Intel Core i7-11700KF vs Intel Core i7-11850H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the Intel Core i7-11700KF wins 18 out of 19 head-to-head tests against the Intel Core i7-11850H. The only exception is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the mobile chip takes a narrow victory. The desktop part's dominance is consistent across both synthetic and application-style workloads.

The largest margin comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the i7-11700KF scores 22247 against the i7-11850H's 15788, a 40.9% advantage. This suggests a substantial difference in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets, likely reflecting architectural differences between Rocket Lake and Tiger Lake. Data compression tells a similar story: 317712 versus 236949, a 34.1% gap. Encryption follows at 24.7% (15229 against 12214), and random string sorting shows a 27.9% differential (36309 versus 28395).

GeekBench multicore delivers the widest single-test margin outside of PassMark, with the i7-11700KF scoring 10565 against 8002, a 32% advantage. Interestingly, the GeekBench single-core gap is much narrower at 13.8% (1938 versus 1703), which indicates that the desktop chip's advantage grows when more cores are engaged. CineBench results cluster tightly around a 21% delta: R15 multicore shows 2037 versus 1680 (21.3%), R20 multicore is 8489 versus 7002 (21.2%), and R23 multicore is 20214 versus 16673 (21.2%). Single-core CineBench tests repeat the same pattern, with R15 at 21.1%, R20 at 21.3%, and R23 at 21.2%.

The i7-11700KF also leads in PassMark multithread (23819 versus 20059, 18.7%), floating point math (50571 versus 42540, 18.9%), and integer math (85377 versus 71996, 18.6%). The physics test is the closest desktop win at just 3.2% (985 versus 954), while PassMark single-thread shows a 9.7% edge (3368 versus 3069). The i7-11850H's sole victory, find prime numbers, sees it score 87 against 62, a 28.7% margin in its favor. That result stands out as an anomaly given the overall trend, but it is a real data point and worth noting for anyone running prime-number-focused workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11700KF is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its CineBench R23 multicore score of 20214 is roughly 21% ahead, and GeekBench multicore shows a 32% lead. This translates directly to rendering, video encoding, and compilation workloads where all 8 cores and 16 threads are saturated. The desktop chip also dominates memory-heavy tasks like data compression and random string sorting, where its margins exceed 27%.

Single-thread performance also favors the i7-11700KF, but the advantage is smaller. GeekBench single-core shows 13.8%, PassMark single-thread 9.7%, and CineBench R23 single-core 21.2%. For everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications, the desktop part still wins, but the gap is less pronounced than in fully threaded scenarios.

The i7-11850H has a narrow niche: prime number calculation. Its PassMark find prime numbers score of 87 versus 62 is a 28.7% improvement. This test is often sensitive to cache hierarchy and integer throughput patterns, and the mobile chip's larger L3 cache likely plays a role. For any workload that resembles this test, the i7-11850H is the better performer. Beyond that specific case, the data shows no other test where the laptop processor comes out ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel architectures, despite sharing the Core 11th Gen series name. The i7-11700KF uses Rocket Lake, built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the i7-11850H uses Tiger Lake-H on a 10 nm node. The die sizes reflect this: the desktop part measures 276 mm², while the mobile chip is smaller at 190 mm².

Both chips have 8 cores and 16 threads, and both use dual-channel DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe support is identical at Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory. The L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core. Differences appear in L2 and L3: the i7-11700KF has 512 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3, while the i7-11850H has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3. The mobile chip therefore has more cache per core and more total L3, which may explain its win in the prime number test.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The i7-11700KF runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the i7-11850H operates at 2.10 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. TDP is a major differentiator: the desktop chip is rated at 125 W, the mobile chip at 35 W. The i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i7-11850H is locked. The desktop part has no integrated graphics; the i7-11850H includes UHD Graphics 750.

Sockets and physical packages are entirely different. The i7-11700KF uses Intel Socket 1200, the i7-11850H uses Intel BGA 1787. The i7-11700KF is end-of-life and was released on 2021-03-15, while the i7-11850H is still active and launched on 2021-05-10. The part numbers are SRKNN for the desktop and SRKT4 for the mobile chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The i7-11700KF leads in CineBench R23 multicore with 20214 against 16673, a 21.2% advantage. GeekBench multicore shows an even larger 32% gap (10565 versus 8002).

Q: Does the i7-11850H win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 87 versus 62, a 28.7% margin. This is the only head-to-head test it wins out of 19 recorded.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 80 KB L1 per core. The i7-11700KF has 512 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3. The i7-11850H has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3, giving the mobile chip more total cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-11850H is locked.

Q: Do both support the same memory and PCIe specifications?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i7-11850H includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 750. The i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Core i7-11700KF is the superior performer in almost every measurable category. It wins 18 of 19 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 3.2% in physics to 40.9% in extended instructions. Its multi-core advantages are consistent and substantial, making it the better choice for rendering, compression, encryption, and general productivity. Single-threaded performance also favors the desktop chip, though by a smaller margin.

The i7-11850H is not without merit. Its 24 MB L3 cache and larger per-core L2 provide a measurable edge in prime number calculation, and its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for mobile systems where power constraints matter. It also includes integrated graphics, which the i7-11700KF lacks. However, in raw benchmark performance, the i7-11850H trails in 18 out of 19 tests.

For a desktop build where performance is the priority, the i7-11700KF is the clear pick. For a laptop or mobile workstation where power efficiency and integrated graphics are requirements, the i7-11850H is the only option between these two, as it is the mobile part. The benchmark data does not show any scenario outside prime number workloads where the i7-11850H outperforms the i7-11700KF.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700KF | Intel Core i7-11850H |

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

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Rocket Lake | Tiger Lake-H |

| Process node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | 276 mm² | 190 mm² |

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

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

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2021-03-15 | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $374 | $395 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | SRKNN | SRKT4 |