PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 7600X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.1% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Ryzen 7 1700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 94.7 vs 105.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 1700.

Ryzen 7 1700

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.5 vs 94.7 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 7600X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7600X across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,065 vs 15,300).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7600X moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 7600X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 7600X

2022

Ryzen 7 1700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.1% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Ryzen 7 1700 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.5 vs 94.7 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 7600X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 94.7 vs 105.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 1700.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7600X across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,065 vs 15,300).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7600X moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 7600X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7600X better than Ryzen 7 1700?

Yes. Ryzen 5 7600X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 31.1% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 89.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 91.7% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 7600X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 31.1% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 7600X is the better fit. You are getting 89.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 7600X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 1700 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 5 7600X is 113.6% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it gives you a 31.1% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 1700 is also 11.4% better value on MSRP (105.5 vs 94.7 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 1700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 7600X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Ryzen 5 7600X Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 1700 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
1080p
low	266 FPS	168 FPS
medium	246 FPS	144 FPS
high	210 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	226 FPS	142 FPS
medium	189 FPS	119 FPS
high	154 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	157 FPS	64 FPS
medium	131 FPS	58 FPS
high	101 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	36 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen 7 1700

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
1080p
low	649 FPS	277 FPS
medium	524 FPS	245 FPS
high	436 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	180 FPS
1440p
low	544 FPS	244 FPS
medium	455 FPS	221 FPS
high	388 FPS	197 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	162 FPS
4K
low	341 FPS	177 FPS
medium	290 FPS	165 FPS
high	271 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	232 FPS	120 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen 7 1700

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
1080p
low	708 FPS	369 FPS
medium	652 FPS	369 FPS
high	571 FPS	369 FPS
ultra	484 FPS	369 FPS
1440p
low	708 FPS	369 FPS
medium	554 FPS	369 FPS
high	479 FPS	367 FPS
ultra	409 FPS	311 FPS
4K
low	463 FPS	350 FPS
medium	392 FPS	284 FPS
high	341 FPS	258 FPS
ultra	281 FPS	209 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen 7 1700

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
1080p
low	708 FPS	369 FPS
medium	708 FPS	369 FPS
high	708 FPS	369 FPS
ultra	708 FPS	369 FPS
1440p
low	708 FPS	369 FPS
medium	708 FPS	369 FPS
high	658 FPS	369 FPS
ultra	571 FPS	369 FPS
4K
low	560 FPS	369 FPS
medium	502 FPS	369 FPS
high	452 FPS	361 FPS
ultra	391 FPS	311 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen 7 1700

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 7 1700

Ryzen 5 7600X

The Ryzen 5 7600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 28,325 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 1700

The Ryzen 7 1700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,772 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 7600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 1700 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 1700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 1700 — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7600X (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7600X uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 7600X scores 28,325 against the Ryzen 7 1700's 14,772 — a 62.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 7600X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,300 vs 8,065 (61.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 7600X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,900 vs 1,000, a 97.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 7600X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,800 vs 5,000 (93.6% advantage for the Ryzen 5 7600X). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7600X vs 16384 kB on the Ryzen 7 1700.

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+43%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+57%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+100%	16384 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB+50%	4096 kB
Process	5 nm, 6 nm-64%	14 nm
Architecture	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	28,325+92%	14,772
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,300+90%	8,065
Geekbench 6 Single	2,900+190%	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,800+176%	5,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 7600X uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 5 7600X versus DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 7 1700 — the Ryzen 5 7600X supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 5 7600X) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 1700) — the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 5 7600X) and B350,X370,B450,X470,A520,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 1700).

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Socket	AM5	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200+25%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28+17%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 5 7600X includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Ryzen 7 1700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 7600X targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 1700 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 7600X rivals Intel Core i5-13600K; Ryzen 7 1700 rivals Core i7-7700K.

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 7600X launched at $299 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 1700 debuted at $140. On MSRP ($299 vs $140), the Ryzen 7 1700 is $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 7600X delivers 94.7 pts/$ vs 105.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 1700 — making the Ryzen 7 1700 the 10.8% better value option.