AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7700 and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 represent two vastly different eras of processor design, and the benchmark data reflects this chasm. The i7-7700 is a 4-core, 8-thread part from the Kaby Lake generation, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is a 12-core, 24-thread Zen 4 powerhouse. Across every single head-to-head benchmark, the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 emerges victorious, often by margins exceeding 80%. This comparison is not about close competition; it is about quantifying the generational leap in multi-threaded and single-threaded performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 wins in every benchmark category recorded in this comparison. It dominates all six head-to-head tests, which cover both single-core and multi-core workloads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The data shows a clean sweep: the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has 6 wins, while the Intel Core i7-7700 has 0 wins. This is not a situational advantage; the AMD part is simply faster in every measured metric.

The Intel Core i7-7700’s only theoretical advantage lies in its legacy platform. It uses the Intel Socket 1151 and supports DDR4 memory, whereas the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 requires the newer AMD Socket AM5 and DDR5. For a builder with existing DDR4 modules and a 1151 motherboard, the i7-7700 could represent a drop-in upgrade path. However, in terms of raw performance, there is no workload category in the provided data where the Intel part wins or even comes close.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945’s dominance is so complete that its smallest victory margin is still a massive 81.5% delta in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. All other deltas are also 81.5% or 81.6%, indicating a consistent and overwhelming performance gap that does not vary by workload type.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is stark. The Intel Core i7-7700 is built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, using the Kaby Lake architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and lacks ECC memory support. The i7-7700 also uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945, in contrast, is built on TSMC’s 5 nm process node using the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Its cache is significantly larger: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 64 MB L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, more than double the Intel part, and includes ECC memory support. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 also features PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, a major upgrade over the i7-7700’s Gen 3.

The transistor counts and die sizes also differ dramatically. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 contains 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel i7-7700’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. Both processors include integrated graphics: the i7-7700 has HD 630, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has Radeon Graphics. The AMD part is also classified for the Server/Workstation market segment, while the Intel part is for Desktop.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unequivocal. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 scores 3996 versus the i7-7700’s 740, a delta of -81.5% for the Intel part. This means the AMD processor is approximately 5.4 times faster in this multi-threaded rendering test. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 564 for the AMD part versus 104 for the Intel part, also a -81.6% delta.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is 16654, while the i7-7700 manages only 3084. The delta remains at -81.5%. In single-core R20, the scores are 2351 and 435, respectively, again a -81.5% delta. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, shows the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 achieving a multi-core score of 39653 versus 7344 for the i7-7700. The single-core R23 scores are 5598 and 1036. In every case, the delta is either -81.5% or -81.6%, indicating a perfectly consistent performance ratio.

These numbers are not marginal improvements; they represent a fundamental shift in capability. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945’s multi-core scores are over five times higher than the i7-7700’s across all Cinebench versions. Even in single-core tests, where older architectures often hold up better, the AMD part is still roughly 5.4 times faster. This suggests that the combination of a higher boost clock (5.40 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) and the more efficient Zen 4 architecture delivers a massive per-thread advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 scores 39653, while the i7-7700 scores 7344. This represents a delta of -81.5% for the Intel part, meaning the AMD processor is roughly 5.4 times faster.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-7700 does not.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 supports dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-7700’s boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each CPU provide?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 provides 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the superior processor in every measurable way. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with deltas of approximately -81.5%, meaning it is over five times faster in both single-core and multi-core workloads. For any user prioritizing performance, the choice is clear.

The Intel Core i7-7700 should only be considered by someone who is already invested in the Intel Socket 1151 platform and DDR4 memory, and who cannot or will not upgrade the motherboard and RAM. Even then, the i7-7700’s performance is so far behind that it would bottleneck any modern workload. Its 67th percentile ranking among all CPUs is identical to the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945’s, but this is misleading given the vast difference in their benchmark scores.

For a new build, the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the only rational choice from this data. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.40 GHz boost clock, deliver exceptional multi-threaded performance for server or workstation tasks, as indicated by its market segment. Its support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5 further cement its position as a professional-grade part. The i7-7700, despite its "Active" production status, is a legacy component that cannot compete on any level.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-7700 | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 13,140 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 2x 71 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | Radeon Graphics |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2023-06-12 |