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Despite getting edged out by Intel in the last couple of years, Ryzen 7 processors are generally an excellent starting point for high-end gaming PCs. They’re affordable, fairly easy to cool, and offer one of the best performances per dollar out of the whole Ryzen line-up.
But if you decide to buy a Ryzen 7 CPU, you may easily be overwhelmed by all the different options available. Not only by the X and X3D models but also by different generations–The Ryzen 7 5000 lineup is still more than viable, even with the newest generation (7000 series) in circulation.
To help you out, we created this list of the 6 best Ryzen 7 CPUs available on the market in 2023. We ranked the processors based on the best overall performance per dollar, making sure you get the most out of your money.
Here are all the aspects we’ll be covering for each processor:
- Overview & specification
- Gaming performance
- Productivity performance
- Compatibility
- Power draw & efficiency
- Cooling needs
- Value
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
6 Best Ryzen 7 CPUs in 2023 Round-Up
The table below will give you a quick look at our selections for the 6 best Ryzen 7 CPUs currently available on the market. To read a full review, simply click on ‘review>>’ in the respective row.
Product | Image | Rating | |
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7700 ''Best Ryzen 7 CPU for the money'' |  | 9.8 | |
2. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D ''Best-performing Ryzen 7 CPU for gaming” |  | 9.7 | |
3. AMD Ryzen 7 5700X ''Best Ryzen 7 CPU for the AM4 platform'' |  | 9.6 | |
4. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D ''Best gaming Ryzen 7 CPU for the AM4 platform'' |  | 9.5 | |
5. AMD Ryzen 7 7700X “Honorable mention” |  | 9.4 | |
6. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X “Honorable mention #2” |  | 9.3 |
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7700
Architecture: Zen 4 | Socket: AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.3 GHz | TDP: 65 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent performance per dollar
- Better buy than the Ryzen 7 7700X
- Competitively priced
- Top-notch gaming performance
- Respectable performance in productivity apps
- Super easy to cool
- Power efficient
- Ships with a stock cooler
REASONS TO AVOID
- Higher platform cost compared to the Ryzen 7 5000 CPUs
- Doesn’t support DDR4
Our Rating: 9.8/10
The Ryzen 7 7700 is a brand-new offering from AMD. It’s a very capable and versatile processor that offers some real performance despite being a mid-range offering for the current generation.
Whether you factor in gaming or productivity, the 7700 packs a serious punch at a competitive price point, making it the best Ryzen 7 CPU for the vast majority of users and gamers.
It’s built using the newest Zen 4 architecture and features a total of 8 hyperthreaded cores with 16 threads. In terms of speed, it clocks in at 3.8GHz base clock with a maximum speed of 5.3GHz. This makes it an efficient, easy-to-cool processor for everyday use that can boost up to an impressive processing speed and deliver when called upon.
When it comes to gaming, this CPU offers excellent performance for the money–Its base clock is substantially higher than the base clocks of the Ryzen 7 5000 series CPUs, meaning you’ll experience fewer frame drops and higher average FPS. Plus, it has much less potential to be a bottleneck in the upcoming years compared to the previous generation.
On top of that, thanks to its high boost clock, it delivers nearly identical gaming performance compared to the higher priced cousin, the Ryzen 7 7700X–The biggest FPS difference we saw was 5% between the two. And when you consider the $70 savings over the X model, the 7700 is simply a better value.
For productivity, it’s a very similar story. The Ryzen 7 7700 is potent and handles tasks better than its Ryzen 7 5000 series counterparts. Benchmarks in apps such as Blender or Adobe Premier revealed an average of 20% faster rendering speeds compared to the Ryzen 7 5800X and pretty much identical performance to the 7700X.
Overall, while the Ryzen 7 7700 isn’t the best-performing Ryzen 7 CPU, it offers the best performance per dollar for both gaming and productivity apps compared to both older generation chips and the more expensive Ryzen 7 7700X.
Compatibility is where the potential drawbacks begin. Whether or not the 7700 is the right CPU for you depends on your current PC situation and what you’re comfortable upgrading. This CPU uses the new AM5 socket, forcing you to buy a whole new motherboard.
