CPU
GPU
EPYC 7281
Core i7-11700B
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7281
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-11700B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7281 | Core i7-11700B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($311) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Naples (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-H (2021) / 10 nm SuperFin) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7281 | Core i7-11700B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($311) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7281 and Core i7-11700B
EPYC 7281
The EPYC 7281 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 21,621 points. Launch price was $650.
Core i7-11700B
The Core i7-11700B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 21,581 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The EPYC 7281 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Core i7-11700B offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the EPYC 7281 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the EPYC 7281 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11700B — a 56% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700B (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The EPYC 7281 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-11700B uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the EPYC 7281 scores 21,621 against the Core i7-11700B's 21,581 — a 0.2% lead for the EPYC 7281. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7281 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700B.
| Feature | EPYC 7281 | Core i7-11700B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+100% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 4.8 GHz+78% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+52% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+33% | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm SuperFin-29% |
| Architecture | Naples (2017−2018) | Tiger Lake-H (2021) |
| PassMark | 21,621 | 21,581 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 10,287 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,265 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 10,050 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7281 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-11700B uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | EPYC 7281 | Core i7-11700B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | TR4 | FCBGA1787 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (EPYC 7281) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700B). The Core i7-11700B includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 750), while the EPYC 7281 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700B targets Desktop.
| Feature | EPYC 7281 | Core i7-11700B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 750 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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