Intel Core i7-11700F vs Intel Core i9-9960X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i7-11700F and Intel Core i9-9960X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i7-11700F

Intel Core i9-9960X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-11700F

CPU is newer: launch date 2 year(s) 5 month(s) later
Around 11% higher clock speed: 4.90 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Around 18% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 85°C
2.5x lower typical power consumption: 65 Watt vs 165 Watt
Around 26% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3281 vs 2595

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	16 Mar 2021 vs October 2018
Maximum frequency	4.90 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Maximum core temperature	100°C vs 85°C
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3281 vs 2595

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9960X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
8 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 8
16 more threads: 32 vs 16
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
8x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 38% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 44% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 30254 vs 20978
Around 74% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 13076 vs 7494

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	16 vs 8
Number of threads	32 vs 16
L1 cache	64K (per core) vs 512 KB
L2 cache	1 MB (per core) vs 2 MB
L3 cache	22 MB (shared) vs 16 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	30254 vs 20978
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	13076 vs 7494

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i7-11700F
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9960X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3281

2595

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

20978

30254

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

7494

13076

Name	Intel Core i7-11700F	Intel Core i9-9960X
PassMark - Single thread mark	3281	2595
PassMark - CPU mark	20978	30254
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	7494	13076
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		14294

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i7-11700F	Intel Core i9-9960X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Rocket Lake	Skylake
Launch date	16 Mar 2021	October 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$298 - $308
Place in performance rating	602	594
Processor Number	i7-11700F	i9-9960X
Series	11th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Launched	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.50 GHz	3.10 GHz
Bus Speed	8 GT/s	8 GT/s DMI3
L1 cache	512 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	2 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	16 MB	22 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	85°C
Maximum frequency	4.90 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	8	16
Number of threads	16	32
Number of QPI Links		0
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	50 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5 mm x 37.5 mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1200	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2019C	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20	44
PCI Express revision	4.0	3.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16+1x4, 2x8+1x4, 1x8+3x4
Scalability	1S Only	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units		2
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)