Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 5?

Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 5? Let's find out.

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Intel’s core i7 CPUs are high-end powerhouses, capable of delivering high-end performance, but at an appropriately expensive price point. The Ryzen 5 CPUs, on the other hand, are AMD’s mid-range offering and deliver great performance at a more moderate price point. 

Now Read: Is Intel i5 better than i7

Let’s compare both processor lineups to determine whether the Intel i7 is better than Ryzen 5. Stick around until the end to learn which processor lineup is right for you. 

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Comparing the Intel i7 and Ryzen 5

Single-thread performance

Single-thread performance is largely influenced by a CPU’s max clock speed and determines performance in activities such as gaming. 

Intel i7 processors typically have higher clock speeds than Ryzen 5 processors, and this is true across equivalent generations.

For example, the Intel Core i7 13700K has a boost clock of 5.4GHz, whereas the Ryzen 5 7600X features a 5.3GHz boost clock. 

As you can see, the difference isn’t that remarkable. However, if we look at the previous generations, it starts to become more pronounced. 

For example, the 10th generation Intel i7-10700K has a 5.1GHz boost clock. The Ryzen 5 5600X, on the other hand, has a 4.6GHz max clock speed. That’s a more noticeable 500MHz difference. 

Ultimately, Intel’s i7 processor series takes the lead in this category.

Multicore performance

Intel’s i7 processors typically have more cores and threads than Ryzen 5 processors too. The exceptions to this rule are the 7th and 8th generation i7 processors, which have equivalent or fewer threads than the Ryzen 5 1600. 

These days, the stats are clearly in Intel’s favor. The i7-13700K has 24 threads compared to the Ryzen 5 7600X’s 16, which is to say that the core i7 series has better multicore performance than the Ryzen 5 lineup. 

Multicore performance is usually felt in productivity work, such as content creation, video editing, and 3d rendering. The i7 will get these tasks done faster. 

Price and value

It’s apparent that the i7 wins in performance across the board. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the better purchase. 

Core i7 processors are quite expensive. The most recent one, the 13700K, MSRP-ed at just over $400. That’s definitely a premium price for a premium processor. 

Ryzen 5 CPUs are more affordable. The 7600X launched at $299 (which is, to be honest, a tad bit overpriced for a Ryzen 5 CPU) but now retails for a much more appropriate ~$240. 

There’s another metric to add into the mix – price to performance. In other words, which CPU gives you more bang for your buck. In that regard, the Ryzen 5 wins. 

An i7 CPU will, on average, cost you anywhere from 1.5 to 2x more than a Ryzen 5. It won’t offer you twice the performance, though. 

That’s not to say that the Core i7 processors are price-inefficient, though. In fact, the i7-13700K is a very competitively priced processor in its own right. 

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Intel i7 vs. Ryzen 5: which processor is right for me?

Get the Ryzen 5 if:

• You’re on a budget or looking to get the best value for your money.
• Gaming is your only concern. Games don’t utilize dozens of threads efficiently. The Ryzen 5’s 12 to 16 threads are plenty. 

Get the Intel i7 if:

• If you’re going to be streaming, producing content, editing videos, or carrying out other productivity work on your rig, go for the i7. You’ll benefit from the additional threads. If your productivity is tied to your income, the CPU will practically pay for itself. 
• You have a high-end GPU such as the 4090 or 7900xtx. Going for an i7 processor is the better call, so you don’t end up with a bottleneck. 

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Final Verdict: Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 5?

Yes, the Intel i7 is indeed better than the Ryzen 5, but only in terms of raw performance. 

When you consider which of the two processors gives you better bang for your buck, it’s the Ryzen 5 that comes out on top.