Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Core i7-11700F

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
·······

Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X 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 5800X: 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 $151 less on MSRP ($298 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Delivers 12.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.7 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($298 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 5800X.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (20,770 vs 27,712).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • +33.4% higher PassMark.
  • +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

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.7 vs 69.7 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $298 MSRP).
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700F better than Ryzen 7 5800X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700F is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5800X pulls ahead with 33.4% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 5800X also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 33.4% 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?
Core i7-11700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-11700F comes in $151 cheaper on MSRP at $298 MSRP versus $449 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 5800X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 33.4% better PassMark. It is also 12.9% better value on MSRP (69.7 vs 61.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 5800X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
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 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11700F vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700F and Ryzen 7 5800X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-11700F versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-11700F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700F scores 20,770 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 28.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+4%
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.8 GHz+52%
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)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
20,770
27,712+33%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,196
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X).

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 5800X
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

Only the Ryzen 7 5800X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-11700F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11700F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). Primary use case: Core i7-11700F targets Gaming Desktop, Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming Desktop
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700F was priced at $298, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($298 vs $449), Core i7-11700F was $151 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700F delivers 69.7 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Core i7-11700F the 12.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-11700FRyzen 7 5800X
MSRP
$298-34%
$449
Performance per Dollar
69.7+13%
61.7
Release Date
2021
2020

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