Core i7 8700K
Rated: 6/10
Ryzen 7 3700X
Rated: 8/10
Pros And Cons
| CPU | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7 8700K | ✅ Integrated graphics ✅ Higher base frequency | ❌On a dead platform |
| Ryzen 7 8700X | ✅ Lower price ✅Larger L3 cache | ❌Slightly worse performance |
- We only saw a small difference of around 2% between the two processors we tested in this comparison.
- Despite the small difference in performance, the 8700K costs around 17% more than the 3700X as of late March 2024.
- Because of the similar performance at a lower price, we would recommend going with the 3700X over the 8700K.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Core i7 8700K | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | - |
| Memory Type | DDR4 upto 2666MHz | DDR4 upto 3200MHz |
| ECC | No | Yes |
| PCIe Version | 3 | 4 |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
| Release Date | Oct 2017 | Jul 2019 |
Architectural Differences
- Core Count: The 3700X uses 6 cores that total 12 threads, whereas the 8700K uses 8 cores, which add up to 16 threads.
- Clock Speeds: The i7 has a base clock of 3.7GHz, a bit higher than the 3.6GHz base of the 3700X. The boost clock, however, is considerably greater on the 8700K at 4.7GHz vs 4.4GHz.
- L3 Cache: The Intel processor shares a 12MB cache buffer between its cores, whereas the 3700X has a 32MB L3 cache.
- Lithography: With 7nm processing nodes, AMD’s 3700X is quite a bit more up-to-date than the 8700K, which uses a 14nm process.
- TDP: The better lithography of the 3700X also brings a lower TDP of 65 watts instead of the 95-watt TDP of the 8700K.
With all the new releases from AMD and Intel, it is always refreshing to check out some processors from a more optimistic time. Follow along with the i7-800K vs Ryzen 7 3700X comparison to see how these processors hold up in 2024!
Gaming Benchmarks – 1080p
To get a feel of these processors in modern games, we put both of them in our Intel and AMD test benches, with nearly identical specifications except for the motherboard to keep the testing as fair as possible. You can glance at the specifications of these setups below:
Test Bench
- Motherboard: ASUS Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard/ AORUS X570 PRO WIFI
- CPU Cooler: ASUS ROG Ryujin 360 CPU Cooler/ CORSAIR H100i RGB Platinum
- RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 2 x 16GB, 3600 Mhz, CL16-16-16-36
- SSD: XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE 2TB NVMe
- PSU: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W
Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Our testing showed that the Ryzen 7 3700X had an average framerate of 67 FPS in our test of AC Origins. In contrast, the 8700K had an average framerate closer to 70 FPS, constituting a difference of 4.5%.
Ashes of the Singularity – Escalation
- Ashes of The Singularity had the same average framerate of 65 FPS on both the 8700K and the 3700X.
Battlefield1
- Battlefield 1 ran substantially better on the Intel processor, getting an average framerate of over 156 FPS instead of the 153 FPS average of the 3700X, making up a 2% difference.
DOOM
- Doom also had the same framerate on both chips at around 200 FPS.
Far Cry 5
- Far Cry 5 showed a bigger difference between the performance of these chips, with the 3700X getting an average framerate of 115 FPS, 8% slower than the 8700K’s average of 124 FPS.
Grand Theft Auto V
- There was only a single frame of difference between these two chips in this game, with the 8700K getting an average of 118 FPS, whereas the 3700X stuck closer to 117 FPS.
Metro Exodus DX11
- With Hairworks turned off, both processors performed identically in our Metro Exodus test, getting an average framerate of around 70 FPS.
Overall Gaming Performance
| Featured | Ryzen 7 3700X | Core i7 8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 112 📈 | 115 📈 |
| Winner: Intel's Core i7 8700K | ||
Our tests showed a minor 2% difference in performance between the averages of these two chips over many games, which would be hard to notice to even the most seasoned gamers. The difference would become even smaller going to a higher resolution, like 1440p or 4k.
Price And Value
| CPU | Launch MSRP | Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 3700X | 💲329 | 💲139 |
| Core i7 8700K | 💲359 | 💲163 |
| Difference | 9% | 17% |
As of mid-March 2024, the 8700K is around 17% more expensive than the 3700K, though both the processors are relatively very cheap. The prices listed here were gathered from used products from Amazon, meaning you can get an even lower price if you go bargain-hunting on sites like eBay.
What We Recommend
Core i7 8700K: Investing in a system with an 8700K may pose issues. Upgrading beyond a 9900K would likely necessitate a motherboard change and possibly a power supply upgrade. Despite this, the 8700K performed well in our tests, especially considering its affordability.
Ryzen 7 3700X: This processor’s upgradeability is a bit better than the Intel processor, but you are also buying into a dead platform with this chip. Regardless of its price bracket, this process blows almost everything out of the water, so it should keep your gaming setup afloat for a few more years.
To wrap up, the 8700K and 3700X are excellent entry-level CPUs, but we would suggest the AMD chip because of its lower price and better platform support, up to chips like the 5800X3D.
FAQs
Yes, the Core i7 8700K has UHD Graphics 630, whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X has no integrated graphics.
The Ryzen 7 3700X is supported by the AM4 platform, whereas the 8700K uses the LGA 1151 socket.
No, neither of these chips supports DDR5 memory. The 8700K supports DDR4-2666 out of the box, while the 3700X supports up to DDR4-3200.
More From Ryzen 7 3700X
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[Comparisons Expert]
Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.
Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.
As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.
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