Persevering with with our AMD Zen 4 evaluate tour, this time we’re placing the brand new Ryzen 7 7700X to the take a look at. From a gaming perspective, that is the CPU we have been most to look at: it is an 8-core, 16-thread chip utilizing a single CCD, which ought to imply with regards to gaming it may ship the most effective efficiency.
The Ryzen 7 7700X clocks between 4.7 GHz and 5.4 GHz relying on the load, it is composed of a single 5nm core advanced die with a 6nm I/O die, packs 32MB of L3 cache, 6MB of L2, DDR5 assist, 28 PCIe 5.0 lanes, a 105w TDP, and is designed for AMD’s new AM5 platform.
This CPU succeeds the Zen 3-based 5800X, which was additionally an octa-core and featured a launch MSRP of $450. The Ryzen 7 7700X is launching at $400, which is an 11% low cost for what needs to be a a lot quicker processor. After all, at current the 5800X could be had for as little as $260, which stays a strong choice for these on the AM4 platform that want to improve.
A more in-depth rival when it comes to pricing for the 7700X might be the 5800X3D, which at the moment prices $430, barely greater than the 7700X and that is going to make for a really fascinating match up.
We have now 17 CPUs arrange for comparability: for the AM4 platform now we have a variety of Zen 2 and Zen 3 CPUs, then we have got the Intel Tenth-gen Core collection together with widespread Core i5, i7 and i9 fashions. We have now skipped Intel’s Eleventh-gen collection and as a substitute targeted on Twelfth-gen Alder Lake with assessments utilizing each DDR4-3200 dual-rank CL14 reminiscence and DDR5-6400 single-rank CL32 reminiscence, with fashions going from the Core i3-12100 as much as the Core i9-12900K.
The AM5 platform was represented by the MSI MEG X670E Ace motherboard utilizing what AMD mentioned was a great RAM setup with DDR5-6000 CL30 reminiscence. All testing was carried out utilizing the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, Home windows 11, and Resizable BAR was enabled for all configurations.
Clock Speeds
As we have proven with different Zen 4 CPU opinions, here is a have a look at clock conduct in Cinebench. After an hour of load testing, the 7700X maintained an all-core frequency of 5.1 GHz. This was sustained utilizing the be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360mm liquid cooler put in contained in the Silent Base 802 case.
For single core workloads the 7700X appeared to keep up a clock frequency of 5.55 GHz, so 150 MHz above the marketed clock frequency.
Utility Benchmarks
In Cinebench R23 we discover the 7700X roughly matching the earlier era’s 12-core half, the 5900X, coming in simply 3% slower. This makes it 13% slower than the 12700K, which could be had for a similar worth, suggesting that the productiveness benchmarks won’t be all that clean crusing for the brand new 8-core Zen 4 processor.
Single-core efficiency is barely higher than the 12700K, although solely ever so barely, however when it comes to single core efficiency it does make the 7700X top-of-the-line CPUs available on the market proper now.
Efficiency in 7-Zip is wonderful, as has been the case with all Zen 4 processors that we have checked out up to now. Right here it may be seen beating the 16-core 3950X whereas coming in behind the earlier era 16-core 5950X by a mere 7% margin, half the cores but simply 7% slower, that is a tremendous end result. All that mentioned, it was nonetheless 8% slower than the 12700K, so regardless of providing an enormous leap ahead from the earlier era, it is a bit of disappointing in comparison with Alder Lake given the worth.
AMD’s SMT is way extra highly effective for decompression work and in consequence the 7700X crushes the 12700K on this alternative, providing almost 20% extra efficiency and matching the Core i9-12900K.
The Blender Open Information outcomes place the 7700X alongside the 3900X and 12700K, a fantastic end result because it was simply 10% slower than the 12-core 5900X. Due to this fact when in comparison with its predecessor, the 5800X, the 7700X is 27% quicker.
The Corona benchmark outcomes are additionally spectacular because the 7700X nudged forward of the 3900X, 10900K, and beat the 5800X by a 21% margin. Disappointingly, it was 7% slower than the 12700K. That is not an enormous margin however given they each price $400 you’d hope AMD may have crushed what is basically a year-old competitor at this level.
We have seen the Ryzen 9 7950X dominate the Premiere Professional benchmark earlier than and right here we will see that the 7700X is simply as spectacular, beating even the 5950X by a ten% margin and crushing the 12700K by virtually 40%.
The Photoshop outcomes are splendid. Right here the 7700X was 19% quicker than the 12700K and 28% quicker than the 5800X. This makes it the quickest CPU we have ever examined because it managed to beat even the 7950X.
The Ryzen 7 7700X carried out properly in Adobe After Results, although it wasn’t fairly as dominant, solely nudging forward of the 12700K. It was a lot quicker than the 5800X although, providing a bit of over 30% larger efficiency.
Code compilation efficiency reveals the 7700X doing properly once more, matching the 12700K relying on the reminiscence configuration utilized by the Intel Alder Lake CPU. A formidable end result that made it 8% quicker than the 5900X and an enormous 50% quicker than the 5800X.
Gaming Benchmarks
Time for the gaming benchmarks and we’ll begin with Factorio, which may be very cache delicate and solely seems to be at single core efficiency. The Ryzen 7 7700X slots proper between the 7600X and 7950X making it one of many quicker CPUs we have examined in Factorio and round 6% quicker than the 12700K, a strong end result total.
The 7700X was mighty spectacular in Watch Canines Legion, leaping forward of the 7600X by a ten% margin and even edging out the 7950X. This positioned it roughly on par with the 12900K utilizing DDR5 reminiscence and an enormous 30% forward of the 5800X.
It is uncommon and virtually remarkable to see a single CPU era increase gaming efficiency by this a lot, particularly given Zen 3 was no slouch.
Subsequent now we have Rainbow Six Extraction and as we have seen beforehand with different Zen 4 chips, the 7700X is not wonderful on this title. Whereas this extra center of the pack end result seems to be common, it is value noting that the 7700X is inside 3% of the quickest examined CPU, the 12900K utilizing DDR5 reminiscence, so it is not a foul end result in any respect.
The Ryzen 7950X and 7600X outcomes had been already spectacular in Hitman 3 and with the 7700X we’re getting extra of the identical because it managed to nudge forward by only a few frames.
This did imply that the 7700X was 7% quicker than the 12700K utilizing DDR5 reminiscence, not an enormous win, however it was spectacular to see the Zen 4 CPU come out on prime.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is an efficient illustration of how CPU demanding many fashionable video games are. This recreation could be helpful for testing low-end CPUs, however for the 7700X it simply reveals us that we’re in a position to max out the RTX 3090 Ti right here, matching different high-end CPUs.
Shifting on to F1 22, we see that the 7700X pushes additional forward hitting 343 fps on common making it 18% quicker than the 12700K and impressively 7% quicker than the 5800X3D.
We’re additionally taking a look at an enormous 28% uplift from the 5800X, which is one other ~30% generational leap for gaming from AMD.
In Spider-Man Remastered outcomes are good although the 7700X trails the 12700K by a 5% margin. A bit disappointing in that regard, however when in comparison with the earlier Ryzen era, it is mighty spectacular providing 26% extra efficiency than the 5800X.
It seems as if we have reached the boundaries of the RTX 3090 Ti in Shadow of the Tomb Raider utilizing the very best high quality preset at 1080p. Even the 1% lows are now not enhancing, a minimum of past a body right here and there. In comparison with the 12700K, we’re taking a look at an analogous common body fee with a minimal increase to 1% lows.
The Zen 4 CPUs have all been spectacular in Horizon Zero Daybreak and whereas the 7700X takes out prime spot right here, it was simply 1% quicker than the 7600X. The achieve over the 5800X wasn’t huge both, although 12% is nothing to scoff at, however the 20% achieve over the 12700K was way more spectacular.
When in comparison with the 7600X, the 1% lows of the 7700X are significantly better in Cyberpunk 2077 and but regardless of that it is nonetheless a lot slower than competing Alder Lake components such because the 12700K, trailing by a notable 10% margin with 153 fps on common against 170 fps.
We have seen earlier than how the 5800X3D is a beast in ACC, speeding every thing and Zen 4 hasn’t modified that, a minimum of not these non-3D V-Cache fashions. The 7700X trailed the 5800X3D by a 12% margin, although it was nonetheless 14% quicker than the 12700K.
