Intel Core i7-11700K vs Intel Core i7-1280P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record splits decisively in favor of the Intel Core i7-11700K, which takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The desktop part's advantages are often large, while the mobile i7-1280P wins are narrow or highly specialized. The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 11700K scores 20666 against 11666 for the 1280P, a 43.5% lead. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 2917 versus 1651, a 43.4% deficit for the mobile chip.

The 11700K also dominates in extended instruction workloads. PassMark extended instructions shows a 43.8% advantage (22964 versus 12897), and data compression favors the desktop part by 31.6% (322689 versus 220621). Random string sorting is another clear win for the 11700K at 36755 versus 24308, a 33.9% gap. Integer math goes to the 11700K by 12.6% (86390 versus 75485), and multi-thread performance in PassMark shows a 17.4% lead (24408 versus 20168). Data encryption is closer but still favors the desktop chip by 15.7% (15638 versus 13179).

Cinebench R20 results reinforce the pattern. Multi-core favors the 11700K by 17.6% (8679 versus 7153), and single-core shows the same 17.6% margin (1225 versus 1009). Cinebench R15 multi-core is nearly a tie, with the 1280P edging ahead by just 1.4% (2112 versus 2082), but R15 single-core swings hard the other way: the 11700K wins by 19% (294 versus 238). PassMark single-thread is a modest 2.2% win for the 11700K (3390 versus 3316).

Where does the 1280P push back? PassMark physics is its best result, scoring 1411 against 1039, a 35.8% margin. Prime number finding goes to the mobile chip by 30.3% (86 versus 66). Floating-point math is nearly flat, with the 1280P ahead by only 0.5% (51355 versus 51119). These wins suggest the 1280P has specific strengths in physics simulation and prime-number workloads, but they do not compensate for the broad multi-core and single-core deficits elsewhere.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the 1280P at 26469 and the 11700K at 25812, meaning the mobile chip actually holds a 2.5% higher average across all recorded tests, despite losing the head-to-head count. This is explained by the 1280P's strong PassMark physics and prime-number results, which pull its average up. Both parts sit at the 78th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is an outlier in overall standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and market segments. The i7-1280P uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the i7-11700K uses Rocket Lake on a 14 nm node. The 1280P is a mobile part, packaged as Intel BGA 1744, whereas the 11700K is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1200. The 1280P has 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to 8 cores and 16 threads on the 11700K. Base clocks differ substantially: 1800 MHz on the 1280P versus 3600 MHz on the 11700K. Boost clocks are closer, with the 1280P reaching 4.80 GHz and the 11700K hitting 5.00 GHz.

Cache layouts diverge as well. Both share an 80 KB L1 per core, but L2 differs: 1.25 MB per core on the 1280P versus 512 KB per core on the 11700K. L3 is 24 MB shared on the 1280P and 16 MB shared on the 11700K. The 1280P supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 11700K is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but only the 11700K lists a memory bandwidth figure: 51.2 GB/s.

Integrated graphics separate the two clearly. The 1280P carries Iris Xe 96EU, while the 11700K has UHD Graphics 750. The 1280P is a current production part, released in February 2022, whereas the 11700K is end-of-life and launched in March 2021. The 11700K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable; the 1280P does not. PCIe support is identical in the database: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU only. The 1280P lists a die size of 217 mm², while the 11700K has no recorded die size. Neither part supports ECC memory.

The 11700K has a launch MSRP of $399, while the 1280P has no recorded launch price. The 1280P's TDP is 28 watts, a mobile-class figure, versus 125 watts for the 11700K. This TDP gap is the clearest architectural signal of intent: the 1280P is built for power-limited laptops, the 11700K for sustained desktop performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700K wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the i7-1280P wins 4. The desktop part's wins include large margins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (43.5%) and extended instructions (43.8%).

Q: How does the i7-1280P compare in average benchmark score?

A: The 1280P has an average benchmark score of 26469, which is 2.5% higher than the 11700K's 25812. Both sit at the 78th percentile of all CPUs, so they rank equally overall despite the 11700K dominating the direct comparison.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i7-1280P has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads. The mobile chip's higher core count does not translate into multi-core benchmark wins, as the 11700K leads Cinebench R20 multi-core by 17.6% and R23 multi-core by 43.5%.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The i7-11700K wins every recorded single-core test. PassMark single-thread shows a 2.2% lead (3390 versus 3316), Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 19% lead (294 versus 238), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 43.4% lead (2917 versus 1651).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i7-1280P supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11700K supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Only the 11700K has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The i7-1280P is listed as Active, while the i7-11700K is End-of-life. The 11700K launched in March 2021 with a launch MSRP of $399; the 1280P launched in February 2022 with no recorded MSRP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1280P | Intel Core i7-11700K |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 3600 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Rocket Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-P | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | Not recorded |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 51.2 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $399 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRLD5 | SRKNL |

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11700K wins in nearly every throughput-heavy task. Cinebench R23 multi-core, R20 multi-core, PassMark multi-thread, integer math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, and random string sorting all favor the desktop chip. Its single-core results are also superior across all recorded tests, from PassMark single-thread to Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core. This makes the 11700K the clear choice for rendering, encoding, compilation, spreadsheet crunching, and any workload that scales with sustained CPU frequency and desktop power delivery.

The i7-1280P wins in a narrower set of tasks. PassMark physics gives it a 35.8% margin, and prime number finding shows a 30.3% advantage. Floating-point math is essentially tied at 0.5%. These wins point to specific algorithmic strengths, likely tied to its larger L2 cache (1.25 MB per core versus 512 KB per core) and newer Alder Lake design. The 1280P also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by a slim 1.4%, but that is the only multi-core test where it beats the 11700K.

For power-sensitive environments, the 1280P's 28 W TDP versus the 11700K's 125 W TDP is a decisive factor. The database does not record efficiency metrics, but the TDP figures alone show the 1280P is designed for laptops and compact systems, while the 11700K requires desktop cooling and power headroom.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-11700K if the workload is multi-threaded or single-threaded performance in a desktop context. The data shows a 43.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 17.6% lead in R20 multi-core, and a 43.4% lead in R23 single-core. It also wins PassMark multi-thread by 17.4%, data compression by 31.6%, and extended instructions by 43.8%. The 11700K is end-of-life, but its benchmark profile is consistently ahead where CPU throughput matters most.

Choose the Intel Core i7-1280P if the priority is physics simulation, prime number workloads, or power-constrained mobile operation. It wins PassMark physics by 35.8% and prime finding by 30.3%, with floating-point math essentially tied. Its 28 W TDP and active production status make it the sensible pick for laptops and portable systems. The 1280P also carries more cores (14 versus 8) and a larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 16 MB), which may help in specific parallel tasks, though the recorded benchmarks do not show a general multi-core advantage.

For users who need a single processor for both desktop-class compute and portability, the data does not support the 1280P. The 11700K wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every single-core test and every major multi-core benchmark except Cinebench R15 multi-core. The 1280P's higher average benchmark score (26469 versus 25812) comes from its physics and prime-number outliers, not from broad superiority. The verdict is straightforward: the 11700K is the faster CPU in nearly all measured workloads, while the 1280P is the power-efficient mobile alternative with a few niche wins.