Intel Core i7-11700 vs Intel Core i7-1270P Comparison

The data shows a clear split between these two Intel Core i7 processors. The Intel Core i7-11700, a desktop part, dominates most compute-heavy workloads, winning 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i7-1270P, a mobile processor, counters with a smaller number of wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific tasks that highlight its architectural strengths. The overall average benchmark score for the 1270P is 22502, placing it at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while the 11700 scores 21891, placing it at the 75th percentile. This near-identical overall standing makes the specific workload differences the deciding factor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-11700 establishes its dominance early in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 11700 scores 17504 against the 1270P's 13938, a 20.4% advantage. The pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench family. For R20 multi-core, the 11700 posts 7351 versus 5853, again a 20.4% lead. Single-core results are equally decisive for the desktop chip: Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2471 for the 11700 and 1967 for the 1270P, a 20.4% margin. The R15 and R20 single-core tests mirror this, with the 11700 winning by 20.2% and 20.3% respectively. These are not marginal differences; they represent a consistent performance tier gap.

Beyond Cinebench, the 11700 extends its lead in several Passmark sub-tests. The most dramatic difference appears in extended instructions, where the 11700 scores 18323 against the 1270P's 10575, a 42.3% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Data compression also heavily favors the 11700, with a score of 263563 versus 184917, a 29.8% gap. Random string sorting follows with a 31.8% lead for the 11700 (30147 vs 20546). Integer math is another strong area for the desktop part, showing a 20.9% advantage (79687 vs 63016). The 11700 also wins in data encryption (12704 vs 11276, an 11.2% lead), floating-point math (46369 vs 43168, a 6.9% lead), and the overall Passmark multithread score (20672 vs 16957, an 18% lead).

The Intel Core i7-1270P does have its own victories, and they are instructive. The most significant win is in the Passmark physics test, where the 1270P scores 1120 versus the 11700's 868, a 29% advantage. This is a substantial reversal of the general trend. The other clear win is in single-thread performance. The 1270P scores 3354 in both Passmark single-thread and singlethread tests, against 3263 for the 11700, a 2.8% lead. Additionally, the 1270P wins the prime numbers test with a score of 66 versus 55, a 20% advantage. These wins suggest that while the 11700 has higher raw throughput in most sustained workloads, the 1270P is more efficient in specific single-threaded or latency-sensitive tasks.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-11700 is the superior processor for the vast majority of demanding applications. Its 20.4% lead across the entire Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites, both single and multi-core, makes it the clear choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any CPU-bound creative work. The 42.3% advantage in extended instructions and the 29.8% lead in data compression further solidify its position for scientific computing, data analysis, and file archival tasks. Users running heavy multithreaded workloads should select the 11700 without hesitation.

The Intel Core i7-1270P is the better choice in a narrow set of scenarios. Its 29% win in the physics test points to an advantage in certain simulation or game physics calculations. The 2.8% lead in single-thread Passmark scores, while small, indicates it can edge ahead in lightly threaded applications. The 20% win in prime number finding is also relevant for specific mathematical workloads. The 1270P is a mobile processor, so its primary arena is laptops, but based on this data, it should be chosen for tasks that specifically benefit from its physics and single-thread strengths, not for general heavy compute.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-1270P has a higher average benchmark score of 22502, compared to the Intel Core i7-11700's 21891.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i7-11700 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 11700 scores 17504 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 20.4% higher than the 1270P's 13938.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i7-1270P have its largest victory?

A: The 1270P's largest victory is in the Passmark physics test, where it scores 1120, a 29% advantage over the 11700's 868.

Q: What is the difference in their single-thread Passmark scores?

A: The 1270P scores 3354, while the 11700 scores 3263, giving the 1270P a 2.8% lead.

Q: Which processor wins the Passmark extended instructions test?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 wins decisively with a score of 18323, which is 42.3% higher than the 1270P's 10575.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win overall?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-1270P wins 4.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core configuration and clock speeds. The Intel Core i7-1270P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The 11700 has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz compared to the 1270P's 2.20 GHz. The 11700 also has a slightly higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz for the 1270P. The thermal design power differs significantly: the 1270P is rated at 28 W, while the 11700 is rated at 65 W. Their sockets are different, with the 1270P using Intel BGA 1744 and the 11700 using Intel Socket 1200. The 11700 has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 1270P's memory bandwidth is not recorded. The 11700 supports only DDR4 memory, while the 1270P supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The 11700 has a launch MSRP of $323. The 1270P's production status is Active, while the 11700 is End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The architectural foundation of these chips is fundamentally different. The Intel Core i7-1270P is built on the Alder Lake architecture, using the Alder Lake-P codename and a 10 nm process node. Its die size is 217 mm². The Intel Core i7-11700 uses the Rocket Lake architecture and codename, built on a 14 nm process node with a larger die size of 276 mm². Cache hierarchies also differ. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The 1270P has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the 11700 has 512 KB per core. The 1270P has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 11700 has 16 MB. Integrated graphics are present on both, but they differ: the 1270P includes Iris Xe 96EU, while the 11700 has UHD Graphics 750. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. The 1270P is a mobile segment part released in 2022, while the 11700 is a desktop segment part released in 2021.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700 is the winner for all-around heavy workloads. Its consistent 20% leads in Cinebench make it the default for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The 42.3% advantage in extended instructions targets scientific simulation and signal processing. The 29.8% lead in data compression makes it superior for database management, backup software, and file server tasks. The 20.9% win in integer math benefits general productivity and office applications. For any user running sustained, multithreaded workloads on a desktop platform, the 11700 is the data-backed choice.

The Intel Core i7-1270P wins in a smaller, more specialized set of tasks. The 29% lead in physics suggests it is better suited for physics-based simulations in games or engineering tools that are not fully multithreaded. The 2.8% lead in single-thread Passmark means it can be faster in older or poorly optimized software that relies on a single core. The 20% win in prime number finding is relevant for cryptography or number theory applications. For mobile users who prioritize these specific single-threaded or physics-based tasks, the 1270P provides a measurable advantage despite its overall lower multi-core throughput.