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 i7-8700 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 i7-8700: 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

✅+19.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $111 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-11500T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (7,969 vs 9,500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500T better than Core i7-8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700 is ahead with a 18.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500T pulls ahead with 19.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 19.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500T comes in $111 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 19.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-8700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 18.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.6% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and 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 i5-11500T vs Core i7-8700 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11500T and Core i7-8700 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-11500T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500T scores 12,730 against the Core i7-8700's 12,747 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-8700. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 7,969 (17.5% advantage for the Core i5-11500T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,818 vs 1,535, a 16.9% lead for the Core i5-11500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,306 vs 6,200 (1.7% advantage for the Core i5-11500T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500T vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core i7-8700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+113%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12288 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,730	12,747
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500+19%	7,969
Geekbench 6 Single	1,818+18%	1,535
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,306+2%	6,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-8700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500T versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 — the Core i5-11500T 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 i5-11500T) vs 16 (Core i7-8700) — the Core i5-11500T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,Q570 (Core i5-11500T) and 300-series (Core i7-8700).

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core i7-8700
Socket	LGA1200	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

🔧

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 i7-8700). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11500T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF, Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500T rivals Core i5-10500T; Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core i7-8700
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	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500T was priced at $192, while the Core i7-8700 came in at $303. On launch pricing ($192 vs $303), Core i5-11500T was $111 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500T delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700 — making the Core i5-11500T the 44.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core i7-8700
MSRP	$192-37%	$303
Performance per Dollar	66.3+57%	42.1
Release Date	2021	2017

Search Core i5-11500T on Amazon

Search Core i7-8700 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.