Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Core i7-8700K
Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Core i7-8700K
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Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($486) | ✅ More affordable ($160) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+51%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($486) | ✅ More affordable ($160) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Core i7-8700K
Ryzen 9 7950X3D
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,323 points. Launch price was $699.
Core i7-8700K
The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Core i7-8700K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Core i7-8700K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D scores 62,323 against the Core i7-8700K's 13,572 — a 128.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+167% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5.7 GHz+21% | 4.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.2 GHz+14% | 3.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total)+967% | 12288 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 62,323+359% | 13,572 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 38,581 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,926 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 19,643 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700K — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D supports 22.2% 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: 28 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) vs 16 (Core i7-8700K) — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5200+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) / not specified (Core i7-8700K). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 7950X3D rivals Core i9-13900K.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D launched at $699 MSRP, while the Core i7-8700K debuted at $359. At current prices ($486 vs $160), the Core i7-8700K is $326 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 7950X3D delivers 128.2 pts/$ vs 84.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700K — making the Ryzen 9 7950X3D the 40.8% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $699 | $359-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $486 | $160-67% |
| Performance per Dollar | 128.2+51% | 84.8 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2017 |
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