Core i7-9700K vs Core i7-11700KF

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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Core i7-11700KF

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

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Core i7-9700K vs Core i7-11700KF Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

0.0%

23,811

+65.4%

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 i7-9700K vs Core i7-11700KF 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 i7-9700K vs Core i7-11700KF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-11700KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 23,811).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 63.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $374 MSRP).

Core i7-11700KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $11 less on MSRP ($374 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 70.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($374 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700KF better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core i7-11700KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 65.4% 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 i7-11700KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.8% 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 i7-11700KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 65.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-11700KF is the better buy right now. Core i7-11700KF comes in $11 cheaper on MSRP at $374 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 70.3% better value on MSRP (63.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-11700KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i7-11700KF Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Core i7-11700KF

The Core i7-11700KF 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: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,811 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i7-11700KF's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700KF — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-11700KF uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i7-11700KF's 23,811 — a 49.3% lead for the Core i7-11700KF. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700KF.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-11700KF
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	14,397	23,811+65%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,011
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,287
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,874

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-11700KF uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700KF — the Core i7-11700KF supports 20% 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: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i7-11700KF) — the Core i7-11700KF offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Z590,B560 (Core i7-11700KF).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-11700KF
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-11700KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-11700KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-11700KF
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Core i7-11700KF came in at $374. On launch pricing ($385 vs $374), Core i7-11700KF was $11 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 63.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-11700KF — making the Core i7-11700KF the 52% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-11700KF
MSRP	$385	$374-3%
Performance per Dollar	37.4	63.7+70%
Release Date	2018	2021

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