Intel Core i7-11700 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear overall winner: the Intel Core i7-11700 takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U manages only 4 wins. However, the nature of those wins reveals a more nuanced story about where each chip excels.

The Core i7-11700 dominates in multi-core rendering workloads. Its most decisive victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17504 against the Ultra 5 135U's 9315, a 46.8% advantage. The gap is similarly stark in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the desktop part leading 7351 to 5934, a 19.3% margin. Even in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-11700 wins 1764 to 1634, though the 7.4% lead is more modest.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern. The i7-11700 posts 2471 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1563 for the Ultra 5 135U, a 36.7% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the desktop chip leads 1037 to 837, again a 19.3% gap. The R15 single-core test shows a smaller but still decisive 8.1% difference, 248 to 228.

The i7-11700 also sweeps the PassMark workstation-oriented tests. Data compression favors the desktop part 263563 to 196712, a 25.4% lead. Integer math shows a 28.6% gap, 79687 to 56864. Extended instructions produce a 39.2% difference, 18323 to 11144. Random string sorting sees the i7-11700 ahead by 28.3%, 30147 to 21620. Floating-point math is closer, with the i7-11700 winning 46369 to 41232, an 11.1% margin. Even multithread performance, where the Ultra 5 135U's 12-core design might be expected to help, goes to the desktop chip: 20672 to 17359, a 16% gap. Data encryption is the narrowest i7-11700 win, just 4%, 12704 to 12195.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U's four wins are concentrated in specific niches. Its most substantial victory is in PassMark physics, where it scores 1122 against 868 for the i7-11700, a 29.3% advantage. Prime number finding also favors the Ultra 5 135U, 64 to 55, a 16.4% lead. In single-threaded PassMark tests, the mobile chip edges ahead by 2.5%, 3343 to 3263. Both PassMark single-thread and singlethread entries record the same result.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-11700 is the stronger processor for most compute-heavy tasks. Its 46.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 36.7% lead in single-core make it the better choice for rendering, content creation, and any workload that scales with raw CPU throughput.

The Ultra 5 135U does not match that performance, but its wins matter in context. The 29.3% advantage in PassMark physics suggests better handling of physics simulation workloads. The 2.5% single-thread PassMark win, though small, shows the newer architecture can hold its own in certain light-threaded scenarios.

The overall benchmark averages reinforce this split: the i7-11700 posts an average score of 21891, while the Ultra 5 135U averages 22618. The Ultra 5 135U sits at the 76th percentile among all CPUs, slightly above the i7-11700's 75th percentile. The mobile chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-12500H at 22625 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-1270P at 22502 (0.5% ahead), and the Intel Core i5-13500H at 22468 (0.7% ahead). The i7-11700, by contrast, aligns with server parts like the AMD EPYC 9554P at 21899 and AMD EPYC 9534 at 21900, both with 0% delta.

For users prioritizing maximum multi-core and single-core Cinebench performance, the i7-11700 is the clear pick. For those focused on physics simulation or light-threaded PassMark workloads, the Ultra 5 135U offers specific advantages.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel design eras. The Core Ultra 5 135U uses the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process node. The Core i7-11700 uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm node. This process gap explains much of the efficiency and feature divergence.

The Ultra 5 135U is a mobile part with 12 cores and 14 threads, while the i7-11700 is a desktop chip with 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer cores, the desktop part's higher power envelope and clock speeds drive its benchmark superiority. The i7-11700 boosts to 4.90 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the Ultra 5 135U.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Ultra 5 135U features 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The i7-11700 has 80 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The desktop chip's larger L3 pool helps in multi-threaded workloads that benefit from shared data.

Integrated graphics represent another architectural split. The Ultra 5 135U comes with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, while the i7-11700 ships with UHD Graphics 750. The mobile part's newer graphics architecture targets efficiency in a mobile context, but the database does not include graphics benchmark scores for comparison.

