Thursday, February 11th 2021

First Comprehensive Review of the Core i7-11700K (ES) Surfaces

Lab501 posted the first comprehensive review of an Intel Core i7-11700K "Rocket Lake-S" engineering sample. The ES has clock speeds matching the rumored clock speeds of the retail version, and should give you a fair idea of how the finished product should perform. The i7-11700K, which is an 8-core/16-thread chip, was tested to be being consistently behind the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X in synthetics such as WPrime, rendering tests such as Blender, video-encoding tests such as Handbrake, and was negligibly trading blows with the 5800X at gaming ±1%. The chip does post leads over the previous-gen i7-10700K in all these areas, though.

Performance aside, the Core i7-11700K is shown to have significantly higher power draw, with the whole-system power draw being 27% higher than a 5800X-based whole-system, when measured using Prime95 (which only adds a CPU load). In a real-world scenario such as gaming, where GPU power draw is added, this whole-system power draw percentage difference should come down. Interestingly, the i7-11700K isn't a "hot" processor, running up to 18°C cooler than a 5800X under Prime95 load. Check out this, and other invaluable early insights into "Rocket Lake" by hitting the source link below.
Source: Lab501.ro
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59 Comments on First Comprehensive Review of the Core i7-11700K (ES) Surfaces

#26
Unregistered
If they price those CPUs correctly they can be a good choice, given that AMD wasted silicon on the PS5 and Xbox.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#27
EatingDirt
CobainSeems very good. 20fps more than 10900k in some games, and that's an ES without any overclock.

Can only imagine its performance with 4133mhz c16 ram, it Will beat zen 3 In games for sure.

If 11600k comes at 250€-280€, and with stock, we have a winner for gaming.

11400f for 160€-180€ Will also be an interesting budget option paired with a B560 motherboard.
You understand how biased you sound in this post, correct? The 11700k doesn't look like an awful product if you only compare it to Intel's other products, but it doesn't look particularly appealing when you consider AMD's offerings as well.
The 11700k compared to the 5800x:
11700k has much more power draw(20%+)
11700k is slower in multi-threaded workloads.
11700k is the same speed in games @1080p. Your 4133mhz memory isn't going to make the 11700k any faster than a 5800x paired with similar memory.

It will come down to price and availability. If the 10700k is priced below the 5800x when it releases, or the 5800x is still very hard to get a hold of, the 11700k is a CPU to consider if someone desperately needs a CPU.
Xex360If they price those CPUs correctly they can be a good choice, given that AMD wasted silicon on the PS5 and Xbox.
I know maybe you're angry that you can't get AMD CPU's, but AMD is definitely not 'wasting' silicon on consoles. AMD had help developing RDNA from Sony & Microsoft and I'd say it has worked out pretty well for them, as they now have a competitive GPU to compete with Nvidia. Not only that, but like the last generation of consoles, AMD has a guaranteed revenue stream that they can rely on for the next 5+ years.
Posted on Reply
#28
ThrashZone
Hi,
Consoles with amd 8 core potato just confirms an 8 core is fine for gaming hardly a waste.
Posted on Reply
#29
cueman
interesting ...i mean 14nm cpu beat 7nm cpu for performance!

sure, its scienties rules that 14nm cpu eat little more power...


i see that test shows few things...is it 7nm amd cpu lausy lausy or intel 14nm cpu super good..all can think about it...both?

bcoz... let imagine situation that also intel have that 7nm cpu....so no handicap advance for amd.


woah, i wanna see intel 7nm vs amd 7nm cpu battle.


think we seen it soon, anyway its just matter of time...
Posted on Reply
#30
phanbuey
gonna hold on to the 10850k for a while then... lol
Posted on Reply
#32
Cobain
EatingDirtYou understand how biased you sound in this post, correct? The 11700k doesn't look like an awful product if you only compare it to Intel's other products, but it doesn't look particularly appealing when you consider AMD's offerings as well.
The 11700k compared to the 5800x:
11700k has much more power draw(20%+)
11700k is slower in multi-threaded workloads.
11700k is the same speed in games @1080p. Your 4133mhz memory isn't going to make the 11700k any faster than a 5800x paired with similar memory.

It will come down to price and availability. If the 10700k is priced below the 5800x when it releases, or the 5800x is still very hard to get a hold of, the 11700k is a CPU to consider if someone desperately needs a CPU.

