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Intel

Intel Core i9-11900KF

The no-iGPU variant of Intel's 11th-gen Rocket Lake eight-core on LGA1200, with a 5.3 GHz boost and a hot-running reputation in the used market.

In stock8 cores5.3 GHz boostNo integrated graphicsLGA1200 socketUsed market only
Intel Core i9-11900KF
8 cores5.3 GHz boostNo integrated graphicsLGA1200 socketUsed market only
Compare prices
Amazon UkLowest
In stock
£305›
Amazon Uk
In stock
£305›

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Our verdictCompare Electronic editors

Rocket Lake's no-iGPU eight-core with a 5.3 GHz ceiling, the same hot-running architecture as the 11900K at potentially a lower price.

75/100
vs. other ageing used LGA1200 eight-core CPUs
Scored within its class as an ageing used LGA1200 eight-core CPU, not against current-gen LGA1700 hybrid chips or AMD Zen 3 alternatives.
Best price found
£305
30-day low £305 · Average £313
See £305 deal at Amazon Uk →

What we think

Swipe or tap to explore what we like, what to watch for, and who it's for

+

5.3 GHz single-core boost

5.3 GHz is the top single-core ceiling on the LGA1200 platform. Gaming and single-threaded tasks run at the best Rocket Lake can offer. This boost comes via Thermal Velocity Boost and Turbo Boost Max 3.0.

+

LGA1200 PCIe 4.0 support

Like all 11th gen chips, the 11900KF supports PCIe 4.0 on compatible Z590 boards. Full-bandwidth PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage works without needing a 12th gen upgrade.

+

Typically cheaper than 11900K

The KF variant (no iGPU) is typically slightly cheaper than the standard 11900K. For discrete GPU builds where iGPU fallback isn't needed, the KF is the rational pick.

+

Unlocked multiplier on Z590

K suffix means OC freedom on Z590 boards. Limited practical headroom given Rocket Lake's thermal profile, but the option is there for experienced builders.

In our testing

The 11900KF performs identically to the 11900K. The only difference is no integrated graphics. The thermal demands are the same, so a proper 240mm AIO or large tower is mandatory.

−

Same hot thermal profile as 11900K

The KF shares all of the 11900K's thermal characteristics. Rocket Lake draws significant power relative to performance. A 240mm AIO or large tower is required for stable operation.

−

No integrated graphics

KF means no iGPU. A discrete GPU must be present at all times, including BIOS access and initial system setup. No display fallback without a graphics card.

−

12th gen Alder Lake is far better

The i9-12900K on LGA1700 often costs similarly on the used market and delivers dramatically better performance. If 12th gen is available at a similar price, buy that instead.

−

LGA1200 is end of life

No further CPU upgrades beyond 10th and 11th gen. Fresh builds should avoid LGA1200.

Worth knowing

The 11900KF's manufacturer listing contains only a product code with no useful feature detail. The chip is well-documented regardless: eight hot-running Rocket Lake cores at 5.3 GHz on LGA1200.

Best for

LGA1200 Z590 build with discrete GPU

If you have a Z590 board and always use a dedicated GPU, the 11900KF delivers the 11900K's performance at a potentially lower used price. The lack of iGPU is irrelevant for this use case.

Skip if

Anyone with access to 12th gen or Zen 3

The 12th gen i9-12900K on LGA1700 and used Zen 3 chips are better options at similar prices. The 11900KF is only sensible when it's at a clear price advantage.

Our take

The weakest reason to choose the KF over the K is a small price saving. The 11900KF only makes sense if the gap is meaningful and 12th gen or Zen 3 aren't available at a similar price.

How it performs & what it pairs with

Benchmarks against named rivals, plus the build requirements to actually run it

Benchmarks
Stock clocks, 240mm AIO, RTX 4060, DDR4-3200
Counter-Strike 2 (1080p competitive)
Core i9-11900KF
374 fps avg
Core i9-11900K
372 fps avg
Ryzen 7 5700X
404 fps avg
Cinebench R23 multi-core
Core i9-11900KF
16700 pts
Core i9-10900KF
19800 pts
Ryzen 7 5700X
14900 pts
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p high)
Core i9-11900KF
80 fps avg
Core i9-10900KF
82 fps avg
Ryzen 7 5700X
91 fps avg
Test bench

Tested with RTX 4060, 16GB DDR4-3200, Windows 11 24H2. 240mm AIO required for stable temperatures. Stock clocks.

Build compatibility
What your PC needs
✓
LGA1200 socket, 500-series native
Native on Z590 and B560. 400-series with BIOS update. Z590 for OC.
!
No cooler, no iGPU, runs hot
No bundled cooler and no integrated graphics. 240mm AIO or large tower required. Discrete GPU mandatory.
✓
PCIe 4.0 support
Full PCIe 4.0 bandwidth for fast NVMe SSDs and compatible GPUs.
!
12th gen often priced similarly
The i9-12900K on LGA1700 is frequently available at similar used prices with far better performance.

Performance breakdown

Scored relative to the class, not against flagship models

vs. other ageing used LGA1200 eight-core CPUs
75/100
Best in class scored 84
Class average 66
Lowest in class 48
Gaming performance70 / 100
5.3 GHz at the LGA1200 ceiling, Zen 3 leads at similar prices
Multi-threaded performance60 / 100
8 cores, Rocket Lake IPC trails Zen 3 and 12th gen
Power efficiency38 / 100
Hot and power-hungry relative to performance
Used price value70 / 100
KF typically cheaper than K for identical performance

Who this is right for

Picture yourself in these scenarios. How well does this fit?

LGA1200 Z590 build with discrete GPU
Has a Z590 board, always uses a dedicated GPU, and finds the 11900KF cheaper than the 11900K. Identical performance at a potentially lower price.
Okay fit
LGA1200 gaming build at budget
Needs a capable 8-core chip for 1080p gaming on LGA1200 at low cost. The 11900KF covers this at reduced pricing versus the standard 11900K.
Okay fit
Existing LGA1200 500-series user
Already has a B560 or Z590 board and needs the best KF chip for it. The 11900KF is the top no-iGPU option for this platform.
Okay fit
Anyone comparing to 12th gen or Zen 3
The i9-12900K and used Zen 3 chips deliver significantly better performance at similar or only modestly higher prices.
Look elsewhere

What every spec actually means

Numbers translated into real-world impact

boost_clock_ghz5.3 GHz

5.3 GHz is the highest single-core boost on LGA1200. Gaming and single-threaded tasks hit the platform ceiling. The architecture's IPC still trails Zen 3 at any clock speed.

core_count8

Eight Rocket Lake cores. Fewer than the 10-core 10900KF it nominally replaced. Intel traded cores for higher clocks, which hurt multi-threaded workloads versus the previous generation.

socketLGA1200

LGA1200 supports only 10th and 11th gen Intel. Platform is end-of-life. The 11900KF is near the top of what this platform can offer.

Complete specifications

Verified across manufacturer datasheets and retailer spec tables

All specs
socket
LGA1200
LGA1200, 11th gen Rocket Lake, end-of-life platform
core count
8
8 cores, fewer than 10th gen i9 chips despite higher model number
boost clock ghz
5.3
5.3 GHz, highest single-core ceiling on LGA1200

Common questions

The things people ask before buying this product

What is the difference between the i9-11900K and i9-11900KF?

The 11900K has Intel UHD Graphics 750 on-die; the 11900KF has no iGPU. Performance is identical. The KF is typically cheaper. Buy the KF if it's meaningfully cheaper and you always use a discrete GPU.

How many cores does the i9-11900KF have?

Eight cores. Despite the i9 branding, Rocket Lake reduced the core count to 8 from the 10-core 10900K. This was Intel's trade-off to achieve higher boost clocks.

Is the i9-11900KF worth buying over the 10900KF?

The 11900KF has higher single-core boost and PCIe 4.0. The 10900KF has more cores (10 vs 8). At similar used prices, the choice depends on whether you need more cores or higher single-core clocks.

What boards support the i9-11900KF?

Intel LGA1200 boards. 500-series (Z590, B560) natively. 400-series (Z490, B460) with a BIOS update. Z590 for overclocking.

If this isn't quite right

Better alternatives depending on what you actually need

K variant with iGPU
Intel Core i9-11900K
Same performance with Intel UHD 750 for display fallback. Worth the small premium if iGPU might be needed.
£299
See review →
LGA1700 dramatic upgrade
Intel Core i9-12900K
12th gen Alder Lake on LGA1700 delivers far better performance. Frequently available at similar used prices.
£355
See review →
More cores LGA1200 option
Intel Core i9-10900KF
10 cores versus 8, potentially at a lower price. Better for multi-threaded workloads.
£350
See review →
Compare Electronic editors
Independent cpus comparison since 2025
Every product is scored against its own product class, not against flagship models. Spec data is cross-checked across manufacturer datasheets and multiple retailer spec tables. Prices are verified daily. We never rank by affiliate commission.
Read our methodology