Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X [10 Games Tested]

PC enthusiasts from different parts of the world are eager to learn the difference between AMD’s two powerful processors, the 7700X and the 7600X. For this reason, we have decided to create a detailed Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X, in which we are going to compare the two. 

The Zen 4 release looks promising for a multi-purpose user who does productive tasks and plays games. Although, only real-time benchmarks will prove how much AMD has improved and whether you should opt for Zen 4. For that reason, let’s first look at the on-paper specifications of the two Ryzen 7000 series processors we are comparing.

Key Takeaways

• The Ryzen 7 7700X processor offers a slight performance uplift for its greater price.
• AM5 adoption might be scarce due to its extra costs of DDR5 RAM and expensive motherboards.
• The Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X are amazing gaming processors and work well with high-end graphics cards.
• Although not by a lot, the Ryzen 7 7700X shows abnormal behaviors in Cyberpunk 2077.

What’s New In Zen 4 Architecture?

With AMD’s release of a new architecture, consumers should know a few things before making a purchase decision. Of course, the thrill of owning a new chipset will never die; a quick run-down is important in itself. Thus, let’s dive into the nuances without further ado!

AM5 Socket

For starters, AMD has moved on from their AM4 socket, which offered excellent compatibility for five years. Furthermore, the AM5 socket introduces AMD’s shift from Pin Grid Array (PGA) to Land Grid Array (LGA). You can read our detailed guide on AM5 to learn more about it. 

Also, due to the change of sockets, AMD has introduced a new motherboard lineup. Of course, the chipset naming scheme is similar to the X570 and B550, now called the X670 and B650. However, the new chipset has a few nuances, with motherboards costing more than the processors.

Related

• Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 7600x
• Best Motherboards For Ryzen 7 7700x

DDR5 Support

Moreover, leaning towards technological advancements, AMD introduces DDR5 support in their Zen 4 processors. Although DDR5 is the only RAM that is supported, which can be problematic for consumers as they might not want to buy new RAM.

On the other hand, because Ryzen processors love more and faster RAM, we will see greater performance uplifts. But it’s important to note that Intel’s 12th gen processors support backward compatibility with DDR4 RAM. So, only support for DDR5 RAM is a negative point for AMD’s Zen 4 processors.

Therefore, adopting AM5 might not be the best option if you have a lower budget. Then again, the performance gains from AM4 to AM5 are pretty apparent. Also, you might be interested in reading our comparison guide on the Ryzen 9 7950X Vs. Ryzen 9 5950X.

Temperatures

You’d expect lower temperatures when AMD 7000 series processors use a 5nm process node. However, with AM5, we see a significant temperature increase, going up to 95C at stock settings.

In summary, they increased the CPU chipset size because AMD wanted to retain backward compatibility for their AM4 CPU coolers. Nonetheless, the move hasn’t been amazing for AMD because no one likes to see a volcano erupt in their PC.

Be that as it may, temperature anomalies are normally seen in higher-end Ryzen 7000 series processors. So, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 5 7600X should have lower temperatures.

Clock Speeds

With higher temperatures, we see greater clock speeds too. For example, every Ryzen 7000 series processor goes above a 5 GHz boost clock. On the other hand, if we look at AMD’s past, we have only seen a 4-6% clock speed increment from generation to generation.

To explain, the Zen 1 processors went to 4.1 GHz at stock settings. Furthermore, the Zen+ processors saw a 4% increment and went to 4.3 GHz. In a similar fashion, the Zen 2 architecture saw a 6% clock speed boost and went up to 4.7 GHz. Moreover, AMD’s last-gen processors using the Zen 3 architecture, saw a 4% increase and reached a pinnacle of 4.9 GHz.

However, Zen 4 shows an astounding 16% increase in clock speeds, with the Ryzen 9 7950X hitting 5.7 GHz! Of course, clock speeds don’t directly equate to better gaming performance, but they can equate to better production tasks.

Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X Specifications

While benchmarking two pieces of hardware is essential, looking at their specifications is important too. Doing so can determine which processor has better specs and performance per dollar ratio.

