Intel Core i5-11500 socket: LGA 1200
The Intel Core i5-11500 uses the LGA 1200 socket. It is a locked 65 W 6-core Rocket Lake processor for office and family PCs on 500 series boards and selected 400 series boards.
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- Launched
- March 30, 2021
- Cores and threads
- 6 and 12
- Base power
- 65 W
- Codename
- Rocket Lake
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core i5
- Clocks
- 2.7 / 4.6 GHz
Intel Core i5-11500 specifications
| Cores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 12 |
| Core architecture | Cypress Cove |
| Clocks | 2.7 GHz base, up to 4.6 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.0) |
| Cache | 12 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 65 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 20 lanes from the CPU: PCIe 4.0 x16 plus PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 750 (32 execution units, up to 1.30 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | FCLGA1200 |
| Launch price | $192 (Intel RCP) |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core i5-11500 needs a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 500 series | Z590, H570, B560, H510, Q570, W580 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Needs a BIOS update Needs a BIOS update from the board maker. PCIe 4.0 depends on how the board is wired. |
| 400 series: B460, H410 | B460, H410 | Not supported |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1200.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | Mid-range 1080p |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce RTX 3060, Radeon RX 6600 |
| Target resolution | 1080p high settings |
Six cores with boost to 4.6 GHz, 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes and DDR4 line up with mid-range 1080p cards from early 2021. A faster card still works and the balance shifts with game, settings and resolution.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
LGA 1200 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,200 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | April 2020 |
| Memory | DDR4 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Core i5-11500 is
The Core i5-11500 is a six core, twelve thread processor that Intel released in March 2021 with the locked 65 W Rocket Lake range. Its Cypress Cove cores run 2.7 GHz base to 4.6 GHz turbo with Turbo Boost 2.0. Cache is 12 MB of shared L3.
The 11500 sits between the 11600K and the 11400: locked like the 11400 with 200 MHz more boost. The TDP is 65 W on the 14 nm process.
Intel UHD Graphics 750 cover display output, with 32 execution units at up to 1.30 GHz. The multiplier is locked. The launch price was $192 (Intel RCP). On memory tuning, Z590 and B560 boards accept XMP profiles past DDR4-3200 while H510 locks them out.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 11500 fits the LGA 1200 socket. Boards with 500 series chipsets (Z590, H570, B560, H510, Q570, W580) accept it with the shipping BIOS. Among 400 series boards, only Z490, H470, Q470 and W480 can run it, and only after a BIOS update. B460 and H410 boards never support it.
B560 and H570 boards are the natural home for a locked chip. Z-series boards add ports and memory profiles rather than overclocking room.
Check the board maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS on 400 series stock. USB BIOS flashback boards apply the update without a supported processor fitted.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s only. Two channels carry up to 128 GB. Faster kits run through XMP profiles on boards that accept them.
The CPU supplies 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes: x16 for graphics plus x4 for storage. Integrated graphics drive office displays without a card.
At 65 W base with boosts past it, a stock cooler suffices with airflow while a tower cooler runs quieter. Mounting uses the 75 mm LGA 1200 pattern from the CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide.
The 400 series split and PCIe 4.0
The 400 series split is the detail that catches buyers out. Z490, H470, Q470 and W480 boards can take Rocket Lake after a BIOS update, while B460 and H410 boards cannot take it at all. The chipset decides, not the TDP.
PCIe 4.0 from the processor was the platform's headline addition over Comet Lake, but only boards wired for it deliver Gen 4 speeds. The board specifications decide, not the chipset name alone.
Upgrade paths
Against the Intel Core i5-11600K, the 11500 trades overclocking and peak clocks for a 65 W rating and a lower price. Against the Intel Core i7-10700K, it trades two cores for Cypress Cove IPC and PCIe 4.0, subject to chipset support.
Moving to LGA 1700 needs a new board, new memory for DDR5 builds, and a new cooler bracket. The 11500 fits an office PC or a family PC with light gaming on a mid-range card.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i5-11500 use?
It uses LGA 1200, written FCLGA1200 in Intel's documents.
What is the difference between the 11500 and the 11400?
The 11500 runs 2.7 GHz base to 4.6 GHz boost against 2.6 to 4.4 on the 11400, with the same core count and graphics tier.
Does the 11500 run in a B460 motherboard?
No. B460 and H410 boards never support Rocket Lake. B560 and H570 boards accept it from the start.
Does the 11500 work with DDR5 memory?
No. LGA 1200 is a DDR4 platform. DDR5 arrived with LGA 1700.
What cooling does the 11500 need?
At 65 W base the stock cooling approach works with airflow, while a tower cooler runs quieter under sustained loads.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core i5-11500 specifications (Intel)
- Intel Rocket Lake release date, specs and prices (Trusted Reviews)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .