Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i7-11700F

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

  • Costs $31 less on MSRP ($298 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 3700X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (20,770 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 10.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$298 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i7-11700F?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-11700F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 10.4% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $298 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-11700F is also 2.2% better value on MSRP (69.7 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-11700F 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?
Core i7-11700F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700F and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-11700F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 10.8% 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 Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700F scores 20,770 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 7.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+11%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
32 MB+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
20,770
22,430+8%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,196
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X 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 i7-11700F) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,H570,Z590,Q570 (Core i7-11700F) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 3700X
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

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11700F) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Core i7-11700F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700F was priced at $298, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($298 vs $329), Core i7-11700F was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700F delivers 69.7 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core i7-11700F the 2.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$298-9%
$329
Performance per Dollar
69.7+2%
68.2
Release Date
2021
2019

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