Not only does the new motherboard generation come with a premium attached, but it also requires DDR5 RAM, which, at the moment, is substantially more expensive than the older DDR4 RAM.
On the bright side, it is a very efficient CPU considering its robust performance and versatility. At 65W TDP and a maximum recorded 89W under full load, it will generate less heat and have a lower power draw compared to 5000 series CPUs with worse performance.
Additionally, the processor ships with a stock cooler, making it an even better value. The stock cooler is decent for everyday use, but we definitely recommend upgrading to a quality cooler to get the most out of it–A standard air cooler will be enough; you don’t need to go liquid.
Overall, the Ryzen 7 7700 CPU is a fantastic CPU that excels in all categories while maintaining very good efficiency. This comes with an important caveat. Given its mid-range price tag, there’s a huge consideration with the AM5 socket. If you’re a value-oriented builder, you might be better suited for the slightly worse-performing Ryzen 7 5700X or Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
However, if you’re already using a 600 series motherboard or are planning to upgrade anyway, then the Ryzen 7 7700 is, in our opinion, the best Ryzen 7 CPU available in 2023–Beyond its excellent performance, it’s efficient, easy to cool, and affordable.
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2. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Architecture: Zen 4 | Socket: AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 4.2 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.0 GHz | TDP: 120 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Best gaming Ryzen 7 CPU on the market
- Better gaming performance than some Ryzen 9 and i9 CPUs
- Supports DDR5 and PCIe 5.0
- Expanded L3 cache
- Surprisingly easy to cool
- Jaw-dropping power efficiency
- Equipped with integrated graphics
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn’t support DDR4 memory
- No direct support for overclocking
- Inadequate productivity performance for the price
Our Rating: 9.7/10
If you’re looking for the best Ryzen 7 CPU for gaming, look no further. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a beast of a CPU, specifically when it comes to gaming–It offers exceptional gaming performance with very little that can compete and it’s also extremely power efficient, topping the efficiency charts for the Ryzen 7 pack. The question is whether it’s worth the price it commands.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the newest Zen 4 chip that features the standard 8-core 16-thread configuration with a base clock of 4.2GHz and a boost clock of 5.0GHz. That’s nothing earth-shattering, but the chip is extremely well-optimized, proving exceptional gaming performance and efficiency.
As already mentioned, the 7800X3D is a serious gaming CPU. The X3D line from AMD features an expanded L3 cache that allows for better gaming performance that keeps pace with the flagship Ryzen 9 7950X3D. In comparison to the 7700 and 7700X, this chip blows them out of the water with up to 25% better frame rate on average (depending on the resolution and game).
Put simply, if gaming performance is a priority to you, then the 7800X3D is the CPU you should buy–It even consistently beats Ryzen 9 chips in gaming benchmarks by a small margin.
For productivity, it is still adequate but not as potent. You are better suited with the 7700X or a similarly-priced Ryzen 9 CPU that isn’t X3D. The 7700X produces slightly better benchmarks in productivity apps at a significantly lower price point, making it a much better-balanced processor.
With that being said, this is still a good CPU if you’re a casual content creator but the value is simply not there in this aspect. The 7800X3D is clearly geared for gaming performance.
Compatibility-wise, it uses the new AM5 socket. It requires A620, B650, B650E, X670, or X670E motherboards and DDR5 RAM, which both cost a good deal more compared to the previous generation components. The difference here is that you will be future-proofing your PC for future upgrades.
What you’ll definitely appreciate is its power efficiency. At 120W TDP and a maximum power draw of 160W, this CPU has the highest power draw on the list. However, in testings, it never drew more than 100W and stayed below 90° Celsius during heavy loads, which is remarkable for a CPU of this caliber.
Still, a high-quality cooler is recommended here, preferably a liquid one–The processor doesn’t ship with a stock cooler, and if you decide to splurge on a high-performing CPU such as this one, you will most likely push it to its limits.
Overall, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is, by far, the best Ryzen 7 CPU for gaming, even beating some Ryzen 9 offerings in gaming benchmarks. If all you care about is gaming and you have a bit more room in your budget, then we strongly recommend this one.
