Core i7-11700B vs Xeon E5-2697A v4

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 i7-11700B vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 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 i7-11700B vs Xeon E5-2697A v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11700B

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,568 less on MSRP ($323 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅Delivers 793.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.8 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 145W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 750, while Xeon E5-2697A v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697A v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,581 vs 21,621).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2697A v4, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Xeon E5-2697A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 66.8 PassMark/$ ($2,891 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
❌123.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697A v4 better than Core i7-11700B?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2697A v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-11700B is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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, Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E5-2697A v4 comes in 795.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,891 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-11700B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-11700B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11700B vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11700B

The Core i7-11700B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 21,581 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2697A v4

The Xeon E5-2697A v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 21,621 points. Launch price was $2,891.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-11700B packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2697A v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11700B versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-11700B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700B scores 21,581 against the Xeon E5-2697A v4's 21,621 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2697A v4. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700B vs 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4.

Feature	Core i7-11700B	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	16 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+33%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	40 MB+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	21,581	21,621
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,287	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,265	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,050	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-11700B	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700B) / not specified (Xeon E5-2697A v4). The Core i7-11700B includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700B targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-11700B	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700B was priced at $323, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 came in at $2891. On launch pricing ($323 vs $2891), Core i7-11700B was $2568 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700B delivers 66.8 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — making the Core i7-11700B the 159.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-11700B	Xeon E5-2697A v4
MSRP	$323-89%	$2891
Performance per Dollar	66.8+791%	7.5
Release Date	2021	2016

Search Core i7-11700B on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2697A v4 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.