Intel Core i7-11700B vs Intel Xeon W-1290P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-1290P across all six recorded Cinebench tests, with wins ranging from 4.8% to 5.1%. The largest single advantage appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon W-1290P scores 270 against 257 for the Core i7-11700B, a 5.1% lead. In multi-core workloads, the margin is consistent at 4.9% across both Cinebench R15 and R23, with scores of 1915 versus 1826 and 19008 versus 18119 respectively.

The Cinebench R20 results reinforce the pattern. The Xeon W-1290P reaches 7983 in multi-core, beating the 7609 posted by the Core i7-11700B by 4.9%. Single-core in R20 shows a 4.8% advantage, with scores of 1126 and 1074. The narrowest gap is still a comfortable win for the Xeon part, and the consistency of the delta across every test suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Looking at the average benchmark scores in the database, the Xeon W-1290P sits at 5443, while the Core i7-11700B averages 5241. That is a 3.9% difference in overall aggregate performance. The nearest rivals for the Xeon W-1290P include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 at 5425 (a 0.3% gap) and the AMD EPYC 7351P at 5469 (a 0.5% gap in the other direction). The Core i7-11700B, by contrast, sits almost exactly level with the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5240, showing a 0% delta, and trails the Intel Core i5-14401E by just 0.2%. This positions the Core i7-11700B as a mid-pack performer, while the Xeon W-1290P edges closer to higher-tier workstation silicon.

Both processors land at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database. That means despite the Xeon's consistent head-to-head wins, neither chip breaks into the upper echelon of recorded processors. The percentile metric captures overall standing, and both parts occupy the same tier, likely because the Xeon's advantages are modest in percentage terms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families. The Xeon W-1290P is built on Comet Lake, while the Core i7-11700B uses Tiger Lake-H. Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, but the die sizes differ slightly, with the Xeon measuring 206 mm² and the Core i7 at 190 mm². The core counts diverge as well: the Xeon packs 10 cores with 20 threads, while the Core i7 offers 8 cores with 16 threads.

Cache layouts reflect these architectural choices. The Xeon W-1290P allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 20 MB L3 pool. The Core i7-11700B provides a larger per-core L1 at 80 KB and a much larger L2 at 1.25 MB per core, plus 24 MB of shared L3. The total cache capacity favors the Core i7, yet the benchmark results still favor the Xeon, indicating that core count and clock speed play a more decisive role in these specific workloads.

Clock speeds also differ meaningfully. The Xeon W-1290P runs a base clock of 3.70 GHz with a boost of 5.30 GHz, whereas the Core i7-11700B operates at 3.20 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The Xeon's higher clocks, combined with two additional cores, explain its consistent benchmark lead. Power envelopes diverge sharply: the Xeon is rated at 125 W TDP, while the Core i7 draws only 65 W. This makes the Core i7 substantially more power-efficient on paper, though the database does not include power consumption measurements for these specific workloads.

Memory support differs in bandwidth and ECC capability. The Xeon W-1290P supports DDR4 with dual-channel access and a recorded bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support. The Core i7-11700B also supports DDR4 dual-channel but offers higher bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, with no ECC capability. PCIe generations differ as well: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the Xeon featuring UHD Graphics P630 and the Core i7 using UHD Graphics (Xe-LP).

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-1290P wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is driven by the magnitude and nature of those wins rather than any reversal. For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Xeon's 10 cores and 20 threads give it a consistent 4.9% edge in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. This makes it the stronger choice for CPU-bound rendering tasks where every percentage point of throughput matters, such as 3D scene rendering or video encoding.

Single-core performance also favors the Xeon, with leads of 5.1% in R15, 4.8% in R20, and 4.9% in R23. This means even lightly threaded applications, such as legacy software or certain simulation tools, will run slightly faster on the Xeon W-1290P. The higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz versus 4.80 GHz directly supports this outcome.

The Core i7-11700B does not win any benchmark, but it still has a role. Its 65 W TDP makes it a more thermally restrained option for compact or passively cooled systems, and its lower power draw could be preferable in environments where heat dissipation is a constraint. The Core i7 also offers Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes, which provides more modern I/O bandwidth for storage devices or expansion cards. Its larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB could benefit certain latency-sensitive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not show such an advantage.

For users prioritizing raw compute in the tested Cinebench workloads, the Xeon W-1290P is the clear pick. For those who need lower power consumption and newer PCIe connectivity, the Core i7-11700B presents a reasonable alternative, accepting a small performance penalty.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. Core count: the Xeon W-1290P has 10 cores versus 8 for the Core i7-11700B. Thread count follows suit: 20 threads versus 16. Base clocks: 3.70 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks: 5.30 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP: 125 W versus 65 W. Socket types are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1787.

Cache sizes differ in structure. L1 per core: 64 KB versus 80 KB. L2 per core: 256 KB versus 1.25 MB. L3 shared: 20 MB versus 24 MB. Memory bandwidth: 46.9 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. ECC support: present on the Xeon, absent on the Core i7. PCIe generation and lanes: Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics P630 versus UHD Graphics (Xe-LP). Die size: 206 mm² versus 190 mm².

Release dates place the Xeon W-1290P in May 2020 and the Core i7-11700B in May 2021. Production status differs as well: the Xeon remains active, while the Core i7 is marked end-of-life. The launch MSRP for the Xeon W-1290P is $539; the database does not list a launch MSRP for the Core i7-11700B. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not supported.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290P scores 19008, beating the Core i7-11700B's 18119 by 4.9%.

Q: Does the Core i7-11700B win any benchmark?

A: No. The Xeon W-1290P wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 4.8% to 5.1%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The Xeon W-1290P is rated at 125 W, while the Core i7-11700B is rated at 65 W.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon W-1290P supports ECC memory; the Core i7-11700B does not.

Q: How do these processors compare in PCIe support?

A: The Xeon W-1290P offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Core i7-11700B offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Xeon W-1290P has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Core i7-11700B has 8 cores and 16 threads.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Xeon W-1290P as the faster processor in every measured category. Its consistent 4.8% to 5.1% lead across all Cinebench tests, combined with a higher average benchmark score of 5443 versus 5241, makes it the straightforward choice for users who prioritize compute throughput. The 10-core, 20-thread configuration and higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz deliver tangible gains in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The Core i7-11700B is not without merit, but its advantages lie outside the benchmark suite. The 65 W TDP makes it a lower-power alternative, and its Gen 4 PCIe support with 20 lanes offers newer I/O capabilities. Its larger L2 cache per core and higher memory bandwidth are notable on paper, yet they do not translate into wins in the recorded Cinebench results.

For rendering, simulation, or any CPU-intensive task measured by Cinebench, the Xeon W-1290P is the superior option. For power-constrained builds or systems requiring modern PCIe connectivity, the Core i7-11700B remains viable, provided the user accepts a roughly 5% performance deficit. Production status also favors the Xeon, which remains active, while the Core i7 is end-of-life. The verdict is clear: the Xeon W-1290P wins on performance, and the Core i7-11700B wins on efficiency and platform modernity.