Is Intel i5 better than Ryzen 7?
Is Intel i5 better than Ryzen 7? Let's find out.
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If you’re looking for a powerful processor for your computer but would rather not shell out on expensive high-end options, you’ll likely be considering CPUs from the Intel i5 and Ryzen 7 lineups. Let’s compare the two to find out which is the better option for you.
Now Read: Best CPU for gaming 2023
In this article, we find out: Is Intel i5 better than Ryzen 7?
What is Intel Core i5?
Intel Core i5 is a family of mid-range processors that offer powerful performance at an affordable price point. Core i5 CPUs are very popular these days, especially with the release of the upgraded and value-rich 13th-generation i5s.
In the past, Core i5s used to have a very minimalist core/thread count, suitable only for gaming. The newer ones have incredible core counts, so they’re now suitable for workstation workloads as well.
What is AMD Ryzen 7?
AMD Ryzen 7 is a family of high-end processors offering top-tier performance at a more expensive price point compared to Intel Core i5. The direct competitor to Ryzen 7 is the Intel Core i7 lineup. In this article, we’re putting it up against the Core i5 lineup though, of course.
Intel Core i5 vs. AMD Ryzen 7: CPU lineups compared
Here we’ll be comparing the two processor lineups extensively to see where each of them shines so we can find out the best option for you based on your use case.
Performance
In terms of performance, it’s generally the Ryzen 7 processors that come out on top due to their higher clock speeds and more cores. At least, that has been the case for the past several generations. However, if we look exclusively at the latest generation of processors, Intel’s 13th gen and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series, it isn’t so clear cut.
While the Ryzen 7 7700X outperforms the Intel Core i5-13600K in single-threaded workloads due to a higher boost clock (5.4GHz vs. 5.1GHz), it loses by a noticeably larger margin in multi-threaded workloads due to it having fewer cores and threads (8 cores, 16 threads vs. 14cores, 20 threads).
In other words, the i5-13600K has single-threaded performance only slightly worse than the more expensive Ryzen 7, but multithreaded performance that’s noticeably better.
So, generally, Ryzen 7 wins. But with this last generation in particular, we have to give it to Core i5.
Power usage and Thermals
There is quite a bit of variance in power usage based on the CPU model and whether or not it’s an X or K processor, so you would have to compare individual processors to determine which is more power efficient.
The 13600K and 7700X consume about the same amount of power, with 181-watt and 170-watt TDPs respectively.
Processors in previous generations have had TDPs between 65 and 90 watts, so there isn’t a remarkable difference overall.
The Ryzen 7 7700 is an exception. This processor offers powerful high-end performance with a minimal 65-watt TDP, and is more power-efficient than all of the latest Core i5 processors.
If you don’t have the strongest PSU or cooling solution, the R7 7700 (or the Ryzen 5 7600, also with a 65-watt TDP) are excellent options for you.
Price and Value
Core i5 processors tend to be a fair bit cheaper than Ryzen 7 processors. The 13600K launched at $329 last year. The 7700X launched at $399, but you can find it for closer to $350 these days.
That’s not a huge difference in price for the latest generation, so performance takes precedence in determining value.
Is Intel i5 better than Ryzen 7? Final thoughts
Generally speaking, Intel Core i5 is not better than Ryzen 7, in terms of raw performance at least. Ryzen 7 processors tend to be more powerful and more expensive, but there are exceptions, such as the latest R7 7700X and i5-13600K, which are about neck and neck. Which lineup you should go for can depend on your needs.
If you’re a casual gamer, you’ll probably find the lower price point and commendable gaming performance of the Core i5 processors very suitable. If you’re looking to get more performance from your system for professional productivity, a Ryzen 7 would be the way to go.
However, if you’re choosing between the 13600K and 7700X in particular, the opposite is true. Go with the 7700X for gaming, and go with the i5-13600K for workstation productivity.
