Intel Core i7-11700F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F records an average benchmark score of 21988, placing it slightly ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V, which averages 21440. Both CPUs sit at the 75th percentile among all processors in the database.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Core i7-11700F is the clear winner in multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 17633 versus 9932 for the Core Ultra 5 228V, a 77.5% advantage. The i7 also leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core by 14.1% (7405 vs 6491) and in PassMark multithread by 13.7% (20728 versus 18227).

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 228V takes the PassMark single-thread test with 3836 versus 3262 for the i7-11700F, a 15% advantage. However, the i7-11700F wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 41.6% (2489 versus 1758) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 14.1% (1045 versus 916). The results are test-dependent.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two?

A: The Core i7-11700F uses Intel's Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process with 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the newer Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process with 8 cores but only 8 threads (no hyperthreading). The i7 has a 16 MB shared L3 cache, while the Ultra 5 has 8 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the power profile difference?

A: The Core i7-11700F carries a 65 W TDP and targets desktop systems on Intel Socket 1200. The Core Ultra 5 228V is a mobile part with a 17 W TDP on Intel BGA 2833, making it substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which chip is still in production?

A: The Core Ultra 5 228V is listed as Active in production, while the Core i7-11700F is marked as End-of-life. The i7 was released on March 15, 2021, and the Ultra 5 on September 23, 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits this comparison into two distinct profiles. The Intel Core i7-11700F dominates productivity and compute-heavy tasks. With 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Ultra 5's 8 cores and 8 threads, the i7 takes 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its wins span Cinebench multi-core tests, PassMark integer math, extended instructions, data compression, random string sorting, and multithreaded workloads. The largest margin arrives in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7 leads by 77.5%.

The Core Ultra 5 228V specializes in efficiency and certain single-threaded or vectorized operations. It wins 7 benchmarks, including PassMark single-thread by 15%, PassMark physics by 42.5%, PassMark floating-point math by 13.1%, PassMark data encryption by 3.6%, and PassMark prime number finding by 66.7%. It also edges out the i7 in Cinebench R15 single-core by 6.4%.

For users loading all cores with rendering or compilation, the i7 is the pick. For power-constrained mobile workloads with emphasis on physics, floating-point math, or encryption, the Ultra 5 holds the edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent opposite ends of Intel's design philosophy. The Core i7-11700F uses Rocket Lake, a 14 nm architecture fabricated by Intel. It is a desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads, supporting DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The L3 cache totals 16 MB shared, and each core has 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2.

The Core Ultra 5 228V moves to Lunar Lake, a 3 nm design built by TSMC. It also has 8 cores but only 8 threads, meaning the architecture drops simultaneous multithreading. Each core sees much larger caches: 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 is halved to 8 MB. The memory support is listed as motherboard-dependent, and the memory bus is still dual-channel. The Ultra 5 also integrates Arc 130V graphics, which the i7-11700F lacks entirely.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 3 nm. The newer node allows the Ultra 5 to operate at a 17 W TDP while still delivering competitive single-threaded performance. The i7-11700F, with its 65 W TDP and desktop socket, relies on higher power to sustain its multi-threaded lead. The Core Ultra 5 uses a BGA 2833 socket, while the i7 uses Intel Socket 1200.

Specification Differences

The following specification fields differ between the two processors:

• Threads: 16 on the i7-11700F, 8 on the Ultra 5 228V
• Base clock: 2.50 GHz on the i7, 2.10 GHz on the Ultra 5
• Boost clock: 4.90 GHz on the i7, 4.50 GHz on the Ultra 5
• TDP: 65 W versus 17 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1200 versus Intel BGA 2833
• Process node: 14 nm versus 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• L1 cache: 40 KB per core versus 96 KB per core (effective difference)
• L2 cache: 512 KB per core versus 2.5 MB per core
• L3 cache: 16 MB shared versus 8 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4 versus motherboard-dependent
• Memory bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s versus null
• PCIe: Gen 4, 20 lanes versus Gen 5, 4 lanes
• Integrated graphics: none versus Arc 130V
• Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile
• Production status: End-of-life versus Active
• Release date: March 15, 2021 versus September 23, 2024
• Launch MSRP: $298 for the i7, no listed MSRP for the Ultra 5
• Part number: SRKNR versus SRPMVSRPMU

The i7-11700F is the higher-power desktop chip with more threads and a larger L3. The Ultra 5 is a mobile part with a much smaller TDP, more per-core cache, and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Core i7-11700F comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17633 against 9932 for the Ultra 5, a 77.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 posts 1777 versus 1502.5, a 18.3% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows the i7 ahead by 14.1% (7405 versus 6491). PassMark integer math delivers the largest absolute gap: 79133 for the i7 versus 39679 for the Ultra 5, which is a 99.4% difference, nearly doubling the Ultra's score. The i7 also leads PassMark data compression by 53% (266035 versus 173924), extended instructions by 23.7% (18308 versus 14801), random string sorting by 43.5% (30498 versus 21254), and multithreaded performance by 13.7% (20728 versus 18227).

The Core Ultra 5 228V's most striking wins include PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 168 against the i7's 56, a 66.7% advantage. In PassMark physics, the Ultra 5 scores 1538 versus 885, a 42.5% lead. It also wins PassMark floating point math by 13.1% (53310 versus 46307), PassMark single-thread by 15% (3836 versus 3262), and PassMark data encryption by 3.6% (13032 versus 12563). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 5 leads 267 versus 250, a 6.4% edge.

The i7-11700F wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Ultra 5 wins 7. The i7's wins tend to be larger in magnitude, especially in multi-core and integer-heavy workloads. The Ultra 5's wins are narrower or concentrated in specific math and physics tests.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, though nuanced, conclusion. The Intel Core i7-11700F is the superior processor for anyone who prioritizes sustained multi-threaded performance, integer math, data compression, and rendering workloads. It leads by 77.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, by 53% in data compression, and by 99.4% in integer math. It also holds a 10-to-7 win advantage in the head-to-head suite.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is a strong choice for power-sensitive, mobile deployments where efficiency matters more than raw multi-core throughput. Its 17 W TDP versus 65 W is a substantial efficiency gap. It wins in single-threaded PassMark (3836 versus 3262), physics (1538 versus 885), floating point math (53310 versus 46307), and prime number finding (168 versus 56). For users running physics simulations, or encryption, or single-threaded apps, the Ultra 5 is competitive and far more efficient.

The i7-11700F is end-of-life and tied to DDR4 and PCIe Gen 4, while the Ultra 5 is active with PCIe Gen 5 and integrated Arc graphics. The database shows the i7-11700F holds a higher average benchmark score (21988 versus 21440) and a higher percentile among all CPUs (75% versus 75%). For a desktop builder needing maximum compute per dollar, the i7 is the data-backed choice. For a mobile user needing efficiency and physics performance, the Ultra 5 is the clear pick.