The Riftbreaker is not too forgiving for Ryzen processors and there seems to be a bug with the twin CCD on the 7950X, which AMD says the developer is trying into. The 7950X ought to be capable of match the 7700X and that may make it one of many quickest CPUs on this title.
The 7700X did not crush the competitors, however it was in a position to pull forward of the 12700K by a 4% margin which is a strong end result contemplating how uncompetitive Zen 3 is on this title.
The Ryzen 7 7700X may be very quick in Counter-Strike: World Offensive, taking out prime spot, beating even the 7950X. We’re taking a look at a powerful 543 fps, making it an enormous 29% quicker than the 12700K and virtually 50% quicker than the 5800X, in order that’s a stellar end result to say the least.
12 Sport Common Efficiency
The Ryzen 7 7700X has come out sturdy in gaming assessments as we had anticipated, taking prime spot in our testing, narrowly beating the 12900K utilizing DDR5 reminiscence by a 2% margin.
Then when in comparison with the equally priced 12700K, it was 6% quicker and an enormous 21% quicker than the previous-gen 5800X. It is encouraging to see that every one three Zen 4 CPUs examined up to now are quicker than the 5800X3D, and that is not one thing we had been anticipating to search out going into this testing.
Energy Consumption
Here is a fast have a look at energy consumption for an all-core workload. The Ryzen 7 7700X pushed whole system energy utilization barely larger than the 5900X, however did handle to return in beneath the 12700K. In a nutshell, the 7700X shouldn’t be higher than both CPU when it comes to efficiency per watt, a minimum of for all core workloads like we see right here with Blender.
Cooling Efficiency
In the case of cooling, Zen 4 CPUs give the impression that they are troublesome to chill by delivering as a lot efficiency as doable by taking full benefit of the thermal and energy headroom. AMD says with the brand new AM5 platform and better TDP, Zen 4 processors will run right into a thermal wall earlier than they hit an influence wall. This implies beneath heavy load they will sit at TJMax which is about 95 levels Celsius for the Ryzen 7000 collection, and this will probably be notably true for the 12 and 16-core fashions.
AMD has burdened that this conduct is by design and it is necessary to notice TJMax is the utmost secure working temperature — not absolutely the most temperature. AMD went on to say that 95C shouldn’t be operating scorching, fairly Zen 4 will deliberately go to this temperature beneath load as a result of the ability administration system is aware of that that is the best method to squeeze essentially the most efficiency out of the chip with out damaging it. The processors are designed to run at TJMax 24/7 with out threat of harm or deterioration they added.
On the upside, virtually all AM4 coolers will probably be suitable with AM5, apart from these which might be secured from the rear aspect of the motherboard because the backplates aren’t detachable on AM5 boards. Which means all coolers could be put in with out requiring rear entry to the motherboard, as is the case with HEDT processors, in order that’s excellent news.
For testing we used the be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360mm liquid cooler which is totally AM5 suitable. After an hour of looping Cinebench R23 multi-core, we recorded a peak CPU temperature of 97C, simply above the 95C TJMax that AMD says the CPU targets for max efficiency. Will probably be fascinating to revisit Zen 4 later utilizing a variety of coolers to see how cooling efficiency impacts CPU efficiency. However that is an investigation for one more time.
Value vs. Efficiency
Now lets do a price evaluation, beginning with the price per body of simply the CPU. The 7700X is on common solely 5% quicker than the 7600X, however prices 33% extra which is sensible as you might be getting 33% extra cores. For gaming although that a lot CPU energy is not required and possibly will not be for a while, so the 7700X is available in at a 27% worth premium per body. Nonetheless, when in comparison with competing Intel components such because the 12700K and 12900K, the 7700X is healthier worth when simply trying on the CPU price.
Looking at price per body whereas together with reminiscence and motherboard prices — which for the DDR4 configurations features a 32GB equipment of DDR4-3200 CL14 reminiscence at a value of $200, and the DDR5 configurations price $280, whatever the spec, each 6000 and 6400 price the identical quantity.
For the motherboard, the AM5 fashions are primarily based on the $290 MSI Professional X670-P WiFi, AM4 makes use of the Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus WiFi which prices $180, after which the MSI Professional Z690-P DDR4 at $180 and the MSI Professional Z690-A DDR5 at $210.
