AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Review: Zen 5’s Most Powerful CPU Revealed
AMD’s New Zen 5 Ryzen 7 9700X: Underwhelming Performance
AMD’s highly-anticipated Ryzen 7 9700X is finally here, promising 16% better performance over the previous Ryzen 7000 series. But how does it hold up against its predecessor and other powerful processors? We took an in-depth look at its specs, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision.
Price and Performance
Priced at $360, the Ryzen 7 9700X comes with a significant 24% premium compared to its predecessor, the Ryzen 7700X. Does its improved performance justify the additional cost?
Zen 5 and IPC Improvements
AMD claims the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 16% better average IPC uplift over the Ryzen 7700X, with minor architectural changes from the previous generation. Will these modest gains be enough to win over gamers and content creators?
Ryzen 7 9700X Specs and Features
Here’s a quick look at the Ryzen 7 9700X’s specs and features:
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | AMD Ryzen 7700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 5.5 GHz | 5.4 GHz |
| Memory Support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5200 |
| TDP | 65W | 105W |
| PCIe Lanes | 28 PCIe 5.0 | 28 PCIe 5.0 |
| L2 Cache | 8MB per core | 8MB per core |
| L3 Cache | 32MB shared | 32MB shared |
Benchmarks and Conclusion
We compared the Ryzen 7 9700X to its predecessor in a range of games, revealing inconsistent performance. The 9700X tends to struggle in certain games, often performing slower than the 7700X. Additionally, the CPU’s 2% power efficiency gain compared to its predecessor might not be as significant as advertised.
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X worth it? Not when you can get better performance from its predecessor, the Ryzen 7700X, at a lower price point. We’d recommend the Ryzen 7700X or even the upcoming Ryzen 7800X3D for better value.
Shopping Shortcuts:
- AMD Ryzen 7700X
- Ryzen 7800X3D