I know maybe you're angry that you can't get AMD CPU's, but AMD is definitely not 'wasting' silicon on consoles. AMD had help developing RDNA from Sony & Microsoft and I'd say it has worked out pretty well for them, as they now have a competitive GPU to compete with Nvidia. Not only that, but like the last generation of consoles, AMD has a guaranteed revenue stream that they can rely on for the next 5+ years.
You just talked about a 5800x being paired with 4133c16 RAM and Im the one biased? Ok... You should watch this review 5900x vs 10700k with max tuned RAM on both plataforms. Tell me how Many zen 3 chips did you see working with 4200 c16 ram?

Tldr: zen 3 has no chance vs max tuned RAM Comet Lake in games. Now imagine rocket Lake.

Posted on Reply
#33
Makaveli
moobQuick glance at those Cinebench R20 numbers for the 5800X and you know that benchmark is garbage. Far lower than what basically anyone else has posted, including TPU (627/6123).
That 5800X system they used probably wasn't tuned.

I beat all those posted scores they have on my machine.

We will have to wait for official reviews. Since i've been on AM4 since december 2019 we have had to many bios updates and improvement in AGESA code that the numbers will look different by the launch of this in march anyways.
Posted on Reply
#34
EatingDirt
CobainYou just talked about a 5800x being paired with 4133c16 RAM and Im the one biased? Ok... You should watch this review 5900x vs 10700k with max tuned RAM on both plataforms. Tell me how Many zen 3 chips did you see working with 4200 c16 ram?

Tldr: zen 3 has no chance vs max tuned RAM Comet Lake in games. Now imagine rocket Lake.

Ah yes, your source gives the 10700k at 4k a tiny fps lead in some games from this highly reputable youtuber that has a whole 2k subs who doesn't even do controlled benchmark runs, and the actual in-game benchmarks he does run? 2-4 fps. You understand that one 4k run isn't representative, actual review sites do more than 1 run, and 4k is almost entirely GPU bound? It's is why you see so little difference in FPS on the controlled, in-game benchmarks.

The video you linked could have been a 5600x vs 10700k, or a 10600k vs 10700k for that matter and the results would have been almost exactly the same. You can look on this website to see that's the case: tpucdn.com/review/amd-ryzen-7-5800x/images/relative-performance-games-38410-2160.png

So again:
11700k has much more power draw(20%+)
11700k is slower in multi-threaded workloads.
11700k is the same speed in games @1080p.

It will come down to price and availability. If the 10700k is priced below the 5800x when it releases, or the 5800x is still very hard to get a hold of, the 11700k is a CPU to consider if someone desperately needs a CPU.

I'll add that it's an awkward time to get a CPU. We're coming to the transition to DDR5. Both AMD & Intel sockets are a dead end, so the only upgrade available is a 11900k for the intel platform, which... is still an 8c/16t CPU, so basically not worth considering. On the other hand, at least with AMD you can upgrade to a 16/32 CPU, if you need threads. I personally wouldn't upgrade if I had anything 4/8 or higher at this point until DDR5. Can't get a GPU to pair with a CPU anyway.
Posted on Reply
#35
TheTerk
My cinebench single core numbers match very well, and I reckon my gaming results are good too
Posted on Reply
#36
Cobain
EatingDirtI'll add that it's an awkward time to get a CPU. We're coming to the transition to DDR5. Both AMD & Intel sockets are a dead end, so the only upgrade available is a 11900k for the intel platform, which... is still an 8c/16t CPU, so basically not worth considering. On the other hand, at least with AMD you can upgrade to a 16/32 CPU, if you need threads. I personally wouldn't upgrade if I had anything 4/8 or higher at this point until DDR5. Can't get a GPU to pair with a CPU anyway.
I have enough years building DIY computers to Highly disagree with you. NEVER ever I Will jump straight to a new platform that has new RAM Norm.

I remember going into DDR3 hype, just to get stuck at awful 1033mhz CL13 speeds and paying 150€ for 8gb kit. 2 years down the road and 1666mhz CL8 cost 50€ for 2x4gb kits.

Didnt learn my lesson and jumped to DDR4 day 1, paying 200€ for 2x4gb 2400mhz CL18. 2 years later and 3200mhz CL16 was the norm, Costing 100€ for 2x4gb.

No way Im Jumping on DDR5, buying the first kits for a lot of money. Next time I jump to new platform with new RAM, I Will make sure the RAM kits that I buy Will last me that entire DDR5 GEN.

Awful idea to buy new RAM as soon as it gets released. I Will wait for it to mature first.
Posted on Reply
#37
ZoneDymo
CobainYou just talked about a 5800x being paired with 4133c16 RAM and Im the one biased? Ok... You should watch this review 5900x vs 10700k with max tuned RAM on both plataforms. Tell me how Many zen 3 chips did you see working with 4200 c16 ram?

