For PC builders seeking the highest multi-threaded application performance, Intel‘s 10th and 11th Gen Core i7 CPUs represent appealing options. Comparing the i7-10700 against the refreshed i7-11700 reveals differences in architectural design and benchmark results that justify paying a small premium for the newer 11700. This guide will analyze all relevant specs and data to provide a definitive recommendation on choosing between these processors.
An Overview of Intel‘s 10th Gen vs 11th Gen Desktop CPUs
The Intel i7-10700 was released in Q2 2020 using the Comet Lake microarchitecture built on refined 14nm process node technology. It delivered solid generational gains in core counts, memory support, and turbo clock speeds. In Q1 2021, Intel launched Rocket Lake based 11th Gen Core processors led by the flagship i7-11700. Though still on 14nm, Rocket Lake brings instructions per cycle (IPC) improvements along with support for next-generation I/O like PCIe Gen 4.
Deciding whether to upgrade requires delving into the architectural changes and resulting performance advancements. Through comprehensive benchmark comparisons and evaluating platform costs, we can gauge if the i7-11700 warrants an investment over the previous generation i7-10700.
Side-by-Side Specifications Comparison
Let‘s examine how the hardware specifications compare between these two high-performance desktop processors:
| Specs | Intel i7-10700 | Intel i7-11700 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Q2 2020 | Q1 2021 |
| Process | 14nm++ | 14 nm+++ |
| Microarchitecture | Comet Lake | Rocket Lake |
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Base Frequency | 2.9 GHz | 2.50 GHz |
| Max Turbo (1-core) | 4.8 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Max Turbo (all-core) | 4.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Cache | 16 MB | 16 MB |
| PCIe Gen | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20 |
| TDP | 65W (PL2: 230W) | 125W (PL2: 251W) |
| iGPU | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 750 |
| Memory Support | 128 GB DDR4-2933 | 128 GB DDR4-3200 |
| Socket | LGA 1200 | LGA 1200 |
A quick comparison shows the 11700 matching the 10700 in core/thread count, cache sizes, DDR4 RAM support, and socket compatibility. The key differentiators are PCIe Gen 4, higher graphical performance, and architectural adjustments to bolster single-threaded throughput. While reducing base and all-core turbo speeds, the 11700 bests the 10700‘s max single-core turbo velocity by 100 MHz at 4.9 GHz. This highlights the performance tradeoffs from Rocket Lake‘s backported architecture to 14nm process node limitations.
Real-World Gaming and Application Performance
Spec sheets alone don‘t determine actual speed and responsiveness for running modern software, games, and creative workloads. Benchmarking these CPUs using simulation tools provides objective insight into delivered performance. Trusted sites like Tom‘s Hardware used standardized testing under identical conditions for accurate generational comparisons:
Productivity Benchmarks
| Benchmark | i7-10700 | i7-11700 | % Faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 Single-Core | 1253 | 1665 | 33% |
| Geekbench 5 Multi-Core | 7,968 | 8,534 | 7% |
| Cinebench R20 Multi-Core | 4,792 | 5,342 | 11% |
| 7-Zip File Compression | 59,Joy18 MB/s | 66,921 MB/s | 13% |
Productivity benchmarks reveal excellent per-core performance gains on the 11700 but more modest improvements to heavily multi-threaded work. The 11700‘s 19% higher single core results demonstrate the IPC and architectural enhancements of Intel‘s new Cypress Cove cores. Translating this to real-world use means better responsiveness when multi-tasking, faster application launch times, and nimbler everyday workflows.
1080p Gaming Benchmarks
| Game | i7-10700 FPS | i7-11700 FPS | % Faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Cry: New Dawn | 138 | 145 | 5% |
| Assassin‘s Creed: Valhalla | 111 | 116 | 4% |
| Forza Horizon 4 | 132 fps | 140 fps | 6% |
While less dramatic than content creation suites, gaming still reveals measurable advantages going from the 10700 to the 11700. Enthusiast-grade CPUs rarely bottleneck high-end video cards at 1080p resolution though. The 11700 would stretch its legs more paired with an RTX 3080 or 3090 GPU running graphically intensive games at 1440p or 4K resolution where more CPU horsepower gets put to use. Still, every extra frame per second counts for immersed gamers and esports professionals.
Upgrade Considerations for 10700 Owners
Users already running a 400 series motherboard equipped with a Core i7-10700 can certainly stay put and remain satisfied. While outright performance gains are measurable from benchmarks, the 11700 doesn‘t provide dramatic functional improvements. Upgrading within the same generation rarely does unless replacing low-end parts with flagship-class hardware.
Folks seeking PCIe Gen 4 support for blazing fast NVMe SSDs may consider upgrading to keep pace with rapid storage advancements. However, a full platform overhaul would be required including a Z590 motherboard. At that point, one may instead wait and evaluate 12th Gen Alder Lake compatible boards and DDR5 memory releases later this year.
Ultimately, the i7-10700 still delivers excellent performance at a reasonable price point. Upgraders should focus first on the video card, SSD, RAM, or cooling before prioritizing the CPU alone. Those building a new PC in 2021 will find better value in the 11th Gen i7-11700 for its small price premium over discounted 10th Gen parts.
Conclusion – Faster and More Responsive for Marginally More
The i7-11700 represents an attractive option relative to the i7-10700 before it. By iterating on Comet Lake‘s foundation with intelligent architectural tweaks, Intel extracted every ounce of speed possible from the aging 14nm process. Rocket Lake and Cypress Cove cores generate palpable responsiveness and application performance gains seen across both synthetic tests and real gameplay recordings.
While motherboard ecosystem costs should factor into purchase decisions, if comparing just CPU to CPU, the i7-11700 takes the win. Considering it retails at near price parity to the last-gen i7-10700, the incremental upgrades to single threaded throughput, PCIe connectivity, and integrated graphics easily justify any small price differential. As production ramps up, deals may eventually sell the 11700 at an even more aggressive value making this the definitive choice for high-end PC builds in 2021.
