Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Core i7-10700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 7 5800X Performance Spectrum

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 i7-10700 vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 i7-10700 vs Ryzen 7 5800X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10700

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $84 less on MSRP ($365 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 630, while Ryzen 7 5800X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 5800X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (16,067 vs 27,712).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.0 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($365 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Delivers 40.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $365 MSRP).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 23% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$365 MSRP
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core i7-10700?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 72.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.6% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 72.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in 23.0% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $365 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 40.2% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 44.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-10700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-10700

The Core i7-10700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 16,067 points. Launch price was $340.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-10700 and Ryzen 7 5800X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-10700 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700 scores 16,067 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 53.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCore i7-10700Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+2%
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.8 GHz+31%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
32 MB+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
16,067
27,712+72%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,250
Geekbench 6 Single
1,597
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,926
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800X — the Ryzen 7 5800X supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-10700) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B460,H470,Z490,B560,Z590 (Core i7-10700) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 5800X).

FeatureCore i7-10700Ryzen 7 5800X
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5800X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). The Core i7-10700 includes integrated graphics (UHD 630), while the Ryzen 7 5800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10700 targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700 rivals Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i7-10700Ryzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD 630
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700 was priced at $365, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($365 vs $449), Core i7-10700 was $84 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700 delivers 44.0 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 33.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-10700Ryzen 7 5800X
MSRP
$365-19%
$449
Performance per Dollar
44.0
61.7+40%
Release Date
2020
2020

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