PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-11700T

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,393 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+41.9% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $24 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Delivers 53.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 47.7 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700T.

Core i7-11700T

2021

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Why buy it

✅+41.9% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $24 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Delivers 53.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 47.7 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,393 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700T.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i7-11700T?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 41.9% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better fit. You are getting 41.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 5 5600X is $24 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 53.3% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 47.7 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-11700T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-11700T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-11700T Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	189 FPS	203 FPS
medium	155 FPS	174 FPS
high	128 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	151 FPS	169 FPS
medium	120 FPS	141 FPS
high	98 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	81 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	85 FPS	85 FPS
medium	73 FPS	76 FPS
high	59 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i7-11700T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	277 FPS	464 FPS
medium	227 FPS	387 FPS
high	204 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	244 FPS	397 FPS
medium	206 FPS	334 FPS
high	185 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	159 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	263 FPS
medium	147 FPS	226 FPS
high	141 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i7-11700T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	385 FPS	546 FPS
medium	385 FPS	473 FPS
high	385 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	385 FPS	508 FPS
medium	385 FPS	413 FPS
high	385 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	385 FPS	348 FPS
medium	364 FPS	292 FPS
high	327 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	262 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i7-11700T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	385 FPS	546 FPS
medium	385 FPS	546 FPS
high	385 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	385 FPS	546 FPS
medium	385 FPS	546 FPS
high	385 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	385 FPS	529 FPS
medium	385 FPS	484 FPS
high	385 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i7-11700T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-11700T and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i7-11700T

The Core i7-11700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,393 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-11700T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-11700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11700T versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-11700T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11700T scores 15,393 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 34.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700T vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+164%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	15,393	21,845+42%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,497	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11700T) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,H570,Z590,Q570 (Core i7-11700T) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-11700T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11700T) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i7-11700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700T targets Low Power Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700T rivals Ryzen 7 5700G.

Feature	Core i7-11700T	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-11700T launched at $323 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($323 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $24 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-11700T delivers 47.7 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 42.1% better value option.