Best value
AMD
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AM5 · 8 · 16
8.6
$360Nov 93 videos
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
A 65 W eight-core Zen 5 chip that is easy to cool, but outclassed by X3D parts in games.
- AM5
- 8
- 16
- 5.5 GHz
- 65 W
PCPR score
7.9
Good
Best price we’ve seen
$269Nov 9
Checked recently. Confirm at the retailer.
R1
The short version
The Ryzen 7 9700X is an eight-core, 16-thread AM5 processor with a 65 W TDP and a 5.5 GHz boost. Tom's Hardware found class-leading single-threaded performance and gaming gains over Zen 4, with a much lower TDP than rivals. It trails Intel in heavily threaded work, and X3D chips beat it for gaming.
Pros
- 65 W TDP is easy to cool
- Class-leading single-threaded performance in Tom's Hardware's review
- Eight cores at up to 5.5 GHz
- Fits AM5 boards
Cons
- Trails Intel in heavily threaded applications per Tom's Hardware
- X3D chips are far ahead in gaming
- No cooler included
Best for
- Quiet, efficient mid-range builds
- General-purpose gaming and work without X3D pricing
J3
Full specifications
Core
- Socket
- AM5
- Series
- Ryzen 9000
- Architecture
- Zen 5
- Cores
- 8
- Threads
- 16
Performance
- Base clock
- 3.8 GHz
- Max boost
- 5.5 GHz
- L3 cache
- 32 MB
- 3D V-Cache
- No
- Single-thread index
- 91
- Multi-thread index
- 45
Power
- TDP
- 65 W
- Max power (PPT / PL2)
- 88 W
Features
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
- Integrated GPU
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
- Cooler in box
- No
- Process
- TSMC 4nm FinFET (CPU cores), TSMC 6nm FinFET (I/O die)
Memory
- Memory support
- DDR5
- Rated memory speed
- 5,600 MT/s
- Max memory
- 256 GB
Expansion
- PCIe version
- 5.0
- PCIe lanes
- 28
Compatibility notes
- Socket AM5 with DDR5 only; AMD lists A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870 and X870E chipsets as supported, and older boards may need a BIOS update.
- AMD's official maximum memory speed is DDR5-5600 for two modules and DDR5-3600 for four, though AMD EXPO kits can run faster.
- No cooler is included in the box, so budget for a separate tower air cooler or liquid cooler.
P1
Where to buy
Best Buy
Seen Nov 9, 2026
$269
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AV1
Video reviews
Negative · Review
Wasted Opportunity: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X CPU Review & Benchmarks vs. 7800X3D, 7700X, & More
Gamers Nexus
Gamers Nexus benchmarks the 9700X against the 7800X3D, 7700X, 14900K and others and calls it a wasted opportunity.
Mixed · Review
Ryzen 7 9700X Review - Have AMD Nerfed Zen 5?
eTeknix
eTeknix compares the 9700X to its 7700X predecessor, asking whether the launch price buys much more performance.
Mixed · Review
Was I Wrong? - AMD Ryzen 9700X Re-Review!
eTeknix
eTeknix revisits its 9700X review with PBO enabled after viewer feedback about test settings.
AV2
What reviewers and owners say
Tom's Hardware
MixedFinds generational gaming gains and class-leading single-threaded speed at a much lower TDP than rivals, though Intel still wins heavily threaded work.
2024-08-07
Read the sourcePC Gamer
PositivePC Gamer found this eight-core Zen 5 chip fast, efficient, and strong all-round, but gamers should wait for X3D models and power quirks need fixing.
Review
Read the sourceWindows Central
PositiveWindows Central found the 9700X delivers excellent single-core speed and gaming performance matching the 7800X3D at lower price and 65W power, though multi-core gains are minimal and no cooler is included.
Review
Read the sourcer/hardware · u/Touchmesenpaix
PositiveOne owner found that 7800 MHz EXPO memory outperformed the usual 6400 MHz sweet spot on their 9700X build, with a stable Curve Optimizer of -30 and snappy high-refresh gaming.
2026-02-19
Read the source
Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.
R9
Common questions
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X good for gaming?
Tom's Hardware reported generational gaming gains, but Zen 4 and Zen 5 X3D chips are faster. It is a good all-rounder, not a gaming leader.
Does it include a cooler?
No. AMD lists the thermal solution as not included, so plan on buying a separate CPU cooler.
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