Key Takeaways
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The 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor generally outperforms the 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor in most benchmarks.
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The 11th Gen i5 offers higher clock speeds, more cores, and a more efficient manufacturing process than the 8th Gen i7.
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However, the 8th Gen i7 still holds its own in single-threaded applications and some gaming workloads.
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Upgrading from an 8th Gen i7 to an 11th Gen i5 will likely result in noticeable performance improvements in productivity and creative applications.
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The 11th Gen i5 is the better choice for most users looking for a modern, high-performing processor.
11th Gen i5 vs. 8th Gen i7: Specs and Features
The 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11600K processor features 6 cores, 12 threads, a base clock speed of 3.9GHz, and a turbo boost speed of up to 4.9GHz. It is built on a 14nm manufacturing process and has a TDP of 125W.
The 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8700K processor has 6 cores, 12 threads, a base clock speed of 3.7GHz, and a turbo boost speed of up to 4.7GHz. It is built on a 14nm manufacturing process and has a TDP of 95W.
Core Count and Thread Count: Both the 11th Gen i5 and 8th Gen i7 have 6 cores and 12 threads. This means that they can handle up to 12 simultaneous tasks or processes at any given time.
Clock Speed: The 11th Gen i5 has a slightly higher clock speed than the 8th Gen i7, with a base clock of 3.9GHz compared to 3.7GHz. However, the 8th Gen i7 has a higher turbo boost speed of 4.7GHz compared to the 11th Gen i5’s 4.9GHz.
Manufacturing Process: Both the 11th Gen i5 and 8th Gen i7 are built on a 14nm manufacturing process. This means that they use the same basic technology to produce their transistors and circuits.
TDP: The 11th Gen i5 has a TDP of 125W, while the 8th Gen i7 has a TDP of 95W. TDP stands for Thermal Design Power and refers to the amount of heat the processor can dissipate under typical operating conditions.
Performance Benchmarks
In general, the 11th Gen i5 outperforms the 8th Gen i7 in most performance benchmarks. This is due to its higher clock speeds, more cores, and more efficient manufacturing process.
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core Test: In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the 11th Gen i5 scores around 10,000 points, while the 8th Gen i7 scores around 8,000 points. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 25% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in multi-threaded workloads.
Geekbench 5 Multi-Core Test: In the Geekbench 5 multi-core test, the 11th Gen i5 scores around 11,000 points, while the 8th Gen i7 scores around 9,000 points. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 22% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in multi-threaded workloads.
PCMark 10 Overall Score: In the PCMark 10 overall score, the 11th Gen i5 scores around 7,000 points, while the 8th Gen i7 scores around 6,000 points. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 17% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in overall system performance.
Gaming Performance
In gaming performance, the 11th Gen i5 and 8th Gen i7 are more closely matched. However, the 11th Gen i5 still has a slight edge in most games.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, High Settings): In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the 11th Gen i5 achieves an average frame rate of 120 FPS, while the 8th Gen i7 achieves an average frame rate of 115 FPS. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 4% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in gaming.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (1080p, High Settings): In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the 11th Gen i5 achieves an average frame rate of 90 FPS, while the 8th Gen i7 achieves an average frame rate of 85 FPS. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 6% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in gaming.
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Medium Settings): In Cyberpunk 2077 the 11th Gen i5 achieves an average frame rate of 60 FPS, while the 8th Gen i7 achieves an average frame rate of 55 FPS. This shows that the 11th Gen i5 is about 9% faster than the 8th Gen i7 in gaming.
Which Processor is Right for You?
The 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11600K processor is the better choice for most users looking for a modern, high-performing processor. It offers better performance in productivity applications, creative applications, and gaming than the 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8700K processor.
However, the 8th