Intel Core i7-11700KF

The Intel Core i7-11700KF is an 8-core, 16-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Core 11th Gen / Rocket Lake generation, built on a 14 nm process with a 276 mm² die. It runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock, with a 125 W TDP, and it fits Intel Socket 1200. The chip supports dual-channel DDR4 memory at 51.2 GB/s, plus 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. Cache is 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. It has no integrated graphics, an unlocked multiplier, and a launch MSRP $374. Released on 2021-03-15, its production status is end-of-life. Its aggregate benchmark score is 25426, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs.

How It Compares

The closest rival in aggregate score is the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U, which scores 25485. The i7-11700KF trails that result by 0.2%, so the two CPUs are effectively in the same performance class.

Against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, which scores 25365, the i7-11700KF is 0.2% ahead. That is the only positive delta among its four nearest rivals.

The Intel Core 5 210H scores 25490, putting the i7-11700KF 0.3% behind. Again, this is a small aggregate gap that will not define real-world differences by itself.

The Intel Xeon D-2752TER scores 25532, putting the i7-11700KF 0.4% behind. This is the largest delta in the immediate rival group, yet it remains below half a percentage point.

The deltas across this group range from -0.4% to +0.2%, so the i7-11700KF is surrounded by CPUs that are all close in overall benchmark terms. The 82nd-percentile ranking places it among the higher-scoring processors in the database.

Power and Thermals

The i7-11700KF operates in a 125 W TDP class. That TDP is the stock thermal reference, and it calls for a capable cooling solution rather than a basic low-profile cooler. A substantial air cooler or a liquid cooler is the appropriate tier for this desktop part.

The 14 nm process and 276 mm² die are the physical parameters behind the 125 W figure. The unlocked multiplier also matters for thermals, because overclocking moves the CPU above its stock thermal envelope. The data does not include overclocked power figures, so 125 W is the only thermal design number to plan around.

There is no integrated graphics, so display output must come from a discrete GPU. That affects the overall build because a separate graphics card is required, but the CPU-only cooling requirement is still anchored to the 125 W TDP.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-thread performance is documented across several benchmarks. PassMark single-thread returns 3368, Geekbench single-core returns 2278, Cinebench R23 single-core returns 2858, Cinebench R20 single-core returns 1200, Cinebench R15 single-core returns 288, and 3DMark single-thread returns 978. The 5.00 GHz boost clock is the clock figure that corresponds to these results.

Multi-thread performance is also well covered. PassMark multithread returns 23819, Cinebench R23 multi-core returns 20247, Geekbench multi-core returns 10256, Cinebench R20 multi-core returns 8503, Cinebench R15 multi-core returns 2040, and 3DMark 16-thread returns 8067. The 3DMark thread progression shows single-thread 978, 2-thread 1909, 4-thread 3645, 8-thread 6294, and 16-thread 8067. The max-thread run, 8049, is nearly identical to the 16-thread run, which indicates that the chip reaches full utilization at 16 threads.

For lightly threaded workloads, the single-thread scores and 5.00 GHz boost are the relevant strengths. For heavily parallel work, the 16-thread results and the 16 MB shared L3 cache are what matter. The per-core L1 and L2 caches are 80 KB and 512 KB respectively, while the shared L3 cache provides a common pool for all 8 cores.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-11700KF include integrated graphics?

A: No. The integrated graphics field is null, so a discrete GPU is necessary for any display output.

Q: What memory and expansion does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel interface with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. It provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes on the CPU side and uses Intel Socket 1200.

Q: Is ECC memory supported?

A: No. The ECC memory field is false, so this CPU is not listed with ECC memory support.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes. The multiplier unlocked field is true, so this is an overclockable processor.

Q: When was it released, and is it still in production?

A: It was released on 2021-03-15, and its production status is end-of-life.

Q: How does it compare to its nearest rivals in aggregate score?

A: Its aggregate score is 25426. It is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U at 25485, 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365, 0.3% behind the Intel Core 5 210H at 25490, and 0.4% behind the Intel Xeon D-2752TER at 25532.

Benchmark Performance

The i7-11700KF’s aggregate benchmark score is 25426, and its percentile versus all CPUs is 82. In the nearest-rival group, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U scores 25485, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 25365, the Intel Core 5 210H scores 25490, and the Intel Xeon D-2752TER scores 25532. The respective deltas are -0.2%, +0.2%, -0.3%, and -0.4%. Those small deltas place the i7-11700KF in a tight cluster rather than a clear winner or loser against its nearest peers.

In rendering-style benchmarks, Cinebench R23 multi-core returns 20247 and single-core returns 2858. Cinebench R20 multi-core returns 8503 and single-core returns 1200. Cinebench R15 multi-core returns 2040 and single-core returns 288. These results show a large multi-thread advantage from the 8-core, 16-thread design.

Geekbench multi-core returns 10256 and single-core returns 2278. PassMark multithread returns 23819 and single-thread returns 3368. The 3DMark set adds more detail: single-thread 978, 2-thread 1909, 4-thread 3645, 8-thread 6294, 16-thread 8067, and max-thread 8049. The near equality between the 16-thread and max-thread results means the processor is effectively saturated at its full thread count.

PassMark sub-tests show workload-specific variation. Data compression returns 317712, integer math returns 85377, floating point math returns 50571, random string sorting returns 36309, extended instructions returns 22247, and data encryption returns 15229. Physics returns 985, and the find prime numbers test returns 62. The spread between the integer and compression scores and the prime-number score is large, so the i7-11700KF is clearly stronger in some algorithm types than others.

Who Should Consider It

A builder targeting Intel Socket 1200 with a discrete GPU should consider the i7-11700KF if they want 8 cores, 16 threads, and an unlocked multiplier. The lack of integrated graphics is not a problem when a separate graphics card is already planned.

For gaming-focused builds, the single-thread results are the key data. Geekbench single-core 2278, Cinebench R23 single-core 2858, PassMark single-thread 3368, and the 5.00 GHz boost clock all point to strong lightly threaded performance. The 8-core, 16-thread layout also leaves headroom for background tasks while gaming.

For creation and productivity workloads, the multi-thread scores matter more. Cinebench R23 multi-core 20247, Geekbench multi-core 10256, and 3DMark 16-thread 8067 show a CPU that can use all 16 threads effectively. The high PassMark data compression score of 317712 is useful for archive and file-heavy workflows.

For office and general desktop use, the single-thread behavior is adequate, but the absence of integrated graphics means an office system still needs a discrete GPU. Because this processor is end-of-life and its four nearest rivals are within -0.4% to +0.2% in aggregate score, platform considerations such as Socket 1200, DDR4 support, and 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes should carry as much weight as the raw benchmark differences.