AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU Review

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The Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is a 3.6GHz 8 core, 16 thread part with a maximum advertised boost clock of 4.4GHz. The 3700X is a 7nm part consisting of two chiplets. A single CCD (chiplet core die) containing two CCX complexes and the I/O die which is common to all Ryzen 3000 series CPU’s. The chip features a 65watt TDP and 36MB of what AMD calls its “Gamecache.” This is a mid-range offering in AMD’s Ryzen 3700X lineup but, it represents what many might consider the sweet spot for performance and price.

I won’t go over the Ryzen 3000 series architecture in great detail here. If you are interested in a deeper dive into the Ryzen 3000 series architecture, you can find that information here, in our Ryzen 9 3900X review. Core count, TDP and cache sizes aside, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU has all the same features and the exact same architecture as the Ryzen 9 3900X we reviewed previously.

From a price perspective, the Ryzen 7 3700X competes directly with the Intel Core i7 9700-non K. The latter is generally the same price as the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X. However, the 9700K is only slightly more expensive. Of course, if you have a Microcenter nearby, then it’s possible that the price points of the Intel processors could shift considerably lower. In fact, I picked up our review sample from the local DFW Microcenter for $329.99, but I realize this isn’t the normal price point. In fact, at the time of this writing, the price on the 9700K and non-K have gone back up to $349 and $329 respectively.

The Ryzen 7 3700X represents an incredible value compared to Intel’s offerings and even AMD’s own Ryzen 7 3800X. As I said, the latter offers a minor bump in clock speed, cache at the cost of a higher TDP. Comparing the 3700X to Intel’s offerings, AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads instead of eight cores without Hyperthreading. For productivity, AMD’s 3700X blows the doors off comparably priced Intel CPU’s. In fact, it matches Intel’s higher-end Core i9 9900K with its core and thread count while coming in significantly cheaper.

Speaking of value, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X also comes with a Wraith Prism RGB heat sink and fan. While less than ideal, it does provide a lower cost of entry to creating a running system. A decent AIO or air cooler adds a small cost to an overall system, but an added cost none the less. The cooling can also be upgraded later on if desired, so the Wraith Prism can stand-in until a later date. Despite the fact that I’m not an air cooler kind of guy, the Wraith Prism is an attractive cooling option. Its tasteful RGB lighting allows it to blend into any RGB color scheme.

Dan Dobrowolski
Dan has been writing motherboard reviews for the past 15 years, with the first decade or so writing for [H}ard|OCP. Dan brings his depth of knowledge about motherboards and their components to his reviews here at The FPS Review to help you select the best one for your needs.

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