Core i7-7820X vs Ryzen 7 2700X

Core i7-7820X vs Ryzen 7 2700X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-7820X

8 / 16

17,171

0.0%

17,450

+1.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i7-7820X vs Ryzen 7 2700X 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 i7-7820X vs Ryzen 7 2700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7820X

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,171 vs 17,450).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.7 vs 53.0 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 105W.

Ryzen 7 2700X

2018

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Costs $270 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 85.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.0 vs 28.7 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 140W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 2700X better than Core i7-7820X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7820X is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 2700X pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 2700X also has the bigger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 2700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 2700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 2700X comes in $270 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-7820X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 85.0% better value on MSRP (53.0 vs 28.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 2700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 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 i7-7820X vs Ryzen 7 2700X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7820X

The Core i7-7820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.

Ryzen 7 2700X

The Ryzen 7 2700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.35 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,450 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7820X and Ryzen 7 2700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X versus 4.35 GHz on the Ryzen 7 2700X — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-7820X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 2700X uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7820X scores 17,171 against the Ryzen 7 2700X's 17,450 — a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 2700X. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2700X.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Ryzen 7 2700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+3%	4.35 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	11 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+45%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	17,171	17,450+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7820X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 2700X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Ryzen 7 2700X
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-7820X) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 2700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 2700X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Ryzen 7 2700X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-7820X was priced at $599, while the Ryzen 7 2700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($599 vs $329), Ryzen 7 2700X was $270 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7820X delivers 28.7 pts/$ vs 53.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 2700X — making the Ryzen 7 2700X the 59.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Ryzen 7 2700X
MSRP	$599	$329-45%
Performance per Dollar	28.7	53.0+85%
Release Date	2017	2018

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