CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-11700B vs Intel Core i9-11900KB

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-11700B is an 8-core, 16-thread desktop processor built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture, exclusively featured in the NUC 11 Extreme 'Beast Canyon'.

Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-11700B
8C / 16T4.8 GHz65 W
8.5
Full review
Intel · Core i9
Intel Core i9-11900KB
8C / 16T5.3 GHz65 W
8.2
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Small Form Factor Desktop / Embedded
Segment
Desktop / NUC
Small Form Factor Desktop / Mobile (BGA)
Generation
11th Generation
11th Gen (Tiger Lake-H)
Launched
2021
2021
Status
End-of-life
Discontinued
Codename
Tiger Lake-H
Tiger Lake-H (Willow Cove cores)
Series
Core i7
Core i9
Family
Tiger Lake-H
Tiger Lake-H (Core i9)
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-9750H (NUC 9 Extreme)
Intel Core i9-10980HK
Successor
Intel Core i7-12700H (NUC 12 Extreme)
Intel Core i9-12900H / i9-12900HK

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
8
8
Threads
16
16
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
3.3 GHz
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5.3 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
24 MB
24 MB
TDP
65 W
65 W
Architecture
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H
Tiger Lake-H (Willow Cove)
Process Node
10nm
Intel 10 nm SuperFin
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4
DDR4
Memory Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
128 GB
128 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1787
Intel BGA 1787
PCIe Version
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
20
20
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
Yes

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-11700BBest90

Sustains high all-core clocks due to the 65W desktop TDP.

Intel Core i9-11900KB88

For content creation workloads like video editing, 3D rendering and compilation, the 8‑core/16‑thread design and high boost clocks provide strong multi‑threaded throughput. It is competitive with other 8‑core 11th‑gen Intel and Ryzen 5000 mobile CPUs in its power envelope.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-11700BBest90

Performs identically to a desktop i7-11700 in gaming, limited only by the mobile GPU form factor.

Intel Core i9-11900KB85

When paired with a modern mid‑range or high‑end GPU, the i9‑11900KB delivers high‑refresh‑rate 1080p and solid 1440p gaming. It is broadly comparable to the i9‑11900K in CPU‑bound scenarios, though some newer titles may run slightly better on newer architectures with higher IPC or E‑cores.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-11700B85

8 cores and 16 threads handle local VMs and containers easily.

Intel Core i9-11900KBBest90

With support for VT‑x, VT‑d, EPT and ample memory bandwidth, the i9‑11900KB is well suited to running multiple VMs on a compact NUC or embedded platform, especially when equipped with 64 GB of RAM.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-11700BBest80

10nm SuperFin is efficient, though 65W is standard for desktops.

Intel Core i9-11900KB78

Intel’s 10 nm SuperFin process and configurable 55–65 W TDP deliver better efficiency than older 14 nm desktop parts, but more recent Intel and AMD architectures surpass it in performance per watt.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-11700BGood
  • AVX-512 support is useful for local AI development
  • 8 cores provide decent throughput for medium models
Intel Core i9-11900KBLimited
  • No dedicated NPU or AI accelerator hardware.
  • DL Boost and AVX‑512 (if enabled by firmware) can accelerate some CPU‑based inference workloads.
  • Not competitive with modern CPUs with built‑in NPUs for heavy AI tasks.

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-11700BExcellent
Adobe Premiere ProBlenderOBS Streaming
Intel Core i9-11900KBVery Good
Adobe Premiere ProDaVinci ResolveBlenderCinema 4DAfter Effects

Gaming

Intel Core i7-11700BExcellent
  • 24MB L3 cache provides a noticeable boost in CPU-bound games
  • PCIe 4.0 ensures no bottleneck with modern desktop GPUs
  • Pairs well with RTX 3060 and 3070 in NUC form factors
Intel Core i9-11900KBVery Good
  • Strong single‑threaded performance thanks to high boost clocks.
  • Capable of high‑refresh‑rate 1080p gaming with a suitable GPU.
  • Performance is close to the desktop i9‑11900K in many CPU‑bound games.
  • Newer gaming CPUs with hybrid architectures may offer higher FPS in some titles.

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
Moderate
Workstations
Moderate
Moderate
Content Creation
Moderate
Moderate
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Compact 1440p Gaming
Excellent
Home Server
Very Good
Video Editing
Excellent
VR Gaming
Excellent
1080p and 1440p Gaming in SFF PCs
Very Good
Video Editing and Transcoding
Very Good
3D Rendering and Blender Workloads
Good
Virtualization on NUC Platforms
Very Good
Software Development and Compilation
Very Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Targeted
Targeted
Streamers
Targeted
Targeted
Office / Productivity
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-11700B

Pros

  • Excellent 8-core desktop performance
  • 24MB L3 cache boosts gaming
  • 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes
  • Fits in an ultra-compact NUC form factor

Cons

  • Proprietary Compute Element socket
  • No CPU upgrade path
  • End-of-life platform
  • Locked multiplier
Intel Core i9-11900KB

Pros

  • 8 high‑performance Willow Cove cores with 16 threads
  • High single‑core boost up to 5.3 GHz with Thermal Velocity Boost
  • 65 W configurable TDP (55–65 W) enables compact cooling
  • 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes from CPU for modern GPU and NVMe
  • Integrated UHD Graphics 750 with Quick Sync Video
  • Unlocked multiplier for overclocking on supported platforms

Cons

  • BGA 1787 package: CPU is soldered and not replaceable
  • Platform is discontinued; limited long‑term upgrade path
  • No DDR5 or PCIe 5.0 support
  • Newer Intel and AMD CPUs offer better efficiency and performance per watt
  • Larger L2 cache (10 MB total) benefits some workloads but increases die cost

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-11700B

Intel Core i9-11900KB

Our Verdict on Each

A unique desktop part offering excellent 8-core performance and PCIe 4.0 in a specialized NUC form factor, though limited by its proprietary platform.

Best for: Purchasing a used NUC 11 Extreme for a compact, powerful living room gaming PC

Read the full review

A potent 8‑core Tiger Lake chip with excellent single‑threaded performance and modern features, but locked to BGA and now discontinued, making it mainly interesting for existing NUC 11 Extreme owners or very specific embedded use cases.

Best for: Upgrading or repairing an Intel NUC 11 Extreme ‘Beast Canyon’ or similar BGA‑based SFF system where you can reuse the existing compute element and cooling.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-11700B or Intel Core i9-11900KB?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-11700B comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-11700B or Intel Core i9-11900KB?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11700B leads with a gaming performance score of 90/100 among Intel Core i7-11700B and Intel Core i9-11900KB.

Do Intel Core i7-11700B and Intel Core i9-11900KB use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1787 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i9-11900KB posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-11700B (19,500), Intel Core i9-11900KB (22,748). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.