As summer approaches, the fierce competition between Intel and AMD remains as strong as ever in their shared history as semiconductor rivals. Throughout their rivalry, both companies have alternated in offering more efficiency, processing power, gaming performance, and value for money. Recently, Intel's 13th gen CPUs have dominated the gaming and desktop performance computing segments, while AMD's 7000 series CPUs have been recognized for their better value for money and performance per watt. However, AMD has responded with its X3D CPUs, which have taken the lead in the enthusiast gaming segment. In recent years, Intel has pursued a high IPC, high clock approach, while AMD has focused on efficiency with its 3D V-Cache, starting with the 5800X3D. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the flagship of AMD's X3D push, which was held back until early adopters had purchased the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7900X3D for good reason: it is simply excellent for gaming.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D goes head-to-head with Intel's top-tier Core i7 and Core i9 processors, often outperforming its competitors due to its impressive 96MB L3 cache. This allows the octa-core processor to deliver unparalleled gaming performance. However, Intel has not backed down and has released the Intel Core i9 13900KS, the first official 6GHz CPU, to maintain its position as the performance leader. Additionally, Intel has bundled game packages with its 13th gen Rocket Lake-based CPUs to prevent AMD from gaining ground in the enthusiast space.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D reigns supreme as AMD's top-of-the-line CPU for gaming. Its exceptional performance and efficiency currently rank it at the top of the charts. Equipped with 3D V-Cache technology, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D boasts unparalleled gaming capabilities on a PC.
Brand: AMD
CPU Model: Ryzen 7 7800X3D
CPU Socket: AM5
Cores: 8
Threads: 16
PCIe 4.0 Support: Yes, Supports Up to PCI-E 5.0
Architecture: Zen 4
Process: 5nm
Base Clock Speed: 4.2GHz
Boost Clock Speed: 5.0GHz
Cache: 8MB L2 + 96MB L3
TDP: 120W
iGPU: Yes, Integrated Radeon 2 Core
Price: $450 at Amazon, $450 at Newegg
Brand: Intel
CPU Model: Core i7-13700K
Price: $350 at Amazon, $420 at Newegg (Save $70)
The Intel Core i7 13700K: A Powerful All-Rounder
The Core i7-13700K from Intel boasts an impressive 16 cores and 24 threads, making it a powerful option for high-performance computing. It features PCIe 4.0 support and comes equipped with the Rocket Lake architecture, which is built on the Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) process. With a base clock speed of 3.4 GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.4 GHz, this CPU can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. It also comes with a cache of 54MB and a TDP of 253W, along with the Intel UHD 770 iGPU. Available at $350 on Amazon, $391 on Walmart, and $400 on Best Buy, the Core i7-13700K is a great choice for those looking for top-notch performance.
The Intel Core i7-13700K offers exceptional value in the top-tier CPU market. With proper cooling and overclocking, it surpasses most non-X3D AMD processors. Additionally, if you have a 600 series motherboard from your previous CPU, this processor will work with a bios update. It boasts 16 cores divided into 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores, and 24 processing threads. The maximum clock speed is 5.2 GHz, and it comes with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770. At only $350, it's a steal compared to its competitors.
The Intel Core i7 13700K, a high-end CPU from the 13th generation Rocket Lake-based desktop processors by Intel, boasts a Big.Little 8+8 core configuration comprising of performance cores (P-Cores) and efficiency cores (E-Cores). This CPU is compatible with both 6XX series (12th gen) and 7XX series (13th gen) motherboards and packs a powerful punch with its 16-core, 24-thread offerings. It is similar to the 12th gen Core i9 12900K, but with better clocking and optimization, and comes at a more affordable price point. Although not the fastest chip from Intel, the Intel Core i7 13700K is a close second to the Intel Core i9 13900K in terms of P-Cores and clock speed, and performs exceptionally well in single-core and multicore benchmarks, especially in gaming. If you plan to pair it with a GPU, it may be worth considering its slightly cheaper GPU-less variant, the Intel Core i7 13700KF.
Your
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Octa-Core Gaming Ace
can make up for the substantial expenses of cooling that will unavoidably be necessary to support the seamless and unimpeded operation of the 13700K in most gaming and productivity applications. The Core i7 13700K and 13700KF both generate significantly more heat than their predecessors and demand exceedingly robust cooling to ensure optimal performance without being throttled due to insufficient cooling.The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D boasts exceptional gaming performance and is considered one of the top CPUs currently available. Its 3D V-Cache technology gives it an edge when it comes to PC gaming, making it a worthy competitor in the market. The CPU supports up to PCI-E 5.0 and has a base clock speed of 4.2GHz, which can be boosted up to 5.0GHz. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it runs efficiently in terms of power draw, consuming an average of 50W while gaming. Additionally, it is cheaper than both AMD and Intel flagships while still outperforming both in gaming. However, its multi-core performance is weaker compared to the 13700K and it has lower clocks than the 7700X. Despite these limitations, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a solid choice for gamers looking for a high-performing CPU.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, equipped with octa-core 3D V-Cache technology, currently reigns as the top performer for gaming, and rightfully so. Its exceptional gaming capabilities surpass even Intel's flagship Core i9 13900K and AMD's own 16-core 3D V-Cache-enabled 7950X3D, while maintaining power efficiency that surpasses most high-performance CPUs, using just above 50W in most benchmarks during gaming. The secret behind its success lies in AMD's 3D V-Cache, which allowed the Zen 3-based CPU to surpass Intel's top-end processors with ease and at a reduced cost, giving it a significant edge since its initial release in April 2022 on the 5800X3D. Although the 7800X3D ships unlocked, allowing users to make use of AMD's Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) based overclocks, which have already enabled users to reach clock speeds of 5.4GHz (or possibly higher), putting it on par with the Ryzen 7 7700X in terms of clock speeds. With this in mind, we anticipate enthusiasts to continue experimenting with their individual chips to identify the best possible presets in the upcoming days.