Based mostly on these costs, the 7700X is not wonderful worth, however for flagship-tier efficiency, it nonetheless beats out the 12900K whereas providing comparable worth to the 12700K. It is also simply 6% extra expensive per body than the 7600X, making it a horny choice for these looking for final efficiency.
Just like the 7600X, the 7700X is weak when it comes to worth with regards to core-heavy productiveness, each delivering worse worth than even the Core i9-12900K. The costlier Ryzen 9 7950X is worlds higher right here, so if productiveness is the precedence then you may ignore 6 and 8-core Zen 4 choices.
For combined workloads that depend on sturdy single and multi-core efficiency, the 7700X does fare significantly better and takes out prime spot for worth within the Premiere Professional benchmark.
So with regards to productiveness it can rely upon the appliance, however discover that the 7950X was nonetheless quicker, so if time’s cash then that is the best way you’d go.
What We Realized
The Ryzen 7 7700X seems to be to be the brand new king of gaming, a minimum of for now, taking out the Core i9-12900K in our 12 recreation pattern. After all, we’ll be eager to check them head-to-head throughout 30+ video games, and that is one thing we plan to do quickly, although we’ll anticipate next-gen GPUs earlier than sinking every week into that testing.
When in comparison with present Intel Alder Lake CPUs for gaming, the 7700X seems to be the superior choice from a efficiency standpoint, whereas providing an analogous degree of worth to the 12700K, and significantly better worth than the 12900K. That mentioned, if you happen to’re prioritizing productiveness then the selection between the Alder Lake i7 and i9 components and the 7700X is much less apparent, however in the long run it might not matter as you’d simply go for the Ryzen 9 7950X which is far quicker, or maybe the 7900X which we’ll be taking a look at subsequent.
Maybe a tougher resolution for potential consumers is the selection between the 7600X and 7700X. Proper now the 7600X is healthier worth, even when factoring all the platform price, but when you are going to construct a whole PC from the bottom up, the 8-core mannequin will solely price you just a few % extra at most, so at that time you would possibly as properly half with the $100. On common, the Ryzen 7 7700X is simply 3% quicker for gaming, although we did see situations the place it was as much as 11% quicker. Realistically, the 7600X remains to be going to be higher worth as gaming efficiency may be very comparable and this may virtually definitely maintain true for years to return, simply as we have seen previously.
Keep in mind when 8-core CPUs had been all of the rave for gaming?
Keep in mind when 8-core CPUs had been all of the rave for gaming? If we have a look at the 12 recreation pattern, which is essentially primarily based on fashionable titles, the Ryzen 7 3700X is on common simply 4% quicker than the 3600, so regardless that the older CPUs are considerably slower than newer Zen 4 fashions, core scaling is remarkably comparable. Likewise, the 3950X is simply 4% quicker than the 3700X, so it is virtually assured that throughout the sensible lifespan of those processors the 7950X will not overtake the 7700X for gaming, say throughout the subsequent 5 to eight years.
Retaining all of that in thoughts, the Ryzen 7 7700X is definitely our Zen 4 advice for avid gamers. At current AM5 is an costly platform and if you happen to’re confronted with having to spend properly over $200 on DDR5 reminiscence and the identical for an entry-level X670 motherboard, there’s little level saving $100 on the 6-core CPU.
This advice will possible change with the arrival of sub-$200 AMD B650 boards and we have already bought just a few of these available, however will not be allowed to point out them off but. DDR5 pricing will virtually definitely proceed to fall, so in just a few months the 7600X ought to make sense as a kind of AM5 worth choice. For now although I might overlook it for the 7700X.
Which brings us to the conclusion that holding off for a month or two would possibly pay in additional methods than you think about. There’s cheaper DDR5 reminiscence at play, but additionally to see what Intel brings to the desk with Raptor Lake, their Thirteenth-gen Core collection. It’s going to have to be exceptionally good to overthrow the 7700X and likewise counter the AM5 platform which can allow you to improve later.
A powerful argument for spending huge on a high quality AMD AM5 motherboard now’s that you will nonetheless be utilizing it in 2025 and have the choice to fit a Zen 6 CPU on there for what needs to be an enormous improve. With Intel, then again, you’ll require a brand new motherboard in 3 years, a course we hope they set to alter within the era that comes after Raptor Lake.
