Intel Core i7-11700K
Also called intel core i7-11700k, core i7-11700k, i7-11700k, core-i7-11700k
Intel Core i7 desktop processor on Rocket Lake, with 8 cores and 16 threads and 512 KB L2, 16 MB L3 at 125 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 128 GB and Intel UHD Graphics 750.
What you need to know
Still a capable Core i7 desktop chip.
Intel Core i7-11700K launched in January 1, 2021., It has 8 cores and 16 threads on Rocket Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1200 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- 5 years old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low to moderate
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Very Good. Very Good for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 5 years old
- Aging. Launched January 1, 2021. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low to moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.
Where does it sit?
Rocket Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Very Good
Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.
Productivity: Very Good
8 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Good
16 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Average
Rated 125 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not based on CPU performance alone.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Core i7-11700K is built on Rocket Lake using a 14 nm process.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Core i7 |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake |
| Generation | 11th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Segment | Desktop |
Cores and threads
Intel Core i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads.
| Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| P-cores | 8 |
| Threads | 16 |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 3.6 GHz. Boost reaches 5.0 GHz.
| Base frequency | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 5.0 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 16 MB L3.
| L2 cache | 512 KB |
|---|---|
| L3 cache | 16 MB |
| Total cache | 16.5 MB |
Memory
Intel Core i7-11700K addresses 128 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR4 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 128 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
Package and power
Intel Core i7-11700K uses the FCLGA1200 socket and a 125 W TDP.
| Socket | FCLGA1200 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 125 W |
| PCIe | Revision 4.0, 20 lanes |
Integrated graphics
Intel Core i7-11700K includes Intel UHD Graphics 750.
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 750 |
|---|
Market
Intel Core i7-11700K launched January 1, 2021 at USD 439 (suggested price at launch).
| Launch date | January 1, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | USD 439 (suggested price at launch) |
| Model | i7-11700K |
Features
Intel Core i7-11700K records 14 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX-512AVX2AVXFMASHAx86-64-v464-bit (x86-64)RDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3x86-64-v2 |
|---|---|
| Security | Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardSGX |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
| AI acceleration | Gaussian Neural Accelerator |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCLGA1200 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR4, up to 128 GB |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 750 |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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