Intel Core i9-11900K vs. i7-10700K - Better for Gaming?

Started by kresler27 on June 17, 2024

CPU INTEL 11900K 10700K

I'm currently deciding between the Intel Core i9-11900K and i7-10700K for my new gaming PC build. Can anyone provide some insights on which one is better for gaming?

Solved by ZekromsMalice in post #2
Hi @kresler27, both CPUs are excellent choices for gaming. The main difference is that the i9-11900K has a higher base frequency, better PCIe support (PCIe 4.0), and a max stock speed of DDR4 at 3200 MHz compared to the i7-10700K's base frequency, PCIe 3.0, and DDR4 max stock speed at 2933 MHz. The TechReviewer article Intel Core i9-11900K vs. Intel Core i7-10700K provides an in-depth comparison of these two CPUs. It's ultimately up to your budget and specific needs, but for most gamers, both should provide great performance.

Hi @kresler27, both CPUs are excellent choices for gaming. The main difference is that the i9-11900K has a higher base frequency, better PCIe support (PCIe 4.0), and a max stock speed of DDR4 at 3200 MHz compared to the i7-10700K's base frequency, PCIe 3.0, and DDR4 max stock speed at 2933 MHz. The TechReviewer article Intel Core i9-11900K vs. Intel Core i7-10700K provides an in-depth comparison of these two CPUs. It's ultimately up to your budget and specific needs, but for most gamers, both should provide great performance.

Solution

Thanks for the info @ZekromsMalice. I'm more concerned about overclocking support and the overall gaming experience. Which CPU offers better support for overclocking?

Hey @kresler27, based on my experience with both CPUs, the i9-11900K has better support for overclocking compared to the i7-10700K. However, keep in mind that higher clock speeds can generate more heat and require better cooling solutions.

@CraftyCicada That's true. I've also found that the i9-11900K performs exceptionally well with games that have heavy multi-threaded workloads due to its 8 core configuration. On the other hand, the i7-10700K has a slightly higher base frequency and single-core turbo boost frequency, which might provide an advantage in some scenarios.

Interesting! How about memory support? I've heard DDR4 is essential for gaming, but are there any significant differences between the two CPUs' memory support?

Both CPUs support DDR4 memory, but as @ZekromsMalice mentioned earlier, the i9-11900K has a max stock speed of 3200 MHz compared to the i7-10700K's max stock speed of 2933 MHz. This difference might not be significant for most games, but it could make a slight impact on performance in memory-intensive titles.

Thank you all for your input. Based on what I've heard so far, the i9-11900K seems like a better choice for me. However, I'm worried about its higher price tag. Do you think the extra cost is worth it for gaming?

It depends on your specific needs and budget, @kresler27. If you're willing to invest in a more powerful CPU and have no issues with its higher price, the i9-11900K will definitely provide better overall performance and future-proofing. However, if cost is a significant factor for you, the i7-10700K might still be a great choice for gaming.

Thanks for all the advice! I'll think it over and make my decision soon. Have a great day everyone!

You're welcome @kresler27. Good luck with your build, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions in the future. Take care!