The 7800X3D's thermal limitations should be taken into consideration with its TJMax of 89 degrees. This is due to the stacked 3D V-Cache operating at higher temperatures than the cores, causing AMD to adjust the thermal limits to prevent damage to the processor. Additionally, the 7800X3D falls short in terms of multicore and multithreaded performance compared to its Intel counterpart, making it more suitable for gaming rather than productivity-related tasks.
Gaming Performance
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D dominates in all gaming benchmarks at 1080P thanks to its 3D V-Cache advantage and Zen 4 cores. It even outperforms its higher-end sibling, the 7950X3D, with ease and leaves Intel's top-end 13900K far behind, even when overclocking is taken into account. The Intel Core i7 13700K is a close contender to the 13900K but falls short in performance compared to AMD's latest offering.
However, it's important to note that not all benchmarks favor the 7800X3D. Games like GTA V and Assassin's Creed: Valhalla have a negligible performance difference between the 7800X3D and Intel chips, while multiplayer esports titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) tend to favor Intel's 13700K/13900K, making it a better choice for certain gaming scenarios.
Productivity Use
Intel Core i7 13700K | AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | |
PassMark Single core | 4397 | 3796 |
PassMark Multicore | 47020 | 35104 |
Cinebench R23 Single core | 2126 | 1811 |
Cinebench R23 Multicore | 31062 | 17762 |
When it comes to productivity, the Intel Core i7 13700K stands out with its higher clock speeds and 8 efficiency cores, resulting in impressive benchmarks and productivity test scores. Its Passmark score average of 47020 easily outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 35104, thanks to the 16-core processor's ability to leverage both clock speeds and thread count effectively.
While the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is not a slow processor for productivity in 2023, its limitation to 8 cores and 16 threads puts it at a disadvantage against a competitor offering twice the number of cores and 50% more threads. The fact that the 7800X3D is $40 more expensive than Intel's offering only adds to the challenge. For certain productivity use cases, the more affordable octa-core Ryzen 7 7700X from AMD might be a better and faster option, thanks to its higher clock speeds and thermal limits.
If you prioritize productivity when selecting a CPU, the Intel Core i7 13700K is a much more powerful processor that offers better real-world performance in various productivity tasks, such as video editing, streaming, and compression/decompression software. While the 7800X3D is not a bad CPU for these tasks, it is more geared towards gaming and makes certain compromises to maintain its position as a top gaming processor in 2023.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D impresses with its power efficiency, outperforming the Core i7 13700K in this area. Despite having fewer cores and lower clocks, the Zen 4 architecture enables it to consume less than 50W in most games and up to 85-90W in productivity benchmarks. AMD's specified TDP of 120W appears to be a lofty goal that the Ryzen 7 7800X3D easily achieves. In contrast, the Intel Core i7 13700K is a power-hungry processor that consumes up to 180W while gaming and more than 250W when running benchmarks. While its rated TDP is 125W, its maximum turbo boost power of 253W is often exceeded when all its cores are engaged, such as in Prime95 benchmarks.
In terms of gaming performance and energy efficiency, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D outperforms its competitors, including the Intel Core i7 13700K. Although the 13700K may run hot, its multicore performance and productivity benchmarks should not be overlooked. However, a fair comparison would require pitting it against the Ryzen 7 7950X3D, which may not necessarily favor Intel's chip in terms of efficiency.
Ryzen 7 7800X3D Versus Core i7 13700: Which One To Take Home?
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is designed primarily for gaming, with a focus on delivering excellent performance in this area. While it may not match the clock speeds and overall performance of Intel's flagship processors, it excels at what it was designed for. In contrast, the Intel Core i7 13700K is a more versatile chip that offers strong single-core and multicore performance. It is well-suited for both gaming and productivity tasks, making it a better choice for creators who need a processor with more number-crunching power. However, it does run hotter than its AMD counterpart and is not as efficient in terms of power consumption and heat generation.
Consider AMD's Ryzen 9 7950X3D if you prioritize exceptional gaming performance and decent multicore capability. It's marketed as a creator's choice, and it competes well with Intel's top-tier products in both gaming and productivity. While it may not be the fastest option for gaming, its well-rounded performance makes it a compelling choice for those on Team Red, especially if budget is not a concern. In comparison to the 7800X3D, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D may be slightly slower for gaming, but it offers a more comprehensive package overall.
