As an AMD fan looking to build or upgrade your AMD-powered desktop, you likely have your eyes set on the Ryzen 5000 series processors. Within this line-up lie two tantalizing 8-core options – the Ryzen 5700g and Ryzen 5800x. Both pack serious multitreaded muscle in line with their premium price tags.
But beyond the core counts, these two chips also have some intriguing differences under the hood. So which processor should you pick for your own PC? This comprehensive guide has got you covered!
We‘ll dive deep into the specs, performance and real-world capabilities of the 5700g and 5800x. By the end, you‘ll have crystal clarity on the ideal Ryzen CPU for your needs and budget. Let‘s get started!
AMD Ryzen 5000 Series: A Quick Background
First, some context. AMD hit a homerun with their 4th-gen Ryzen 3000 desktop CPUs back in 2019 by innovating on two key fronts simultaneously:
1. The Transition to 7nm Process: AMD shifted processor production from 12nm to a cutting-edge 7nm manufacturing process with the Zen 2 microarchitecture. This allowed them to cram more transistors into the silicon die area while boosting efficiency.
2. The Zen 2 Architecture: This built the CPU cores from the ground up for higher Instructions Per Cycle (IPC), greatly enhancing single-threaded performance. Combined with the core count increases, Zen 2 delivered a potent one-two punch.
Fast forward to late 2020, the Ryzen 5000 series took things even further on both fronts with:
1. Enhanced 7nm+ Process: Refinements to the 7nm process allowed higher sustained clock speeds.
2. Zen 3 Architecture: This new chip design pushed IPC gains by 19% over Zen 2. AMD also doubled the L3 cache size which feeds data to the cores faster.
Thanks to these major improvements, AMD managed to beat Intel‘s gaming crown and establish portfolio-wide leadership for desktop PC processors with the Ryzen 5000 family.
Now let‘s see how the 5700g and 5800x take advantage of these technological innovations.
AMD Ryzen 5700g vs. 5800x: Key Specs and Differences
While both CPUs share the same 8-core, 16-thread configuration, their positioning caters to somewhat different needs. The table below covers how the core specs stack up:
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5700g | AMD Ryzen 5800x |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | 7nm (TSMC) | 7nm (TSMC) |
| Microarchitecture | Zen 3 | Zen 3 |
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Max. Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Total Cache | 20MB | 36MB |
| TDP | 65W | 105W |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Integrated Graphics | Yes (Radeon Vega 8) | No |
| Official Memory Support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Launch Date | August 2021 | November 2020 |
Analyzing this table reveals the core design principles of each model:
AMD Ryzen 5700g
This 65W 8-core APU (accelerated processing unit) sports integrated Radeon Vega graphics on-die alongside the Zen 3 CPU cores. AMD positions it as a budget-friendly chip for users who want capable integrated graphics without needing a separate graphics card.
It leverages precision optimizations for the CPU and iGPU to work cooperatively. You get excellent web browsing, office work, multimedia and light gaming from this single chip.
AMD Ryzen 5800x
Representing AMD‘s enthusiast-class desktop processors, the 105W Ryzen 5800x is built for raw CPU horsepower. It eschews integrated graphics entirely and instead focuses die area on things that benefit the CPU cores – higher clocks up to 4.7 GHz and a heap of 36MB cache.
My Analysis:
The integrated graphics on the Ryzen 5700g gives it a unique advantage for budget PC builders looking for an affordable singular chip solution. It saves you money by removing the need for a graphics card.
But for tasks relying purely on CPU power, the higher clocks and doubled cache size of the 5800x will give it an observable edge. This comes at the cost of higher power draw and thermal output though.
Now I‘ll take a much closer look at their performance and capabilities…
CPU Performance Review and Benchmarks
As the heart of your PC, the CPU‘s processing capabilities play a huge role in determining real-world experience across different workloads. Let‘s compare how the rates:
(Benchmarks Source: Hardware Times)
Productivity Performance
For office work, web browsing and general multitasking, both CPUs deliver smooth and responsive performance thanks to their high core counts. But in heavier productivity apps, the 5800x‘s faster clocks and extra cache do give it an observable lead.
| Benchmark | AMD Ryzen 5700g | AMD Ryzen 5800x | % Faster than 5700g |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCMark 10 Extended Score | 8446 | 9825 | 16% |
| Geekbench 5 (Single-Core) | 1703 | 1772 | 4% |
| Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) | 9400 | 10686 | 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (Single-Core) | 1622 | 1654 | 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core) | 11401 | 13749 | 21% |
| Handbrake Video Encoding | 68 fps | 81 fps | 19% |
So while both fare very well, the Ryzen 5800x‘s extra L3 cache and higher peak clocks give it a ~15-20% better showing in heavy rendering, video editing, code compilation and data analytics. Still, the Ryzen 5700g puts up excellent figures for its 65W power limit.
