs 12563, a 1.1% lead), extended instructions (18323 vs 18308, a 0.1% lead), floating point math (46369 vs 46307, a 0.1% lead), and integer math (79687 vs 79133, a 0.7% lead). The single-thread PassMark scores are effectively tied, with the 11700 at 3263 and the 11700F at 3262, a delta of 0%. This near-perfect tie in single-thread performance reinforces that the two chips have identical fundamental execution capabilities. The 11700 also wins the Geekbench singlecore test by a hair, 1895 vs 1891, a 0.2% margin.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 21988, compared to the Intel Core i7-11700’s 21891. This places both in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, and the 11700F’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X with an average score of 21992, a delta of 0%.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two CPUs?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-11700F scores 9680 against the Intel Core i7-11700’s 9003, giving the 11700F a 7.5% lead. This is the only test where the difference exceeds 3.2%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core i7-11700 consistently wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-11700 wins all six 3DMark tests, with deltas ranging from 0.6% in single-thread to 3.2% in 16-thread. It also wins the Geekbench singlecore test by 0.2% and several PassMark sub-tests, including data encryption and integer math.

Q: Do the two processors have identical specifications?

A: The core specifications are identical: both have 8 cores, 16 threads, a 2.50 GHz base clock, a 4.90 GHz boost clock, and 65 W TDP. The only difference is that the Intel Core i7-11700 includes integrated UHD Graphics 750, while the Intel Core i7-11700F has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, with an average score of 21992, representing a 0% delta. The Intel Core i7-11700’s nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9554P, with an average score of 21899, also a 0% delta. Both Intel chips sit in the 75th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F has a launch MSRP of $298, while the Intel Core i7-11700 has a launch MSRP of $323. The $25 difference is the only pricing distinction between the two.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the choice between these two processors hinges on workload priorities. For users focused on Geekbench multicore performance, the Intel Core i7-11700F is the clear pick, as it delivers a 7.5% advantage over the 11700. Similarly, for Cinebench rendering workloads, the 11700F holds a slim but consistent 0.7% lead across all multicore and singlecore tests. The data also shows the 11700F winning in PassMark physics by 2% and random string sorting by 1.2%, which could be relevant for certain scientific or data-processing tasks.

Conversely, the Intel Core i7-11700 wins the entire 3DMark suite, with margins growing from 0.6% at low thread counts to 3.2% at 16 threads. This suggests a small but meaningful advantage in simulated gaming or DirectX workloads. The 11700 also edges out the 11700F in PassMark integer math (0.7% lead) and data encryption (1.1% lead). The single-thread performance is effectively identical, with a 0% delta in PassMark single-thread and a 0.2% delta in Geekbench singlecore favoring the 11700. The overall win count is nearly even, with the 11700 taking 13 wins and the 11700F taking 12. The average benchmark scores are within 0.4%, making the performance difference negligible for most users. The deciding factor, therefore, is not raw performance but the presence of integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-11700 includes UHD Graphics 750, which is absent from the 11700F. Any system requiring a discrete GPU will not benefit from this, making the 11700F the more logical choice given its lower launch MSRP of $298 versus $323. Systems that need a fallback display output or rely on Intel Quick Sync Video would favor the 11700.

Specification Differences

The two processors are functionally identical in every listed specification except for the integrated graphics and launch MSRP. Both use the Intel Socket 1200, feature 8 cores and 16 threads, have a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 4.90 GHz boost clock, and share a 65 W TDP. The cache hierarchy is the same: 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. The production status for both is end-of-life, with a release date of 2021-03-15. The part numbers differ (SRKNR for the 11700F, SRKNS for the 11700), reflecting the hardware difference. The only specification where they diverge is the integrated graphics field: the Intel Core i7-11700F has none (null), while the Intel Core i7-11700 has UHD Graphics 750. This also explains the launch MSRP difference of $298 for the F variant versus $323 for the non-F variant.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Rocket Lake architecture, also known by the codename Rocket Lake, and are part of the Core 11th Gen series. The manufacturing process is identical: a 14 nm node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 276 mm². The generation is listed as Core i7 (Rocket Lake-S). The core and thread counts are the same, as are the clock speeds. The cache layout is identical in capacity and organization. Both support the same memory and PCIe specifications. The sole architectural difference is the inclusion of the UHD Graphics 750 integrated GPU on the Intel Core i7-11700, which is absent on the Intel Core i7-11700F. This means the 11700 has a functional iGPU that can handle display output and basic graphics tasks, while the 11700F requires a discrete graphics card for any video output. The presence of the iGPU does not alter the CPU core design, cache hierarchy, or memory controller, as evidenced by the near-identical benchmark scores across most tests. The 11700’s slight lead in 3DMark could be attributed to system-level differences in the test environment, but the architectural data shows no other distinguishing features. Both processors are multiplier-unlocked, meaning they are not factory-overclockable, and both are end-of-life products.