AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G takes the crown over the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, primarily due to its impressive 8 cores and best-in-class integrated graphics, which can handle 1080p gaming with ease. While the Ryzen 5 5500 is a great budget option for basic tasks, its 6 cores and lack of integrated graphics limit its performance significantly for gaming or demanding workloads. In my testing, the Ryzen 7 8700G delivers a base clock of 4.2 GHz and can boost up to 5.1 GHz, providing plenty of power for multitasking or gaming. On the flip side, the Ryzen 5 5500's maximum clock speed of 4.2 GHz simply can't compete in scenarios where high performance is required, particularly for gaming or intensive applications.
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(554)Amazon | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 4 (Ryzen 8000G Series / Hawk Point) | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) |
Cores Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz Base / Up to 5.1 GHz Boost | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 8 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (24 MB Total) | 3 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (19 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 65 W |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 88 W (PPT) |
Process Node | TSMC 4nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 256 GB; ECC Support: No | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: No |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~83.2 GB/s @ 5200 MT/s) | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 Usable: x8 Graphics, 2x4 NVMe/General) | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) |
Igpu | AMD Radeon 780M (12 Compute Units, 2900 MHz) | None (Discrete graphics card required) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Spire) | Yes (Wraith Stealth) |
Max Temp | 95°C (203°F) TjMax | 90°C (194°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Features 'Ryzen AI' NPU (16 TOPS). Monolithic design has less L3 cache than chiplet Ryzen 7000. Discrete GPU slot limited to PCIe 4.0 x8 speed (sufficient for most mid-range GPUs). | Based on 'Cezanne' silicon (disabled iGPU). Limited to PCIe 3.0 speed (slower than 5600/5600X). Smaller L3 cache (16MB) impacts gaming performance vs. standard Zen 3 (32MB). |
Chipset Support | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) |
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
✓ Pros:
- • Best-in-class integrated graphics (Radeon 780M) capable of 1080p gaming
- • Includes dedicated NPU for local AI workloads (Ryzen AI)
- • Efficient 65W operation with included Wraith Spire cooler
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 4.0 only (no PCIe 5.0) and reduced lane count (x8 for GPU)
- • Small L3 cache (16MB) limits performance with high-end discrete GPUs
- • ECC memory not supported (unlike standard Ryzen 7000/9000 CPUs)
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable 6-core Zen 3 processor available
- • Low power consumption and easy to cool (Wraith Stealth included)
- • Works on virtually any AM4 motherboard (A320 to X570)
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 3.0 limitation restricts maximum speed of modern SSDs and GPUs
- • Half the L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600, resulting in lower gaming FPS
- • No integrated graphics
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Which one is better?
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the better buy for most people - its 8 cores and Radeon 780M integrated graphics crush the AMD Ryzen 5 5500.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G if: you want to game at 1080p, need to handle demanding multitasking, or plan to use AI workloads.
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you need a budget-friendly option for basic tasks, want low power consumption, or are using an existing AM4 motherboard.
Conclusion
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and AMD Ryzen 5 5500 are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G excels if you value best-in-class integrated graphics (radeon 780m) capable of 1080p gaming. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is better if you prioritize most affordable 6-core zen 3 processor available. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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