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Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 7?

Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 7? Let's find out.

Updated: Jan 27, 2023 11:35 am
Is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 7?

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Both Intel’s i7 and AMD’s Ryzen 7 lineups feature some very robust high-end processors. If you’re stuck deciding between the two for your next upgrade, this article will help. 

Now read: Best GPU for intel i7

Today, we’ll deduce whether the Intel i7 is better than Ryzen 7.


Comparing the Intel i7 and Ryzen 7

We’ll compare processors from the two series across a variety of performance-determining metrics. 

Single-thread performance

Intel core i7 and Ryzen 7 processors both have above-average clock speeds. If you look at the most recent generation, it’s a dead draw. Both the i7-13700K and Ryzen 7 7700X have a boost clock of 5.4GHz. 

However, if you factor in previous generations, the Core i7 does win in this category. The 12700K’s 5.0GHz boost clock is higher than the 5800X’s 4.7GHz clock. 

The 10700K’s 5.1GHz clock is much higher than the 3700X’s 4.4GHz boost clock. 

Multi-thread performance

This one is a bit more nuanced. See, the older i7s, generation 7 and below, used to be hyper-threaded quad cores (4 cores and 8 threads). 

The Ryzen 7 CPUs have always been 6 cores and 12 threads (with the exception of the most 8C/16T recent 7700X)

So, Core i7 CPUs 7th gen and below can’t compete at all.

If we consider only the latest processors, Intel comes out ahead. Their 13700K has an incredible 24 threads and leaves the 16-threaded 7700X trailing behind. 

Overall, we can’t give this category to either side, as it depends on the CPU generation involved. But practically, older Ryzen 9’s are better in multithreaded workloads, whereas Intel has now taken the lead in the same. 

Cache

AMD dominates this category. Their CPUs tend to have more cache than competing counterparts from Intel. However, now that they have 3D V-cache technology, they sweep the floor with Intel in this category. 

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D showed us how much of a difference having more L3 cache makes, particularly in gaming. We’ll be seeing more of it in the next few weeks with the release of the Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs. 

Power usage

AMD comes out ahead in this category. Their processors tend to be slightly more conserved in using power, whereas Intel’s CPUs don’t hesitate to use all the power they need to run at their specified boost clocks. 

The 13700K, for example, has a 250-watt max TDP. The 7700X has a comparatively lower 170-watt TDP.


Final Verdict – is Intel i7 better than Ryzen 7?

You would have to compare individual processors to conclude definitively. However, if we talk about the latest generations, the Intel i7 is indeed better than Ryzen 7. 

The i7 13700K outperforms its counterpart, the Ryzen 7 7700X, by a noticeable margin, both in single-core and multicore workloads. Both CPUs launched at a similar price, meaning the i7 13700K offers better value for money. 

In fact, the i7 is so far ahead this time that it’s closer to the Ryzen 9 7900X in terms of raw performance. 

However, it’s far from over for the Ryzen 7 lineup. We may see AMD strike back with the 7800X3D in February. 

If we talk about older generations, the Ryzen 7 processors become the more viable option. For example, the Ryzen 7 1800 is a clear winner against the i7 7700K. 

But the thing is, rather than buying an older i7 or Ryzen 7, it would simply be better to get a newer core i5 or Ryzen 5 for the same price but a much better performance. 


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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