Core i5-7640X vs Ryzen 7 3700U

CPU

GPU

Core i5-7640X

4 Cores4 Thrd112 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 3700U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-7640X vs Ryzen 7 3700U Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7640X

4 / 4

7,060

+0.2%

7,049

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 i5-7640X vs Ryzen 7 3700U 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 i5-7640X vs Ryzen 7 3700U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7640X

2017

Why buy it

✅+78.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,726 vs 3,826).
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 3700U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌646.7% higher power demand at 112W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 3700U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 3700U

2019

Why buy it

✅+2.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 15W instead of 112W, a 97W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 10, while Core i5-7640X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (794 vs 1,419).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700U better than Core i5-7640X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7640X is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700U pulls ahead with 2.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-7640X also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700U is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 3700U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 7 3700U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-7640X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (28.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

Ryzen 7 3700U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7640X vs Ryzen 7 3700U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7640X

The Core i5-7640X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 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: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,060 points. Launch price was $242.

Ryzen 7 3700U

The Ryzen 7 3700U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,049 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7640X packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 3700U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7640X versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700U — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7640X (base: 4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700U uses Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7640X scores 7,060 against the Ryzen 7 3700U's 7,049 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-7640X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,726 vs 3,826 (2.6% advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,419 vs 794, a 56.5% lead for the Core i5-7640X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,726 vs 3,115 (17.9% advantage for the Core i5-7640X). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7640X vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 3700U.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Ryzen 7 3700U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+74%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Kaby Lake-X (2017)	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
PassMark	7,060	7,049
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,726	3,826+3%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,419+79%	794
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,726+20%	3,115

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7640X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-7640X versus DDR4-2400 on the Ryzen 7 3700U — the Core i5-7640X supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-7640X) vs 12 (Ryzen 7 3700U) — the Core i5-7640X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i5-7640X) and FP5 (Ryzen 7 3700U).

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Ryzen 7 3700U
Socket	LGA2066	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+11%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-7640X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-7640X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 3700U). The Ryzen 7 3700U includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 10), while the Core i5-7640X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7640X targets Desktop, Ryzen 7 3700U targets Mainstream Laptop.