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3. AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 3.4 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Outstanding performance per dollar
- Better buy than the Ryzen 7 5800X
- The best Ryzen 7 CPU for the AM4 platform
- Affordable price (frequently on sale)
- Excellent gaming performance
- Solid for multitasking and productivity apps
- Ships with a cooler
- Power efficient
- Super easy to cool
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn’t support DDR5 memory
- No integrated graphics
Our Rating: 9.6/10
The Ryzen 7 5700X is an older generation chip but a great do-it-all CPU with the best performance per dollar out of the whole Ryzen 7 5000 CPU lineup. It still offers substantial gaming performance along with adequate productivity, and thanks to the new generation already released, it’s frequently on sale.
This makes it our number-one recommendation for folks looking for the best Ryzen 7 CPU for the AM4 platform.
In terms of the specs, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a standard octa-core chip built using the Zen 3 architecture with a base clock of 3.4GHz and a maximum boost clock of 4.6GHz. It fully supports overclocking so you’ll be able to easily reach 5GHz+ with proper cooling.
When it comes to gaming performance, it performs very well–Not only is it able to handle CPU-heavy titles very easily handles modern graphically-intensive AAA titles very efficiently.
In a head-to-head comparison with its successors, the 7700 and 7700X, you can expect 20% less FPS on average. However, when comparing gaming benchmarks to the more expensive 5800X, you’ll see virtually the same performance, with a maximum 5% difference in FPS in favor of the 5800X.
Considering that this is the cheapest CPU on the list, you really can’t go wrong. Even though the newer 7000 chips are faster, this CPU is very likely all you will need unless you’re targeting a very high-end build.
In terms of productivity, it’s no slouch either. In Blender and Adobe Premier benchmarks, the 5700X posted 10% slower rendering speeds compared to the 5800X, and 20-30% slower speeds compared to the newer 7700 and 7700X.
That’s a slightly bigger difference compared to gaming benchmarks, however, it handles rendering programs such as Blender very effectively, yielding relatively fast render times considering the lower cost of this 8-core CPU. It handles single-thread and multi-thread applications very well and will stay relevant for years.
As we mentioned, the Ryzen 7 5700X is still a great option in 2023, even when considering the Ryzen 7000 series. And the reason for that is its backward compatibility and lower platform cost.
It is compatible with cheaper motherboards (B450, X470, B550, A520, and X570) as well as the older and cheaper DDR4 RAM, making it perfect if you’re looking to upgrade just your CPU while keeping your motherboard and memory.
Another benefit of the 5700X is the relatively low power draw compared to other chips. With a TDP of 65W and a maximum recorded power draw of 85W (nearly 50% less than the Ryzen 7 5800X), it’s the most power-efficient Ryzen 7 processor and very easy to cool.
Speaking of cooling, the processor ships with the standard AMD stock cooler. It’ll keep the temperatures in check for standard everyday use, but for gaming or other intensive tasks, you should definitely invest in a better cooler. Similar to the Ryzen 7 7700, you don’t need to go liquid; a quality air cooler will be enough.
Overall, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is easily the best Ryzen 7 CPU for the money if you’re looking to stay on the AM4 platform. It offers an excellent gaming performance and also very respectable productivity and multitasking capabilities–All for a relatively affordable price with excellent power efficiency.
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4. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 3.4 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.5 GHz | TDP: 105 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent gaming performance for the money
- The best Ryzen 7 CPU for gaming (from the 5000 lineup)
- Massive L3 cache
- Solid productivity and multitasking performance
- Power efficient
- Fairly easy to cool
- Lower platform cost (AM4 compatible)
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn’t support DDR5 and PCIe 5.0
- No direct support for overclocking
- Doesn’t ship with a cooler
- No integrated graphics
Our Rating: 9.5/10
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the beefiest processor from the previous generation of Ryzen 7 processors. Just like the 7800X3D, it’s much more gaming-focused than other processors, and this is due to the massive L3 cache it offers, making it the best-performing Ryzen 7 CPU for gaming for the AM4 platform.
On the other hand, it’s still able to handle productivity tasks well enough, but that isn’t the focus of this CPU.
