Buying Guide
The Best Ryzen 7 CPUs for Gaming
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 9700X has the highest boost clock; the Ryzen 7 5700X is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Ryzen 7 is AMD's eight-core tier, and the X3D models add cache that helps games. Every pick is a Ryzen 7, ordered by L3 cache.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DFirst-generation AM5 3D V-Cache.
Best for: Buyers who want first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 7 5700X costs less.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 7 5700XThe lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 8700GAMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Best for: Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700XThe highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. | Buyers who want first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 7 5700X costs less. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch. | Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has the same 96MB of L3 cache as its successor with an older core design and lower clocks.
Best for
- Buyers who want first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
On the same AM5 socket, it is the way into X3D gaming for less. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz. Its 120W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 65W.
It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 7 9700X; the Ryzen 7 5700X goes with an AM4 socket. It also offers first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache and the Zen 4 architecture. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- First-generation AM5 3D V-Cache
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700X (65W)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
The catch
If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 7 5700X (65W) is the stronger choice.
Premium Pick2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 7 5700X costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 96MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.5GHz, while the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz.
Its 105W rated power ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (65W) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (120W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700X; the Ryzen 7 8700G goes with an AM5 socket. You also get a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the rest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Rated power of 105W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The trade-off is boost clock; for more, the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz.
Lowest Rated Power3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On L3 cache it trails the group at 32MB, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 96MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz.
Its 65W rated power is the lowest here; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes next at 105W. It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D goes with an AM5 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It undercut the Ryzen 7 8700G and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 96MB.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
The Ryzen 7 8700G stands out for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch, and it adds a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Skip if
- The maker gives no L3 cache, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 7 9700X; the Ryzen 7 5700X goes with an AM4 socket.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 7 9700X, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which offers 96MB.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch
- Boost clock of 5.1GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Pass if a published L3 cache matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Nothing else here matches its 5.5GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 7 8700G comes closest at 5.1GHz. Like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 7 8700G, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses an AM4 socket.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 8700G and below the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 96MB.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 7 7800X3D to the Ryzen 7 9700X, state boost clock, core count and threads.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 5700X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Ryzen 7 CPUs for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X, a 22% spread. The Ryzen 7 8700G comes second at 5.1GHz, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 7 9700X.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 32MB (the Ryzen 7 5700X) to 96MB (the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the pick for L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much rated power you need
Across these 3 picks rated power spans 120W (the Ryzen 7 7800X3D) to 65W (the Ryzen 7 5700X). Start with the Ryzen 7 5700X if rated power decides it. The Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no rated power figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 8700G list DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 5700X list DDR4. Settling memory first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 2.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 5700X go without; the Ryzen 7 8700G has it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
How to Choose a Ryzen 7 CPUs for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | First-generation AM5 3D V-Cache |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 7 5700X costs less | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 5700X | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch | Ryzen 7 8700G | AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads on boost clock at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 8700G at 5.1GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Not listed | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 7 5700X was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 8700G, Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 5800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X ahead of the Ryzen 7 8700G on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz, with the Ryzen 7 8700G at 5.1GHz. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 4.5GHz.
How does the Ryzen 7 5800X3D compare with the Ryzen 7 5700X on rated power?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 5700X against 105W on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, a 38% difference. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D closes the ranking at 120W. The Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X don't state a rated power figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 7 5800X3D add over the Ryzen 7 5700X?
What it brings is L3 cache (96MB against 32MB). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 7 5700X still leads on boost clock (4.6GHz) and rated power (65W). On our last price check the Ryzen 7 5700X was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache decides your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 9700X our Highest Boost Clock pick?
It carries the badge for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). On boost clock it leads the Ryzen 7 8700G, 5.5GHz against 5.1GHz, an 8% margin. The Ryzen 7 5700X, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D differ on socket?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X use AM5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 5700X use AM4.
What extras do the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D include?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D: first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D: 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform. The Ryzen 7 5700X: eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, chosen for first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. Look at the Ryzen 7 5800X3D for 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform at the highest price in the group, the Ryzen 7 5700X for the lowest rated power here (65W) and the Ryzen 7 8700G for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch if those matter more to you.
Check whether a cooler is in the box; many Ryzen 7 chips ship without one.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
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- Related guideThe Best Budget CPUs
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget CPUs for a Gaming PC
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
- ExplainerCPU Name Suffixes Explained: K, KF, F, X, X3D and G
- Check compatibility: motherboardsWhat Is a Motherboard VRM and When Does It Matter?
- Similar guideThe Best Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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