It is time to evaluate the Ryzen 7 5700X in opposition to the Core i7-12700F, two comparatively inexpensive and highly effective 8-core CPUs. Now, we all know the Intel processor prices a bit bit extra, and we’re positive some will argue that the Core i5-12600KF is probably a “fairer” matchup, however this was closely requested so let’s have a look at what’s what between these two for now.
As of writing, Intel’s 12700F may be had for $310, whereas the 5700X is barely cheaper at $285, or a few 9% premium for the Intel CPU. In different areas like Australia, the 5700X usually retails for $425 and the 12700F $480 (AUD), which is barely steeper for the Intel half, however your mileage will undoubtedly range.
It is most likely value noting that in Australia the 5700X is about 10% costlier than the 12600KF and a bit over 20% costlier than the bottom mannequin 12600, so any method you go, it isn’t going to be totally apples to apples when it comes to pricing. However what we’re most to see is how the 5700X and 12700F stack up in gaming, so let’s get on with it.
For this one we have a 23 recreation benchmark protecting 1080p and 1440p resolutions utilizing each the Radeon RX 6950 XT and Radeon RX 6600 XT with SAM enabled.
The motherboard used for testing the Ryzen 7 5700X is the previous MSI B350 Tomahawk utilizing the newest BIOS revision based mostly on the AGESA 1.2.0.7 microcode, which allows Resizable BAR together with help for Ryzen 5000 processors. It ought to be famous that as proven earlier than, efficiency is inside a number of p.c of what we see with the newest and biggest X570 boards, making upgrades very sensible.
We have caught with the B350 Tomahawk for a number of causes. Firstly, we already had the information and know it is comparable with what we would discover utilizing newer and costlier X570 boards. It additionally paints a fairly new image for the AMD processor, provided that it not solely works on a 5-year-old motherboard, but it surely competes very properly when doing so.
In the meantime, for the 12700F, we require a model new motherboard and for testing we’re utilizing the $260 MSI Z690 Tomahawk DDR4, which we’ll talk about extra about in direction of the tip of this text. For each methods we have gone with 32GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 dual-rank dual-channel reminiscence.
With these particulars out of the best way, let’s go over a number of of the video games examined after which we’ll check out the 23 recreation common.
Benchmarks
Beginning with Fortnite, we discover that the 12700F and 5700X are very evenly matched and each will provide a first-class expertise. The Ryzen CPU was as much as 4% quicker which is negligible, so the margins are shut sufficient to name this one a tie.
Just lately when testing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D we discovered that the cache-heavy CPU was a beast in ACC, delivering one of the best efficiency we have ever seen on this title.
Nevertheless, normal Zen 3 CPUs aren’t practically as spectacular and we see right here that the 12700F is as much as 40% quicker than the 5700X, seen when trying on the 1% lows.
The margin for the common body charge is about half that determine. Nonetheless even utilizing the 6600 XT at 1440p sees the 1% lows improved by 14% with the Intel CPU, so a powerful consequence for the 12700F.
Cyberpunk 2077 performs finest with the 12700F when testing extra CPU sure situations equivalent to 1080p with the Radeon RX 6950 XT, the place the Intel half was as much as 37% quicker. That margin was closely decreased at 1440p although with the common body charges principally an identical, although the 12700F was 13% quicker when trying on the 1% lows. Then when utilizing the 6600 XT efficiency was a match as we’re not closely GPU sure utilizing both of these CPUs.
CS: GO is extraordinarily CPU limitless utilizing both the 6600 XT or 6950 XT, however as an previous recreation it is not CPU restricted extra within the sense that it would not absolutely make the most of trendy CPUs, so it is a software program bottleneck greater than anything.
Right here the 12700F was as much as 22% quicker because of its stronger single core efficiency, however each CPUs allowed for 1% lows of over 170 fps with averages properly in extra of 300 fps.
Rainbow Six Extraction is an instance of a recreation that may be performed at tons of of frames per second with trendy CPUs, whereas nonetheless being totally GPU restricted utilizing the second highest high quality preset.
Each the 5700X and 12700F allowed for over 200 fps always in our check, leading to common frames of over 300 fps. That is loads quick.
Subsequent we have now F1 2021 and this one does begin to grow to be CPU sure with the 5700X as soon as we’re pushing up round 300 fps. Once more, that is extra efficiency than most players are going to wish for this title. So though the 12700F was as much as 16% quicker with the 6950 XT at 1080p, it hardly issues with the 5700X maintaining body charges above 200 fps always.
Forza Horizon 5 is a beautiful and fashionable racing recreation that is not that heavy on the CPU. Each processors can push properly over 200 fps when the GPU was able to it. The 12700F nudged forward by a 5% margin with the 6950 XT at 1080p, however that is actually an insignificant distinction that no gamer goes to note.
Hitman 3 is a CPU intensive recreation that makes use of these CPUs very properly. Right here the 12700F has a transparent efficiency benefit, enhancing 1% lows by as much as a 22% margin. Curiously although, even with the a lot slower 6600 XT, the 12700F was as much as 17% quicker at 1080p, suggesting that there’s some form of overhead or latency difficulty with the Ryzen processor on this title.
