Core i7-11700B vs Xeon Gold 5218
Core i7-11700B
Xeon Gold 5218
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-11700B
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 5218
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($311) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-H (2021) / 10 nm SuperFin) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+61%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($311) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-11700B and Xeon Gold 5218
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 Gold 5218
The Xeon Gold 5218 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 21,586 points. Launch price was $1,273.
Processing Power
The Core i7-11700B packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5218 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 5218 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11700B versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5218 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-11700B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon Gold 5218 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700B scores 21,581 against the Xeon Gold 5218's 21,586 — a 0% lead for the Xeon Gold 5218. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700B vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 5218.
| Feature | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 16 / 32+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+23% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+39% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total)+9% | 22 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 16 MB+1180% |
| Process | 10 nm SuperFin-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Tiger Lake-H (2021) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 21,581 | 21,586 |
| 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 Gold 5218 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700B versus 2666 on the Xeon Gold 5218 — the Xeon Gold 5218 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5218 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-11700B) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5218). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11700B) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5218) — the Xeon Gold 5218 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11700B) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5218).
| Feature | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1787 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | 2666+66550% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+17476167% | 768 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 6+200% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 48+140% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-11700B includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon Gold 5218 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700B targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 750 | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-11700B launched at $323 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 5218 debuted at $1273. At current prices ($311 vs $500), the Core i7-11700B is $189 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700B delivers 69.4 pts/$ vs 43.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5218 — making the Core i7-11700B the 46.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-11700B | Xeon Gold 5218 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $323-75% | $1273 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $311-38% | $500 |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.4+61% | 43.2 |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2019 |
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