Core i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Core i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-11600KF

6 / 12

19,468

0.0%

22,430

+15.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $92 less on MSRP ($237 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 82.1 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($237 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,468 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 82.1 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $237 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i5-11600KF?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 15.2% 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 10.0% 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 15.2% 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 still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11600KF is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 38.8% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $237 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11600KF is also 20.5% better value on MSRP (82.1 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11600KF can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600KF

The Core i5-11600KF 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 3.9 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: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,468 points. Launch price was $299.

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 i5-11600KF 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 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600KF versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600KF (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11600KF uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600KF scores 19,468 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 14.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600KF vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+11%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	19,468	22,430+15%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,277	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,138	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,631	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600KF uses the LGA1200 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 i5-11600KF) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i5-11600KF) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA1200	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, EPT (Core i5-11600KF) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Core i5-11600KF targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600KF rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11600KF was priced at $237, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($237 vs $329), Core i5-11600KF was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11600KF delivers 82.1 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core i5-11600KF the 18.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$237-28%	$329
Performance per Dollar	82.1+20%	68.2
Release Date	2021	2019

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