AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i7-7820HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data reveals a clear split between these two processors across the four shared benchmark tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X dominates the multi-core tests, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK takes a single win in one synthetic single-core test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 against the Intel Core i7-7820HK's 635. This is a 142% lead for the AMD part, which is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head comparison. The margin is enormous, indicating that the 1700X's additional cores and threads translate directly into a massive throughput advantage in this heavily parallel workload.

The single-core Cinebench R15 result also favors the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, though by a smaller margin. The 1700X scores 154, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK scores 89. This is a 73% advantage for the AMD chip. This result is notable because single-core performance is often considered an Intel strength, but in this specific test, the AMD architecture holds a decisive edge.

Geekbench multi-core continues the AMD trend. The Ryzen 7 1700X records 5584, compared to the Intel Core i7-7820HK's 4173. The delta here is 33.8% in favor of AMD. While not as extreme as the Cinebench R15 multi-core gap, it reinforces the pattern that the 1700X is the superior choice for multi-threaded processing.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK's sole victory comes in Geekbench single-core. It scores 1273, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1100. This translates to a -13.6% delta for the AMD chip, meaning the Intel part is 13.6% ahead in this specific metric. This win demonstrates that the Kaby Lake architecture still has competitive single-thread performance, even though its older sibling in this comparison does not replicate that result in Cinebench R15.

Overall, the head-to-head shows 3 wins for AMD and 1 win for Intel. The wins for AMD are substantially larger in magnitude than the single Intel win, suggesting that the Ryzen 7 1700X offers a stronger overall performance profile in the tests where both processors were measured.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests a straightforward use-case split based on the benchmark outcomes. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with a 142% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 33.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core, make it the stronger option for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and other heavily threaded professional applications. The benchmark results indicate that any task that can utilize more than four cores will see a significant performance benefit from the 1700X.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK wins only in Geekbench single-core, where it is 13.6% ahead. This suggests a narrower advantage in lightly threaded tasks where a single core's efficiency matters most, such as certain legacy applications, some gaming scenarios that rely on one primary thread, or basic office productivity. However, the Intel part's single-core win in Geekbench is not replicated in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it trails by 73%. This inconsistency makes it difficult to declare a definitive single-core superiority for Intel based on the complete dataset.

For users whose primary concern is multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the obvious winner. For users who prioritize the single Geekbench metric and need a mobile processor with lower power consumption, the Intel Core i7-7820HK has its place. The 7820HK is a mobile part, as indicated by its BGA 1440 socket and 45W TDP, making it suitable for laptops and compact systems where the 1700X's 95W TDP and desktop AM4 socket would not be practical.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is built on the Zen architecture (codename Zen, Summit Ridge) using a 14nm process from GlobalFoundries. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The die size is 213 mm² and contains 4,800 million transistors. The cache hierarchy consists of 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK uses the Kaby Lake architecture (codename Kaby Lake-H) on Intel's 14nm process. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Its die size is notably smaller at 126 mm², and the cache structure is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The smaller die size and cache allocation reflect the mobile focus of this part.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD chip supports DDR4 exclusively, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. The Intel chip supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but the database does not list a specific memory bandwidth figure for it.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics listed. This means systems built around the 1700X require a discrete graphics card, whereas the 7820HK can operate with just its iGPU in basic configurations.

Both processors have unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The production status differs: the AMD part is listed as Active, while the Intel part is End-of-life. Release dates are close, with Intel launching in January 2017 and AMD in March 2017. The launch MSRP for the AMD is $399, and for the Intel it is $378.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 compared to the Intel Core i7-7820HK's 635, which is a 142% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-7820HK win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-7820HK wins Geekbench single-core, scoring 1273 against the AMD's 1100, a 13.6% lead for Intel.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X supports DDR4 only, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK includes Intel HD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X does not have integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK is listed as End-of-life.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and the Intel Core i7-7820HK:

• Cores: AMD 8 vs Intel 4
• Threads: AMD 16 vs Intel 8
• Base Clock: AMD 3.40 GHz vs Intel 2.90 GHz
• Boost Clock: AMD 3.80 GHz vs Intel 3.90 GHz
• TDP: AMD 95 vs Intel 45
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4 vs Intel BGA 1440
• Architecture: Zen vs Kaby Lake
• Codename: Zen vs Kaby Lake-H
• Generation: Ryzen 7 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) vs Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H)
• Foundry: GlobalFoundries vs Intel
• Transistors: 4,800 million vs not listed
• Die Size: 213 mm² vs 126 mm²
• L1 Cache: 96 KB per core vs 64 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core vs 256 KB per core
• L3 Cache: 16 MB shared vs 8 MB shared
• Memory Support: DDR4 vs DDR3, DDR4
• Memory Bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s vs not listed
• ECC Memory: true vs false
• Integrated Graphics: none vs Intel HD Graphics 630
• Market Segment: Desktop vs Mobile
• Production Status: Active vs End-of-life
• Release Date: 2017-03-01 vs 2017-01-02
• Launch MSRP: $399 vs $378
• Part Number: YD170XBCAEWOF vs SR32P

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a compelling case for the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X as the superior performer in most measured workloads. It wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head tests, with particularly dominant margins in multi-core benchmarks. The 142% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 33.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core establish the 1700X as the clear choice for demanding multi-threaded applications. Its larger cache allocations, higher core count, and ECC memory support further reinforce its suitability for professional and content creation workloads.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK offers a single advantage in Geekbench single-core, where it is 13.6% ahead. Its lower TDP of 45W and mobile BGA 1440 socket make it the only viable option for laptop or compact mobile systems. The integrated graphics also provide a fallback for systems without a discrete GPU. However, its End-of-life production status and smaller cache and core resources limit its long-term appeal.

Users building a desktop workstation or high-performance PC should select the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X based on its multi-core dominance and active production status. Users needing a mobile processor with lower power consumption and integrated graphics, and who prioritize the Geekbench single-core metric, should consider the Intel Core i7-7820HK. The data clearly favors AMD for raw throughput, while Intel's part serves a specific mobile niche.