Intel Core i7-11700F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V represent two distinct philosophies from the same manufacturer, separated by three years of silicon evolution. The data shows that the desktop-oriented 11700F, built on Rocket Lake, and the mobile-focused 238V, built on Lunar Lake, are nearly identical in overall average benchmark score, yet they achieve parity through wildly different strengths. The average benchmark scores are 21988 for the i7-11700F and 21981 for the Ultra 5 238V, a negligible delta of 0%. Their percentile ranking among all CPUs is identical at the 75th percentile, positioning them as direct competitors in overall performance despite their architectural chasm.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite paints a consistent picture of the i7-11700F's multi-threaded dominance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-11700F scores 17633 against the Ultra 5 238V's 15645, a decisive 12.7% advantage. This pattern repeats across the board: Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 12.7% lead (7405 vs 6570), and R15 multi-core shows a 12.8% lead (1777 vs 1576). The single-core results are similarly one-sided. The i7-11700F wins every Cinebench single-core test by approximately 12.6% to 12.7%, including R23 single-core at 2489 versus 2208. This consistency across all Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the older chip in CPU-bound rendering workloads.

The Passmark suite reveals a more complex battlefield. The i7-11700F's largest victory is in integer math, where it scores 79133 against the Ultra 5 238V's 38889 — a staggering 103.5% advantage. This result implies the 8-core/16-thread configuration of the 11700F is vastly more efficient at handling integer-heavy calculations than the 8-core/8-thread Lunar Lake part. Data compression also heavily favors the i7-11700F, with a score of 266035 versus 176532, a 50.7% lead. Random string sorting shows a 41.3% edge (30498 vs 21585), and extended instructions favor the older chip by 19.1% (18308 vs 15377).

However, the Ultra 5 238V strikes back in several specialized tests. The most dramatic reversal is in prime number finding, where the Ultra 5 238V scores 174 versus the i7-11700F's 56 — meaning the newer chip is 67.8% faster. This likely reflects the Lunar Lake architecture's efficiency in specific algorithmic workloads. Floating point math also favors the Ultra 5 238V, scoring 53160 against 46307, a 12.9% lead. The physics test shows a 42.8% advantage for the mobile chip (1546 vs 885), and single-thread performance in Passmark goes to the Ultra 5 238V at 3890 versus 3262, a 16.1% margin. Data encryption is a narrow win for the Ultra 5 238V at 13072 versus 12563, a 3.9% edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F has an average benchmark score of 21988, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V scores 21981. The difference of 7 points is effectively zero, placing both at the 75th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Is the newer Ultra 5 238V faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No. The data shows the i7-11700F wins all multi-threaded Cinebench tests by 12.6% to 12.8%, and the Passmark multi-thread test by 12.6% (20728 vs 18407). The older chip's 16 threads versus 8 threads provide a clear advantage.

Q: Where does the Ultra 5 238V outperform the i7-11700F?

A: The Ultra 5 238V wins in Passmark single-thread (3890 vs 3262, a 16.1% edge), floating point math (53160 vs 46307, a 12.9% lead), physics (1546 vs 885, a 42.8% advantage), and prime number finding (174 vs 56, a 67.8% margin). It also edges out the i7-11700F in data encryption by 3.9%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in integer math performance?

A: The i7-11700F is vastly superior, scoring 79133 in Passmark integer math versus the Ultra 5 238V's 38889. This 103.5% advantage is the largest single benchmark delta between the two processors.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F is marked as end-of-life, having been released on 2021-03-15. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is active production, with a release date of 2024-09-23.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores. However, the i7-11700F supports 16 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 5 238V has only 8 threads. The i7-11700F also has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The i7-11700F is built on Intel's 14 nm process node, using the Rocket Lake architecture. It is a desktop part with a 65W TDP, designed for Socket 1200. The chip features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a die size of 276 mm². Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The i7-11700F offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU and has no integrated graphics.