In light of the above table, there aren’t many differences between both processors. However, there is a sharp distinction between the prices of the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X.

Firstly, the biggest difference between the 7600X Vs. 7700X lies in the number of cores they have. Secondly, while the 7600X has a greater base clock, the 7700X has a greater boost clock. Other than that, there seem to be no differences between both CPUs.

Lastly, looking at the prices, we see that the Ryzen 7 7700X is slightly above MSRP. Also, the Ryzen 7 7700X is 43% more expensive than its competitor. So, unless the 7700X performs 43% better in games and productivity tasks, the 7600X has already won in pricing.

Gaming Benchmarks

As stated above, when comparing two pieces of hardware, we need to run benchmarks to determine their performance. In essence, for processors, we test them out in games and a few productivity benchmarks for both types of consumers. For our Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X gaming benchmarks, Benchmarks For Gamers has conducted the tests.

Testing Rig

• Motherboard: Gigabyte X670E Aorus Xtreme
• Graphics Card: GALAX RTX 3090 Ti EX Gamer
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 2 x 16 GB, 6000 MHz; CL36-36-36-96
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360mm
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X & AMD Ryzen 7 7700X

Above all, talking about the testing rig, first, let’s look into the motherboard. Because we have two processors which support the same chipset, we have the Gigabyte X670E motherboard. To that end, it is a premium motherboard, and its price isn’t ridiculously high either.

Secondly, we’re using the RTX 3090 Ti graphics card to ensure that none of the games are GPU-bound. To explain, we are less likely to lose frames because of a slower graphics card and can analyze results better.

Furthermore, we’re going with the G. Skill Trident Z5 16 GB DDR5 kit running at 6000 MHz. As Ryzen processors love fast RAM, the following kit should be a delicacy for both of our competitors.

Lastly, we’re using the Artic Liquid Freezer 360mm All-In-One cooler to decrease thermal throttling. While the lower-end Ryzen 7000 series processors don’t go to 90C, their temperatures are still absurdly high. Therefore, the Artic Liquid Freezer should help contain those temperatures and prevent extreme thermal throttling.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered

By and large, starting with our friendly neighborhood Spiderman’s game by Insomniac Games, we see peculiar results. While being one of the most famous PS5 games, Spider-Man Remastered has quite an amazing PC fanbase. Also, the game is well-optimized, allowing weaker systems to run it at low settings. However, once we enable ultra settings with all the eye candy, the processor and graphics card take heavy hits.

Firstly, looking at the wattage, we realize that the Ryzen 5 7600X uses significantly lower power. Subsequently, the power usage means the 7600X is less likely to have higher temperatures than its competitor. Inversely, the increased wattage allows the Ryzen 7 7700X to push itself further, giving better performance results.

Secondly, glancing at the temperatures, we see that the 7600X is 4C cooler than the 7700X resting at 61C. Of course, the temperature increase is a result of the higher wattage. But, it’s important to note that the increase in temperature is not as high as the increase in wattage. So, the Ryzen 7 7700X has better thermal capabilities.

Thirdly, viewing the frame times, we notice that the Ryzen 7 7700X has tighter frame times, amounting to smoother gameplay. By comparison, the Ryzen 5 7600X has ~16% slower frame times, making gameplay more difficult. So, the Ryzen 7 7700X might be the better option if you want to play competitive games due to its tighter frame times.

Lastly, skimming through the FPS, we learn that the Ryzen 7 7700X is slightly faster than the Ryzen 5 7600X. To explain, the 7700X is ~6% faster. On the other hand, the 7600X has better performance per dollar because of being 43% cheaper.

F1 2022

Next up, we have F1 2022 for our Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X benchmark test. Not only is F1 2022 great for CPU benchmarks, but it’s also a recent game that keeps our benchmarks up-to-date.

As can be seen from the image, F1 2022 has extremely similar performance in both AMD processors. For example, looking at the wattage, the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes 73W power. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 1W more, going up to 74 watts of power. Of course, these power values may convert to greater performance, depending on how much we use.

