Intel Core i5-11400F

The Intel Core i5-11400F posts an average benchmark score of 17,181, placing it in the 75th percentile of all tested CPUs. That result places it in a dense competitive cluster, with its closest rivals separated by less than half a percent—a statistical tie that makes workload-specific behavior the deciding factor. The 6-core, 12-thread Rocket Lake design delivers a balanced profile, but the data reveals distinct strengths that go beyond its aggregate score.

Benchmark Performance

The i5-11400F’s raw multi-threaded capability is its headline feature. In Cinebench R23, it scores 14,372 points in the multi-core test, a figure that puts it well ahead of typical 6-core parts from the previous generation. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 7,579 reinforces this, while PassMark’s multi-thread test yields 16,908. The data shows strong scaling from two threads to full load, with 3DMark scores climbing from 1,691 at 2 threads to 5,652 at max threads—a 3.3x increase that indicates efficient thread utilization.

Single-core performance is equally respectable, though not class-leading. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,029 and Geekbench single-core of 1,979 show that the 4.40 GHz boost clock delivers solid responsiveness. PassMark single-thread results sit at 2,981. The 3DMark single-thread score of 868 is notably lower than the 2-thread result, suggesting that the architecture favors lightly threaded bursts over strictly serial workloads.

Against its nearest rivals, the aggregate numbers show near-identical performance. The i5-11400F trails the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U by 0% (17,181 vs 17,189) and sits 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-1260P and Intel Core Ultra 7 164U. It edges the Intel Core i5-1240U by 0.2%. These deltas are within noise, meaning the i5-11400F wins or loses based on specific test suites rather than overall throughput.

In integer math, the CPU scores 57,624 on PassMark, while floating-point math reaches 34,127. Data compression hits 208,472, and encryption manages 10,247. These are strong figures for a desktop 6-core, indicating the chip handles compute-heavy productivity without bottlenecking.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-11400F uses Intel Socket 1200, placing it in the Rocket Lake generation. This is an end-of-life platform, so upgrade paths are limited to other 11th-gen parts—no newer architectures will fit this socket. The chip supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and it does not support ECC memory.

PCIe support is Gen 4 with 20 lanes available from the CPU. This enables modern GPUs and NVMe storage at full speed, though the platform’s age means PCIe Gen 4 is a feature rather than a differentiator. The lack of integrated graphics is notable—this is an “F” suffix part, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output. The 14 nm process node and 276 mm² die size are consistent with Rocket Lake’s design, and the L3 cache totals 12 MB shared across all cores, with 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core.

The launch MSRP is $157. The socket’s end-of-life status means buyers should not plan for future CPU upgrades without a motherboard swap.

Power and Thermals

The i5-11400F carries a 65W TDP, which classifies it as a mainstream power draw. This is low enough for standard tower coolers and typical mid-range motherboards. The 14 nm process is not power-efficient by modern standards, but the 6-core configuration keeps heat output manageable.

Benchmark results do not show thermal throttling patterns. The multi-thread scores are consistent with a 65W part sustaining its boost clocks under load. For cooling, a capable air cooler is sufficient—there is no need for exotic liquid solutions. The absence of integrated graphics also means the CPU’s power budget goes entirely to compute, which helps maintain performance in CPU-bound tasks.

The 4.40 GHz boost clock is achievable across multiple cores based on the multi-thread scores, indicating the power delivery is adequate for sustained workloads. Users with restricted chassis airflow should still find the chip easy to cool, but the 14 nm process means it will run warmer than comparable newer 6-core parts at the same TDP.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-11400F include integrated graphics?

A: No. The “F” suffix means the chip has no integrated GPU, so a discrete graphics card is required for display output.

Q: What memory does the i5-11400F support?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Can I upgrade to a newer Intel CPU on this socket?

A: No. The Intel Socket 1200 platform is end-of-life, and the i5-11400F is part of the Rocket Lake generation. No newer architectures use this socket.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, which is sufficient for a modern GPU and fast NVMe storage.

Q: What is the TDP of the i5-11400F?

A: The TDP is 65W, which allows for standard air cooling in most desktop cases.

Q: How does the i5-11400F perform in single-threaded tasks?

A: It scores 2,029 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 1,979 in Geekbench single-core, indicating strong responsiveness for everyday applications.

Who Should Consider It

The i5-11400F is best suited for gamers who pair it with a discrete GPU. Its 6 cores and 12 threads deliver solid frame rates in modern titles, and the 75th percentile standing means it will not bottleneck mainstream graphics cards. The lack of integrated graphics is irrelevant for this audience, as they will already have a dedicated GPU.

Content creators on a budget can also benefit. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14,372 handles video encoding and rendering tasks, though it will not match higher-core-count parts. The data compression score of 208,472 indicates strong archival and file-management performance. Office workers will find single-core scores like 2,029 in Cinebench R23 more than adequate for spreadsheets, browsers, and productivity suites.

The end-of-life status is the main caveat. Buyers should treat this as a final-build platform, not a stepping stone. For a new system with no upgrade path, the i5-11400F is a capable choice if the price is right, but it demands a GPU purchase.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i5-11400F shows a balanced split between single-thread and multi-thread performance, but the data reveals where it excels. The 3DMark max-thread score of 5,652 is nearly 6.5x higher than the single-thread score of 868, demonstrating that the chip scales well with thread count. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 7.1x the single-core score, which is typical for a 6-core/12-thread part.

For real workloads, this means the CPU handles parallel tasks like video rendering and 3D modeling efficiently, while maintaining snappy single-thread behavior for games and application launches. The PassMark physics score of 842 and extended instructions score of 14,976 indicate strong SIMD and physics processing, which benefits scientific and engineering software.

The single-thread scores are not exceptional—they fall in line with other 11th-gen parts—but they are sufficient for smooth daily use. The boost clock of 4.40 GHz is the key driver here. Multi-thread performance is where the i5-11400F punches slightly above its weight, making it a better fit for mixed workloads than pure gaming rigs.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 7 5700U: The i5-11400F matches the 5700U’s average score of 17,189 with a 0% delta. Both chips are effectively identical in aggregate throughput, but the 5700U is a mobile part while the i5-11400F is desktop-only. The i5-11400F will likely sustain its performance better in a desktop thermal environment, but in raw benchmark terms, they are equal.

Intel Core i7-1260P: The i7-1260P scores 17,212, putting the i5-11400F 0.2% behind. This is a negligible gap. The i7-1260P is a 12th-gen mobile chip, and its efficiency advantage is not reflected in these scores. For desktop users, the i5-11400F offers the same performance with a simpler cooling requirement.

Intel Core Ultra 7 164U: The Ultra 7 164U also scores 17,215, again 0.2% ahead of the i5-11400F. Despite being a newer architecture, the performance delta is imperceptible. The i5-11400F’s higher boost clock and dedicated desktop power envelope compensate for its older process node.

Intel Core i5-1240U: The i5-1240U scores 17,141, meaning the i5-11400F is 0.2% ahead. This rival is a low-power mobile chip, so the i5-11400F’s advantage is more pronounced in sustained workloads where desktop cooling allows it to maintain boost clocks. In short bursts, they are indistinguishable.