CPU Showdown

Core i7-11700vsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Core i7-11700 is a sensible, everyday CPU for mainstream builders and gamers, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a workstation monster built for creators and professionals who need massive multi-threaded power.

Intel Core i7-11700
8C / 16T · 65W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i7-11700

Rocket Lake · 14 nm · 2021

12score
4.2/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
TDP
65W
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

60score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i7-11700
12
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 400.0% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#208Core i7-11700F12
#209Core i7-1170012
#210Core i9-12900TE12
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i7-11700Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores832
Threads1664
Base Clock2.5 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.9 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache2 MB32 MB
L3 Cache16 MB128 MB
Platform
MemoryDDR4DDR5
PCIePCIe 4.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 750
Power
Base TDP65W350W
General
Process14 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall for anyone needing extreme multi-core performance, while the Core i7-11700 is for budget builds with lighter tasks.

Best value

The Core i7-11700 is the smarter pick for budget buyers who need a capable chip for everyday work without overspending.

When the other wins

The Core i7-11700 is the right choice if you have a tight budget and only run single-threaded applications or light multitasking.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i7-11700 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 12 out of 100), so it leads the Core i7-11700 in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i7-11700?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 400% faster than the Core i7-11700 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i7-11700 or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i7-11700 is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.