AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i5-7640X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in this matchup: the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X takes three of the four recorded head-to-head tests. The most dramatic difference is in multi-threaded rendering, where the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus the Intel Core i5-7640X's 607, a 60.5% advantage for the AMD part. The same pattern holds in Geekbench multicore, though with a much narrower margin: the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 5584 against the Intel chip's 5137, an 8% lead. These two results are consistent with the core and thread counts: the Ryzen 7 1700X provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-7640X offers only 4 cores and 4 threads. Multi-threaded workloads clearly favor the AMD processor by a wide margin in the Cinebench test and a solid, if smaller, margin in Geekbench.

Single-core performance, however, flips the script. The Intel Core i5-7640X wins Geekbench singlecore with a score of 1736 against the Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100, a 57.8% lead for the Intel part. The Cinebench R15 singlecore result also goes to AMD, with the Ryzen 7 1700X scoring 154 versus the i5-7640X's 85, a 44.8% difference. That is an unusual pairing of outcomes: the Ryzen 7 1700X wins one single-core test by a large margin while losing the other single-core test by an even larger margin. The database records both results without further context, but the divergence suggests that the two processors respond differently to the specific instruction patterns and workload scaling of each benchmark. The Intel chip's higher clock speeds (4.30 GHz boost versus 3.80 GHz boost) likely explain its strong Geekbench single-core showing, while the Ryzen 7 1700X's Cinebench R15 single-core win indicates it can outperform the Intel part in at least one single-threaded scenario despite the lower boost clock.

Looking at the overall average benchmark scores, the two processors are extremely close. The Intel Core i5-7640X has an average benchmark score of 2167, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an average of 2094. That 3.5% difference, however, is not reflected in the head-to-head results, because the averages are computed across different benchmark sets. The i5-7640X includes Cinebench R20 and R23 results in its average, which are absent from the Ryzen 7 1700X's recorded data. The nearest rival data for the Intel chip shows it sitting between the Intel Core i5-1145G7E (2174, 0.3% higher) and the Intel Core i7-5950HQ (2158, 0.4% lower), while the Ryzen 7 1700X sits between the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (2101, 0.3% higher) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (2086, 0.4% lower). Both processors occupy a similar tier in the overall CPU landscape, with the i5-7640X at the 47th percentile and the Ryzen 7 1700X at the 46th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. The recorded data shows a 60.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore, which is a rendering test that scales with core count. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration gives it a decisive advantage over the 4-core, 4-thread i5-7640X in any workload that can use more than four threads. The Geekbench multicore result reinforces this, with an 8% lead that is smaller but still consistent. The Ryzen 7 1700X also wins the Cinebench R15 singlecore test by 44.8%, which suggests it can hold its own in at least some lightly threaded scenarios. For users running video rendering, 3D modeling, compilation, or other parallelized tasks, the data points firmly to the AMD processor.

The Intel Core i5-7640X wins only one test, but it does so decisively. The 57.8% lead in Geekbench singlecore is the largest margin in either direction across all four head-to-head benchmarks. This result indicates that for workloads that depend on single-thread performance, such as older games, certain productivity applications, or lightly threaded software, the i5-7640X has a clear edge. The chip's 4.30 GHz boost clock, the highest in this comparison, supports this outcome. However, the Intel part's loss in Cinebench R15 singlecore by 44.8% complicates the picture: it does not win every single-threaded test. The practical takeaway is that the i5-7640X is competitive in single-threaded scenarios but cannot match the Ryzen 7 1700X in multi-threaded scenarios. The Ryzen 7 1700X also has a higher average benchmark score in its recorded tests, but that is a function of the benchmark set rather than a meaningful advantage in overall capability.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturers and different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-X codename, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses the Zen architecture, also built on a 14 nm process but manufactured by GlobalFoundries rather than Intel. Both chips are desktop parts with unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking, but they target different sockets: the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2066, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4.

The core and cache configurations differ substantially. The i5-7640X has 4 cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, with 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's larger caches and higher core count are consistent with its strong multi-threaded performance. Additionally, the Ryzen 7 1700X has a documented transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², while the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Clock speeds favor the Intel chip. The i5-7640X has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 1700X has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel part's higher clocks likely explain its single-core Geekbench victory. Power consumption also differs: the i5-7640X has a TDP of 112 watts, while the Ryzen 7 1700X has a TDP of 95 watts. The AMD chip delivers twice the cores and four times the threads while drawing less power according to the TDP ratings.