Similar to other Ryzen 7 5000 CPUs, it can be frequently found on sale because of the release of the new generation, making it a strong contender for hardcore gamers looking to stay on the AM4 platform. However, it costs significantly more than other processors with similar specs due to its “X3D” designation and associated L3 cache.
Just like all the Ryzen 7 CPUs, the 5800X3D is an 8-core 16-thread CPU. It’s built using the Zen 3 architecture and clocks in at 3.4GHz base clock and 4.5GHz boost clock. It has a TDP of 105W but isn’t nearly as efficient as the 7800X3D and draws more power.
For gaming, this is an absolutely excellent choice. If you’re considering CPUs in this price range and have an existing AM4 motherboard, you really can’t beat this chip in terms of gaming performance. Even when compared to Ryzen 9 5950X, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D outperforms it in many titles.
Compared to the newer generation, you can expect around 15-20% lower frame rate on average compared to the 7800X3D and only about 5-10% lower than the 7700X and 7700 chips.
Purely for gaming, choosing the 5800X3D over other Ryzen 7 5000 series CPUs is a no-brainer, and if you have an older motherboard, it makes perfect sense.
When it comes to productivity, the 5800X3D becomes a more complicated option. It offers very similar performance to the Ryzen 7 5800X and 5700X but at a much higher price tag. This is due to its gaming-focused characteristics that won’t get utilized during productivity tasks.
Surprisingly, the power efficiency and cooling requirements are basically the same in comparison to the Ryzen 7 5800X. At 105W TDP and 132W maximum power draw, this CPU does have a higher thermal load in general, but it remains within the limits for a mid-range processor.
A small drawback is the fact that this CPU doesn’t ship with a cooler. Even if it did ship with one, we’d still urge you to buy a better-quality cooler, preferably a liquid one. But, a quality air cooler will be more than enough for the level of performance this processor provides.
Overall, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is an extremely potent CPU, but it is less versatile than a lot of options in its price range. If you fit the criteria of being a serious gamer that’s okay with sacrificing some productivity capability for the cost, and have an existing AM4 motherboard, then it’s really a match made in heaven.
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5. AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Architecture: Zen 4 | Socket: AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 4.5 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.4 GHz | TDP: 105 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Affordable price
- Great performance for both gaming and productivity
- Supports DDR5 and PCIe 5.0
- Equipped with integrated graphics
- Good overclocking potential
- Power efficient
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not worth the price increase over the non-X model
- Doesn’t support DDR4
- Doesn’t ship with a cooler
- Runs hotter under load
Our Rating: 9.4/10
The Ryzen 7 7700X is an interesting proposition as a CPU, given the other available options. It’s a very capable and versatile offering that’s proficient in all tasks that you would use it for. The problem is that it’s not really worth the increase in cost over the Ryzen 7 7700 or the cost savings compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
In terms of specs, it’s nearly identical to the Ryzen 7 7700. It’s an octa-core processor with hyperthreaded cores, built on the new Zen 4 architecture. The only difference is that it’s clocked slightly higher, with a 4.5GHz base clock and a 5.4GHz boost clock, giving it a slight edge for gaming.
Speaking of gaming, this is a very strong and robust offering that will perform very well for years to come. If you’re upgrading to an AM5 motherboard and want to future-proof your build, then this is a pretty great option.
As we mentioned in the review of the Ryzen 7 7700, the difference in gaming performance between these two is negligible. The 3-5% increase in frame rate doesn’t really warrant the $70 increase in price, making the 7700X less cost-efficient compared to its cheaper cousin.
If you’re into overclocking, then this CPU has more potential, but as far as gaming performance goes, the increase in performance from the X model is simply not worth the added cost. The same goes for productivity, as the 7700X offers practically the same rendering speeds as the 7700.
Still, the Ryzen 7 7700X is very capable and able to handle productivity programs with ease. Compared to other CPUs in its price range and all of the last generation’s suite of CPUs, the 7700X is very well suited for the job.
The 7000 series, in general, is a large step up in productivity performance compared to the 5000 series. If you’re a content creator or use intense CAD or rendering programs, we’d recommend buying one of the 7000 series Ryzen 7 processors over the previous generation.