This advantage shrinks in gaming though…
Gaming fps Performance
When paired with a powerful discrete GPU like the RTX 3070 Ti, both CPUs allow the GPU to stretch its legs fully at 1440p and 4K resolutions:
(Benchmarks Source: TechSpot)
| Game 1080p Settings | RYZEN 5700g + RTX 3070 Ti (fps) | Ryzen 5800x + RTX 3070 Ti (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| CS: GO | 301 | 305 |
| Valorant | 315 | 324 |
| Fortnite | 163 | 172 |
| Apex Legends | 156 | 159 |
So while the 5800x retains a slim lead, both processors allow very high triple-digit framerates. The difference comes down to just a few fps.
My Analysis:
For CPU-limited productivity workloads, the 5800x justifies its "enthusiast" tag by powering through heavy workloads ~15-20% quicker thanks to the doubled L3 cache and higher boost.
But for contemporary AAA gaming powered by a strong discrete GPU, both CPUs enable very high fps counts with small differences. So don‘t worry about leaving frames on the table either way!
Now let‘s evaluate the integrated graphics capabilities of the Ryzen 5700g…
Integrated Graphics Performance
One of the Ryzen 5700g‘s biggest selling points lies in its integrated Radeon graphics based on AMD‘s aging but still-capable Vega architecture.
The on-die graphics core contains 8 compute units tied to 512 stream processors. It shares system memory and leans heavily on the 20MB cache to feed graphics data. The integrated GPU also benefits from the 7nm manufacturing process.
Let‘s see how it handles games before discussing media capabilities:
Integrated Graphics Gaming Performance
Thanks to compute unit optimizations and the advanced process node, the Ryzen 5700g‘s integrated graphics trades blows with older lower-end discrete GPUs:
(Benchmarks sourced from Tom‘s Hardware)
| Game (Medium Settings 1080p) | FPS Avg | FPS Min |
|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | 92 | 71 |
| DOTA 2 | 68 | 56 |
| Overwatch | 58 | 50 |
| GTA V | 49 | 41 |
As you can see, eSports titles run very smoothly. In AAA games, you get 30-60 fps which is certainly playable for casual gaming.
But the Vega iGPU isn‘t just about gaming. Its media processing capabilities also shine…
Media Encoding and Content Creation
Hardware acceleration makes the Vega graphics excellent for streaming media workflows like encoding/decoding video:
| Benchmark | Performance |
|---|---|
| Handbrake x265 Video Encoding | 73 fps |
| OBS Game Streaming | Great Quality 1080p 60fps |
The iGPU also accelerates creative apps like Blender that support OpenCL:
| Workload | Ryzen 5700g Render Time |
|---|---|
| Blender Classroom Scene | 13 minutes 20 seconds |
So whether you‘re gaming in a pinch or working on visual content, the Radeon integrated graphics prove their worth.
My Analysis:
The Ryzen 5700g‘s Vega integrated graphics can handle casual gaming at over 60 fps in eSports titles. It achieves playable frame rates in AAA titles on lower settings. Impressively, performance exceeds older budget GPUs like the GTX 1050 Ti.
Beyond gaming, it accelerates streaming/creative workloads very well. For basic users who occasionally dabble in more demanding tasks, it eliminates the need for a separate graphics card.
Overall, excellent iGPU performance in a 65W power envelope. But enthusiasts should still pair both CPUs with a higher-end discrete GPU.
Now let‘s evaluate power efficiency…
Power Efficiency and Thermals
While both leverage the efficiency of 7nm process technology and Zen 3, the Ryzen 5700g‘s 65W TDP makes it better suited for compact, cool-running builds.
AMD rates the package power of the 5700G at 49W and the 5800X at 62W. So in sustained workloads, the 5700G consumes over 20% less power which also results in less heat generation.
Here‘s a look at how the thermals compare between the two (tested with included Wraith coolers):
| CPU | Average Temperatures (Celsius) | Peak Temperature (Celsius) |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5700g | 62 | 78 |
| Ryzen 5800x | 73 | 90 |
My Analysis:
The Ryzen 5700g‘s frugality and cooler operation makes it ideal for small form factor SFF PCs where thermal headroom is limited. The wraith cooler is sufficient for it.