In like fashion, there are, again, no notable differences if we reference the temperatures. In summary, the Ryzen 5 7600X’s temperatures max out at 53C. However, the Ryzen 7 7700X caps out at 54C. Also, considering how Zen 4 processors have problems with thermals, these temperatures are remarkable for the performance that we’re getting.

In another case, talking about the frame times, surprisingly, the Ryzen 5 7600X has tighter timings. In contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600X gives us frame times of up to 2.9ms. Whereas the Ryzen 7 7700X has looser frame times at 3.2ms. So, that converts to a ~10.3% differential in terms of frame times.

Lastly, by analyzing the FPS, we see almost no differences between both processors. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X averages 334 FPS while the Ryzen 7 7700X averages 335 FPS. In conclusion, the Ryzen 7 7700X is ~0.3% faster, while the 7600X is ~43% more affordable.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

We have a unique game for our next title, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Due to its open-world characteristics, the game is a perfect title to test CPU core power.

Firstly, looking at power usage, we see a minimalistic difference between both processors. In short, the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes 86W power, while the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 99W power. Because the latter is more power-hungry, we expect such differences in other titles. Although, that will mean higher temperatures as well.

Secondly, talking about temperatures, there’s quite a difference between the temperatures of both processors. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X hovers around ~59C, whereas the Ryzen 7 7700X maxes out at ~64C. While we can attribute the temperature increase to the greater power draw, it’s probably also due to the thermal issues in Zen 4 processors.

Thirdly, analyzing the frame times, we see that the Ryzen 7 7700X takes back its spot for the lower timings. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X’s frame times are as tight as 4.8ms while the 7700X’s go to 4.4ms. So, the 7600X has ~9% slower frames than its competitor.

Lastly, reviewing the FPS, we see a greater performance gap between both processors. In contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600X is ~12% slower, averaging 193 FPS. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 7700X crosses the 200 FPS mark to get up to 216 FPS. However, the Ryzen 5 7600X has greater performance per dollar value due to its lower price.

Far Cry 6

How can we conduct a processor benchmark without adding the infamous game, Far Cry 6? Due to the game’s requirements, we have an interesting set of results in this particular title.

Be that as it may, talking about power draw, there is a slight difference in the power usage of both processors. Now, because the Ryzen 7 7700X can utilize more power, it draws more power too. We see that the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 75W power while the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes 70W power.

But when we talk about the temperatures, even though the 7700X has a greater power draw, its temperatures are lower. Although only by 1C, the Ryzen 5 7600X runs hotter than the Ryzen 7 7700X in Far Cry 6. So, the Ryzen 7 7700X, somehow, averages better thermal performance even through a higher power draw.

Then again, looking at the frame times of both processors, we see a greater increase in latency for the 7600X. To explain, the Ryzen 7 7700X has a frame time latency of 7.8ms. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 7600X has a frame time latency of 8.8ms, being ~13% slower. Although you won’t notice a great difference in Far Cry 6, it could cost you the match in competitive games.

Reviewing the FPS, overall, there aren’t any changes in performance for both Ryzen 7000 series processors. On the contrary, the Ryzen 7 7700X averages one extra frame, capping 143. So, we realize that the Ryzen 5 7600X performs better per dollar, going toe-to-toe with its adversary.

Valorant

For our next game, we have the ever-popular competitive game, Valorant. After all, being one of the only modern-day games that don’t require extreme specs, Valorant amuses many gamers.

Firstly, looking at power usage, we notice a slight bump in usage for the Ryzen 7 7700X. While the bump isn’t massive, an increase in power draw should also result in a bump in performance. On the contrary, in Valorant, even though utilizing six watts more, the performance uplift is negligible. Also, the power uplift is the main cause of the increase in temperatures.

Furthermore, talking about temperatures, we see a considerable increase in temperatures for both Ryzen 7000 series processors. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X has a max temperature of 61C, but the Ryzen 7 7700X goes to 68C. So, we see a 7C increment with an increase of six watts of power.