The Ultra 5 238V takes a radically different approach. It uses TSMC's 3 nm process node, a significant shrink from 14 nm, and employs the Lunar Lake architecture. This is a mobile part with a remarkably low 17W TDP, housed in a BGA 2833 socket. It also has 8 cores, but only 8 threads, indicating a design without simultaneous multi-threading. The cache layout is dramatically different: 192 KB of L1 per core, a massive 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support is listed as unknown and dependent on motherboard, though it runs dual-channel. The Ultra 5 238V steps up to PCIe Gen 5, but with only 4 CPU lanes, and it includes integrated Arc 130V graphics.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 3 nm. This explains the TDP gulf between 65W and 17W. The i7-11700F compensates for its older node with higher clock speeds and double the threads. The Ultra 5 238V counters with a more modern architecture, larger L1 and L2 caches per core, and a smaller L3 cache. The i7-11700F's 16 MB L3 cache is double the Ultra 5 238V's 8 MB, which likely contributes to its multi-threaded wins.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly indicates that the Intel Core i7-11700F is the superior processor for multi-threaded, throughput-oriented tasks. Its 12.6% to 12.8% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests, combined with its 103.5% advantage in integer math and 50.7% lead in data compression, makes it the obvious choice for rendering, compilation, and general productivity workloads where all cores can be utilized. The 16 threads versus 8 threads is a decisive factor in these scenarios.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V, despite its lower thread count, excels in single-threaded and specialized mathematical workloads. Its 16.1% lead in Passmark single-thread, 42.8% advantage in physics, and 67.8% edge in prime number finding indicate superior per-core efficiency. This makes it a compelling option for applications that favor high single-core performance or specific algorithmic patterns, such as certain scientific simulations or physics-based calculations. Its integrated graphics and mobile form factor also make it suitable for thin-and-light systems.

The choice depends entirely on the workload. For users running heavily threaded desktop applications, the i7-11700F is the clear winner. For those prioritizing single-thread responsiveness or specialized math workloads in a low-power mobile package, the Ultra 5 238V is the better fit. The data shows no overall winner — it shows two differently optimized tools.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification. The i7-11700F has 16 threads versus the Ultra 5 238V's 8 threads. The base clock differs: 2.50 GHz for the i7-11700F versus 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5 238V. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz and 4.70 GHz, respectively. The TDP is a major differentiator: 65W for the desktop part versus 17W for the mobile part. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1200 versus Intel BGA 2833.

The process nodes are generations apart: 14 nm for Rocket Lake versus 3 nm for Lunar Lake. The foundry also differs, with Intel fabricating the i7-11700F and TSMC fabricating the Ultra 5 238V. Cache configurations are distinct: the i7-11700F has 80 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3 shared; the Ultra 5 238V has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB L3 shared. Memory support differs, with DDR4 for the i7-11700F and unknown motherboard-dependent support for the Ultra 5 238V.

PCIe capabilities are reversed in priority: the i7-11700F offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 5 238V offers Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes. The i7-11700F has no integrated graphics, while the Ultra 5 238V includes Arc 130V. The i7-11700F has a launch MSRP of $298, while the Ultra 5 238V has no listed launch MSRP. Production status and release dates also differ: end-of-life with a 2021-03-15 release for the i7-11700F, versus active with a 2024-09-23 release for the Ultra 5 238V.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700F wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its victories span all multi-threaded Cinebench tests, all data compression and sorting tests, integer math, extended instructions, and the Passmark multi-thread test. This processor is the choice for workloads that scale with thread count and raw throughput, such as video rendering, software compilation, data compression, and any parallel computational task. Its 16 MB L3 cache and 16 threads give it a significant edge in these areas.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V wins 6 benchmarks, concentrated in single-threaded and specialized math tests. It dominates in prime number finding, physics, floating point math, and single-thread Passmark scores. It also narrowly wins data encryption. This processor suits workloads that require high per-core efficiency, such as interactive applications, physics simulations, or cryptography. The integration of Arc 130V graphics also provides a built-in display output capability that the i7-11700F lacks entirely.

The data suggests a clear split: the i7-11700F is a desktop workhorse optimized for maximum multi-threaded performance, while the Ultra 5 238V is a mobile-efficient processor that punches above its weight in single-thread and specialized tasks. The 75th percentile ranking for both indicates they are well-matched overall, but the nature of their performance is fundamentally different.