2700 Vs 2700X

We compare two of AMD’s Ryzen 7 CPUs, the 2700 and the 2700X, to see what the x-moniker brings to this computer processor

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In this article, we’re going to review and compare two of AMD’s Ryzen 7 CPUs, the 2700 and the 2700X, to see what the x-moniker brings to this computer processor and if either of these CPUs is really worth your hard-earned cash. To find out which is the better option, we take a look at features such as architecture, clock speeds, core and thread counts, and the ability to multi-task and run background programs.

Responsible for controlling and carrying out the instructions of your computer program, the computer processing unit is an essential part of any gaming PC set-up. Without a decent CPU, you’ll struggle to achieve gameplay that can keep up with the advanced demands of today’s modern game titles and you’ll experience more issues when the CPU is overclocked.

If you’re looking to upgrade your computer processing unit so you can improve your overall gaming experience, why not check out the Ryzen 7 2700 and the Ryzen 7 2700X, two CPUs that are closely related in terms of quality and features? Keep reading to find out more about them.

Intel/AMD

When it comes to computer processing units, AMD manages to do what they haven’t yet quite nailed with their graphics cards just yet, and they hold a majority sway over the CPU market from entry-level processors to ones that are considered to be the top of the range.

One of their most popular families of CPUs is the Ryzen 7 2000-series, which contains each of the computer processors we’ll be reviewing and comparing in this article; the 2700 and the 2700X, both released in 2018. These offer a step up from the earlier Ryzen 7 1700 and 1700X, but they’re not quite at the same level as the more recently released Ryzen 7 3700X.

Being a part of the same family, there are unsurprisingly a lot of components and features that these two CPUs share, but there are also some core differences that set them apart. In the following sections, we’ll take you through each of the most important factors that you should consider when upgrading your computer processing unit, so by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which CPU is right for you and your gaming needs.

Cores and Threads

Unlike a GPU, which is designed for multitasking purposes and contains hundreds or thousands of cores to handle the higher demands of gaming, CPUs are responsible for sequential processing and, as such, don’t require nearly as many cores.

Most games rely on the CPU’s single-core performance, so this one of the most important factors to consider. By computer processor standards, both the Ryzen 7 2700 and the Ryzen 7 2700X are actually generously equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads, making it harder to differentiate between the two CPUs in terms of this.

They don’t feature hyperthreading technology like some of Intel’s CPUs, but AMD has equipped the Ryzen 7 2700 and the Ryzen 7 2700X with Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) which is their own-brand equivalent. This makes the processor much more efficient as it is able to work on two different software threads at once, therefore boosting the performance.

Compared to the processors that preceded them, like the Ryzen 5 2600X which only has 6 cores and 12 threads, or the Intel Core i7-8700K which has the same amount, this is a step up that will see a huge improvement in the performance you can eke out of the processor.

 

Clock Speeds

Even though the Ryzen 7 2700 and the Ryzen 7 2700X feature the same number of cores and threads, you start to see a difference between these two computer processors when you compare their base clock speeds and boosted clock speeds.

Bringing up the rear in terms of stock speed is the Ryzen 7 2700. It has a base clock speed of 3.2 GHz, which trails behind the Ryzen 7 2700X’s higher base clock speed of 3.7 GHz. It might not seem like the biggest gap in performance, but you’ll notice an improvement in the 2700X’s operating ability and in its multi-functioning as a result.

The gap in their speeds becomes smaller again when these processors are overclocked, as the Ryzen 7 2700 can be boosted up to 4.1 GHz which isn’t far off the Ryzen 7 2700X’s maximum precision boost frequency of 4.3 GHz, although the latter is undeniably better at coping with the additional demands of an overclocked CPU.

Architecture

AMD has updated its manufacturing process from 14nm to 12nm which delivers higher clock speeds without causing a huge spike in power consumption. The X version of this CPU features a Wraith Prism LED cooler and the Ryzen 7 2700 has a Wraith Spire LED cooler.

Of the two, the Ryzen 7 2700 has the lower TDP of 65 watts, which is significantly less than the Ryzen 7 2700X and its TDP of 105 watts and is likely the reason for the Ryzen 7 2700’s considerable jump in performance from its base clock speed to its boosted clock speed.

The Ryzen 7 family of processors feature AMD’s Zen+ architecture, which is more advanced than their Zen architecture as it has been developed to have a multi-core boost algorithm that is more sophisticated than that seen in earlier CPUs. This also offers lower cache and memory latencies.

Speaking of caches, it’s interesting to see that the Ryzen 7 2700 and the Ryzen 7 2700X have the exact same amount. They both share the following cache capacities:

L1 Cache – 768 KB
L2 Cache – 4 MB
L3 Cache – 16 MB

This means that they’ll both be pretty good at running games with minimal buffering required and little to no lag as well.

Another thing they share is the AM4 chipset they’re both based on, which is one of the best currently available, and both are backward compatible with older motherboards if you’re not looking to replace your existing board right now. It’s also better in terms of future-proofing.

Multi-Tasking

For the gamer who enjoys having more than one program running at once, for example, if you’re streaming at the same time or if you’re playing music in the background, then multitasking is going to be particularly important to you and this should definitely be considered before you decide on which CPU you’re going to buy and use for your gaming rig.

A better multitasking ability will allow you to do far more with your computer than just playing your favorite games, although that will still be the primary function. All this means is that you won’t need to worry about multitasking and running more than one program having a negative effect on the speed of operation for your gaming. With both CPUs, you should be able to run additional programs alongside your game without running into trouble.

Comparison

All in all, the Ryzen 7 2700 isn’t a bad CPU by any means. It has a lot of the features that the 2700X has been equipped with, such as simultaneous multithreading and an unlocked ratio multiplier that allows for flexible overclocking. This helps it hit frequencies similar to that of the X version, however, it lacks the speed and efficiency of the latter CPU.

Usually, this is justified by the fact that the non-X versions of these processors are a great budget option for the entry-level gamer, but the same can’t be said in this case.

When it comes down to it, the Ryzen 7 2700 really is just missing that X-factor which is what makes the 2700X stand out in its family. It might be the cheaper option of these two CPUs, but with only around $30 in it, it’s worth stretching to the 2700X if you can afford to.

For such a small increase in cost, you’ll be getting an improved stock cooler and frequencies which maintain their trajectory for longer without dipping as far or as fast as the Ryzen 7 2700, so you can enjoy smoother, seamless gameplay, without worrying about overheating.