Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-8700

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-8700

6 / 12

12,747

0.0%

21,845

+71.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 i7-8700 vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i7-8700 vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,747 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i7-8700?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 71.4% 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 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.4% 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 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 71.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in $4 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 73.7% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8700 and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 52.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	12288 kB	32 MB+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	12,747	21,845+71%
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,969	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,535	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 20% 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 i7-8700) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 300-series (Core i7-8700) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i7-8700	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700 was priced at $303, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($303 vs $299), Ryzen 5 5600X was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700 delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 53.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$303	$299-1%
Performance per Dollar	42.1	73.1+74%
Release Date	2017	2020

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