AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT vs AMD Ryzen 7 8700F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive, though not universal, victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F. Out of 23 head-to-head comparisons, the 8700F claims 22 wins, while the Ryzen 7 5800XT takes just one. The margin of victory varies widely by workload, revealing distinct strengths and one notable weakness.

In multi-threaded rendering tests, the 8700F's advantage is consistent and substantial. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the 8700F scores 26646 against 23794 for the 5800XT, a 12% lead. The same 12% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore (11191 vs 9993) and Cinebench R15 multicore (2685 vs 2398). This pattern suggests a steady architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The 8700F wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by 12% (3761 vs 3359), Cinebench R20 singlecore by 12% (1579 vs 1410), and Cinebench R15 singlecore by 11.8% (378 vs 338). In 3DMark single_thread, the lead is 5.1% (1008 vs 959). The 8700F also leads in 3DMark 2_threads by 5.9% (1989 vs 1879), 4_threads by 6.6% (3839 vs 3603), and 8_threads by 6.8% (6559 vs 6141).

Some of the largest gaps appear in PassMark's specialized workloads. The 8700F leads by 26.5% in random_string_sorting (45425 vs 35911), by 17.3% in extended_instructions (28474 vs 24270), and by 16.4% in floating_point_math (62629 vs 53808). These are the biggest wins in the entire comparison, suggesting the 8700F's architecture handles certain algorithmic patterns far more efficiently.

Other notable wins include passmark_physics at 14.6% (1553 vs 1355), passmark_multithread at 10.1% (30893 vs 28053), and passmark_single_thread at 9.5% (3872 vs 3535). Data compression shows a 7.4% edge (378160 vs 352002), integer_math a 6.8% edge (100371 vs 93942), and data_encryption a modest 3.1% edge (22117 vs 21461).

The single victory for the 5800XT comes in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 119 against 98 for the 8700F, a 17.6% margin. This is an outlier in an otherwise one-sided comparison, but it is worth noting because prime number finding is a specific algorithmic pattern that can expose cache or branch prediction differences.

Where Each One Wins

The 8700F is the clear choice for most workloads based on the data. Its wins span rendering (Cinebench), physics simulation (PassMark physics), encryption, compression, sorting, and general single and multi-threaded productivity. The 12% consistent lead across all three Cinebench versions, both single and multi-core, indicates that the 8700F delivers a broad all-around improvement.

The 5800XT's win in prime number finding is isolated but real. For anyone whose work specifically involves prime number generation or related number theory computations, the 5800XT holds an advantage. The 119 score versus 98 represents a meaningful edge in that narrow domain.

For mixed workloads, the 8700F's 16.4% lead in floating point math and 17.3% lead in extended instructions make it better suited for scientific computing, simulation, and any task that relies heavily on advanced instruction sets. The 26.5% margin in random string sorting suggests the 8700F handles memory access patterns and sorting algorithms more efficiently.

The 5800XT also retains value for users on the AM4 platform. The database shows it is an active product with DDR4 memory support and ECC memory capability, which the 8700F lacks. For those constrained to DDR4 systems, the 5800XT is the only option between these two.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has an average benchmark score of 30746, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT averages 29879. The 8700F also sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 81st percentile for the 5800XT.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The 8700F leads by 12% in both multicore (26646 vs 23794) and singlecore (3761 vs 3359) tests. This 12% delta is consistent across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

Q: Are there any tests where the 5800XT beats the 8700F?

A: Yes, the 5800XT wins passmark_find_prime_numbers with a score of 119 versus 98, a 17.6% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test the 5800XT wins out of 23 recorded comparisons.

Q: What is the difference in memory support between the two?

A: The 8700F supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The 5800XT supports DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The 5800XT also supports ECC memory, while the 8700F does not.

Q: Which CPU is more power efficient?

A: The 8700F has a TDP of 65 watts, while the 5800XT has a TDP of 105 watts. The 8700F achieves higher benchmark scores across nearly all tests while consuming less power according to the thermal design specifications.

Q: How do the launch prices compare?

A: The 8700F has a launch MSRP of $270, and the 5800XT has a launch MSRP of $249.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several fundamental specifications. The 8700F has a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the 5800XT operates at 3.80 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The 8700F has a TDP of 65 watts versus 105 watts for the 5800XT.

Socket compatibility diverges completely. The 8700F uses AMD Socket AM5, while the 5800XT uses AMD Socket AM4. This means the two CPUs are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Memory support differs significantly. The 8700F uses DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the 5800XT uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 5800XT but not on the 8700F. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The process node differs: the 8700F is built on a 4 nm process, while the 5800XT uses a 7 nm process. Both are manufactured by TSMC. Transistor counts differ dramatically: the 8700F has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the 5800XT has 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die.

Both CPUs have 8 cores and 16 threads, unlocked multipliers, and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Neither has integrated graphics. Both are active production parts.

Architecture Differences

The 8700F is based on Zen 4 architecture with the codename Phoenix, part of the 8000 series. The 5800XT uses Zen 3 architecture with the codename Vermeer, part of the 5000 series. This generational gap explains many of the benchmark differences.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The 8700F has 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the 5800XT has 512 KB per core. For L3 cache, the 8700F has 16 MB shared, while the 5800XT has 32 MB shared. The 5800XT's larger L3 cache may contribute to its win in prime number finding, where larger working sets can benefit from more cache, though the 8700F still dominates in most memory-sensitive tests.

The release dates show the 8700F launched on 2024-03-31, while the 5800XT launched on 2024-07-30. The 8700F is the newer design, built on a smaller process node with higher clock speeds and lower TDP.

The Verdict

The data points overwhelmingly toward the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F for most users. It wins 22 of 23 benchmark comparisons, including every major rendering test, every single-thread test, and most specialized workloads. The consistent 12% lead across Cinebench versions, combined with the 26.5% margin in string sorting and 17.3% in extended instructions, indicates a broadly superior architecture.

The 8700F also achieves these results with a 65 watt TDP versus 105 watts for the 5800XT, making it the more efficient choice. Its DDR5 memory support provides higher bandwidth (83.2 GB/s vs 51.2 GB/s), which likely contributes to its wins in memory-intensive tasks like sorting and data compression.

However, the 5800XT is not without merit. It wins in prime number finding by 17.6%, and it supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the 8700F. For users on AM4 motherboards who cannot upgrade to AM5, the 5800XT is the only viable option between these two. Its DDR4 support may also be preferable for those with existing DDR4 memory investments.

For a new build or a full platform upgrade, the 8700F is the clear choice based on benchmark results. For an AM4 platform refresh where ECC memory is required, or for workloads dominated by prime number computations, the 5800XT remains relevant. The 5800XT's lower launch MSRP of $249 versus $270 for the 8700F is noted, but the 8700F's performance advantages across nearly the entire benchmark suite justify the difference for most applications.