The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i7-10700K | i5-11400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 69 | 66 | +5% |
| 1440p | 67 | 63 | +6% |
| 4K | 64 | 60 | +7% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
i5-11400F + RTX 3080
2% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i7-10700K | i5-11400F |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 288 fps | 282 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 246 fps | 240 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 125 fps | 123 fps |
| Elden Ring | 104 fps | 102 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 79 fps | 77 fps |
| Starfield | 78 fps | 77 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
The i7-10700K is faster, but the i5-11400F is the better buy per dollar. Take the i7-10700K only if you want the extra headroom and the price gap doesn't bother you.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the i7-10700K versus the i5-11400F.
Is the i7-10700K better than the i5-11400F?
Yes, but by less than the spec sheet suggests. At 1440p the i7-10700K scores 67 against 63 for the i5-11400F — roughly 6% faster. It also costs about $218 more at MSRP, so the question is whether that gap is worth the money for your build.
Does the i7-10700K or i5-11400F bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i7-10700K build comes out balanced, and the i5-11400F build comes out 2% CPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the i5-11400F to the i7-10700K?
Only if you are also lifting the rest of the build. The i7-10700K is about 6% ahead at 1440p, and gaps like that shrink further at 4K where the GPU does more of the work. If you are upgrading from the i5-11400F purely for frames, check the pairing first.
Which is better value, the i7-10700K or the i5-11400F?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i5-11400F wins. The i7-10700K lists at $375 for an index of 67, and the i5-11400F at $157 for 63.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.