Intel Core i7-11700K vs Intel Core i7-11700KF Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-11700K and Intel Core i7-11700KF are nearly identical processors. The database shows the 11700K winning 22 of 25 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the 11700KF taking only 3 wins. The average benchmark score for the 11700K is 25812, while the 11700KF sits at 25423, a difference of roughly 1.5%. The 11700K also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 78 versus 77 for the 11700KF. For buyers who do not need integrated graphics, the 11700KF offers a lower launch MSRP of $374 compared to the 11700K's $399, but the measured performance data consistently favors the 11700K. The 11700K is the better choice for anyone who wants the highest recorded scores, while the 11700KF is only preferable for those who specifically need the cheaper launch price and can accept slightly lower performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the main difference between the Intel Core i7-11700K and the Intel Core i7-11700KF?

A: The primary difference is the presence of integrated graphics. The 11700K includes UHD Graphics 750, while the 11700KF has no integrated graphics. The 11700KF also has a die size of 276 mm², whereas the 11700K does not have a recorded die size in the database.

Q: Which processor has the higher benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K wins 22 of the 25 head-to-head benchmarks. Notable wins include Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 20666 versus 20214, a 2.2% difference, and PassMark physics with 1039 versus 985, a 5.5% difference.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the 11700KF wins?

A: Yes, the 11700KF wins 3 benchmarks. These are 3DMark 2 threads with a score of 1909 versus 1907, a 0.1% difference, 3DMark single thread with 978 versus 977, a 0.8% difference, and Geekbench multicore with 10565 versus 10521, a 0.4% difference.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of architecture and cache sizes?

**L3 cache is 16 MB shared for both processors.

Q: Do both processors have the same clock speeds?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-11700K and Intel Core i7-11700KF have a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Both also have a TDP of 125 W.

Q: Which processor has a better average benchmark score relative to its closest rivals?

A: The 11700K has an average benchmark score of 25812, and its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 230, scores 25782, a 0.1% difference. The 11700KF has an average score of 25423, with the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U at 25432, a 0.0% difference. The 11700K's score positions it slightly higher in the database.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Rocket Lake architecture, codenamed Rocket Lake, and belong to the Core 11th Gen series. They are fabricated on a 14 nm process node at Intel. The 11700K has no recorded die size, while the 11700KF has a die size of 276 mm². Both have 8 cores and 16 threads, with an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 512 KB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 16 MB. The key architectural difference is the integrated graphics: the 11700K includes UHD Graphics 750, while the 11700KF has none. This means the 11700K can output video without a discrete GPU, while the 11700KF requires one. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU only. The market segment is Desktop for both, and both have an unlocked multiplier. The production status for both is End-of-life, and both were released on 2021-03-15. The part numbers differ: SRKNL for the 11700K and SRKNN for the 11700KF.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show only a few differences between the two processors. The integrated graphics field is the most prominent: the 11700K has UHD Graphics 750, while the 11700KF has null, meaning no integrated graphics. The die size is listed as null for the 11700K but 276 mm² for the 11700KF. The launch MSRP differs: the 11700K is $399, and the 11700KF is $374. The part numbers also differ, SRKNL for the 11700K and SRKNN for the 11700KF. All other core specifications are identical: 8 cores, 16 threads, base clock of 3.60 GHz, boost clock of 5.00 GHz, TDP of 125 W, socket Intel Socket 1200, 14 nm process node, L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 cache of 512 KB per core, L3 cache of 16 MB shared, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, no ECC memory support, Desktop market segment, End-of-life production status, release date of 2021-03-15, and unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a consistent pattern. The 11700K wins in 22 out of 25 comparisons. The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 11700K scores 66 versus 62 for the 11700KF, a 6.5% difference. PassMark physics also shows a significant gap: 1039 versus 985, a 5.5% difference. PassMark extended instructions shows 22964 versus 22247, a 3.2% difference. PassMark data encryption shows 15638 versus 15229, a 2.7% difference. PassMark multithread shows 24408 versus 23819, a 2.5% difference. Cinebench R15 single core shows 294 versus 287, a 2.4% difference. Cinebench R20 single core shows 1225 versus 1198, a 2.3% difference. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2082 versus 2037, a 2.2% difference. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 8679 versus 8489, a 2.2% difference. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 20666 versus 20214, a 2.2% difference. Cinebench R23 single core shows 2917 versus 2853, a 2.2% difference. Geekbench single core shows 1974 versus 1938, a 1.9% difference. PassMark data compression shows 322689 versus 317712, a 1.6% difference. PassMark integer math shows 86390 versus 85377, a 1.2% difference. PassMark random string sorting shows 36755 versus 36309, a 1.2% difference. PassMark floating point math shows 51119 versus 50571, a 1.1% difference. PassMark single thread shows 3390 versus 3368, a 0.7% difference. 3DMark 8 threads shows 6370 versus 6294, a 1.2% difference. 3DMark max threads shows 8080 versus 8049, a 0.4% difference. 3DMark 16 threads shows 8095 versus 8067, a 0.3% difference. 3DMark 4 threads shows 3653 versus 3645, a 0.2% difference.

The 11700KF wins in 3 benchmarks. 3DMark 2 threads shows 1909 versus 1907, a 0.1% difference. 3DMark single thread shows 978 versus 977, a 0.1% difference. Geekbench multicore shows 10565 versus 10521, a 0.4% difference. These wins are all extremely narrow, within a fraction of a percent, while the 11700K's wins often exceed 2%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700K wins across almost every benchmark category. In rendering workloads, Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all favor the 11700K by around 2.2%. Single-core Cinebench tests also favor the 11700K, with margins from 2.2% to 2.4%. In general-purpose computing, Geekbench single core favors the 11700K by 1.9%, while Geekbench multicore is the one notable win for the 11700KF, by 0.4%. In PassMark tests, the 11700K wins in data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single thread. The largest wins for the 11700K are in find prime numbers at 6.5% and physics at 5.5%, indicating a clear advantage in computational and physics-based workloads. In 3DMark tests, the 11700K wins in 16 threads, 4 threads, 8 threads, and max threads, while the 11700KF only wins in 2 threads and single thread by 0.1% each. The 11700K also has a higher average benchmark score of 25812 versus 25423 and a higher percentile ranking of 78 versus 77.

The 11700KF's wins are limited to three narrow margins: 3DMark 2 threads, 3DMark single thread, and Geekbench multicore. Each of these wins is under 0.5%, which is within typical run-to-run variance. The 11700KF is therefore not a meaningful winner in any workload category. Its only advantages are the absence of integrated graphics, which may matter for systems using a discrete GPU, and the lower launch MSRP of $374. For users who specifically do not need integrated graphics and want the lower launch price, the 11700KF is an option, but the measured data shows the 11700K outperforms it in almost every test, often by several percentage points. The 11700K is the recommended processor based on the recorded benchmark results.