Intel Core i7-11700 vs Intel Core i5-11500

The Intel Core i7-11700 and the Intel Core i5-11500 are 11th generation Intel desktop processors, both manufactured under the Rocket Lake S architecture using a 14 nm process.

They support PCIe 4.0 and feature integrated Intel UHD Graphics 750 with 51 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-11700 is aimed at demanding users, while the Intel Core i5-11500 targets the mainstream segment. The Intel Core i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, 16 MB of Level 3 cache, and 4 MB of Level 2 cache.

In benchmarks, it shows significantly higher multi-core performance than the Intel Core i5-11500. Its single-core performance is very good, but not significantly higher. In gaming with an external graphics card, it offers a slight advantage due to higher clock speeds and larger cache.

Its TDP is 65 watts; under full load, power consumption can be higher and require good cooling. It is ideal for compute-intensive tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering. The Intel Core i5-11500 is equipped with 6 cores and 12 threads, has 12 MB of Level 3 cache, and 3 MB of Level 2 cache. Its single-core performance is strong and sufficient for most applications.

Its multi-core performance is noticeably lower than that of the Intel Core i7-11700. For gaming, the Intel Core i5-11500 is a solid choice, as the performance difference to the i7 model with a dedicated graphics card is often small. With a 65 watt TDP, it is energy-efficient and easy to cool.

It offers a very good price-performance ratio for the average user and everyday tasks.