Intel Core i7-11700B vs Intel Core i9-10850K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700B and Intel Core i9-10850K are two end-of-life processors that, despite coming from different generations and market segments, land within a single point of each other in average benchmark score. The i7-11700B, a mobile Tiger Lake-H part, averages 5241 points, while the desktop i9-10850K averages 5240 points, placing both at the 60th percentile among all CPUs. The data shows a remarkably tight contest, with the i9-10850K winning all six shared head-to-head benchmark comparisons by margins of roughly 2.5%, yet the overall average scores remain effectively identical due to the i7-11700B’s additional benchmark coverage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700B holds a marginal edge with an average benchmark score of 5241, compared to the Intel Core i9-10850K’s 5240. The delta between the two is 0%, meaning the scores are statistically indistinguishable.

Q: How does the i9-10850K perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i9-10850K scores 18592 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 2.5% higher than the i7-11700B’s 18119. This represents the largest absolute multi-core gap in the head-to-head results.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-10850K scores 1102, while the i7-11700B scores 1074. The i9-10850K leads by 2.5%, consistent with the margins seen in other single-threaded tests.

Q: Does the i7-11700B have any benchmark wins over the i9-10850K?

A: No. Across the six shared Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core), the i9-10850K wins all six with a 2.5% to 2.7% advantage. The i7-11700B records zero wins in this comparison.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i9-10850K has 10 cores and 20 threads, compared to the i7-11700B’s 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-11700B achieves nearly identical average benchmark scores.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of process node?

A: The i7-11700B is built on Intel’s 10 nm process, while the i9-10850K uses the older 14 nm node. The i7-11700B also has a smaller die size at 190 mm² versus 206 mm² for the i9-10850K.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations and market intents. The Intel Core i7-11700B uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture on a 10 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with a die size of 190 mm². It is a mobile processor, designed for the Intel BGA 1787 socket, and integrates UHD Graphics (Xe-LP). In contrast, the Intel Core i9-10850K is a Comet Lake desktop part on the 14 nm node, with a larger 206 mm² die, using the Intel Socket 1200 and featuring UHD Graphics 630. The process node difference is significant: the 10 nm Tiger Lake design allows for higher transistor density per square millimeter, which helps explain how an 8-core part can match a 10-core desktop chip in aggregate performance.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The i7-11700B allocates 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-10850K uses 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with only 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the i7-11700B has substantially more L2 cache per core (roughly five times) and 20% more L3 cache overall, which can improve hit rates in latency-sensitive workloads. PCIe support also diverges: the i7-11700B offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i9-10850K is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Memory bandwidth favors the mobile part as well, with 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s, though both use dual-channel DDR4.

Other architectural distinctions include clock configuration and overclocking. The i9-10850K has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, with an unlocked multiplier. The i7-11700B runs at a lower 3.20 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost, with a locked multiplier. The i9-10850K’s higher clocks likely compensate for its older process and smaller per-core cache. Additionally, the i7-11700B carries a 65 W TDP, while the i9-10850K is rated at 125 W, reflecting the desktop part’s higher power envelope and the mobile part’s efficiency focus. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform across all six Cinebench tests, with the Intel Core i9-10850K winning every contest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-10850K scores 1873 versus 1826 for the i7-11700B, a 2.5% margin. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap of 2.7%, with scores of 264 and 257 respectively. These early benchmarks establish a pattern that persists through newer Cinebench versions.

Cinebench R20 multi-core reinforces the trend: the i9-10850K achieves 7808, while the i7-11700B scores 7609, again a 2.5% difference. Single-core R20 follows suit, with 1102 versus 1074, also a 2.5% gap. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, shows the i9-10850K at 18592 and the i7-11700B at 18119, maintaining the 2.5% delta. Single-core R23 completes the sweep, with 2624 versus 2558, another 2.5% difference.

The consistency is striking. Every multi-core test yields precisely a 2.5% advantage for the i9-10850K, and single-core tests vary only slightly, from 2.5% to 2.7%. This suggests that the i9-10850K’s higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz) and additional two cores provide a modest, scalable advantage across both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads. However, the i7-11700B’s newer architecture and larger caches almost entirely neutralize the core count disadvantage; a 25% core advantage (10 versus 8) translates into only a 2.5% performance lead in multi-core tests. The i7-11700B’s per-core efficiency, enabled by the 10 nm process and larger L2/L3 caches, closes most of the gap that raw core counts would normally dictate.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700B | Intel Core i9-10850K |

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

| Series | Core 11th Gen | Core 10th Gen |

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | 206 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 80 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 256 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 24 MB | 20 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRKU5 | SRK51 |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2020-07-26 |

The specification table highlights the fundamental differences. The i9-10850K offers more cores, threads, and higher clock speeds, along with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The i7-11700B counters with a smaller process node, larger caches at every level, faster memory bandwidth, newer PCIe generation, and a significantly lower TDP. The socket difference (BGA 1787 versus Socket 1200) makes them incompatible with the same motherboards, and the mobile versus desktop segmentation further separates their intended use cases.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear, albeit narrow, performance hierarchy: the Intel Core i9-10850K wins all six shared tests with a consistent 2.5% margin. For users prioritizing maximum multi-threaded throughput in Cinebench workloads, the i9-10850K is the stronger choice, offering 18592 in R23 multi-core versus 18119 for the i7-11700B. Its higher core count and boost clock deliver real, measurable advantages across all tested scenarios, even if the margins are modest.

The i7-11700B, however, presents a compelling efficiency profile. It matches the i9-10850K’s average benchmark score (5241 versus 5240) while consuming a 65 W TDP compared to 125 W, using a smaller die (190 mm² versus 206 mm²), and providing superior per-core cache allocations. For mobile or compact systems where thermal and power constraints matter, the i7-11700B achieves near-identical aggregate performance with far less overhead. Its Gen 4 PCIe support and higher memory bandwidth also position it better for future peripheral upgrades.

The i9-10850K suits desktop builders who need every bit of multi-core and single-core performance and can accommodate a higher power draw. The i7-11700B suits users who need the same effective benchmark performance in a mobile form factor, with lower power consumption and newer platform features. Given that both are end-of-life products, the choice hinges on platform requirements rather than raw capability, as the data shows neither processor has a decisive performance advantage. The i9-10850K’s six wins are real but small; the i7-11700B’s architectural efficiency is real but does not translate into benchmark victories. Ultimately, the i9-10850K is the faster CPU in every measured test, while the i7-11700B is the more balanced overall package.