Ryzen 5 7520C vs Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

Ryzen 5 7520C

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2023
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Ryzen 5 7520C 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.

Ryzen 5 7520C 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.

Ryzen 5 7520C 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.

Ryzen 5 7520C

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (8,104 vs 22,430).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +87.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 7520C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7520C moves to FT6 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Ryzen 5 7520C?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 87.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 176.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 87.2% 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 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 176.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 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 at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 87.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7520C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 7520C vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 7520C

The Ryzen 5 7520C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 May 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 8,104 points. Launch price was $149.

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) (2019βˆ’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

The Ryzen 5 7520C packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7520C versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” a 2.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7520C uses the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023) architecture (6 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 7520C scores 8,104 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 β€” a 93.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7520C vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureRyzen 5 7520CRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
32 MB+700%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
6 nm-14%
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
8,104
22,430+177%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 7520C uses the FT6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 7520CRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
FT6
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
128 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
2
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
24