Moreover, analyzing the frame times, we see that both processors have extremely low frame latencies. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X showcases latencies up to 0.8ms. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 7700X has tighter latencies at 0.6ms. While in terms of performance, you won’t see differences in Valorant, the 7700X is stronger in terms of faster frames.

Lastly, reviewing the average FPS, we understand that there aren’t any differences in overall performance. But because the game shows such a high FPS, it’s clear that we’re GPU-bound. Therefore, if you’re planning on buying a Ryzen 7000 series processor to play Valorant, we recommend the Ryzen 5 7600X. Not only because of its performance but because of its price too.

Cyberpunk 2077

When conducting processor and graphics card benchmarks, adding Cyberpunk 2077 has become the norm. Not only is the game extremely difficult to run, but it can also give us anomalous results.

On account of the above benchmark in our Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. Ryzen 5 7600X guide, we see that the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes more power than its competitor. Compared to the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes three extra watts, which might increase its temperatures. While we know the 7700X should have a greater power draw, it didn’t give its maximum output in Cyberpunk 2077.

On the other hand, if we notice the temperatures, unlike previous predictions, the Ryzen 7 7700X is significantly hotter. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X goes up to 63C with a maximum load of 90W. However, the Ryzen 7 7700X shoots up to 70C with a power usage of 87W. So, the thermals of the Ryzen 5 7600X are significantly better than the 7700X in this particular title.

In similar fashion, analyzing the frame times, we realize that the Ryzen 5 7600X has greatly lower latencies. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X has frame times of 8.9ms. But, the Ryzen 7 7700X has frame times of 9.7ms. In summary, the Ryzen 7 7700X’s frames are ~9.8% slower. Although the frame times won’t affect Cyberpunk’s gameplay, they can cost competitive game matches.

All things considered, reviewing the average FPS, the Ryzen 5 7600X beats the Ryzen 7 7700X. In comparison, the Ryzen 5 7600X averages 118 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 7700X averages 105. Therefore, not only is the 7600X 43% cheaper, it has ~12.3% more FPS in Cyberpunk.

Call Of Duty: Warzone

Looking at a not-so-old shooter game, we have Call of Duty: Warzone for the next test. While the game is GPU-bound, a stronger processor is required to load the map on the spot.

Firstly, looking at the power draw, we see a substantial difference in power utilization for both processors. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes 79W power, but the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 90W power. Consequently, of all the games we have checked, Call of Duty produces the biggest power draw differences.

Secondly, talking about the temperatures, we notice a similar difference, where the Ryzen 5 7600X is cooler. Although both processors cross 70C, the Ryzen 5 7600X hits 71C, meanwhile the Ryzen 7 7700X hits 79C. So, if you’re conscious about temperatures, the 7600X might be the better choice.

Thirdly, reviewing the frame times, we detect that the Ryzen 7 7700X has tighter frame timings. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X has ~6.25% slower frames, averaging 5.1ms. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 7700X averages 4.8ms, having tighter frame latencies. Therefore, you’re better off with the Ryzen 7 7700X if you want to play competitive games.

In conclusion, analyzing the average FPS of both Ryzen 7000 series processors, we see a slight uplift for the 7700X. In summary, the Ryzen 5 7600X has an average FPS of 193. However, the Ryzen 7 7700X averages 199 FPS, making it ~3.1% faster. For that reason, the Ryzen 5 7600X is the better processor due to its greater performance per dollar ratio.

Fortnite

Talking about competitive games, for our next title, we shall be looking at Fortnite. Not only is the game GPU-bound, but its dependency on the CPU is also quite high.

In any case, looking at the power draw, we see a massive difference between the power draw of both processors. Despite both processors using the same chipset, the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 90W power. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes 79W power. So, the Ryzen 7 7700X is prone to greater temperatures.