Tldr: zen 3 has no chance vs max tuned RAM Comet Lake in games. Now imagine rocket Lake.

Ermmm they are using 2 sticks of ram when we know Ryzen 5000 benefits quite a bit from 4 sticks of ram soooo yeah, not the best vid to say the least.

Posted on Reply
#38
olymind1
CobainI have enough years building DIY computers to Highly disagree with you. NEVER ever I Will jump straight to a new platform that has new RAM Norm.
I agree, when i upgrade my system usually it is 2-3 years after the newest DDR release. Initially they are too pricey.

Even if AM4 or LGA 1200 is a dead end platform, lots of users / gamers are content with the cheapest 6-8 core zen2/10th gen cpus. 3200 cl16 memories are cheap, motherboards not too pricey, and probably will be enough for a few years, not to mention they are stable.

Who want the latest and greatest, surely will pay for the new DDR5 platform and hardwares along with new bugs.

I have an MSI B450 Tomahawk with a Ryzen 5 2600, sure i would like to upgrade it to a cheap 200 € 6c/12t Zen3 cpu, but i also like how Intel processors getting cheaper and cheaper, and don't like AMD's CPU are becoming more and more expensive, they probably introduced the XT processors, so they could increase Zen3 prices, because it is even faster than them.

As i look at the current prices at some point i started to consider if it is worth to selling current AMD MB+CPU and buy a new Intel B560 board, with a cheapish 11400.
Posted on Reply
#39
Cobain
ZoneDymoErmmm they are using 2 sticks of ram when we know Ryzen 5000 benefits quite a bit from 4 sticks of ram soooo yeah, not the best vid to say the least.

Again?? It was already debunked by pretty much every reviewer, that is not about 2 sticks or 4 sticks, is about Dual Rank memory or Single Rank memory, as long as it is on dual channel mode, PLUS as soon as you get on the 3600mhz CL15 Mark it doesnt matter anymore. And more, Intel also Benefits from using dual rank sticks as shown by hardware unboxed

Posted on Reply
#40
pjl321
Are you honestly trying to tell me that Intel might have over promised and under delivered?
No, I will not have that!!
Posted on Reply
#41
ZoneDymo
CobainAgain?? It was already debunked by pretty much every reviewer, that is not about 2 sticks or 4 sticks, is about Dual Rank memory or Single Rank memory, as long as it is on dual channel mode, PLUS as soon as you get on the 3600mhz CL15 Mark it doesnt matter anymore. And more, Intel also Benefits from using dual rank sticks as shown by hardware unboxed

Still:


That makes me doubt the validity of these results a bit
Posted on Reply
#42
SL2
ZoneDymoStill:


That makes me doubt the validity of these results a bit
That's bad.
Posted on Reply
#43
billEST
10400 is so good !!! with DDR2666 and 130e on amazon.de

remember xbox serie x : 12TFLOP , ITX 1to sdd , core 8 :499 e
Posted on Reply
#44
moob
MakaveliThat 5800X system they used probably wasn't tuned.

I beat all those posted scores they have on my machine.

We will have to wait for official reviews. Since i've been on AM4 since december 2019 we have had to many bios updates and improvement in AGESA code that the numbers will look different by the launch of this in march anyways.
Funnily enough I'm using a 5800X right now with BIOS defaults (aside from turning off PBO) so I could do stability testing (I had to RMA my 3700X), and I'm still getting numbers at around what TPU got.
Posted on Reply
#45
Cobain
ZoneDymoStill:


That makes me doubt the validity of these results a bit
Simrace PL is "only" the biggest SimRacing european community on the whole internet. He usually tests every CPU because on these racing competitions every frame counts! He is a reliable source for 9 years now.

But you can lookup any review out there that uses 4200c16 on Comet Lake, winning against zen 3 In gaming. Overclock dot net has a lot of tests, but you Will Prolly Say they are not valid.

Is called being on denial.
Posted on Reply
#46
ZoneDymo
CobainSimrace PL is "only" the biggest SimRacing european community on the whole internet. He usually tests every CPU because on these racing competitions every frame counts! He is a reliable source for 9 years now.

But you can lookup any review out there that uses 4200c16 on Comet Lake, winning against zen 3 In gaming. Overclock dot net has a lot of tests, but you Will Prolly Say they are not valid.

