AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Review

Overview

• Product: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
• Cores/Threads: 8 Core / 16 Thread
• Architecture: Zen 5
• Price: $360
• Competitors: R5 9600X ($280), 7600X ($200)

Key Points

• Positive Aspects:
  • Power Efficiency
  • Branding: No Intel branding on packaging
• Challenges:
  • Memory compatibility issues
  • AMD's recall of CPUs prior to launch due to various problems

Upcoming Products

• AMD 950X (16 Core) and 9900X (12 Core) launching next week.

Performance Issues

• Memory Challenges:
  • Difficulty achieving stability with 9700X; necessary to manually control settings
  • Previous stable performance with AM5 CPUs, now facing issues
• F Clock Issue: Defaulting error; should be 2000 MHz.

Pricing Comparison

• 9700X ($360) vs. 7700X ($294)
• 14900K ($581) and other Intel models, generally less efficient.

Testing Methodology

• New testing suite debuted with the 3700X and 3600X.
• Games Tested:
  • Titles from 2023 and earlier, including Total War: Warhammer 3, Stellaris, Rainbow 6.
• Workstation Tests:
  • Blender, Photoshop, code compiling, etc.

Power Consumption

• 9700X Efficiency:
  • Pulls 88 Watts under max load, similar to non-X models.
  • Better efficiency than Intel’s 14900K (287 Watts).
• Performance vs. Power:
  • New leader for all-core efficiency, completing work with less energy.

Frequency Testing

• Average All-Core Frequency:
  • 9700X runs at 4440-4480 MHz, significantly lower than 7700X (5200 MHz).
• Single-Core Frequency:
  • 9700X reaches 5525 MHz, matching advertised specs.

Thermals

• Thermal Behavior:
  • 9700X shows improved temperatures at 50-52°C during max load
  • 7700X ran at higher temperatures due to design differences.

Gaming Performance

• Starfield: 9700X performs similarly to 7700X.
• Final Fantasy 14 Dawn Trail: 9700X 330 FPS average, slightly behind older models.
• Baldur’s Gate 3: 9700X averages 107-108 FPS at 1080p, with slight leads over 7700X, but still behind 7800X 3D.

Production Performance

• Blender Render: 9700X performs on par with 7700X, but lags behind older models like 5900X.
• Photo Editing: Stronger performance in Photoshop, leading by 10% over 7700X.
• Code Compile: 9700X shows a 3.3% improvement over 7700X.

Conclusion

• Overall Performance: 9700X is slightly better than 7700X in some areas but lacks significant improvement.
• Market Position: Efficiency is the standout feature, but performance improvements are minimal.
• Recommendation: If considering an upgrade, 5700X or 7800X 3D may offer better value.

Additional Notes

• AMD's efficiency gains are noteworthy but lack performance uplift.
• Memory compatibility issues may impact overall experience.
• Performance is generally deemed acceptable, but not exceptional.