If you are in the market for a new CPU, you might wonder which one best fits you. However, it will be easier to decide as you read Intel 10700K vs .11700K. Both processors have similar features and specifications; however, some notable differences could affect your decision. As of the fourth quarter of 2020, Statista estimated that Intel would maintain its position as the dominant global supplier of semiconductors, holding a market share of approximately 15.6%. For this reason, users looking for high-performance central processing units favor this company’s processors.
The Intel Core i7-10700K came out in Q2 2020, while the Intel Core i7-11700K came out in Q1 2021. The latter is a newer model with some upgrades and improvements over its predecessor, but is it worth the extra cost? This article will examine the specs, price, and performance of the two processors to help you decide which one to choose.
10700K vs. 11700K: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Specifications | Intel Core i7-10700K | Intel Core i7-11700K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Support | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-3200 |
| Architecture | Comet Lake | Rocket Lake |
| Cache | 16MB | 16MB |
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz | 5.0 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 (3.0) | 20 (4.0) |
- 16 Threads / 8 Cores
- LGA 1200 Socket Type
- Unlocked, up to 5.1GHz boosted speed
- Intel's 400 chipset motherboard supported
10700K vs. 11700K: What’s the Difference?
The Intel Core i7-10700K and i7-11700K are high-end desktop processors offering excellent gaming performance and other demanding tasks. However, the main difference is that the i7-11700K is a newer model launched in 2021, while the i7-10700K came out in 2020.
The i7-11700K features a base clock speed of 3.6GHz compared to the i7-10700K’s 3.8GHz. It also has a higher maximum turbo frequency of 5.0GHz compared to the i7-10700K’s 4.8GHz. Additionally, the i7-11700K features support for PCIe 4.0, which provides faster data transfer rates for compatible components such as NVMe SSDs. So to get a better understanding between the 10700K vs. 11700K processors, we’ll delve into various factors that distinguish the two models.
Performance
The Intel Core i7-11700K has a few advantages over its predecessor, the i7-10700K. The improvements are subtle, so you may not notice them immediately. As mentioned above, the i7-11700K has a newer architecture with a base clock speed of 3.6GHz, whereas the i7-10700K has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz. In addition, the i7-11700K boasts a higher maximum turbo frequency of 5.0GHz compared to the i7-10700K’s 4.8GHz.
Still, the i7-11700K is equipped with cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 technology, a remarkable feature that enhances data transfer speeds for compatible components like NVMe SSDs. This advanced setting allows users to experience reduced load times and significantly boosts overall system performance. To fully leverage the benefits of PCIe 4.0 fully, one must ensure compatibility by using appropriate components that support this technology.
The performance difference between the two processors is slight; however, if you are building a new system and want the latest and most outstanding features, the i7-11700K may be the better choice. If you already have an i7-10700K or are on a budget, the i7-10700K is still a great processor that offers excellent gaming performance and other demanding tasks.
Architecture
The difference between Intel Core i7-10700K vs. i7-11700K is that they use different architectures. The i7-10700K relies on the 14nm Comet Lake architecture, while the i7-11700K uses the newer 10nm Cypress Cove architecture. The newer architecture offers critical benefits, including improved per-watt performance and faster memory speed support.
In addition to its impressive specs, the i7-11700K boasts Intel’s newest technologies, like PCIe 4.0, allowing for speedier data transfer rates with compatible components such as NVMe SSDs. The i7-11700K’s updated architecture and advanced technologies give it a slight advantage over the i7-10700K in both performance and features.
Memory Support
The Intel Core i7-10700K and i7-11700K CPUs are incredibly strong performers and share many similar features. However, one key difference is the type of memory they support. Specifically, while the i7-10700K can handle DDR4 memory with a maximum speed of 2933MHz, the i7-11700K can support DDR4 memory with a maximum speed of 3200MHz. This is significant because the i7-11700K can deliver faster memory performance, potentially resulting in better overall system performance.
The CPU’s memory speed is just one piece of a system’s performance puzzle. Other crucial factors also come into play, including the graphics card, motherboard, and storage devices. All of these elements work together to determine the system’s overall performance.
Speed
The Intel Core i7-10700K vs. i7-11700K stand as remarkable CPUs in the high-end category, boasting comparable core counts and clock speeds. Nonetheless, the i7-11700K surpasses its counterpart by employing a more recent architecture, potentially resulting in enhanced overall performance.
The i7-10700K boasts a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and can reach 5.1GHz on a single core. In contrast, the i7-11700K operates at a base clock speed of 3.6GHz but can elevate to 5.0GHz on all cores. As a result, although the i7-11700K may have marginally lower single-core performance, it could deliver superior multi-core performance.
Typically, for demanding applications such as gaming or video editing, the i7-11700K could provide a slight edge over the i7-10700K. Again, the i7-11700K’s newer architecture may also provide better efficiency and power consumption than the i7-10700K.
Power Consumption
Compared to the i7-10700K, which uses an older architecture, the Intel Core i7-11700K uses an even newer architecture with improved power efficiency. In contrast to its predecessor, the i7-10700K, the i7-11700K has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 watts, 5 watts less than the TDP of the i7-10700K.
More importantly, this indicates that the i7-11700K should consume less power and emit less heat than the i7-10700K. Such a design could benefit customers who want to construct more power-efficient systems or minimize their monthly energy expenses. However, the actual power consumption of a CPU depends on many factors, the most important of which are the workload and the configuration of the system.