Compatibility is the same as other 7000 series CPUs, where it’s an AM5 socket that requires an A620, B650, B650E, X670, and X670E motherboard and DDR5 RAM. Both the motherboard and RAM cost a good bit more than the last generation–If you’re upgrading an existing build, you’ll have to determine what 7000 CPU is right for you.
The efficiency of the 7700X is another big shortcoming. At 105W TDP, it has a higher power draw and also generates more heat, which of course, requires more cooling.
When wanting the strongest PC and CPU this is a normal trade-off; however, the 7700 non-X is so close in performance to the 7700X that the higher cost, lower efficiency, and increased required cooling of the 7700X make it hard to recommend.
If value is an important factor, you will be better suited with the 7700 non-X, considering the difference in performance is minimal.
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6. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Great gaming performance
- Respectable productivity performance
- Cheaper platform compared to the newer generation
- Solid efficiency
- Frequently on sale due to its age
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn’t support DDR5 or PCIe 5.0
- Does NOT ship with a cooler
- No integrated graphics
- Worse value compared to the Ryzen 7 5700X
Our Rating: 9.3/10
Similar to the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 7 5800X is another very strong and value-oriented contender. The biggest competition to it is the 5700X, as they both offer a lot for their price but are still a step down from the more expensive and higher-performing options.
This makes deciding between these two tricky since the 5700X is usually the better value proposition, but the 5800X does pack a slightly stronger punch in all areas.
The 5800X is your typical Ryzen 7 processor. It comes equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads with a 3.8GHz base clock and a 4.7GHz boost clock. It’s built using the older Zen 3 architecture, which, besides the lower performance, means less efficiency compared to the newer Zen 4 processors.
For gaming, similar to the 5700X, this is a great option if you’re a value-oriented buyer. The decision here is whether its added cost compared to the 5700X is worth the performance improvement. When comparing the two, the 5800X outperforms the 5700X by a very tiny margin in every category.
It’s extremely similar to the 5700X but with a slightly higher base clock, boost clock, and TDP. You will need to weigh your priorities if the cost savings and potentially higher efficiency of the 5700X outweigh the performance gains that the 5800X offers.
The cracks may begin to show once you factor in very graphically intense games at higher resolution coupled with a high-end GPU. But chances are, if you’re buying top-of-the-line GPUs, you are also considering commensurate high-end CPUs. As is, the 5800X won’t be a bottleneck for your gaming needs.
When it comes to productivity, the Ryzen 7 5800X is still a very good option. Just like the slightly cheaper 5700X, it can handle video encoding and decoding quite well and still offers respectable performance for single and multi-threaded tasks.
The value proposition isn’t as strong as the 5700X, considering it’s a little bit more expensive, but overall it is more capable and will complete rendering tasks more quickly. However, the differences between the two are slight, and you will need to decide if that’s worth the increase in cost.
Compatibility-wise, the 5800X uses an AM4 socket which means it’s compatible with B450, X470, B550, A520, and X570 motherboards. This is great for builders that want to maximize gaming performance for each dollar spent and have an expanded budget or existing computers that could use a CPU replacement, but gaming is the focus.
In terms of power efficiency, the 5800X has a TDP of 105W with a maximum draw of 142W, meaning the CPU is potent but not necessarily efficient. If efficiency and lowering your overall thermal load are important to you, then you may be better suited with the 5700X considering its 65W TDP and lower maximum power draw.
Lastly, similar to the more potent CPUs, this chip does not come with a stock cooler. Due to its higher performance, we recommend at least a 240mm liquid cooler or a heavy-duty air cooler.
The Ryzen 7 5800X is a great, very well-rounded CPU that’s capable of a very wide variety of tasks you’ll use it for. The biggest argument against the 5800X is the existence of the more recent 5700X. The 5800X is more powerful, but not by that much. It also draws more power by default and requires higher cooling capacity to accommodate it.
If value is your preference, which it likely is if you’re considering the 5800X, then you’re most likely better suited with the 5700X.
Final Words
There you have it–The 6 Best Ryzen 7 CPUs in 2023 ranked from best to worst based on value and performance per dollar.
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Besides that, if you have any additional questions or are still not sure which CPU is best for your needs, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.
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