Intel Core i7-11700KF vs Intel Xeon D-2752TER Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-2752TER and Intel Core i7-11700KF represent two distinct philosophies from the same manufacturer: one is a 12-core, 24-thread server processor built for sustained throughput in dense environments, while the other is an 8-core, 16-thread desktop chip engineered for maximum clock speed and responsiveness. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the Core i7-11700KF wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, yet the Xeon D-2752TER secures decisive victories in two specialized workloads and holds a nearly identical overall average score. This comparison is less about a clear winner and more about identifying which processor's strengths align with specific workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon D-2752TER has an average benchmark score of 25530, while the Core i7-11700KF scores 25423. The Xeon leads by a margin of 107 points, which is less than a 0.5% difference, making them effectively tied in overall performance.

Q: How much faster is the Core i7-11700KF in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Core i7-11700KF scores 3368 in PassMark single-thread tests compared to the Xeon's 1990, a 40.9% advantage. This gap is consistent across Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core i7 scores 2853 versus the Xeon's 2288, a 19.8% lead.

Q: In which benchmark does the Xeon D-2752TER achieve its largest victory?

A: The Xeon wins the PassMark physics test with a score of 1777 against the Core i7's 985, a massive 80.4% delta. It also wins PassMark find prime numbers with 96 points versus 62, a 54.8% advantage.

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

A: The Xeon D-2752TER has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core i7-11700KF has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Xeon therefore offers 50% more cores and threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Core i7-11700KF has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, significantly higher than the Xeon D-2752TER's 2.80 GHz. The Core i7 also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 1.80 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in memory bandwidth and channel support?

A: The Xeon D-2752TER supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the Core i7-11700KF supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon offers 66.6% more theoretical memory bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference lies in their manufacturing processes and underlying architectures. The Xeon D-2752TER is built on Intel's 10 nm process node using the Ice Lake-D architecture, part of the Xeon D family. In contrast, the Core i7-11700KF uses the older 14 nm process node with the Rocket Lake architecture, belonging to the Core 11th Gen series. This process node gap explains much of the efficiency difference, though the Core i7 compensates with much higher clock speeds.

The cache hierarchy also diverges significantly. Both processors share the same L1 cache size of 80 KB per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Xeon has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core i7 has only 512 KB per core. The L3 cache totals 20 MB shared on the Xeon versus 16 MB shared on the Core i7. The Xeon's larger per-core L2 cache is a classic server design choice, providing more local data storage for each thread.

Memory architecture further separates the two. The Xeon D-2752TER supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s and includes ECC memory support, a critical feature for data integrity in server workloads. The Core i7-11700KF is limited to dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and lacks ECC support. The Xeon also offers more PCIe connectivity with 32 Gen 4 lanes, compared to the Core i7's 20 Gen 4 lanes.

The physical packages are completely different. The Xeon uses an Intel BGA 2579 socket, which is soldered to the motherboard, while the Core i7 uses the LGA 1200 socket, a standard desktop interface. The Core i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon's is locked. The Core i7 measures 276 mm² on die size, while the Xeon's die size is not listed. The Core i7 is also marked as end-of-life, while the Xeon remains active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data tells a clear story in most tests: the Core i7-11700KF dominates the standard benchmark suite. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Core i7 wins both multi-core and single-core tests by nearly identical margins. The multi-core deltas are consistent at -19.8% for the Xeon across all three versions, while single-core deltas hover around -19.8% to -19.9%. This uniformity suggests the clock speed advantage of the Core i7 is the primary driver, as its 5.00 GHz boost clock outperforms the Xeon's 2.80 GHz boost.

The PassMark suite reveals an even wider gap in some areas. The Core i7 wins data compression by 28.3%, scoring 317712 versus 227763. In floating point math, the Core i7 leads by 33.7% with 50571 points versus 33533. The integer math test shows a 28.7% advantage for the Core i7, scoring 85377 versus 60881. The Core i7 also wins extended instructions by a huge 37.8% margin, scoring 22247 versus 13846. Single-thread performance is the most lopsided, with the Core i7 winning by 40.9% in both PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, scoring 3368 versus 1990.

However, the Xeon D-2752TER wins both tests where its architecture shines. The PassMark physics test is a landslide victory for the Xeon, scoring 1777 against the Core i7's 985, an 80.4% delta. This result suggests the Xeon's memory bandwidth and cache design provide a significant advantage in physics calculations. The Xeon also wins the find prime numbers test with 96 points versus 62, a 54.8% lead, indicating superior performance in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive workloads. The data shows the Xeon wins 2 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but those wins are substantial.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-2752TER | Intel Core i7-11700KF |

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

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2579 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Rocket Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-D | Rocket Lake |

| Generation | Xeon D (Ice Lake-D) | Core i7 (Rocket Lake-S) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not listed | 276 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 4, 32 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2022-02-23 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $1061 | $374 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRLCNSRM27 | SRKNN |

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-11700KF is the clear winner for any workload that relies on high clock speeds and single-thread performance. Its 40.9% lead in PassMark single-thread tests and consistent 19.8% advantage in Cinebench single-core tests make it the better choice for tasks like gaming, general desktop responsiveness, and lightly-threaded applications. The Core i7 also excels in math-intensive workloads, winning floating point math by 33.7% and integer math by 28.7%. Data compression and encryption also favor the Core i7, with leads of 28.3% and 14% respectively. For most everyday users and even many professional content creators, the Core i7's performance profile is superior.

The Xeon D-2752TER wins in two specific areas that hint at its server pedigree. The physics test result, where it leads by 80.4%, suggests strong performance in scientific computing or simulation workloads that benefit from its memory bandwidth and cache architecture. The find prime numbers test, with a 54.8% lead, points to advantages in certain types of integer operations. Beyond these benchmark wins, the Xeon's quad-channel memory support and ECC capability make it a better fit for memory-intensive server workloads where data integrity is paramount. Its 77 W TDP also indicates better power efficiency per thread, making it suitable for dense, power-constrained deployments.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear trade-off. The Core i7-11700KF is the better processor for the vast majority of workloads, winning 15 of 17 benchmarks with substantial margins in every category except the two where the Xeon excels. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock delivers a 40.9% single-thread advantage, and it maintains a 19.8% lead in multi-core Cinebench tests despite having fewer cores. The Core i7 is also cheaper, with a launch MSRP of $374 compared to the Xeon's $1061. For desktop users, gamers, or professionals running standard productivity and content creation software, the Core i7-11700KF is the obvious choice.

The Xeon D-2752TER is for a different audience entirely. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, quad-channel memory, and ECC support make it a server/workstation processor first and foremost. The 80.4% win in physics and 54.8% win in prime number finding suggest it has unique strengths in specialized computational tasks. The Xeon also maintains an active production status, while the Core i7 is end-of-life. For someone building a server that handles memory-intensive, reliability-critical workloads, the Xeon's architecture is purpose-built for that role, even if its raw benchmark scores trail the desktop chip. The data indicates that neither processor is universally better; the choice depends entirely on whether the user needs raw clock speed or server-class features.