Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-11700K

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Core family

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-11700K

8 / 16

24,362

+13.0%

21,550

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i7-11700K vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 Ryzen 5 5600: 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

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.1 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $200 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 77.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 61.1 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 14,732).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700K better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Core i7-11700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 33% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 13.0% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% 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 i7-11700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 33% 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 i7-11700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11700K comes in 100.5% more expensive on MSRP at $399 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 77.4% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 61.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600 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?

Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 5 5600 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.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-11700K packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-11700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-11700K uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 12.2% lead for the Core i7-11700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,732 vs 11,077 (28.3% advantage for the Core i7-11700K). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700K vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	24,362+13%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,732+33%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-11700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i7-11700K) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 5 5600
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%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-11700K supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i7-11700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700K was priced at $399, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($399 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $200 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700K delivers 61.1 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 55.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$399	$199-50%
Performance per Dollar	61.1	108.3+77%
Release Date	2021	2022

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