Memory support shows another divergence. Both chips support DDR4 memory, but the i5-7640X uses a quad-channel memory bus while the Ryzen 7 1700X uses a dual-channel bus. The Ryzen 7 1700X has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not listed. The AMD processor supports ECC memory, while the Intel processor does not. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, with the AMD chip specified as 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip's lane count is not detailed.

The release dates differ by a few months: the Ryzen 7 1700X launched on March 1, 2017, and the i5-7640X launched on June 25, 2017. The Ryzen 7 1700X carries a launch MSRP of $399 and has an active production status, while the i5-7640X has no recorded launch MSRP or production status. The Ryzen 7 1700X is part of AMD's 1000 series, specifically the Ryzen 7 (Zen Summit Ridge) generation, while the i5-7640X belongs to the Core i5 X-Series 7th Gen lineup.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins decisively. It scores 1537 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 607 for the Intel Core i5-7640X, a 60.5% advantage. It also leads 5584 to 5137 in Geekbench multicore, an 8% margin.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X wins Geekbench singlecore with 1736 against 1100, a 57.8% lead. However, the Ryzen 7 1700X wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with 154 against 85, a 44.8% margin, so the result depends on the benchmark.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-7640X does not.

Q: What is the overall average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has an average benchmark score of 2167, placing it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an average of 2094, placing it at the 46th percentile.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i5-7640X and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X:

• Cores: 4 (Intel) versus 8 (AMD)
• Threads: 4 (Intel) versus 16 (AMD)
• Base clock: 3.90 GHz (Intel) versus 3.40 GHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 4.30 GHz (Intel) versus 3.80 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 112 watts (Intel) versus 95 watts (AMD)
• Socket: Intel Socket 2066 (Intel) versus AMD Socket AM4 (AMD)
• Architecture: Kaby Lake (Intel) versus Zen (AMD)
• Codename: Kaby Lake-X (Intel) versus Zen (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel (Intel) versus GlobalFoundries (AMD)
• Transistors: not recorded (Intel) versus 4,800 million (AMD)
• Die size: not recorded (Intel) versus 213 mm² (AMD)
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core (Intel) versus 96 KB per core (AMD)
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core (Intel) versus 512 KB per core (AMD)
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared (Intel) versus 16 MB shared (AMD)
• Memory bus: quad-channel (Intel) versus dual-channel (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: not recorded (Intel) versus 42.7 GB/s (AMD)
• ECC memory: false (Intel) versus true (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 3 (Intel) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only (AMD)
• Production status: not recorded (Intel) versus Active (AMD)
• Release date: June 25, 2017 (Intel) versus March 1, 2017 (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: not recorded (Intel) versus $399 (AMD)
• Part number: not recorded (Intel) versus YD170XBCAEWOF (AMD)

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation for users with multi-threaded workloads: choose the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X. It wins three of the four head-to-head benchmarks, including the two multi-core tests, and its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with larger caches (16 MB L3 versus 6 MB L3) gives it a structural advantage in parallel processing. The 60.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore is substantial, and even the smaller 8% lead in Geekbench multicore confirms the pattern. The Ryzen 7 1700X also has a lower TDP (95 watts versus 112 watts), supports ECC memory, and carries a launch MSRP of $399. Its dual-channel memory bus is a limitation relative to the Intel chip's quad-channel bus, but the recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s indicates it is not a bottleneck in the tested workloads.

The Intel Core i5-7640X is the pick for users who prioritize single-threaded performance in the Geekbench sense. Its 57.8% lead in Geekbench singlecore is the largest margin in the entire comparison, and its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz supports that result. However, its loss in Cinebench R15 singlecore by 44.8% means it does not dominate every single-threaded scenario. The Intel chip also has the higher average benchmark score (2167 versus 2094) and sits at the 47th percentile versus the Ryzen 7 1700X's 46th percentile, but those figures are computed from different benchmark sets and should not be overinterpreted.

For most users, the Ryzen 7 1700X is the stronger overall choice. It wins more tests, offers more cores and threads, draws less power per the TDP rating, and includes ECC support. The Intel chip's single-core Geekbench win is meaningful for specific lightweight workloads, but the breadth of the Ryzen 7 1700X's victories, especially the dominant Cinebench R15 multicore result, makes it the safer recommendation in the database's recorded metrics. Users whose software is overwhelmingly single-threaded and Geekbench-reactive might prefer the i5-7640X, but the data does not support a broader case for the Intel part.