Quick Verdict
Great for specialized SFF builds needing 8 cores at 35W, but the low base clock heavily limits out-of-the-box performance compared to 65W parts.
Overview
Launch
Mar 16th, 2021
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i7-11700T is a low-power desktop processor from the Rocket Lake-S family, released in March 2021. Featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, it is built on a 14nm process and designed for small form factor (SFF) PCs where thermal and power constraints are critical. With a base clock of just 1.4 GHz and a max turbo of 4.6 GHz, it operates at a strict 35W TDP. Despite the low power limit, it includes 16 MB of L3 cache and supports PCIe 4.0 with 20 lanes. It also features integrated UHD Graphics 750, making it suitable for systems without a dedicated GPU. The 11700T is ideal for office environments, HTPCs, and compact builds that require reliable multi-threaded performance without the heat output of standard 65W or 125W desktop chips.
Designed for thermally constrained environments, the i7-11700T trades raw sustained performance for efficiency. Its 1.4 GHz base clock is conservative, but it can boost up to 4.
6 GHz on single threads. With PCIe 4.0 support and UHD 750 graphics, it is a versatile chip for Mini-ITX builds where power supply limits and cooling capacity are major concerns.
Specifications
Performance
Handles office tasks and moderate compilation well, but slows down in sustained all-core workloads.
8 cores are nice, but power limits throttle heavy VM deployments.
The low base clock can cause stuttering in CPU-heavy games unless the turbo is aggressively sustained.
Outstanding efficiency, drawing minimal power at idle and under load.
- •Low base clock affects minimum FPS
- •Fine for casual or older games
- •Pair with a low-power GPU for best results
- •Not suitable for heavy AI workloads due to power throttling
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Rocket Lake
Codename
8C / 16T
Core Config
16 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Rocket Lake-S brings Intel's Cypress Cove architecture to the desktop platform, effectively backporting 10nm Ice Lake architectural improvements to the 14nm process.
CPU Design
The Core i7-11700T utilizes 8 Cypress Cove cores, delivering significantly higher IPC compared to the preceding Comet Lake generation.
Memory Subsystem
A major addition is support for 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, enabling faster communication with modern GPUs and NVMe storage.
PCIe & I/O
The processor integrates UHD Graphics 750 based on the Xe architecture, featuring 32 Execution Units.
Overclocking
The 35W TDP rating heavily restricts sustained all-core frequencies, but the architecture intelligently boosts single and lightly-threaded workloads to maximize responsiveness within the power envelope.
- Higher IPC via Cypress Cove
- Added PCIe 4.0 support
- Upgraded Xe integrated graphics
Key Highlights
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- Includes 8 cores and 16 threads
- Built-in UHD 750 graphics
- Supports PCIe 4.0
- Very low base clock of 1.4 GHz
- End-of-life platform
- Overpriced compared to 65W variants
- Throttles quickly under sustained load
History
The Core i7-11700T launched in March 2021 as part of Intel's 11th Gen Rocket Lake desktop lineup. This generation was notable for being Intel's first desktop architecture to feature PCIe 4.0 support.
However, Rocket Lake was fundamentally a stopgap measure; Intel backported Cypress Cove architecture to the aging 14nm process while waiting for the 10nm Alder Lake desktop chips. The 'T' series, including the 11700T, catered to a niche market of ultra-small form factor builds and AIO systems where 35W was a hard requirement. While AMD's Ryzen processors were dominating in efficiency, Intel offered the 11700T as a solution for users who needed reliable 8-core performance in highly constrained thermal environments.
It represented the end of the 14nm era for Intel's low-power desktop segments before the company transitioned fully to a hybrid architecture.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher IPC via Cypress Cove
- Added PCIe 4.0 support
- Upgraded Xe integrated graphics
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Building a PC inside a severely thermally constrained Mini-ITX case.
Avoid if…
- Building a standard desktop
- Wanting maximum gaming performance
- Doing sustained video rendering
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
35W low-power desktop CPU.
Base clock is only 1.4 GHz.
Boosts up to 4.6 GHz on single cores.
Built on 14nm Rocket Lake architecture.
Features 8 cores and 16 threads.
Includes UHD Graphics 750.
Supports PCIe 4.0.
Fits LGA 1200 socket.
16 MB L3 cache.
Released in March 2021.
People Also Ask
Is the 11700T good for SFF builds?
Yes, it excels in small form factor builds due to its 35W TDP.
Does it run cool?
Yes, the 35W TDP keeps temperatures very low.
Can I put it in a Z590 board?
Yes, it is compatible with LGA 1200 motherboards.
Why is the base clock so low?
To maintain the strict 35W power limit at idle and baseline loads.
Does it support DDR5?
No, it only supports DDR4 memory.
Is it better than 11700?
Only if your system is heavily power-constrained; otherwise, the 11700 is faster.
Does it have a cooler included?
Yes, it usually includes a low-profile stock cooler.
Can it boost all cores to 4.6?
No, the all-core boost is lower due to the 35W power limit.
Is it good for video editing?
It is okay for light editing, but throttles under heavy sustained loads.
What is the max memory?
It supports up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the T suffix mean?
It means the processor is a low-power variant with a 35W TDP.
Can you overclock the 11700T?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the base clock?
The base clock is 1.4 GHz.
Does it have integrated graphics?
Yes, it has UHD Graphics 750.
What socket does it use?
It uses the LGA 1200 socket.
What is the max turbo?
The max turbo is 4.6 GHz.
Is it good for gaming?
Not ideal due to the low base clock affecting sustained performance.
What PCIe version?
It supports PCIe Gen 4.0.
How much L3 cache?
It has 16 MB of L3 cache.
When was it released?
It was released in March 2021.