Intel Core i5-11600KF vs. i5-11600 for Gaming?

Started by LeRoyCross on July 11, 2024

CPU INTEL 11600KF 11600

I've been looking at the new Intel CPUs and came across the i5-11600KF and i5-11600. Can you guys give me some insights on which one would be better for gaming?

Solved by spencerfitch in post #3
That's interesting! I found this TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-11600KF vs. Intel Core i5-11600 that compares the two CPUs in detail. The article highlights the differences between their core types, core counts, frequencies, cache capacities, and other aspects like overclocking support, DDR4 memory support, and PCIe support.

Well, both of them are great for gaming, but the i5-11600KF has a slightly higher base frequency, better support for overclocking, DDR4 memory with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz, and PCIe 4.0. All these features could give it an edge in certain scenarios.

That's interesting! I found this TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-11600KF vs. Intel Core i5-11600 that compares the two CPUs in detail. The article highlights the differences between their core types, core counts, frequencies, cache capacities, and other aspects like overclocking support, DDR4 memory support, and PCIe support.

Solution

Thanks for sharing the link, @spencerfitch! So based on the article, both CPUs have 6 cores with a 12 MB L3 cache, which should be good for gaming. However, the i5-11600KF has a higher base frequency (3.90 GHz) and a higher single-core max turbo boost frequency (4.90 GHz), while the i5-11600 has a lower base frequency (2.80 GHz) and a slightly lower single-core max turbo boost frequency (4.80 GHz). This could mean that the i5-11600KF might handle gaming better due to its higher frequencies.

Thanks for the info, guys! I'm also curious about how important these factors are in games though. How much of an impact would the CPU have on gaming performance?

Good question, @LeRoyCross. The CPU does play a role in gaming performance, especially when it comes to handling tasks like scene management, gameplay logic, physics calculations, and asset loading. However, having a good GPU is more critical for gaming performance. While a slow CPU can be a bottleneck for your GPU, causing stuttering or reduced framerate, most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6-8 cores.

In addition to that, if you're planning on streaming shows, using office apps, or browsing the internet, you won't need a top-end CPU. The single-core max turbo boost frequency is more important for general app usage and browser performance.

That makes sense! I guess it boils down to finding the right balance between gaming and everyday use. Thanks for all your help!