The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G delivers unrivaled integrated GPU gaming performance to low-cost PCs. If you don’t want to use a discrete GPU and are willing to accept the limitations, such as a limited selection of titles and lower fidelity settings, then it is best for you.
Price
AMD’s new $329 Ryzen 7 8700G and $229 Ryzen 5 8600G “Phoenix” chips use the company’s latest Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures in the company’s first APU refresh since 2021, promising limited 1080p gaming and impressive 720p gaming for budget PC builds without a discrete GPU. AMD claims the 8000G series can handle most AAA games at 1080p, albeit at lower fidelity settings, and we discovered several examples where this was true. These chips are not designed to compete with or replace discrete GPUs, but they do provide unparalleled iGPU performance for desktop PCs.
Architecture
AMD’s previous-generation Ryzen 5000G series, which debuted three years ago, established a high standard for entry-level gaming systems on the AM4 platform — one that Intel has yet to match, even with its latest processors. In keeping with tradition, AMD’s new APU designs are derived from the company’s mobile processor lineup, leveraging the power of the powerful integrated GPU to create specialty chips for desktop PCs that will compete for a spot on our list of the Best CPUs for gaming.
AMD’s new 65W APUs are a significant step forward — the company’s older Ryzen 5000G ‘Cezanne’ series used the Vega GPU architecture, whereas the new Ryzen 7 8700G jumps three generations to RDNA 3-powered Radeon 780M/760M graphics. This results in significant performance improvements in terms of sheer graphical horsepower, as well as support for new features such as AMD’s Hyper-RX (also known as HYPR-RX) suite, which includes Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) upscaling and AMD Fluid Motion Frames. These features are especially welcome in the budget market, where limited GPU horsepower, low resolutions, and low fidelity settings reign supreme.
| CPU | Arch. | Price | Cores/ Threads (Zen 4 + 4c) | Base/ Boost Freq. (Zen 4 cores) | Base/ Boost Freq. (Zen 4c cores) | TDP | L3 (MB) | GPU / Cores | GPU Freq. (MHz) |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Zen 4 | $329 | 8 / 16 | 4.2 / 5.1 | N/A | 65W | 24 | Radeon 780M – 12 CU | 2900 |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | Zen 4 | $229 | 6 / 12 | 4.3 / 5.0 | N/A | 65W | 22 | Radeon 760M – 8 CU | 2800 |
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Zen 4 + Zen 4c | $179 | 6 / 12 (2 + 4) | 4.1 / 5.0 (3.5 GHz global base) | 3.2 / 3.7 | 65W | 22 | Radeon 740M – 4 CU | 2800 |
| Ryzen 3 8300G | Zen 4 + Zen 4c | OEM only | 4 / 8 (1 + 3) | 4.0 / 4.9 (3.4 GHz global base) | 3.2 / 3.6 | 65W | 12 | Radeon 740M – 4 CU | 2600 |
The CPU cores have also been upgraded from the Zen 3 CPU architecture using the 7nm process node to new Zen 4 CPU cores using the much more refined TSMC 4nm process. AMD also transitioned the chips from the AM4 platform with DDR4 memory to newer AM5 motherboards with DDR5 memory and improved connectivity.
AMD divided the Ryzen 8000G series into two tiers: The high-end eight-core 16-thread Ryzen 7 8700G and six-core 12-thread Ryzen 5 8600G use full-featured Zen 4 cores, whereas the lower-end Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 3 8300G use a combination of standard Zen 4 cores and slower density-optimized Zen 4c cores, which we’ll discuss further below.
Review: Ryzen 7 8700G
The two new flagship Ryzen 8000G APU processors are also the world’s first desktop CPUs to include an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) engine for improved performance in AI workloads. This is the second time AMD has beaten Intel to the punch with new AI features; AMD was also the first x86 chipmaker to introduce an NPU to laptops. The XDNA NPU prioritizes power efficiency over raw compute horsepower, making it a better fit for laptops than desktop PCs, where power is less of an issue and other forms of compute, such as the GPU, provide significantly higher performance.
The Ryzen 7 8700G provides previously unseen levels of gaming performance from a desktop PC processor’s integrated graphics unit, but the rising cost of DDR5 and AM5 motherboards muddy the value proposition for a chip aimed at the low end of the market. Other options, such as Intel’s Core i3 series combined with discrete GPUs, provide strong competition. Even though Intel lacks a direct competitor, the Ryzen 7 8700G occupies a small niche.
Specifications
Interestingly, the new APUs feature a blue PCB, as opposed to the standard Ryzen 7000 models, which have a green PCB. AMD creates the Ryzen 7 8700G and 8600G from a single piece of silicon with 25.4 billion transistors spread across 178mm^2. This is a significantly different design from the standard Ryzen 7000 processors.
The standard Ryzen 7000 processors have more aggregate die area, allowing for larger amounts of L3 cache, which improves performance in compute-bound workloads. The Ryzen 7000 chips are also designed for higher power envelopes and frequencies, whereas the 8000G APUs are based on the Ryzen 8000G “Phoenix” series’ lower-power mobile-first design and placed in an AM5 socket-compatible package. This design is then tuned to a higher 65W TDP (88W peak) to improve performance, and AMD fully unlocks the 8000G chips for overclocking.
Although all 8000G APUs have a 65W TDP, the Ryzen 7000 processors outperform on a core-for-core basis due to the L3 cache advantage. The Ryzen 7 8700G comes with a Wraith Spire cooler, while the 8600G and 8500G come with the Wraith Stealth.
AMD has divided its 8000G series into two tiers: the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 5600G, which are based on the Phoenix die and feature standard Zen 4 cores and the XDNA AI engine. The lower APUs, Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 3 8300G use Phoenix 2.
