Core i7-11700K vs Core i9-11900KF

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 i7-11700K vs Core i9-11900KF 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 i7-11700K vs Core i9-11900KF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.1 vs 47.9 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,732 vs 15,500).

Core i9-11900KF

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.9 vs 61.1 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KF better than Core i7-11700K?

Yes. Core i9-11900KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.9% higher 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 i9-11900KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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 i9-11900KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-11900KF is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-11700K is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900KF comes in 28.6% more expensive on MSRP at $513 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-11700K is also 27.4% better value on MSRP (61.1 vs 47.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-11900KF 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 i7-11700K vs Core i9-11900KF Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11700K

The Core i7-11700K 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,362 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-11900KF

The Core i9-11900KF 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 24,585 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700K and Core i9-11900KF share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900KF — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). Both are built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the Core i9-11900KF's 24,585 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-11900KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,732 vs 15,500 (5.1% advantage for the Core i9-11900KF). Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Core i9-11900KF
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.2 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	24,362	24,585
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,732	15,500+5%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i7-11700K) and Z590,B560 (Core i9-11900KF).

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Core i9-11900KF
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
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	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-11700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i9-11900KF requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Core i9-11900KF
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700K was priced at $399, while the Core i9-11900KF came in at $513. On launch pricing ($399 vs $513), Core i7-11700K was $114 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700K delivers 61.1 pts/$ vs 47.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KF — making the Core i7-11700K the 24.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Core i9-11900KF
MSRP	$399-22%	$513
Performance per Dollar	61.1+28%	47.9
Release Date	2021	2021

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