Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-11700K

8 / 16

24,362

+8.6%

22,430

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

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 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 i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.1 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $70 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 61.1 PassMark/$ ($329 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

❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 24,362).
❌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 7 3700X?

Yes. Core i7-11700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 8.6% better 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 i7-11700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.7% 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, Core i7-11700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.6% better PassMark, 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 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11700K comes in 21.3% more expensive on MSRP at $399 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 11.7% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 61.1 PassMark/$), 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 7 3700X 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 i7-11700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and 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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 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 i7-11700K and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 8.3% lead for the Core i7-11700K. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	24,362+9%	22,430
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,732	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i7-11700K) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 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 (Core i7-11700K) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core i7-11700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700K was priced at $399, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($399 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $70 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700K delivers 61.1 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 11% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$399	$329-18%
Performance per Dollar	61.1	68.2+12%
Release Date	2021	2019

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