The previous generation 5000G series chips supported DDR4-3200 and fit into the AM4 platform, resulting in a true budget system. The value proposition for Ryzen 8000G is a little less clear: these chips come with DDR5-5200 memory and plenty of overclocking headroom. The AM5 motherboard ecosystem remains costly, and DDR5 memory is still more expensive than DDR4. The Ryzen 8000G chips support 600-series chipsets, and this type of chip works best with the B650 chipset, though the A620 is also an option.
The standard Ryzen 7000 desktop processors expose 24 usable PCIe 5.0 lanes to the user, whereas the Phoenix products expose only 16 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes, resulting in a significant reduction in available bandwidth due to fewer lanes and a slower PCIe interface speed. However, the x8 PCIe 4.0 connection to the CPU will not be a problem with current GPUs — though make no mistake, these chips aren’t designed to be used with a discrete GPU — and the system has two x4 NVMe SSD connections. This should provide adequate connectivity for a low-end platform.
The previous-generation Ryzen 7 5700G and Ryzen 5 5600G processors feature less powerful Vega graphics with 7 or 8 CUs. On previous generations of models, the graphics engines were separated by only one compute unit (CU) and 100 MHz. In contrast, the new Ryzen chips have a much larger gap: the 8700G’s Radeon 780M iGPU has 12 CU, while the 8600G’s Radeon 760M has eight CU. This resulted in a wider performance gap between the two models than we saw with the previous generation. However, because memory bandwidth is the primary constraint on iGPUs, overclocking the lower-end model may help level the playing field.
What is Phoenix 2 in AMD Ryzen 8000 Series APU?
AMD uses the Phoenix 2 die in the Ryzen Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 3 8300G, which means that these two lower-end processors have a mix of standard Zen 4 cores and slower density-optimized Zen 4c cores. They also do not include the AI accelerator, so the Ryzen AI badge will not appear on the product box. We have not yet reviewed these chips, but we will soon. Given the vast differences in architecture, it is prudent to understand the differences if you are considering these as lower-cost alternatives.
AMD’s Ryzen 5 8500G features two Zen 4 cores and four density-optimized Zen 4c cores, while the Ryzen 3 8300G has one Zen 4 core and three Zen 4c cores. AMD’s Zen 4c cores, like Intel’s E-cores, are designed to take up less space on a processor die than regular Zen 4 cores while still providing enough power for less demanding tasks. This saves power and increases computing performance per square millimeter.
Unlike Intel, AMD uses the same microarchitecture and supports the same features on smaller and larger cores. However, the Zen 4c cores operate at lower clock speeds and provide less peak performance than standard cores. Notably, the maximum boost frequency of the Zen 4c cores is lower than the base frequency of the standard Zen 4 cores, which differs from Intel’s approach. We will put this arrangement to the test shortly.
Both of these chips feature a Radeon 740M iGPU with only four CUs. The Phoenix 2 chips have 10 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes, four of which are dedicated to graphics and the remaining six are split between M.2, USB, and WiFi. AMD states that the M.2 SSD should have an x4 connection, with the rest of the I/O split across two lanes, but the final configuration is up to the ODM.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G offers unparalleled integrated GPU gaming performance for budget PCs, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer not to use a discrete GPU and are willing to accept certain limitations in game selection and fidelity settings. With its Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures, the Ryzen 8700G delivers impressive gaming capabilities, particularly at 720p resolution, while also introducing advancements in CPU and GPU cores. Despite the rise in DDR5 and AM5 motherboard costs, the Ryzen 8700G remains a competitive option in the low-cost PC market, offering exceptional value and performance for its price point.
FAQ: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G APU
What are the key features of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G?
Both the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G are part of AMD’s Ryzen 8000G series, featuring the latest Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures. They promise unrivaled integrated GPU gaming performance for low-cost PCs, with support for limited 1080p gaming and impressive 720p gaming without the need for a discrete GPU.
What is the price range of 8700G AND 5600G APUs?
The Ryzen 7 8700G is priced at $329, while the Ryzen 5 8600G comes at $229.
How do these APUs compare to previous-generation models?
These new APUs represent a significant leap forward from their predecessors, offering improved CPU and GPU cores, upgraded architecture, and support for newer technologies such as DDR5 memory and AM5 motherboards.
What architecture do 8600G and 5700G APUs use?
The Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G utilize AMD’s latest Zen 4 CPU cores and RDNA 3-powered Radeon GPU cores, providing enhanced gaming performance and support for features like AMD’s Hyper-RX suite.
What is the target market for 8700g APUs?
These APUs are primarily targeted towards budget PC builds where users prefer not to use a discrete GPU but still want to enjoy gaming at reasonable settings and resolutions.
Do 8700G APUs support AAA gaming titles?
Yes, AMD claims that the Ryzen 8000G series, including the 8700G and 8600G, can handle most AAA games at 1080p, although at lower fidelity settings.
What are the specifications of the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G?
Both APUs feature a 65W TDP and offer different configurations of CPU and GPU cores, as detailed in the provided specifications table.
How do these APUs 8700G AND 8600G compare to CPUs with discrete GPUs?
While these APUs offer impressive integrated GPU performance, they may not match the performance of CPUs paired with discrete GPUs in higher-end gaming scenarios. However, they provide excellent value for budget-oriented builds.
What are the key differences between the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G?
The Ryzen 7 8700G features eight CPU cores and 16 threads, along with a Radeon 780M GPU with 12 compute units (CU). In contrast, the Ryzen 5 8600G offers six CPU cores and 12 threads, paired with a Radeon 760M GPU with eight compute units.
Are these APUs 8600G and 8700G suitable for overclocking?
Yes, AMD fully unlocks the Ryzen 8000G chips for overclocking, providing users with additional performance tuning options.
