Intel 11 Core-i-Generation
In our special today, we take a closer look at the new 11th generation Intel Core CPUs. Because here Intel has brought a whole bunch of processors onto the market. There are already some tests, especially for the Core i5-11600K, Core i7-11700K and Core i9-11900K models, so that we can classify the performance of the new generation.
The matching Intel 1200 socket is already known from the 10000 models. Although the new CPUs fit on motherboards that have been available for a long time, Intel has also brought new chipsets onto the market – by the way, we will take care of motherboards in the next week.
If you already have a Socket 1200 motherboard, you should still check whether there is a more up-to-date BIOS and install it before installing a new 11000 CPU.
Portfolio of Rocket Lake-S
The 11th generation of Intel core processors bears the family name Rocket Lake-S and already has more than a dozen variants for the 1200 socket at the time of release, including the normal models and models with the additional designations K (freely selectable multiplier), F ( without IGP) and T (energy-saving, but lower standard clock rate).
The KF combination is also available – these are CPUs with a freely selectable multiplier, but without IGP (internal graphics unit). The F and KF models were also available in older generations – if you use a graphics card anyway and don’t need an IGP, you can save money by using an F or KF CPU, depending on the price range.
The following 14 models are already listed in the PC Games Hardware price comparison:
| CPU-Modell | IGP | Kerne (Threads) | Tact (Boost) | TDP | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-11400F | No | 6 (12) | 2,6 (4,4) GHz | 65W | 165 Euro |
| Core i5-11400 | and | 6 (12) | 2,6 (4,4) GHz | 65W | 180 Euro |
| Core i5-11500 | and | 6 (12) | 2,7 (4,6) GHz | 65W | 210 Euro |
| Core i5-11600KF | No | 6 (12) | 3,9 (4,9) GHz | 125W | 240 Euro |
| Core i5-11600K | and | 6 (12) | 3,9 (4,9) GHz | 125W | 265 Euro |
| Core i7-11700F | No | 8 (16) | 2,5 (4,9) GHz | 65W | 310 Euro |
| Core i7-11700 | and | 8 (16) | 2,5 (4,9) GHz | 65W | 340 Euro |
| Core i7-11700KF | No | 8 (16) | 3,6 (5,0) GHz | 125W | 365 Euro |
| Core i7-11700K | and | 8 (16) | 3,6 (5,0) GHz | 125W | 415 Euro |
| Core i9-11900F | No | 8 (16) | 2,5 (5,2) GHz | 65W | 440 Euro |
| Core i9-11900 | and | 8 (16) | 2,5 (5,2) GHz | 65W | 450 Euro |
| Core i9-11900T | and | 8 (16) | 1,5 (4,9) GHz | 35W | 525 Euro |
| Core i9-11900KF | No | 8 (16) | 3,5 (5,3) GHz | 125W | 600 Euro |
| Core i9-11900K | and | 8 (16) | 3,5 (5,3) GHz | 125W | 650 Euro |
Other models such as a Core i5-10400T will follow. As you can see, the F versions cost less than the normal models – with a Core i7-11700K (F) or Core i9-11900K (F) that can easily be 40 euros and more, which can be saved.
The small disadvantage of the F models: If your PC should have any problem, you cannot isolate the error by removing the graphics card and running the PC via IGP – because there is no IGP at all with the F variants.
Look at the technology
But what is there to say about the Rocket Lake-S technology? As with its predecessors, the manufacturing process is 14nm. Intel has been working with this value for desktop CPUs for more than six years – there is no leap to a smaller process that could offer more efficiency.
So far, the 10nm process has only been used in the Ice Lake CPUs for notebooks. Interestingly, the Core i9 models of the new 11000 processors only have eight cores and consequently manage 16 threads in parallel.
In the 10000 models, the i9 stands for 10 cores (20 threads) – some buyers might overlook this and be surprised to find fewer cores and threads in a newer model series for the same socket than in the previous series.
Much more interesting than the technology, for which users are probably the only two relevant questions: What do the new CPUs do compared to the socket 1200 CPUs that are already available and also compared to the competition from AMD with socket AM4? And what is the price-performance ratio?
Because it is not very attractive for a buyer if 10 percent more gaming performance would mean a surcharge of 40 percent. We answer these questions on the next page.