Intel Core i7-11700B vs Intel Core i9-9820X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-11700B across all six Cinebench comparisons. The largest margin comes in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the i7-11700B scores 1074 against the i9-9820X's 1034, a 3.9% advantage. The remaining five tests cluster tightly at a 3.8% delta, except for the R15 single-core test which sits at 3.6%.

In multi-core workloads, the i7-11700B posts 1826 in Cinebench R15 versus 1759 for the i9-9820X. The gap widens in newer test versions: Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 7609 against 7332, and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 18119 against 17459. These are consistent wins, but the deltas are modest, ranging from 3.6% to 3.9% across the board. The i9-9820X never claims a single victory.

The average benchmark score reinforces this result. The i7-11700B averages 5241 points, while the i9-9820X averages 5049 points. That places the i7-11700B roughly 3.8% ahead in aggregate performance, which aligns perfectly with the head-to-head deltas. Both processors sit at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy similar performance tiers despite their different designs.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11700B wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split rests on the magnitude and nature of those wins rather than any reversal of fortunes. Single-core performance favors the i7-11700B consistently, with scores of 257, 1074, and 2558 in R15, R20, and R23 respectively. The i9-9820X trails at 248, 1034, and 2464 in the same tests. This makes the i7-11700B the better choice for lightly threaded workloads such as daily application responsiveness, where single-core speed dominates.

Multi-core results also favor the i7-11700B, but the margins are nearly identical across all three Cinebench versions. The i7-11700B leads by 67 points in R15, 277 points in R20, and 660 points in R23. These are consistent advantages, but they do not grow with workload intensity, suggesting the i7-11700B's efficiency advantage is steady rather than scaling. For heavily threaded rendering tasks, the i7-11700B still comes out ahead, but the i9-9820X remains competitive within a few percentage points.

The i9-9820X offers no benchmark wins, but its profile includes a 10-core, 20-thread configuration compared to the i7-11700B's 8-core, 16-thread layout. The data shows the i7-11700B overcomes this core deficit through higher clock speeds and architectural efficiency. The i9-9820X's 3.30 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost clock do not compensate for the i7-11700B's 3.20 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost in these tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i7-11700B uses Tiger Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 190 mm². The i9-9820X uses Skylake-X, built on a 14 nm process with no die size recorded in the database. This process gap explains much of the performance-per-watt difference, though the i7-11700B's 65 W TDP versus the i9-9820X's 165 W TDP is the more striking specification gap.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i7-11700B carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The i9-9820X carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16.5 MB of shared L3. The i7-11700B's larger L3 cache, 24 MB versus 16.5 MB, likely contributes to its single-core advantage in the benchmark data.

Memory support shows a clear split. Both support DDR4, but the i9-9820X uses a quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-11700B uses a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The i9-9820X offers more raw memory throughput, yet this does not translate into benchmark wins. PCIe support also differs: the i7-11700B provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i9-9820X provides Gen 3 with 44 lanes.

The i7-11700B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics Xe-LP), while the i9-9820X has none. Socket types reflect their market segments: the i7-11700B uses Intel BGA 1787 (mobile), and the i9-9820X uses Intel Socket 2066 (desktop). The i9-9820X has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-11700B does not. Neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11700B has 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

A: The i7-11700B scores 18119 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i9-9820X scores 17459, giving the i7-11700B a 3.8% lead.

Q: Does the i9-9820X support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory according to the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-11700B has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-9820X has a 165 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-11700B includes UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), while the i9-9820X has no integrated graphics.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The i9-9820X offers 85.3 GB/s over a quad-channel bus, while the i7-11700B offers 51.2 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points decisively to the Intel Core i7-11700B. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with every delta between 3.6% and 3.9%. The i7-11700B also holds a higher average benchmark score at 5241 versus 5049, and both processors share the 60th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The i9-9820X's advantages in core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lanes do not produce any recorded performance win.

For users prioritizing single-threaded workloads, the i7-11700B is the clear pick. Its single-core scores, 257 in R15, 1074 in R20, and 2558 in R23, all exceed the i9-9820X's corresponding results of 248, 1034, and 2464. The larger 24 MB L3 cache and 10 nm process likely explain this edge.

For multi-threaded rendering, the choice requires more nuance. The i7-11700B wins every multi-core test, but the margins remain around 3.8% despite the i9-9820X having two additional cores and 20 threads versus 16. The i9-9820X's quad-channel memory and higher TDP suggest it can sustain heavy loads, yet the recorded Cinebench results show the i7-11700B maintaining its lead. Users with existing Socket 2066 platforms might prefer the i9-9820X for its unlocked multiplier and 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, but benchmark performance favors the i7-11700B.

The i9-9820X's launch MSRP was $889, though the database records no such figure for the i7-11700B. Both are end-of-life products. The i7-11700B is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1787, while the i9-9820X is a desktop part on Intel Socket 2066, so platform compatibility will drive many purchasing decisions. On pure benchmark performance, the i7-11700B is the superior processor in every recorded test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700B | Intel Core i9-9820X |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 165 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Skylake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 190 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16.5 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 44 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2021-05-10 | 2018-10-18 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRKU5 | SREZ8 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $889 |