Core i5-11500T vs Core i7-9700E

Intel

Core i5-11500T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-9700E

8 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core i5-11500T vs Core i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E: 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

  • +39.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Costs $67 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $259 MSRP).
  • Delivers 36.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 48.6 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $259 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 i7-9700E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-9700E

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,800 vs 9,500).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.6 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($259 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500T better than Core i7-9700E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700E is ahead with a 16.9% 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 39.7% 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 39.7% 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 $67 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $259 MSRP, and it still gives you 39.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-9700E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 36.6% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 48.6 PassMark/$), 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 2019) 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 i5-11500T vs Core i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E

The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700E offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700E (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700E uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500T scores 12,730 against the Core i7-9700E's 12,575 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-11500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 6,800 (33.1% advantage for the Core i5-11500T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,818 vs 1,172, a 43.2% lead for the Core i5-11500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,306 vs 6,802 (7.6% advantage for the Core i7-9700E). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-9700E
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
2.6 GHz+73%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark
12,730+1%
12,575
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500+40%
6,800
Geekbench 6 Single
1,818+55%
1,172
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,306
6,802+8%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E — 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 i7-9700E) — the Core i5-11500T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,Q570 (Core i5-11500T) and H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i7-9700E).

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-9700E
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

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 Yes (Core i7-9700E). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11500T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700E) — 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 i7-9700E
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Yes
Target Use
Quiet Desktop / SFF
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500T was priced at $192, while the Core i7-9700E came in at $259. On launch pricing ($192 vs $259), Core i5-11500T was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500T delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 48.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700E — making the Core i5-11500T the 30.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11500TCore i7-9700E
MSRP
$192-26%
$259
Performance per Dollar
66.3+36%
48.6
Release Date
2021
2019

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