Intel Core i7-11700T vs Intel Core i7-9700KF Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700T and Intel Core i7-9700KF are both 8-core desktop processors from Intel, but they target very different operating points. The 11700T is a low-power Rocket Lake chip with a 35 W TDP, while the 9700KF is a higher-clocked Coffee Lake part with a 95 W TDP. Benchmark data shows a clear split: the 11700T dominates in single-threaded and most multi-threaded rendering workloads, while the 9700KF takes a decisive lead in Geekbench multi-core testing.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the 11700T's consistent 7% advantage across all five Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 11700T scores 1304 against the 9700KF's 1219, a 7% margin. The single-core R15 test shows the same 7% gap, with scores of 184 and 172 respectively. This consistency extends through R20 and R23: multi-core scores are 5436 vs 5082 and 12945 vs 12100, each exactly 7% apart. Single-core results follow suit, with R20 at 767 vs 717 and R23 at 1827 vs 1708, both again 7% higher for the 11700T. This uniform delta across different Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental per-core efficiency advantage for Rocket Lake, not a workload-specific quirk.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench single-core, the 11700T wins again with 1824 versus 1681, an 8.5% lead. However, in Geekbench multi-core, the 9700KF reverses the trend decisively, scoring 7620 against the 11700T's 6621. That is a 13.1% swing in favor of the older chip, and it is the only benchmark win for the 9700KF in the entire head-to-head set. The divergence between Cinebench multi-core (where 11700T wins) and Geekbench multi-core (where 9700KF wins) is notable. It suggests the 9700KF's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.60 GHz on the 11700T, helps in certain multi-threaded workloads, while the 11700T's additional threads and newer architecture prevail in others.

Looking at the overall win count, the 11700T takes 7 of 8 head-to-head tests. The average benchmark scores reflect this, with the 11700T at 3864 and the 9700KF at 3787, a difference of about 2%. Both CPUs sit at the 56th percentile against all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their different strengths. The 11700T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 (delta -0.3%) and Ryzen 5 4600GE (delta -1.1%), while the 9700KF sits near the Intel Core i7-8086K (delta -0.3%) and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 (delta 0.3%). This placement underscores that neither chip is a performance outlier; they are mid-pack contenders with distinct profiles.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and use different sockets. The 11700T is built on Rocket Lake, uses Intel Socket 1200, and was released on 2021-03-15. The 9700KF uses Coffee Lake architecture, fits Intel Socket 1151, and launched earlier on 2019-01-07. Both use Intel's 14 nm process node, so the fabrication technology is identical. However, the die sizes differ: the 11700T measures 276 mm² while the 9700KF is smaller at 180.3 mm². This size difference reflects the more complex Rocket Lake design, which includes additional features despite the same node.

Core and thread counts are a critical differentiator. Both have 8 cores, but the 11700T supports 16 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the 9700KF has only 8 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This explains why the 11700T can win Cinebench multi-core tests despite lower clock speeds. The cache hierarchy also favors the newer chip. The 11700T has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The 9700KF offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger caches on the 11700T provide more on-chip data capacity for workloads that fit within the cache hierarchy.

Clock speeds and power are where the 9700KF fights back. The 9700KF has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost of 4.90 GHz, while the 11700T runs at just 1.40 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The 9700KF's higher boost clock helps in lightly threaded tasks that scale with frequency, and its 95 W TDP allows sustained high-frequency operation. The 11700T's 35 W TDP is a massive reduction, making it far more power-efficient on paper, but it means the chip relies on its architectural efficiency and extra threads rather than raw clock speed. The 9700KF also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the 11700T is locked.

Memory and I/O features differ as well. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration, but the 11700T has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the 9700KF. PCIe support is a generation ahead on the 11700T: it offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 9700KF provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on the 11700T (UHD Graphics 750), while the 9700KF has none, as indicated by the "KF" suffix. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload priorities. If benchmark scores in Cinebench are the primary concern, the Intel Core i7-11700T is the stronger choice, winning every Cinebench test by exactly 7% and adding an 8.5% lead in Geekbench single-core. Its 16 threads and larger caches provide tangible benefits in rendering workloads that scale with thread count and cache size. The 11700T also offers newer platform features like PCIe Gen 4 and integrated graphics, plus a dramatically lower TDP of 35 W versus 95 W.

For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i7-9700KF is the winner by a substantial 13.1% margin. Its higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz appears to propel it ahead in that specific test, and its unlocked multiplier allows further overclocking headroom that the locked 11700T cannot offer. The 9700KF also has a slight edge in average benchmark score relative to its nearest rivals, sitting at 3787 with a -0.3% delta to the Intel Core i7-8086K, while the 11700T's 3864 average puts it 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718.

Neither chip is a clear overall winner. The 11700T wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the 9700KF's single Geekbench multi-core victory is by a larger margin (13.1%) than any of the 11700T's wins (max 8.5%). The 11700T's launch MSRP was $323, versus $374 for the 9700KF, but both are end-of-life products, so current pricing is not reflected in the data. Users needing a low-power, feature-rich desktop CPU with strong single-threaded and Cinebench performance should favor the 11700T. Users with multi-threaded Geekbench-style workloads or a preference for overclocking should consider the 9700KF.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700T has 16 threads (8 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the Intel Core i7-9700KF has 8 threads (8 cores, no Hyper-Threading).

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark difference between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-9700KF scores 7620 versus 6621 for the 11700T, a 13.1% advantage for the 9700KF.

Q: Do both CPUs support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-11700T and Intel Core i7-9700KF support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-11700T has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750). The Intel Core i7-9700KF has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 14 nm process node, but they have different die sizes: 276 mm² for the 11700T and 180.3 mm² for the 9700KF.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700KF has a higher boost clock at 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.60 GHz for the Intel Core i7-11700T.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-11700T wins in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23) for both multi-core and single-core, with a uniform 7% margin. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 8.5%. These results point to strengths in rendering workloads and single-threaded applications that are sensitive to architectural efficiency and cache size. The 16 threads and larger 16 MB L3 cache give it an edge in threaded rendering, while the newer Rocket Lake architecture improves per-core IPC. Its PCIe Gen 4 support and integrated graphics make it a better fit for systems needing modern I/O or a fallback display output.

The Intel Core i7-9700KF wins decisively in Geekbench multi-core, with a 13.1% lead. This suggests it performs better in workloads that resemble the Geekbench multi-threaded test, possibly due to its higher 4.90 GHz boost clock and 95 W TDP allowing sustained high-frequency operation across all 8 cores. The unlocked multiplier is another advantage, enabling users to push clocks even higher. For users who prioritize overclocking or whose software behaves like Geekbench multi-core, the 9700KF is the data-backed choice, despite losing the majority of head-to-head tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700T | Intel Core i7-9700KF |

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

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Base Clock | 1400.00 MHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | None |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 180.3 mm² |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2019-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $323 | $374 |