Intel Core i9-11900F

Intel Core i9-11900F

Intel Core i9-11900F: In-Depth Analysis of the Processor for Demanding Tasks

April 2025


1. Key Specifications: Rocket Lake Architecture and Performance

The Intel Core i9-11900F processor, released in 2021, remains a relevant solution for a range of tasks due to its unique architecture.

Architecture and Process Technology

- Codename: Rocket Lake-S.

- Process Technology: 14 nm (Intel SuperFin). Despite the age of the technology, Intel has optimized the process, reducing power consumption and increasing frequencies.

- Cores and Threads: 8 cores, 16 threads.

- Frequencies: Base frequency — 2.5 GHz, maximum turbo frequency — 5.2 GHz (Thermal Velocity Boost).

- Cache: 16 MB L3.

- TDP: 65 W (actual power consumption under load can reach 150 W).

Key Features:

- Support for PCIe 4.0 (20 lanes) for fast NVMe storage and graphics cards.

- Integration of AI acceleration technology (Intel DL Boost) for machine learning tasks.

- Implementation of Adaptive Boost technology for automatic frequency increase in multi-threaded scenarios.

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: 2188 (single-core), 10129 (multi-core). This is comparable to modern mid-range processors, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (2300/10500).

- In gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, 1080p Ultra), the i9-11900F demonstrates 150–180 FPS paired with the RTX 4070, but lags behind newer CPUs in 4K rendering.


2. Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1200 Socket and Chipsets

The i9-11900F requires a motherboard with an LGA 1200 socket. Supported chipsets:

- Z590: Best choice for overclocking (e.g., ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E, ~$250 in 2025). Support for PCIe 4.0, RAM overclocking up to 5333 MHz.

- B560: Budget option with limited overclocking (MSI B560 Tomahawk, ~$150). Support for XMP profiles for memory.

- H570/H510: For office builds. No CPU overclocking, limited ports available.

Tip: Choose motherboards with a robust VRM module (e.g., 12+1 phases) for stable performance under load.


3. Supported Memory: DDR4 and Its Potential

The i9-11900F works only with DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz in standard mode). With XMP, it can be overclocked to 4000–4400 MHz.

Recommendations:

- Optimal option: 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 (e.g., G.Skill Trident Z Neo, ~$120).

- For gaming, 16 GB is sufficient, but for rendering, 32 GB is better.

Limitation: The lack of support for DDR5 makes the processor less future-proof.


4. Power Supplies: Power Calculation

With a TDP of 65 W, actual consumption under load can reach 150 W.

Recommendations:

- Minimum: 650 W (for systems with RTX 4070 or similar GPUs).

- Ideal: 750–850 W with 80 Plus Gold certification (Corsair RM750x, ~$130).

- Important: Use an 8-pin CPU cable and avoid cheap power supplies without overload protection.


5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

- High single-threaded performance (relevant for gaming and Adobe Photoshop).

- Support for PCIe 4.0 for fast SSDs.

- Low TDP in base mode (energy efficiency in office tasks).

Cons:

- 14 nm process technology versus 5–7 nm competitors (higher heat under load).

- No DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support.

- Price: ~$300 (as of April 2025) — for this money, one can buy a more modern i5-13600K.


6. Use Cases

- Gaming: Ideal for 1080p/1440p with high FPS (Valorant, CS2). In 4K, it is limited by the GPU.

- Work Tasks: Video editing in Premiere Pro (8 cores are sufficient for medium-complexity projects), but rendering in Blender is slower than with the Ryzen 9 7900X.

- Multimedia: Streaming (OBS + NVENC) without lags.

Example: Streamers report smooth performance when encoding 1080p60 with effects applied.


7. Comparison with Competitors

- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: Costs ~$280. Better in multi-threaded tasks (Cinebench R23: 15000 vs. 12000 for i9), but worse in single-threaded performance.

- Intel Core i5-13600K: For $320 offers 14 cores (6P+8E), DDR5, and PCIe 5.0 support.

- Conclusion: The i9-11900F only excels in scenarios where high frequency is more critical than multi-threading.


8. Practical Assembly Tips

1. Cooling: Use an AIO (e.g., NZXT Kraken X63) or a powerful tower cooler (Noctua NH-D15).

2. Case: Minimum of 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan.

3. Storage: Samsung 980 Pro (PCIe 4.0) for maximum speed.

4. Graphics Card: RTX 4070 or RX 7700 XT — a balanced setup without bottlenecks.

Common Beginner Mistake: Installing a weak cooler can lead to throttling under prolonged load.


9. Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i9-11900F?

This processor is worth considering if:

- You need a powerful CPU for 1080p/1440p gaming at an affordable price.

- You require an upgrade of an old LGA 1200 system without replacing the motherboard.

- PCIe 4.0 and high frequency are more important than DDR5 support.

Alternative: For new builds, it is better to choose the i5-13600K or Ryzen 7 7700X.


Price in April 2025: ~$300 (new, with warranty). Despite its age, the i9-11900F remains a niche solution for those valuing proven reliability over following trends.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
March 2021
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i9-11900F
Code Name
Rocket Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
8
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
16
Performance-cores
8
Performance-core Base Frequency
2.5 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
5.2 GHz
L1 Cache
64K per core
L2 Cache
512K per core
L3 Cache
16MB shared
Unlocked Multiplier
No
Multiplier
25x
Bus Frequency
100MHz
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
LGA-1200
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
65 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100 °C
PCIe Version
?
PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.
4.0
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
x86-64

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-3200
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
128GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
50 GB/s
ECC Memory Support
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
N/A

Miscellaneous

PCIe Lanes
20

Benchmarks

Cinebench R23
Single Core Score
1365
Cinebench R23
Multi Core Score
13413
Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
2188
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
10129
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1704
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
9523
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
3421
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
22564
Blender
Score
213

Compared to Other CPU

Cinebench R23 Single Core
1836 +34.5%
1635 +19.8%
1088 -20.3%
Cinebench R23 Multi Core
37013 +175.9%
17603 +31.2%
10935 -18.5%
4292 -68%
Geekbench 6 Single Core
2406 +10%
2280 +4.2%
2085 -4.7%
1997 -8.7%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
11695 +15.5%
10953 +8.1%
9502 -6.2%
8837 -12.8%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
1875 +10%
1780 +4.5%
1640 -3.8%
1580 -7.3%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
11033 +15.9%
10209 +7.2%
M2
8942 -6.1%
8408 -11.7%
Passmark CPU Single Core
3589 +4.9%
3501 +2.3%
3283 -4%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
24449 +8.4%
23088 +2.3%
21615 -4.2%
20795 -7.8%
Blender
1154 +441.8%
296 +39%
139 -34.7%
63 -70.4%