The Riftbreaker is one other recreation that works higher with Intel’s Alder Lake structure, boosting 1% lows with the 6950 XT at 1080p by as a lot as 41% whereas additionally rising the common body charge by 27%.
These are some fairly vital margins and it isn’t till we drop right down to the 6600 XT that the margins shut up, however even at 1080p the 12700F was nonetheless as much as 12% quicker.
The final recreation that we’re particular person outcomes is Watch Canines Legion, some of the CPU and GPU demanding video games we have now for testing. The 12700F was 16-17% quicker than the 5700X when testing with the 6950 XT at 1080p and the margins have been comparable even at 1440p. In reality, even when utilizing the 6600 XT, the 12700F was as much as 13% quicker and it wasn’t till we elevated the decision to 1440p that the hole was decreased to an insignificant margin.
23 Recreation Common
Throughout the all of the video games examined, the Core i7-12700F was on common 7% quicker when common FPS than the 5700X, whereas the 1% lows have been improved by 10% when utilizing the 6950 XT at 1080p. That is not a large uplift, however nonetheless a good matchup for Intel. At 1440p these figures shut as much as 9% for the 1% lows, and simply 4% for common body charges.
In the meantime, these of you utilizing extra mid-range GPUs will see even much less of a distinction. For instance, with the 6600 XT, the 12700F was on common simply 5% quicker for the 1% lows, and a pair of% for the common body charge at 1080p. Then we see no actual efficiency distinction at 1440p regardless of common body charges of simply over 100 fps.
Taking a look at 1080p margins on a per recreation foundation utilizing the 6950 XT — essentially the most CPU restricted check outcomes we have now for this comparability — on common, the 5700X was 6% slower and though we see a minimum of one recreation the place it was as much as 20% quicker, there are 4 examples the place it was slower by greater than a 20% margin.
Solely 9 of the 23 video games examined noticed a margin of 5% or much less in both route, which means there have been simply 3 examples the place the 5700X received by a significant margin, however 10 the place it misplaced.
Utilizing a much less excessive GPU such because the 6600 XT tremendously decreased the efficiency margins seen between these two CPUs and now even at 1080p the 5700X was simply 2% slower on common.
Loss of life Stranding is the one title to favor Ryzen by a significant margin, whereas Watch Canines Legion and ACC have been the one titles the place it misplaced by a major distinction.
Finest 8-Core CPU for Avid gamers
So which CPU is best? That is dependent upon a number of issues… The apparent situation to get out of the best way is the improve path for individuals who already personal a superbly good AM4 motherboard. When you fall into that case, then essentially the most price efficient choice is to go along with the 5700X by far.
Now, for brand spanking new system builders the selection is much much less apparent, so let’s break down the prices. The 5700X is at present retailing for $285 and an honest B550 board such because the MSI B550M Professional-VDH WiFi prices an extra $100, in order that’s a $385 combo.
The 12700F prices $310 and one of the best finances B660 boards proper now are the MSI Professional B660M-A and B660M Bazooka and each price $140, so a $450 combo. For the motherboard and CPU you’re looking at 15-20% premium when going Intel, although in the event you’re constructing a $1,500 PC that is solely a ~5% distinction. Or in the event you’re placing collectively one thing nearer to $1,000 or extra, it is lower than a ten% value discrepancy on the full system.
When it comes to gaming efficiency, which we simply checked out, the 12700F is general quicker which does justify the value enhance in our opinion. When you’re not planning on upgrading within the close to future then we expect the Core i7-12700F is the higher long-term funding because it’s usually quicker now, whereas the stronger single-core efficiency will see it fare higher in future video games.
When you have been to alter your thoughts down the observe, you may have the choice of upgrading to a Thirteenth-gen Raptor Lake CPU. We do not know but if there shall be any worthwhile choices for a 12700F proprietor, in order that’s extra of a possibly proper now.
We’re much less drawn to the Ryzen 7 5700X for individuals who aren’t already invested in AM4. It is definitely an excellent gaming CPU, however there isn’t any actual benefit that might see me choose it over the 12700F. Exterior of gaming, the 12700F can be a way more highly effective CPU as these 4 E-cores work wonders for core-heavy productiveness workloads.
AMD followers may level to energy consumption and working temperatures, however the fact is the 12700F is each bit as simple to chill because the 5700X, and energy consumption when gaming is just about an identical. Then when working core-heavy workloads, the 12700F and 5700X energy utilization is not that totally different and the efficiency per watt results in favor of the Core i7.
In the end, you can be totally happy with both choice, each are nice gaming CPUs that deal with the newest and biggest video games with ease and can proceed to ship high-end efficiency for a few years to come back.
Buying Shortcuts:
- Intel Core i7-12700F on Amazon
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon
- MSI Z690 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 on Amazon
- MSI B350 Tomahawk on Amazon
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon
- Intel Core i9-12900K on Amazon
- Intel Core i5-12600K on Amazon