AMD has consistently pushed the envelope with its APU offerings, and the Ryzen 7 8700G is no exception. Announced at CES 2024, this APU aims to provide budget gamers with a robust gaming experience without needing a dedicated GPU. Let’s dive into what makes the Ryzen 7 8700G a compelling choice for gamers on a budget.
Key Specifications
Before delving into performance, let’s look at the Ryzen 7 8700G’s specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Codename | Phoenix |
| Architecture | Zen 4 |
| CPU Cores | 8 |
| Threads | 16 |
| Base Clock | 4.2GHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 5.1GHz |
| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 780M (12 RDNA 3 CUs) |
| Cache | 512KB (L1), 8MB (L2), 16MB (L3) |
| TDP | 65W |
| PCI Express Gen | PCIe Gen 4.0 |
Test Bench Specifications
For this review, we used the following hardware setup:
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming Wi-Fi
- RAM: 2x 16GB G-Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6400MT/s Kit
- Storage: Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, 500GB
- CPU Cooler: AMD Wraith Spire Cooler
- PSU: MSI MAG A650BN 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply
- Case: MSI MAG Forge 320R Airflow
Gaming Performance
The Ryzen 7 8700G features the Radeon 780M integrated GPU, which AMD claims is the fastest in its class. We tested the APU with 11 AAA games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2, among others.
Performance at Maximum Graphics Quality (1080p)
| Game | FPS (Max Graphics) | FPS (Medium Graphics) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 28.36 | 37.23 |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 29 | 40.49 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 29 | 40.49 |
| Control | 30 | 40 |
| GTA 5 | 35 | 59 |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 30 | 40 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 32 | 45 |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 29 | 41 |
| Borderlands 3 | 29 | 42 |
| Gears of War 5 | 30 | 59 |
| A Total War Saga: TROY | 35 | 60 |
AMD Radeon Technologies Impact
We also evaluated the impact of AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) 2.0 in Cyberpunk 2077. The performance boost with different FSR presets is notable:
| Graphics Quality | Without Upscaling | FSR 2.0 Quality | FSR 2.0 Balanced | FSR 2.0 Performance | FSR 2.0 Ultra Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | 28.36 fps | 37.23 fps | 40.49 fps | 48.60 fps | 58.33 fps |
| Low | 35.71 fps | 44.35 fps | 48.69 fps | 53.84 fps | 65.57 fps |
Benchmarks
In synthetic benchmarks, the 8700G performs admirably, closely matching the 7800X3D in both single-core and multi-core performance. However, the Intel Core i7 14700F edges ahead due to more threads and higher boost clock speeds.
Thermals and Power Performance
The Ryzen 7 8700G maintains a peak temperature of around 96.2 degrees Celsius under stress but generally stabilizes around 85-90 degrees Celsius during extended gaming sessions. The CPU package draws a maximum of 87.8W under load, averaging 32-45W during gaming.
Value for Money and Competition
Priced between ₹28,000 to ₹33,000, the Ryzen 7 8700G offers great value, especially with AMD’s commitment to supporting the AM5 socket until 2027. This ensures a future-proof upgrade path for budget-conscious gamers.
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is a solid choice for anyone building their first gaming PC on a budget. It delivers impressive performance for an integrated GPU, making it possible to enjoy AAA games at decent quality without a dedicated GPU. With AMD’s reliable support for future upgrades, this APU is an excellent investment for the long term.
