Intel Core i7-11700F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11700F has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i7-11700F offers more threads despite fewer cores.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700F scores 17,633 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 82.3% higher than the Core Ultra 7 155U's score of 9,674.5. This is the largest performance gap in the entire head-to-head test set.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U wins in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3,372 versus the i7-11700F's 3,262, a 3.3% advantage. The Ultra 7 also wins in PassMark physics and prime number finding.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Core Ultra 7 155U supports up to 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the i7-11700F offers 51.2 GB/s. The Ultra 7 also supports DDR5 memory, whereas the i7-11700F is limited to DDR4.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i7-11700F has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two chips?

A: The i7-11700F is marked as End-of-life, while the Core Ultra 7 155U is listed as Active. The i7-11700F was released in March 2021, and the Ultra 7 155U was released in December 2023.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-11700F and Intel Core Ultra 7 155U represent two very different design philosophies from Intel, separated by more than two generations of architectural evolution.

The i7-11700F is built on Rocket Lake, Intel's 14 nm desktop architecture. It uses a monolithic die with a core count of 8 and 16 threads, all running at a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boosting up to 4.90 GHz. The chip is designed for the Intel Socket 1200 platform, has a 65 W TDP, and features a 276 mm² die size. Its cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4 with dual-channel configuration, and the CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

The Core Ultra 7 155U, by contrast, is built on Meteor Lake, Intel's 7 nm architecture. This is a mobile-first design with 12 cores and 14 threads, using a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) and a boost of 4.80 GHz. The TDP is dramatically lower at just 15 W, reflecting its mobile market segment. It uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket, which means it is soldered and not upgradeable. The cache configuration is different: 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support extends to DDR5, with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and it offers 12 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm for Rocket Lake versus 7 nm for Meteor Lake. This explains why the Ultra 7 155U can pack more cores (12 versus 8) into a far lower power envelope (15 W versus 65 W). The i7-11700F compensates with a much higher boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz) and a larger L3 cache (16 MB versus 12 MB).

Another key architectural difference is the integrated graphics. The Core Ultra 7 155U includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while the i7-11700F has no integrated graphics at all, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for display output. Both chips are multiplier-unlocked, so neither supports overclocking through multiplier adjustment.

The memory controller designs also differ. The i7-11700F is paired with DDR4 memory, while the Ultra 7 155U supports DDR5, with the database noting that memory support "depends on motherboard" for the Ultra 7. The memory bandwidth numbers reflect this: 51.2 GB/s for the i7-11700F versus 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core i7-11700F, which wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Core Ultra 7 155U takes only 4 wins. However, the magnitude and nature of those wins matter.

The biggest single victory for the i7-11700F comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17,633 versus 9,674.5 for the Ultra 7, a 82.3% advantage. This is a massive gap, larger than any other in the test suite. The i7-11700F also dominates in Cinebench R20 multi-core, scoring 7,405 versus 5,765, a 28.4% lead, and in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it wins 1,045 to 813, a 28.5% margin.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a 49.4% advantage for the i7-11700F, with scores of 2,489 versus 1,666. Even in Cinebench R15, the older benchmark, the i7-11700F leads by 12.1% in multi-core (1,777 versus 1,585) and by 4.8% in single-core (250 versus 238.5).

In PassMark tests, the i7-11700F wins by wide margins in several categories. Data compression shows a 50.2% lead (266,035 versus 177,122), extended instructions show an 84.9% lead (18,308 versus 9,903), and random string sorting shows a 54.3% lead (30,498 versus 19,767). Integer math favors the i7-11700F by 37.5% (79,133 versus 57,564), and floating-point math by 15% (46,307 versus 40,256). Multithreaded PassMark performance is 26.5% higher for the i7-11700F (20,728 versus 16,382), and data encryption is 10.9% higher (12,563 versus 11,333).

The Core Ultra 7 155U's wins are narrower but notable. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3,372 versus 3,262, a 3.3% edge. In PassMark physics, it wins 1,084 to 885, an 18.4% advantage. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 65 versus 56, a 13.8% lead. These wins suggest the Ultra 7 has strengths in specific workloads, particularly those that benefit from its higher single-thread efficiency and possibly its newer architecture.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the general trend: the i7-11700F averages 21,988 across all benchmarks, while the Ultra 7 155U averages 21,174. Both sit at the 75th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i7-11700F is the superior performer for almost every compute-intensive task. Its 82.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 49.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 84.9% lead in PassMark extended instructions make it the obvious choice for users who prioritize raw processing power.

The i7-11700F wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, often by substantial margins. It is particularly strong in multi-threaded workloads, where its 16 threads and higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz give it a significant edge over the Ultra 7's 14 threads and 4.80 GHz boost. The desktop platform also offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 12) and a larger L3 cache (16 MB versus 12 MB), which can benefit memory-hungry applications.

The Core Ultra 7 155U is a different kind of product. With a TDP of just 15 W versus 65 W for the i7-11700F, it is designed for mobile devices where power efficiency is paramount. It wins in single-thread PassMark (3,372 versus 3,262), physics (1,084 versus 885), and prime number finding (65 versus 56), showing that its newer 7 nm architecture offers some efficiency advantages. Its integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics mean it can function without a discrete GPU, which is essential for ultraportable laptops.

Users should pick the i7-11700F if they need maximum performance for desktop workloads such as video rendering, software compilation, or scientific computing, and if they are willing to provide a discrete graphics card. Users should pick the Core Ultra 7 155U if they need a low-power mobile processor with integrated graphics, and if their workloads align with its strengths in single-threaded efficiency and physics calculations. The i7-11700F's launch MSRP is $298, while the Ultra 7 155U's launch MSRP is $490, though the database does not track current street prices.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700F | Intel Core Ultra 7 155U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2023-12-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $298 | $490 |

| Part Number | SRKNR | SRN6B |