Is called being on denial.
nah its called not really caring about the "biggest simracing europen community".... im sure if you are in the scene that impresses you but im not so it doesnt.
Might as well be the biggest window-washing company for all I care.

All I can say is that every benchmark/review I have seen so far agrees that Zen 3 has taken the performance crown in everything now, including gaming, thats it.
Posted on Reply
#47
Why_Me
EatingDirtYou understand how biased you sound in this post, correct? The 11700k doesn't look like an awful product if you only compare it to Intel's other products, but it doesn't look particularly appealing when you consider AMD's offerings as well.
The 11700k compared to the 5800x:
11700k has much more power draw(20%+)
11700k is slower in multi-threaded workloads.
11700k is the same speed in games @1080p. Your 4133mhz memory isn't going to make the 11700k any faster than a 5800x paired with similar memory.

It will come down to price and availability. If the 10700k is priced below the 5800x when it releases, or the 5800x is still very hard to get a hold of, the 11700k is a CPU to consider if someone desperately needs a CPU.
He mentioned gaming twice in his post and he's correct. For a budget to mid range gaming build the i5 11400F is going to be a tough one to beat. Expect it to be priced in the $160 - $170 USD range not to mention that's one chip you can run all day long in a cheap board.

I'd never recommend either of these boards for an unlocked Intel cpu but then again they weren't made for unlocked cpu's.

www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813157976
ASRock B560 Steel Legend $129.99

www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813157977
ASRock B560 Pro4 $109.99

Unlike the 10400F that's currently going for $145 on Newegg atm, the 11400F has native support for 3200MHz RAM and improved IPC.

Posted on Reply
#48
EatingDirt
Why_MeHe mentioned gaming twice in his post and he's correct. For a budget to mid range gaming build the i5 11400F is going to be a tough one to beat. Expect it to be priced in the $160 - $170 USD range not to mention that's one chip you can run all day long in a cheap board.

I'd never recommend either of these boards for an unlocked Intel cpu but then again they weren't made for unlocked cpu's.

www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813157976
ASRock B560 Steel Legend $129.99

www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813157977
ASRock B560 Pro4 $109.99

Unlike the 10400F that's currently going for $145 on Newegg atm, the 11400F has native support for 3200MHz RAM and improved IPC.

I never once mentioned the 11400F. What I did talk about was the 11700k, because that's the subject of this post, and all my points are vaild. The 11700k apparently uses 20% more power, and is the same speed @1080p in games according to the few benchmarks we've seen. It's only impressive if you look at Dawn of War 3, and only impressive if you ignore the AMD processors(the 5600x is more impressive) and only look at the 10900k's results.

As for the 11400F. We can only speculate on performance, price and release date, since we have no information any of those things. No doubt the 10400F is currently very good value for gaming, and likely the 11400F will be the same. If we ever get a 5600(non-x) I expect good value there as well, and wouldn't be surprised if we see a price drop on Zen 3 CPU's once these Intel CPU's come out, if there's sufficient stock of either.
Posted on Reply
#49
Shatun_Bear
This Intel gen should be called Skippy Lake, as anyone with any sense will skip this useless stop gap from Intel and wait for Intel to get off 14nm CPUs or Zen 3+/Zen 4 or better yet, pick up a cheap Ryzen 5000-series CPU.
AretakAnother Massive Disappointment from Intel it seems. Guess it's time for the fanboys to start shilling Alder Lake as the second coming.
U remember this happened with Skylake (presumably because people liked the name, idk) and that didnt particularly end well.
Posted on Reply
#50
evernessince
CobainSimrace PL is "only" the biggest SimRacing european community on the whole internet. He usually tests every CPU because on these racing competitions every frame counts! He is a reliable source for 9 years now.

But you can lookup any review out there that uses 4200c16 on Comet Lake, winning against zen 3 In gaming. Overclock dot net has a lot of tests, but you Will Prolly Say they are not valid.

Is called being on denial.
Never heard of this guy but it's good to note that Sim Racing != gaming. It's a very specific and niche form of gaming and that's it. Extrapolating it as if it represents the broader market is misleading. In addition, there are multiple reviews out that show AMD CPUs scale a bit better with faster memory when properly configured.

I really don't see the point in bringing up niche youtube channels that only do specific tests unless you are really grasping for straws. There are plenty of other reviews that show that AMD has the gaming crown. Even if you don't agree with them you at the least have to admit that most of the time the difference between the two in gaming is within margin of error. Depending on the games you play (if you make such a large commitment to any single title), either processor could be a good choice (assuming again that gaming is the only driving factor behind your CPU purchasing decision).
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