Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i5-11500B

6 Cores12 Thrd7.5 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

  • Costs $144 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Delivers 35.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 92.3 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($185 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EU, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (17,075 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +32.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 92.3 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $185 MSRP).
  • 766.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 7.5W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i5-11500B?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 32.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 31.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 32.1% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 77.8% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 32.1% 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 32.1% in the shared gaming data.
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 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11500B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500B (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 27.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i5-11500BRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+5%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache
12 MB
32 MB+167%
L2 Cache
7.5 MB
512K (per core)+6727%
Process
10 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
17,075
22,430+31%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500B) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-11500BRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
FCBGA1787
AM4
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core i5-11500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EU), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC.

FeatureCore i5-11500BRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 32EU
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop / Mini PC
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500B was priced at $185, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($185 vs $329), Core i5-11500B was $144 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500B delivers 92.3 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core i5-11500B the 30.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11500BRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$185-44%
$329
Performance per Dollar
92.3+35%
68.2
Release Date
2021
2019

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