Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-11500B

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-11500B FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-11500B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-11500B.

Trade-offs

❌
3.8% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$185 MSRP
❌766.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 7.5W.

Core i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $7 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,075 vs 17,096).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500 better than Core i5-11500B?

Yes. Core i5-11500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-11500 comes in 3.8% more expensive on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.0% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-11500B Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-11500B

The Core i5-11500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 7.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,075 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11500 and Core i5-11500B share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11500B uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core i5-11500B's 17,075 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-11500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-11500B
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3313%	7.5 MB
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	17,096	17,075
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-11500B uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-11500B
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 750 (Core i5-11500) and UHD Graphics 32EU (Core i5-11500B) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming, Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-11500B
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 750	UHD Graphics 32EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop / Mini PC

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-11500B came in at $185. On launch pricing ($192 vs $185), Core i5-11500B was $7 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 92.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-11500B — making the Core i5-11500B the 3.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-11500B
MSRP	$192	$185-4%
Performance per Dollar	89.0	92.3+4%
Release Date	2021	2021

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