Core i5-11500 vs Core i7-7820X

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 i7-7820X 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 i7-7820X: 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

✅Costs $407 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 210.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 28.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Core i7-7820X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7820X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,096 vs 17,171).

Core i7-7820X

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.7 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820X better than Core i5-11500?

Yes. Core i7-7820X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7820X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 i7-7820X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-7820X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-7820X comes in 212.0% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 210.6% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 28.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11500 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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 a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i7-7820X 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 i7-7820X

The Core i7-7820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-7820X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-7820X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7820X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core i7-7820X's 17,171 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-7820X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i7-7820X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+9%	11 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	17,096	17,171
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 i7-7820X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i7-7820X
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) / not specified (Core i7-7820X). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Core i7-7820X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i7-7820X
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD 750	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Core i7-7820X came in at $599. On launch pricing ($192 vs $599), Core i5-11500 was $407 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 28.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-7820X — making the Core i5-11500 the 102.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i7-7820X
MSRP	$192-68%	$599
Performance per Dollar	89.0+210%	28.7
Release Date	2021	2017

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