Meanwhile, the Ryzen 5800x works best with beefier air coolers or liquid AIO solutions to handle its 105W TDP under full load. This necessitates careful thermal considerations in PC builds.
Now let‘s discuss overclocking flexibility…
Overclocking Potential
A major advantage of going with AMD‘s Ryzen platforms lies in their overclocking potential courtesy of unlocked multipliers. Let‘s see how high these silicon chips can be pushed!
Ryzen 5700g Overclocking
Multiple reviewers have achieved all-core overclocks around 4.7 GHz on high-end air coolers and 4.8 GHz with beefy 240mm AIO liquid coolers. This represents awesome scaling consider the stock 4.6 GHz boost.
The Vega iGPU also responds very well to frequency increases up to 2.4 GHz. So you extract noticeably more integrated graphics muscle.
But stability requires increased core voltage around 1.3V, so keep temperatures below 90°C.
Ryzen 5800x Overclocking
Thanks to its higher bin quality, the Ryzen 5800x also manages all-core overclocks up to 4.8 GHz using 240/280mm AIO solutions. This shows great thermal scaling vs the stock 4.7 GHz boost.
Reaching these speeds needs voltages around 1.325V for stability, which generates more heat. So liquid cooling is preferred for serious OC attempts.
My Analysis:
Both Ryzen 5000 chips feature pre-binned dies capable of high clock speed increases with adequte cooling. This lets enthusiasts squeeze out more performance during demanding workloads.
While the Ryzen 5800x ultimately reaches higher peak clocks, the Ryzen 5700g also scales very respectably beyond its stock frequency considering the integrated graphics.
Just make sure your PC case airflow and cooling can handle the extra thermal load!
Now let‘s discuss motherboard compatibility…
Motherboard Compatibility
With the AM4 socket, both the Ryzen 5700g and 5800x are backwards compatible with a wide range of motherboards. However, you may need BIOS updates for older 400/300-series boards.
Here‘s a quick compatibility overview:
| Motherboard Platform | Supports RYZEN 5700g? | Supports RYZEN 5800x? |
|---|---|---|
| X570 | Yes | Yes |
| B550 | Yes | Yes |
| X470/B450 | Yes (may need BIOS update) | Yes (may need BIOS update) |
| X370/B350 | No | Yes (may need BIOS update) |
My Analysis:
- For the Ryzen 5800x, a higher-tier X570 or B550 motherboard unlocks faster PCIe 4.0 support. But lower-tier 400-series offer better value.
- The Ryzen 5700g works on most AM4 boards after updates, offering great compatibility.
I recommend B550 boards as the sweet spot for features and price. Now finally, let‘s weigh costs…
Price and Value Comparison
In terms of release MSRPs, the Ryzen 5800x debuted at a premium $449 while the 5700g came in at $359. However, after 2 years the 5800x now retails around $250 while the newer 5700g sells for $210.
My Analysis:
- At current street prices, both chips represent excellent value in terms of (1) multithreaded processing power and (2) integrated graphics.
- The Ryzen 5700g in particular stands out for giving you capable 1080p gaming graphics in the box alongside its 8C/16T muscle for just over $200.
- Based on your budget, you can step up to the Ryzen 5800x if your workloads demand those extra CPU-focused optimizations (cache, clocks etc.)
Either way, both qualify as well-priced productivity powerhouses perfect for gaming and creative needs.
Summary – Which Ryzen 5000 CPU Should You Get?
So where does all this data leave you? Here‘s some clear guidance:
Pick the Ryzen 5700g if you…
- Want capable integrated graphics without needing a GPU
- Are on a tight budget
- Prefer power efficiency for small form factor builds
- Mostly do light gaming, office and creative work
Pick the Ryzen 5800x if you…
- Don‘t need integrated graphics and already own a GPU
- Require maximum CPU muscle for intensive workloads
- Plan to overclock aggressively with liquid cooling solutions
- Need future-proof PCIe 4.0 platform support
Both remain astounding achievements in terms of bringing power efficiency, great gaming support and incredible multithreaded capabilities to the AM4 desktop platform. So choose the chip that best aligns with your PC needs and budget!
I hope this guide has given you clarity to pick the right Ryzen 5000 powerhouse to build your dream AMD gaming rig or productivity workstation! Feel free to reach out in comments if any points need elaboration.
