Core i5-11500T vs Core i7-10700T

Intel

Core i5-11500T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10700T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i5-11500T vs Core i7-10700T 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 i5-11500T vs Core i7-10700T 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 i5-11500T vs Core i7-10700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500T

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $163 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $355 MSRP).
  • Delivers 82.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 36.3 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $355 MSRP).
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,306 vs 6,814).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i7-10700T

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 36.3 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($355 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700T better than Core i5-11500T?
Yes. Core i7-10700T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 8.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.3% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% 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 i7-10700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-10700T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-10700T comes in 84.9% more expensive on MSRP at $355 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500T is also 82.6% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 36.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11500T vs Core i7-10700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11500T

The Core i5-11500T 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 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,730 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-10700T

The Core i7-10700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 12,891 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-10700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10700T — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700T (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-11500T is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-11500T scores 12,730 against the Core i7-10700T's 12,891 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i7-10700T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,818 vs 1,531, a 17.1% lead for the Core i5-11500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,306 vs 6,814 (7.7% advantage for the Core i7-10700T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500T vs 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-10700T.

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-10700T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
12,730
12,891+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,818+19%
1,531
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,306
6,814+8%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 4.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500T versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700T — the Core i5-11500T supports 9.1% 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 i5-11500T) vs 16 (Core i7-10700T) — the Core i5-11500T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,Q570 (Core i5-11500T) and LGA1200 (Core i7-10700T).

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-10700T
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+9%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11500T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700T). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11500T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500T rivals Core i5-10500T.

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-10700T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Quiet Desktop / SFF
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500T was priced at $192, while the Core i7-10700T came in at $355. On launch pricing ($192 vs $355), Core i5-11500T was $163 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500T delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 36.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-10700T — making the Core i5-11500T the 58.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-10700T
MSRP
$192-46%
$355
Performance per Dollar
66.3+83%
36.3
Release Date
2021
2020

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