Introduction
In this head-to-head CPU benchmark review, we test the new Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G APUs versus the Ryzen 7 5700G APU. This CPU benchmark-focused review will take a look at how the new Ryzen 8000G series APUs compare to the previous generation in terms of CPU uplift, as an upgrade from the previous platform. If you are interested in the onboard integrated graphics performance in games, check out our integrated graphics gaming performance review.
We have already run the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G through their paces in their integrated graphics (iGPU) gaming performance (make sure to check that out) so we know how these APUs game, but now we want to see how well the CPU side of things translates from Zen 3 on AM4 to Zen 4 on AM5 between them. We will take popular synthetic CPU benchmarks, and compare the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G versus the Ryzen 7 5700G.
Our AMD Ryzen 8000G series CPU benchmarks today also reflect a new beta motherboard BIOS which fixes the AMD STAPM issue (Skin Temperature Awareness Power Management) that has been reported on these new desktop APUs. The AMD STAPM issue is fixed! Now we can see the full potential of CPU performance for these new APUs.
AMD Ryzen 8000G APU Series
In this article, we are primarily interested in the CPU performance based on the Zen 4 architecture in the AMD Ryzen 8000 G-Series Desktop Processors with Radeon Graphics. All of the Ryzen 8000G series APUs use the current Zen 4 architecture based on the AM5 platform from AMD, which means DDR5 support on the desktop as well. All of these APUs will operate on any current AM5 platform chipset, up and down the range, just make sure to perform a BIOS update and you should be fine. This, therefore, is a very large upgrade from the previous Ryzen 5000G APUs which were based on the AM4 platform with DDR4 and Zen 3 architecture. 
At the top-end, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G uses the AMD Radeon 780M graphics on board. The Ryzen 7 8700G is an 8-core/16-thread CPU based on the Zen 4 architecture with a max boost of up to 5.1GHz, 24MB of cache, and a 65W TDP for $329 SEP. Below that, the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses the AMD Radeon 760M graphics and is a 6-core/12-thread CPU based on the Zen 4 architecture with a max boost of up to 5GHz, 22MB of cache, and a 65W TDP for $229 SEP. 
In this review, we are comparing against AMD’s last generation APUs, namely the top-end part, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G. The Ryzen 7 5700G is based on AMD’s AM4 platform and Zen 3 architecture with 8-cores/16-threads. Therefore, yes, we are putting the 8600G (a 6-core CPU) up against the 5700G (an 8-core CPU) but a generational, platform, and DDR difference, so that should be interesting in the results. 
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G Pictures
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G comes in a bigger box because it includes a thick AMD Wraith SPIRE heatsink and fan in the box, saving you cost. Otherwise, the APU is the same size and shape as any other AM5 platform-based Zen 4 CPU. It fits into the AM5 socket quite well, and you can attach any cooler to it if you wish.
The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G also comes with a cooler in the box, but this one is the AMD Wraith STEALTH, which is slimmer. Otherwise, the APU is exactly the same in size and shape as the 8700G and you can use any cooling you like.
To pair our Ryzen 8000G series APUs with what will be a more affordable motherboard and platform that is most likely to be used with them, we are using an ASRock B650 PRO RS motherboard. This specific motherboard is $139 on NewEgg currently, fitting the price point of the Ryzen 8000G series APUs quite well as a good pairing. There is a WIFI version of this motherboard for $149 as well. 
The AMD B650 chipset is on the lower end of chipsets from AMD, right below the B650E but above the A620 (spec differences shown here). It does have more limited PCI-Express support, but the Ryzen 8700G and 8600G do not support PCIe Gen5 anyway. This motherboard will not hold back gaming performance or CPU performance, so it’s a good option in this price range.
We are also pairing this bundle with a kit of G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 F5-6400J3239G16GX2-TZ5NR (32GB 6400MHz @ 32-39-39-102) memory. This is 32GB of DDR5 at 6400MHz, with a default motherboard FCLK (Infinity Fabric Frequency) of 2000MHz and a UCLK DIV1 Mode of UCLK=MEMCLK/2.