Core i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 5700X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-11600KF

6 Cores12 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021

Core family

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Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-11600KF

6 / 12

19,468

0.0%

26,609

+36.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 5700X 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 5700X: 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 $62 less on MSRP ($237 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,277 vs 14,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 82.1 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($237 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 8.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 82.1 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $237 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
26.2% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$237 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i5-11600KF?

Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 24.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 36.7% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.7% 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 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 24.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in 26.2% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $237 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 8.3% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 82.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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?

Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11600KF vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11600KF packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600KF versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600KF (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-11600KF uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600KF scores 19,468 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 31% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,277 vs 14,000 (21.5% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,138 vs 2,116, a 1% lead for the Core i5-11600KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,631 vs 9,715 (11.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600KF vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+7%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	19,468	26,609+37%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,277	14,000+24%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,138+1%	2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,631	9,715+13%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X) — the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i5-11600KF) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 5700X
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

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i5-11600KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11600KF) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Core i5-11600KF targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600KF rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11600KF was priced at $237, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($237 vs $299), Core i5-11600KF was $62 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11600KF delivers 82.1 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11600KF	Ryzen 7 5700X
MSRP	$237-21%	$299
Performance per Dollar	82.1	89.0+8%
Release Date	2021	2022

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