Core i7-10700KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i7-10700KF

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core i7-10700KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 i7-10700KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 i7-10700KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10700KF

2020

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (18,380 vs 22,430).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 45.4 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($405 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
    • 92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

    Ryzen 7 3700X

    2019

    Why buy it

    • +22% higher PassMark.
    • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
    • Costs $76 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $405 MSRP).
    • Delivers 50.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 45.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $405 MSRP).
    • Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i7-10700KF?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-10700KF is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700X pulls ahead with 22% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 22% 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 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $76 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $405 MSRP, and it still gives you 22% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-10700KF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 50.2% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 45.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10700KF can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i7-10700KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Core i7-10700KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i7-10700KF

    The Core i7-10700KF 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,380 points. Launch price was $299.

    AMD

    Ryzen 7 3700X

    The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

    Processing Power

    Both the Core i7-10700KF and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i7-10700KF versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700KF (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-10700KF uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700KF scores 18,380 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 19.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700KF vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

    FeatureCore i7-10700KFRyzen 7 3700X
    Cores / Threads
    8 / 16
    8 / 16
    Boost Clock
    5.1 GHz+16%
    4.4 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.8 GHz+6%
    3.6 GHz
    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)
    Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
    PassMark
    18,380
    22,430+22%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-10700KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i7-10700KFRyzen 7 3700X
    Socket
    LGA1200
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    24
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i7-10700KF was priced at $405, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($405 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $76 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700KF delivers 45.4 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 40.1% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-10700KFRyzen 7 3700X
    MSRP
    $405
    $329-19%
    Performance per Dollar
    45.4
    68.2+50%
    Release Date
    2020
    2019

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