Intel Core i7-11700 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 236V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V and Intel Core i7-11700 represent two distinct generations of Intel design, with the former being a modern 3 nm mobile part and the latter a 14 nm desktop processor from 2021. While both chips achieve the same 75th percentile ranking among all CPUs, their benchmark profiles reveal starkly different strengths. The i7-11700 leads in aggregate multi-threaded workloads, while the Ultra 5 236V counters with commanding wins in specific single-thread and specialized math tests. The data shows a split decision, with the Core i7-11700 taking 11 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but the Ultra 5 236V securing the more decisive individual victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the comparison belongs to the Ultra 5 236V in the PassMark find prime numbers test. Here, the Lunar Lake chip scores 171 against just 55 for the Rocket Lake processor, a staggering 210.9% advantage. This suggests a fundamentally superior integer performance per clock in this particular workload, likely stemming from architectural efficiency rather than raw frequency. Similarly, the Ultra 5 236V dominates the PassMark physics test with a score of 1503 versus 868, a 73.2% margin that indicates a significant edge in simulation and constraint-based workloads.

In single-threaded performance, the Ultra 5 236V posts a PassMark single-thread score of 3893, beating the i7-11700’s 3263 by 19.3%. This advantage is consistent across both PassMark single-thread and singlethread listings, reinforcing that the newer architecture holds a clear lead in lightly-threaded tasks. The Ultra 5 236V also wins PassMark floating point math, scoring 52774 against 46369, a 13.8% improvement that highlights its superior FPU throughput. Finally, the Ultra 5 236V edges out the i7-11700 in PassMark data encryption, 13049 versus 12704, a modest 2.7% win that suggests competitive cryptographic acceleration.

The Core i7-11700, however, asserts dominance in most multi-threaded and memory-intensive benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-11700 scores 17504 against the Ultra 5 236V’s 15628, a 10.7% advantage that is mirrored across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The same 10.7% deficit applies to the Ultra 5 236V in Cinebench single-core tests, where the i7-11700 scores 2471 versus 2206 in R23. This consistency across all three Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance gap, likely driven by the i7-11700’s higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz and its 16 threads versus 8.

The most substantial win for the i7-11700 comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 79687 against the Ultra 5 236V’s 38765, a massive 51.4% lead. This result, combined with a 33% win in data compression (263563 versus 176554) and a 28.3% win in random string sorting (30147 versus 21628), paints a picture of a processor that excels in throughput-oriented integer work. The i7-11700 also wins PassMark extended instructions by 15.7% (18323 versus 15451) and PassMark multithread by 11.1% (20672 versus 18375). Overall, the i7-11700’s wins are broader, while the Ultra 5 236V’s wins are sharper and more concentrated in specific areas.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V outperforms the i7-11700 in single-threaded PassMark tests, achieving 3893 against 3263, a 19.3% advantage.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-11700 leads by 10.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 17504 versus the Ultra 5 236V’s 15628.

Q: What is the most significant performance difference between the two CPUs?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 236V scores 171 compared to the i7-11700’s 55, representing a 210.9% advantage for the newer chip.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 236V win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: No, the i7-11700 wins all multi-threaded tests, including Cinebench R23 multi-core and PassMark multithread, with the latter seeing an 11.1% margin.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the scores are nearly tied?

A: Yes, in PassMark data encryption, the Ultra 5 236V wins by only 2.7%, scoring 13049 versus 12704 for the i7-11700.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Ultra 5 236V has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 21952 compared to the i7-11700’s 21891, a difference of less than 0.3%.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these processors is substantial, reflecting their different market positions and release eras. The Ultra 5 236V is built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, codenamed Lunar Lake, while the i7-11700 uses Intel’s 14 nm process and Rocket Lake architecture. This process difference explains the Ultra 5 236V’s significantly lower 17 W TDP versus the i7-11700’s 65 W, despite the former being a mobile chip. The i7-11700 has a larger die size of 276 mm², while the Ultra 5 236V’s die size is not listed.

Core configuration diverges sharply: the Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, meaning the latter supports simultaneous multithreading. Cache hierarchies also differ, with the Ultra 5 236V offering 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, alongside 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-11700 provides 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This suggests the i7-11700 relies on a larger last-level cache to compensate for its older architecture.

Memory support and PCIe connectivity are further differentiators. The i7-11700 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a stated memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Ultra 5 236V’s memory support is listed as "unknown" and depends on the motherboard, though it also uses a dual-channel bus. In terms of PCIe, the i7-11700 provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, whereas the Ultra 5 236V offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes, indicating a trade-off between bandwidth per lane and total lane count. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Ultra 5 236V featuring Arc 130V and the i7-11700 using UHD Graphics 750.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-11700 is the better choice for users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput and integer-heavy workloads. Its 10.7% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests, coupled with a 51.4% advantage in PassMark integer math and a 33% lead in data compression, makes it the clear winner for rendering, encoding, and productivity tasks that scale with thread count. The i7-11700’s 16 threads provide a substantial advantage in any workload that can utilize them, as evidenced by its 11.1% win in PassMark multithread.

Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is the superior option for single-threaded and specialized math workloads. Its 19.3% lead in PassMark single-thread, 210.9% lead in find prime numbers, and 73.2% lead in physics suggest it is better suited for applications that rely on per-core efficiency and certain scientific computations. The Ultra 5 236V’s 13.8% win in floating point math further reinforces its strength in FPU-bound tasks.

For a desktop user with access to a Socket 1200 motherboard and DDR4 memory, the i7-11700 offers a straightforward performance advantage in most benchmarks. However, for a mobile or low-power system where the 17 W TDP of the Ultra 5 236V is critical, the newer chip provides competitive single-thread performance and wins in specific workloads despite its thread deficit. The data ultimately shows that neither chip is universally faster; the choice depends on whether the workload favors the i7-11700’s raw multi-threading or the Ultra 5 236V’s architectural efficiency in narrow, demanding tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 236V | Intel Core i7-11700 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Lunar Lake | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | Not listed | 276 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | Unknown (depends on motherboard) | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc 130V | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2024-09-23 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $323 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SRPN2SRPN3 | SRKNS |