Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Intel

Core i7-11700K

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D: 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 $50 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,732 vs 18,500).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.1 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 25.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 61.1 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
  • Draws 120W instead of 125W, a 5W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 12.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$399 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i7-11700K?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data, 25.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 40.8% 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, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.0% more average FPS across 30 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 16 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 25.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 12.5% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.1% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 61.1 PassMark/$), 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?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 16 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-11700K vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-11700K and Ryzen 7 7800X3D share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-11700K uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 33.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,732 vs 18,500 (22.7% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700K vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureCore i7-11700KRyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz
5 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
4.4 GHz+22%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
24,362
34,293+41%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,732
18,500+26%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi
15,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700K versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 62.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11700K) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i7-11700K) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureCore i7-11700KRyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
LGA1200
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-5200+63%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 750 (Core i7-11700K) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i7-11700KRyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-11700K was priced at $399, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 22.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-11700KRyzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$399-11%
$449
Performance per Dollar
61.1
76.4+25%
Release Date
2021
2023

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