Core i7-11700F vs Core i9-11950H

Intel

Core i7-11700F

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Core i9-11950H

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i7-11700F vs Core i9-11950H 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 i7-11700F vs Core i9-11950H 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 i7-11700F vs Core i9-11950H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11700F

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-11950H.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $298 MSRP, while Core i9-11950H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i9-11950H

2021

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (20,699 vs 20,770).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700F better than Core i9-11950H?
Yes. Core i7-11700F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better 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, Core i7-11700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.9% 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, Core i7-11700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-11700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-11700F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $298 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-11700F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-11700F vs Core i9-11950H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-11700F

The Core i7-11700F 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 20,770 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i9-11950H

The Core i9-11950H 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,699 points. Launch price was $556.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700F and Core i9-11950H share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-11700F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-11950H — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11950H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-11700F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11950H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700F scores 20,770 against the Core i9-11950H's 20,699 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-11700F. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11950H.

FeatureCore i7-11700FCore i9-11950H
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+19%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
24 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+20380%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark
20,770
20,699
Geekbench 6 Single
2,196
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-11950H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-11700FCore i9-11950H
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
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, EPT (Core i7-11700F) / not specified (Core i9-11950H). Primary use case: Core i7-11700F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800.

FeatureCore i7-11700FCore i9-11950H
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Desktop