AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the mid-range champion here, packing in 8 cores and best-in-class integrated graphics. What matters most here is the performance trade-off. The Ryzen 7 8700G's boost clock of 5.1 GHz beats the 4.6 GHz of the Ryzen 5 5600X, making it ideal for heavy multitasking and gaming. However, if you're on a budget and don’t need top-tier graphics, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a no-brainer for entry-level gaming setups in 2026.
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(554)Amazon | ★4.8(29,668)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 4 (Ryzen 8000G Series / Hawk Point) | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Vermeer) |
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 | 3.7 GHz Base / Up to 4.6 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 8 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (24 MB Total) | 3 MB L2 + 32 MB L3 (35 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 (Core Complex) / GlobalFoundries 12nm (I/O 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: Yes (Unbuffered UDIMM; requires mobo support) |
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 4.0 (Requires B550 or X570 chipset) |
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 | 95°C (203°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). | Excellent value for entry-level gaming builds. Uses the mature AM4 platform (no upgrade path to Ryzen 7000/9000). PCIe 4.0 support is motherboard dependent. |
Chipset Support | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required for older chipsets) |
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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 5600X
✓ Pros:
- • Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming
- • Low power consumption (65W) and easy to cool
- • Mature ecosystem with affordable motherboards and DDR4 RAM
✗ Cons:
- • Dead-end platform (AM4) limits future CPU upgrade options
- • No integrated graphics
- • Included cooler is basic; can get noisy under heavy load
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Which one is better?
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the better buy for most people - its 5.1 GHz boost clock crushes the Ryzen 5 5600X.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G if: you want integrated graphics for casual gaming, you run demanding applications that benefit from 8 cores, or you plan to future-proof your PC with AM5.
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X if: you need a budget-friendly option for gaming, you're okay with using a discrete GPU, or you want a mature platform with affordable components.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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 5600X is better if you prioritize unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming. 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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