Core i5-11500B vs Core i7-9700K

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 i5-11500B vs Core i7-9700K 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 i5-11500B vs Core i7-9700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅+18.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $200 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 146.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 92.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($185 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 95W, a 88W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 17,075).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 92.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $185 MSRP).
❌1166.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 7.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500B better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500B pulls ahead with 18.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 18.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11500B is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500B comes in $200 cheaper on MSRP at $185 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 18.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 146.8% better value on MSRP (92.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-11500B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500B vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 17% lead for the Core i5-11500B. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	12 MB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	7.5 MB	256K (per core)+3313%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	17,075+19%	14,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500B versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i5-11500B supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500B) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i5-11500B offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11500B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 32EU (Core i5-11500B) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 32EU	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop / Mini PC	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500B was priced at $185, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($185 vs $385), Core i5-11500B was $200 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500B delivers 92.3 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i5-11500B the 84.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$185-52%	$385
Performance per Dollar	92.3+147%	37.4
Release Date	2021	2018

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