Operating System Support
The comparison between Intel Core i7-10700K vs. i7-11700K regarding the operating system reveals that both support the same operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (with limitations). However, the i7-11700K depends on a newer architecture that needs a compatible motherboard chipset, which may differ from some older operating systems.
For example, the i7-11700K needs a motherboard with an Intel 500-series chipset, such as the Z590, B560, or H570, whereas the i7-10700K is compatible with motherboards with an Intel 400-series chipset, such as the Z490, B460, or H410.
As a result, users looking to upgrade from an older CPU to the i7-11700K may also require upgrading their motherboard to a compatible 500-series chipset to ensure proper system compatibility and performance.
Integrated Graphics
The Intel Core i7-10700K and i7-11700K have integrated graphics. However, the i7-11700K’s integrated graphics rely on Intel’s newer Xe graphics architecture, which provides improved performance over the i7-10700K’s integrated graphics.
The i7-10700K is equipped with Intel UHD Graphics 630, which has a base frequency of 350MHz and a maximum frequency of 1.2GHz. On the other hand, the i7-11700K boasts Intel UHD Graphics 750, which has a base frequency of 350MHz and a maximum frequency of 1.3GHz.
In real-world usage, the difference in graphics performance could benefit those who use their systems for tasks like light gaming or video editing. Still, the newer Xe graphics architecture in the i7-11700K could offer better support for modern games and applications.
- Compatible motherboards: Intel 500 and some Intel 400 series.
- Supports PCIe Gen 4.0
- Base clock 3.6GHz, boost clock 5.0GHz
- DDR4-3200 memory support
Cache Allocation
The Intel Core i7-10700K and i7-11700K have varying cache allocations, with the i7-11700K featuring a larger L3 cache size. Specifically, the i7-10700K has a total cache size of 16MB, with 12MB allocated to the L3 cache.
In contrast, the i7-11700K has a total cache size of 16MB, with 16MB allocated to the L3 cache. Even so, this means that the i7-11700K has a larger L3 cache, which could result in better performance for specific applications that rely heavily on cache, such as gaming or video editing. However, the variations in cache size between the two CPUs may be rare in most real-world applications.
Compatibility
The Intel Core i7-10700K vs. i7-11700K have similar compatibility with other components as they all use the LGA 1200 socket and need a motherboard with the Intel 400-series chipset.
However, due to the variations in power consumption and voltage regulation between the two CPUs, it is vital to ensure that the motherboard can offer adequate power and voltage to the i7-11700K. Also, some 400-series motherboards may need a BIOS update to support the i7-11700K properly.
Users should also ensure that their system’s memory is compatible with the CPU’s memory controller. Both CPUs support dual-channel DDR4 memory; however, the i7-11700K has an updated memory controller that may support higher memory speeds than the i7-10700K.
Beyond that, users should consult the manufacturer’s specifications and compatibility lists when selecting components for their system. The action is to ensure that all components are compatible with their chosen CPU.
Price
Compared to the i7-10700K, the Intel Core i7-11700K is a more recent and advanced CPU, often carrying a higher price tag. As of May 2023, the suggested retail price for the i7-11700K was approximately $399, whereas the i7-10700K was around $319.
However, the actual prices of both CPUs can fluctuate due to supply and demand, and it is not uncommon to find sales or discounts on both models. Still, the price of a CPU is just a single factor to consider when purchasing. Other factors, such as performance and power consumption, may influence which CPU best fits a particular system.
Ultimately, weighing the benefits of the newer architecture, improved integrated graphics, and higher clock speeds of the i7-11700K is vital against its higher price tag. The i7-11700K is the better choice for users looking for the best performance and future-proofing. The i7-10700K is more cost-effective for users on a tighter budget.
10700K vs. 11700K: 7 Must-Know Facts
- The Intel Core i7-10700K and i7-11700K are high-end desktop processors from Intel’s 11th-generation lineup.
- The i7-11700K features a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz vs. 3.8 GHz of the i7-10700K.
- The i7-11700K also features Intel’s newer Rocket Lake architecture, whereas the i7-10700K uses the older Comet Lake architecture.
- Both processors have a similar number of cores and threads: 8 cores and 16 threads.
- The i7-11700K has a slightly higher power consumption of 125W than the i7-10700K’s 125W TDP.
- The i7-11700K supports PCIe 4.0, which offers faster data transfer rates than the PCIe 3.0 supported by the i7-10700K.
- The i7-11700K is slightly more expensive due to its newer architecture and support for PCIe 4.0.
10700K Vs 11700K: Which Should You Choose?
When choosing between the Intel Core i7-10700K vs. i7-11700K, there are a few factors to consider. The i7-10700K is still a solid choice with its higher boost clock speed if you primarily use your PC for gaming. However, if you want the latest architecture and support for PCIe 4.0, then the i7-11700K is the better option. The i7-11700K is slightly more expensive due to its newer architecture and features. The decision comes down to your particular needs and budget. Go for the i7-11700K if you can afford it and want the latest technology. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option that still performs well, the i7-10700K is a solid choice.
- Intel Core i7-10700KF Desktop Processor 8 Cores up to 5.1 GHz Unlocked Without Processor Graphics LGA1200 (Intel 400 Series chipset) 125W
- 16 Threads / 8 Cores
- LGA 1200 Socket Type
- Unlocked, up to 5.1GHz boosted speed
- Intel's 400 chipset motherboard supported
- Intel® Core™ i7-11700K Desktop Processor
- Compatible motherboards: Intel 500 and some Intel 400 series.
- Supports PCIe Gen 4.0
- Base clock 3.6GHz, boost clock 5.0GHz
- DDR4-3200 memory support
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