Memory support diverges completely. The Ultra 5 135U supports DDR5 memory with bandwidth dependent on the motherboard, while the i7-11700 uses DDR4. The mobile chip's memory bandwidth is rated at 89.6 GB/s, versus 51.2 GB/s for the desktop part. Both run dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts differ: the Ultra 5 135U provides Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-11700 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. This gives the desktop chip more headroom for expansion cards and high-speed storage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields:

• Cores and threads: 12 cores and 14 threads for the Ultra 5 135U; 8 cores and 16 threads for the i7-11700.
• Base clock: 1600.00 MHz for the Ultra 5 135U; 2500.00 MHz for the i7-11700.
• Boost clock: 4.40 GHz for the Ultra 5 135U; 4.90 GHz for the i7-11700.
• TDP: 15 W for the Ultra 5 135U; 65 W for the i7-11700.
• Socket: Intel BGA 2049 for the Ultra 5 135U; Intel Socket 1200 for the i7-11700.
• Process node: 7 nm for the Ultra 5 135U; 14 nm for the i7-11700.
• Die size: Not listed for the Ultra 5 135U; 276 mm² for the i7-11700.
• L1 cache: 112 KB per core for the Ultra 5 135U; 80 KB per core for the i7-11700.
• L2 cache: 2 MB per core for the Ultra 5 135U; 512 KB per core for the i7-11700.
• L3 cache: 12 MB shared for the Ultra 5 135U; 16 MB shared for the i7-11700.
• Memory support: DDR5 (motherboard dependent) for the Ultra 5 135U; DDR4 for the i7-11700.
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 5 135U; 51.2 GB/s for the i7-11700.
• PCIe lanes: Gen 4, 12 lanes for the Ultra 5 135U; Gen 4, 20 lanes for the i7-11700.
• Integrated graphics: Arc Xe-LPG 64EU for the Ultra 5 135U; UHD Graphics 750 for the i7-11700.
• Market segment: Mobile for the Ultra 5 135U; Desktop for the i7-11700.
• Production status: Active for the Ultra 5 135U; End-of-life for the i7-11700.
• Release date: 2023-12-13 for the Ultra 5 135U; 2021-03-15 for the i7-11700.
• Launch MSRP: $332 for the Ultra 5 135U; $323 for the i7-11700.
• Multiplier unlocked: Neither processor offers an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U wins 4.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in a single test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-11700 scores 17504 versus 9315 for the Ultra 5 135U, a 46.8% difference.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 135U win any tests by a significant margin?

A: Yes, the Ultra 5 135U leads by 29.3% in PassMark physics (1122 to 868) and by 16.4% in PassMark find prime numbers (64 to 55).

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The Ultra 5 135U scores 3343 in PassMark single-thread, which is 2.5% ahead of the i7-11700's 3263.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Ultra 5 135U averages 22618, while the i7-11700 averages 21891. The Ultra 5 135U sits at the 76th percentile among all CPUs, and the i7-11700 at the 75th.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700 boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-11700 wins in: Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, Cinebench R20 multi-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark data compression, PassMark data encryption, PassMark extended instructions, PassMark floating-point math, PassMark integer math, PassMark multithread, and PassMark random string sorting.

The desktop chip's 46.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the clear choice for rendering workloads. Its 36.7% single-core advantage in the same suite indicates strong performance in lightly-threaded applications like everyday productivity. The 28.6% lead in integer math and 39.2% lead in extended instructions point to advantages in code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, and workloads using advanced instruction sets. The 25.4% edge in data compression suits archiving and backup tasks.

Intel Core Ultra 5 135U wins in: PassMark find prime numbers, PassMark physics, PassMark single-thread, and PassMark singlethread.

The 29.3% advantage in PassMark physics makes the mobile chip a better fit for physics simulation tasks. The 16.4% win in prime number finding indicates efficiency in certain mathematical workloads. The 2.5% single-thread PassMark lead, while modest, shows the newer architecture's competence in light-threaded scenarios. Its 15 W TDP, versus 65 W for the i7-11700, makes it the more power-efficient option, though the database does not provide efficiency ratings to quantify the difference. The Ultra 5 135U's active production status and 2023 release date, compared to the i7-11700's end-of-life status and 2021 release, make it the forward-looking choice for new mobile designs.