Quick Verdict
A well-rounded processor that offers strong CPU performance and useful integrated graphics, making it perfect for versatile budget builds.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-11500 is the mainstream sweet spot of Intel's 11th Gen desktop stack. Featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with a 2.7 GHz base and a 4.6 GHz boost, it strikes an excellent balance between price and performance.
The Core i5-11500 combines the Cypress Cove IPC uplift with UHD 750 integrated graphics, providing a compelling all-in-one solution. It handles gaming well with a discrete GPU and can function independently for media and basic tasks without one.
Specifications
Performance
Highly capable for office work, programming, and everyday multi-tasking.
Sufficient for development VMs and basic sandboxing.
Strong gaming performance with a discrete GPU, comparable to more expensive non-K i7s of the prior generation.
14nm limits efficiency under full load, but idle and light load power draw is acceptable.
- •High boost clocks ensure strong frame rates
- •iGPU allows troubleshooting without a discrete card
- •Competes closely with the 11600 in most games
- •No dedicated AI acceleration
- •Quick Sync can assist in specific video AI workloads
Architecture
14 nm
Process Node
Rocket Lake
Codename
6C / 12T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-11500 leverages the Cypress Cove architecture, delivering a significant generational leap in Instructions Per Clock (IPC) over Comet Lake. The 14nm process node hosts 6 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, yielding 12 logical threads.
CPU Design
Features a 2.7 GHz base clock that efficiently ramps up to 4.6 GHz via Turbo Boost 3.0, balancing power and burst performance.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-3200 memory controller providing up to 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, essential for feeding the hungry Cypress Cove cores.
PCIe & I/O
20 PCIe 4.0 lanes double the bandwidth for NVMe SSDs and next-generation GPUs compared to PCIe 3.0.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier prevents CPU overclocking, but B560/H570 boards unlock memory tuning via XMP.
- UHD 750 graphics (vs UHD 630)
- 19% IPC increase
- PCIe 4.0 support
Key Highlights
- Includes UHD 750 integrated graphics
- Strong single-threaded performance
- Supports Quick Sync Video
- PCIe 4.0 ready
- Good out-of-the-box cooler included
- Locked multiplier
- Higher power draw than AMD equivalents under load
- Only 6 cores for multi-threaded tasks
- LGA 1200 platform is end-of-life
- iGPU not powerful enough for modern gaming
History
The i5-11500 arrived as the most balanced SKU in the Rocket Lake lineup. Intel recognized that many users in the mainstream segment still valued integrated graphics for troubleshooting or cost-saving builds. By including the UHD 750, the 11500 offered a safety net that the 11400F lacked, while costing less than the flagship 11600K.
Historically, the Core i5 brand has been synonymous with the 'gaming sweet spot,' and the 11500 upheld this legacy by offering competitive frame rates. It represented the last time Intel would use the LGA 1200 socket for a mainstream i5, closing out an era before the hybrid architecture of 12th Gen Alder Lake drastically changed the desktop landscape.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- UHD 750 graphics (vs UHD 630)
- 19% IPC increase
- PCIe 4.0 support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Building a versatile family PC or budget gaming rig with GPU fallback
Avoid if…
- You already own a dedicated GPU and want to save money (get 11400F)
- You need maximum multi-core performance for rendering
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The UHD 750 is based on Intel's Xe graphics architecture.
Offers a balance of CPU performance and capable integrated graphics.
Features 32 Execution Units in the iGPU.
Has a base clock of 2.7 GHz, relatively high for a non-K chip.
Supports Intel Quick Sync Video for fast video encoding.
Uses the LGA 1200 socket, ensuring compatibility with 500-series boards.
Can handle hardware-accelerated ray tracing in specific APIs via software emulation.
The 65W TDP can briefly exceed 100W under maximum turbo.
Launched at $192, making it pricier than the F-variant.
Die size is identical to the Core i9-11900K.
People Also Ask
Is i5-11500 good for video editing?
Decent for 1080p editing; UHD 750 helps with Quick Sync hardware acceleration.
Can i5-11500 run Windows 11?
Yes, it is officially supported by Windows 11.
What is the difference between i5-11500 and i5-11600?
The 11600 has slightly higher clock speeds and usually a higher launch price.
Does i5-11500 support dual monitors?
Yes, the UHD 750 iGPU supports up to three displays.
What GPU should I pair with i5-11500?
GPUs up to the RTX 4060 or RX 7600 are a great match.
Is i5-11500 good for programming?
Yes, it is very capable for coding, compiling, and running containers.
Does i5-11500 have hyper-threading?
Yes, it features 6 cores and 12 threads via Hyper-Threading.
Is it good for 4K gaming?
CPU-wise yes, but 4K gaming depends mostly on your GPU.
How much cache does i5-11500 have?
It has 12MB of Intel Smart Cache (L3).
Is it future-proof?
Moderately, but the LGA 1200 platform and DDR4 limit future upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the i5-11500 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it features the UHD Graphics 750.
Is the i5-11500 good for gaming?
Yes, with a discrete GPU, and the iGPU handles light games well.
What is the boost clock of i5-11500?
The max turbo boost is 4.6 GHz.
Does i5-11500 support PCIe 4.0?
Yes, it provides 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Can I overclock the i5-11500?
No, the multiplier is locked, but memory XMP is available on B560+ boards.
What RAM speed does it support?
It natively supports DDR4-3200.
Is it better than i5-11400?
It has slightly higher clocks and includes UHD 750 graphics, unlike the 11400F.
What is the TDP?
The base TDP is 65W.
Does it have AVX-512?
Yes, it supports the AVX-512 instruction set.
Is a stock cooler enough?
Yes for standard use, but an aftermarket cooler is quieter under load.