The Ryzen 7 8700G is a fierce contender in the world of accelerated processing units. These are CPUs with the most high-end integrated graphics cards and are perfect for small systems. AMD has created a product that is the perfect 1080p APU for those who want to play video games but can’t afford an entry-level GPU. With the product being a fresh addition to the CPU market let’s see what different reviewers have to say about it – in our AMD Ryzen 7 8700G review round-up.
The launch of APU Ryzen 7 8700G is AMD’s solution for small systems like laptops, HTPCs, and even handheld devices. Like so, it’s important to see this solution as it is a great system for a niche market. On the other hand, if you have the space and the budget (even if is small) it would not make sense to go with an APU like the 7 8700G. This doesn’t make this APU bad; on the contrary, is a solid option for the right user.
If you’re keen to find out more about AMD’s CPU lineup, check out some of our other coverage on the ryzen 7000-series. Including our AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D comparison guide or our Core i5 14600K vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D comparison guide.
AMD Ryzen 8700G review round-up
| Reviewer | Snippet |
|---|---|
| PCMag | “AMD’s Ryzen 7 8700G is an excellent single-chip gaming solution” – Micheal Justin Allen Sexton |
| Gamers Nexus | “It would not make more sense than a cheap GPU-CPU” – Steve Burke |
| Tom’s Hardware | “The Ryzen 7 8700G (…) needs a serious price cut to be competitive” – Paul Alcorn |
| TechSpot | “beyond that niche (ultra mini-PCs) use case, we don’t see its appeal.” – Steven Walton |
| PCGamer | “is the processor to buy if you don’t plan to buy a discrete graphics card” – Chris Szewczyk |
Specifications
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G has been making waves in the tech community, particularly for those interested in compact systems like laptops, HTPCs, and handheld devices. This APU stands out for its blend of processing power and integrated graphics; an intriguing option for a specific market segment.
| Specs | Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|
| Core / Threads | 8/16 |
| Max Boost | 5.1 GHz |
| Cache | 24 MB |
| TDP | 65W |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 780M |
| MSRP | $329 |
| Graphics core count | 12 |
| Graphics frequency | 2900 MHz |
Now let’s dive into specs. PCMag, for instance, applauds the APU for being an “excellent single-chip gaming solution.” This praise is largely due to the integrated Radeon 780M graphics, a 12 Compute Unit (CU) RDNA 3 GPU that clocks up to a remarkable 2.9 GHz. Such specifications signal a significant leap from previous APU generations, offering robust performance for integrated graphics.
Performance
The AMD Ryzen 8700G has stirred interest in the APU market, and reviewers have been busy putting this all-in-one processor through its paces. The consensus? It’s a solid performer in 1080p gaming, thanks in part to its demand on system memory RAM.
Gamer Nexus’s benchmarks paint a picture of an APU that excels in CPU-only tasks, like Logo rendering, outperforming the Ryzen 5 7600X. It also holds up well in 1080p gaming scenarios, reaching up to 30 FPS in demanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and soaring to 81 FPS in less demanding games like Rainbow Six Siege.
PCMag points out the Ryzen 7 8700G’s superiority over key competitors like the Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 7 7700X, and Intel Core i5-14600K, particularly in gaming. Their tests showed impressive results, with the 8700G tripling the performance of its rivals in F1 22 at 1080p and maintaining a significant lead in other games. Increasing the RAM speed further boosts its gaming performance, with a typical gain of 10-15%.
However, Tom’s Hardware reveals a different side of the story. Compared to a Core i5-13400 paired with an Nvidia GTX 1650, the 8700G only outperforms this setup when using Hyper-RX-enabled upscaling from 720p, which can impact image quality. Without upscaling, the 8700G is significantly slower than the Intel-Nvidia combo.
In non-gaming tasks, TechSpot found the 7 8700G’s performance comparable to the Ryzen 7700, a logical finding given their similar core configurations. It significantly outdoes the 5700G in Photoshop tasks, showcasing its prowess in more than just gaming. Tom’s Hardware echoes this sentiment, noting its strong productivity performance, though it faces tough competition from similarly priced alternatives like the Core i5-14600K.
Which is better – APU or CPU?
An APU like the Ryzen 7 8700G is perfect for its niche market; those who intend to use it with a smaller system. However, our focus shifts when considering users outside of this niche, particularly those contemplating the Ryzen 7 8700G as an alternative to conventional CPU and GPU setups. For these users, we would hesitate to recommend the
The reasons are twofold: firstly, a similarly priced CPU and GPU combination can potentially offer superior performance, providing a more balanced and flexible solution for most desktop users. Secondly, the upgrade path with traditional setups is more straightforward, allowing for more customization and scalability over time. Purchasing an APU is completely dependent on your setup and won’t be beneficial if you intend to use it instead of a CPU with a larger system.
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G review roundup – our take
The Ryzen 7 8700G marks a significant advancement in the realm of all-in-one APUs. Its potential impact on laptops and handheld devices is particularly noteworthy, promising enhanced capabilities and efficiency. For those within its target niche – users requiring compact, integrated solutions – the 8700G is a strong contender.
