Core i5-7600K vs Ryzen 3 2200G

Core i5-7600K vs Ryzen 3 2200G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7600K

4 / 4

6,813

+1.1%

6,736

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-7600K vs Ryzen 3 2200G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-7600K vs Ryzen 3 2200G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-7600K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 2200G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.4 vs 68.0 PassMark/$ ($217 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.

Ryzen 3 2200G

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $118 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $217 MSRP).
✅Delivers 116.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.0 vs 31.4 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $217 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,736 vs 6,813).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7600K better than Ryzen 3 2200G?

Yes. Core i5-7600K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7600K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-7600K is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7600K comes in 119.2% more expensive on MSRP at $217 MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 2200G only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 6,736 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 3 2200G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7600K vs Ryzen 3 2200G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-7600K

The Core i5-7600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,813 points. Launch price was $242.

Ryzen 3 2200G

The Ryzen 3 2200G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,736 points. Launch price was $99.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7600K and Ryzen 3 2200G share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7600K versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 2200G — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-7600K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 2200G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600K scores 6,813 against the Ryzen 3 2200G's 6,736 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-7600K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 2200G.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Ryzen 3 2200G
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+9%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,813+1%	6,736
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,143	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,800	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 2200G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Ryzen 3 2200G
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600K) / not specified (Ryzen 3 2200G). The Core i5-7600K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 2200G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600K targets Gaming/Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Ryzen 3 2200G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming/Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7600K was priced at $217, while the Ryzen 3 2200G came in at $99. On launch pricing ($217 vs $99), Ryzen 3 2200G was $118 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7600K delivers 31.4 pts/$ vs 68.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 2200G — making the Ryzen 3 2200G the 73.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Ryzen 3 2200G
MSRP	$217	$99-54%
Performance per Dollar	31.4	68.0+117%
Release Date	2017	2018

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