Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 5800X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-11700K

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Core family

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Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 5800X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-11700K

8 / 16

24,362

0.0%

27,712

+13.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 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 i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 7 5800X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,362 vs 27,712).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

✅+13.8% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W 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.
❌
12.5% HIGHER MSRP
$449 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core i7-11700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700K is ahead with a 7.4% 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 13.8% 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 13.8% 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 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in 12.5% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you 13.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.1% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 61.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-11700K 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 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700K and Ryzen 7 5800X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 12.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+6%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
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)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	24,362	27,712+14%
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,732	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700K 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 i7-11700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X).

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 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

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 7 5800X). The Core i7-11700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Ryzen 7 5800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 5800X
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

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700K was priced at $399, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($399 vs $449), Core i7-11700K was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700K delivers 61.1 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 1.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	Ryzen 7 5800X
MSRP	$399-11%	$449
Performance per Dollar	61.1	61.7
Release Date	2021	2020

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