Furthermore, glancing at the temperatures, we notice that the Ryzen 5 7600X runs slightly cooler than its competitor. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X maxes out at 56C, but the Ryzen 7 7700X goes up to 64C. Therefore, the Ryzen 5 7600X has better thermal capabilities than its rival. However, we can expect greater performance from the Ryzen 7 7700X.

Similarly, reviewing the frame times, we realize that the Ryzen 7 7700X has tighter frame times. While frame times aren’t an elaborate issue in story-type games, they’re extremely important in competitive games. As such, the Ryzen 7 7700X, having ~9.5% faster frames, is the better option for competitive titles.

Lastly, studying the average FPS gained through both processors, we see that the 7700X is slightly in the lead. Although the higher frames are a bonus, the cost consumers pay for the amount earned is important to know. For that reason, a ~1.3% performance uplift for a 43% more expensive processor isn’t a good deal.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive

For our last game, we’re looking at the ever-popular Counter Strike: Global Offensive. The game is famous for its competitiveness and because you don’t need a strong computer to run it. However, it is CPU-bound in its own right.

Firstly, talking about the power draw, we see that the Ryzen 5 7600X utilizes more power in CSGO. To explain, the Ryzen 5 7600X uses 69W power, whereas the Ryzen 7 7700X utilizes 65W power. Although the difference isn’t a lot, it breaks the norm we have seen in most games.

Secondly, looking at the temperatures, we see an abnormal 65C exhibited by the Ryzen 5 7600X. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 7700X is slightly cooler, with a maximum temperature of 60C. While the temperature increase is due to the wattage usage, we don’t see similar performance uplifts for the 7600X.

Thirdly, glancing at the frame times, we realize there is a massive difference in frame times for both processors. For example, the Ryzen 5 7600X has frame times of 2.3ms. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700X has frame latencies of 1.5ms. To that end, the 7600X’s latencies are ~53.3% slower than its competitor’s!

Lastly, reviewing the FPS, we witness a slight gap in average FPS between both processors. That is to say, while the numerical difference might look like a lot, in percentages, the difference isn’t astronomical. On the contrary, the Ryzen 7 7700X is only ~4.24% faster than the Ryzen 5 7600X. So, if you want to buy a processor which offers a better price-to-performance ratio, the 7600X might be the one.

Gaming Benchmarks Verdict

After going through various games in the benchmarks at 1080P resolution, we see peculiar results. There are multiple viewpoints a consumer should look at before buying a processor.

For example, a consumer should know the processor’s power usage and temperature. To that end, talking about the Ryzen 5 7600X Vs. 7700X processors, the former utilizes lower power and has lower temperatures. However, the Ryzen 7 7700X doesn’t show erratic temperatures and is only a few degrees higher.

Secondly, consumers should check the frame times of the processor they want to buy. It must be remembered that frame times are crucial for competitive games. For example, a higher latency might cause you to miss the winning shot. For that reason, the Ryzen 7 7700X is the better option due to its tighter frame times.

Lastly, consumers should also look at the performance per dollar ratio before buying any piece of hardware. If we look at the average FPS of all the games in the benchmark, the Ryzen 5 7600X is more efficient. What’s more, the Ryzen 5 7600X averages 3,795 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 7 7700X averages 3,871 FPS. To explain, the Ryzen 7 7700X is ~2% faster than its rival. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 7600X is 43% cheaper.

Thus, if money is a constraint for you, we recommend going with the Ryzen 5 7600X. Of course, processors aren’t only used for gaming, but the Ryzen 5 7600X and 7700X offer similar production performance.

Who Is This Article For?

By all means, the Ryzen 7 7700X Vs. 7600X article is for customers who might be looking to adopt the new Zen 4 architecture. For that reason, we have discussed what to expect in Zen 4 processors.

Furthermore, we broke down the specifications of both Ryzen processors and then looked at their benchmarks. Moreover, in every game, we went through the frame times, power draw, temperatures, and the average FPS of both processors.

Also, we compared the overall performance of both processors and came to multiple conclusions for consumers. For example, a consumer might want to buy a processor based on its performance per dollar ratio, power draw, and frame times.