Whether you're purchasing a new gaming rig or upgrading the current one, a new CPU can make all the difference. Choosing the right CPU can dramatically improve your gaming experience and enhance the Gaming PC's performance.

Intel and AMD are the two brands that have been battling it out in the processor world. AMD has come a long way and has an excellent range of Ryzen 7 series processors, which are considered a high-end product for enthusiastic gamers. Not to be left behind, Intel also has its Core i7 range which promises to be the key that unlocks the best performance from your PC.

Both options are evenly balanced out. Choosing the right one for your setup isn't going to be easy. We look at the key features of both ranges of CPUs to help you determine which one will work best for your rig and your needs.

Why not also read: AMD Ryzen 5 Vs i5

AMD Ryzen 7 Vs i7 Breakdown

Cores/Threads

The first feature you want to consider when purchasing a new CPU is the number of cores the processor has. The more the cores, the more applications or programs you can run simultaneously.

AMD employs a unique feature in its CPU called multi-threading. This technology allows the Ryzen 7 range of CPU to double the number of threads to cores, which means most CPUs in this range eight threads and 16 cores.

Intel uses the same hyper-threading concept to enhance the performance of the CPU by allowing the CPU to have more cores than actually contained by the CPU. However, in the Core i7 series of Intel, the CPUs max out at eight cores and eight threads.

For gamers who are upgrading, the AMD Ryzen 7 series is a huge upgrade over the earlier models like Ryzen 3.

In terms of cores, threads and overall brute performance, the Ryzen 7 series jumps to start over the Intel Core i7 series. But, there’s more to finding the right processor than the number of cores and threads.

Clock Speed

What Intel lacks in cores and threads, it makes up for in speed and its higher frequencies. The Intel Core i7 series outhustles the AMD CPUs in both bases and boosted CPU clock speeds.

On average, the Ryzen 7 series clocks at 3.6GHz/3.9GHz, which is quite commendable because it is faster than some of the CPUs in the Ryzen 9 series. When boosted, the CPUs clock at 4.4Ghz/4.5Ghz. That’s more than enough speed for enthusiastic gamers who only use their rigs for gaming.

Intel Core i7 has better output numbers than the Ryzen 7 in terms of clock speed. The Intel Core i7 family has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and can go as high as 5.1GHz using Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology. The high clock speeds are excellent for frame rates. But unfortunately, they don’t make up for the low number of threads and lower horsepower.

The high speeds might not impact games that are GPU-dependent. However, for games like Ashes of the Singularity and Far Cry 5, the higher frequency CPUs come out on top in delivering an amazing gaming experience.

If high frequencies are at the top of your priorities, then the Intel Core i7 range is perfect for you as it easily takes the lead in terms of clock speeds.

Architecture

The latest generation of the Ryzen 7 CPUs uses the Zen 3 architecture, a significant upgrade from the previous CPUs. It delivers better clock speeds and has an increased cache size. The addition of the AM2 chipset means that the CPU is compatible with past, present, and future motherboards, which should be a great relief to all gamers.

The 10th generation of the Core i7 processors is built on the Ice Lake architecture. Like the Ryzen 7, Ice Lake is a vast improvement from the earlier generations that had the Nehalem 45nm microarchitecture.

Although Intel rolls out its latest architecture for the 10th generation Core i7 processors, AMD still takes the win, mainly because it has a bigger cache memory capacity:

Ryzen 7

  • L1 Cache – 512KB
  • L2 Cache – 4MB
  • L3 Cache – 32MB

Intel Core i7

  • L1 Cache – 64KB
  • L2 Cache – 256KB
  • L3 Cache – 4MN to 24MB shared.

The higher cache memory size means Ryzen 7 CPUs store more of the most frequently used commands, which translates to faster loading times.

However, you should note that despite the limited Cache memory in Intel CPUs, both CPU families can run a majority of the AAA titles without any issues.

Multitasking

For the longest time, AMD has been the better choice for multitasking. It is perfect for gamers who love to stream their games. The Ryzen 7 series of processors can comfortably handle multiple programs in the background because of its sheer number of cores and threads and its hyperthreading technology.

Intel is not far back either. It can do an okay job in multitasking. However, it is limited by the fewer number of threads which are nearly half of what AMD offers on the Ryzen 7 series.

If you do more than gaming on your PC and what a processor that can handle multiple programs without issues, the AMD Ryzen 7 series is the better choice. It’s not to say that Intel’s Core i7 cannot multitask. It can, but with limitations because of the fewer threads.

Battery Life

Battery life isn’t much of a concern when you’re using a desktop. But if you’re using a laptop, you will want to get more gaming time out of your battery. The Intel Core i7 has longer battery life than the Ryzen 7 processor family.

If the laptop is your preferred tool for gaming, the Intel Core i7 will deliver longer gaming hours with a more vivid display.

Price and Value

Finally, you will need to consider the price. AMD has done an excellent job of making up for its deficiencies by having lower prices. In this case, Ryzen 7 family appears to be on an even keel with the Core i7 but still retains the exceptionally affordable prices.

For gamers with a tight budget but still need a processor that will deliver on most AAA titles, the Ryzen 7 is the best option. The Corei7 will set you back a handsome sum without much performance difference.

Comparison

The Ryzen 7 series came with a lot of improvements that were made from the Ryzen 5 series. The Ryzen 7 series has done an excellent job holding a spot among the best computer processing units and particularly in multitasking operations.

Intel has always remained a formidable force in the processing world. Its core i7 CPUs might be slightly underpowered but deliver excellent gaming performance where multitasking is not involved.

In terms of price, Intel has pricier processors. You would expect its range of i7 CPUs to trash the Ryzen 7 in every round. But, Ryzen 7 holds its ground in some of the rounds. It's safe to say that the two CPU families are evenly balanced. What separates them is the applications.

The AMD family is perfect for gamers looking to get the most performance at competitive prices. These CPUs are excellent at multitasking but don't fare well in terms of clock speeds.

Although Intel processors demand that you dig deep into your pockets, they deliver incredible graphics and gaming experiences. They are perfect for full-time gaming rigs that don't run any other demanding applications.