Core i7-11700F vs Core Ultra 5 125H

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 Ultra 5 125H 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 Ultra 5 125H: 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: +4.8% 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 Ultra 5 125H.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $298 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 125H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,754 vs 20,770).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700F better than Core Ultra 5 125H?

Yes. Core i7-11700F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, 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 4.8% 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 0.1% 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 $298 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 5 125H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-11700F vs Core Ultra 5 125H Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 5 125H

The Core Ultra 5 125H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,754 points. Launch price was $375.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-11700F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-11700F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-11700F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700F scores 20,770 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-11700F. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125H.

Feature	Core i7-11700F	Core Ultra 5 125H
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 18+75%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+9%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	20,770	20,754
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 Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-11700F	Core Ultra 5 125H
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11700F) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 125H). Primary use case: Core i7-11700F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800.