The latest processor generation “Ryzen 2” from AMD will be released on April 19 with prices ranging from €195 to €319. Can it surpass Intel’s i7 8700K?
AMD is not only known for its graphics cards but also for good processors. With the Ryzen models, the company has managed to pose strong competition to Intel. In particular, DIY builders clearly prefer Ryzen. Almost a year later, the successor models are now being released.
From €195 upwards
The sales are conducted through third-party vendors, not through AMD itself. A total of 4 versions are offered at once:
• Ryzen 5 2600: €195; 6 x 3.4-3.9 GHz; power consumption of 65 watts
• Ryzen 5 2600X: €225; 6 x 3.6 – 4.2 GHz; power consumption of 95 watts
• Ryzen 7 2700: €289; 8 x 3.2 – 4.1 GHz; power consumption of 65 watts
• Ryzen 7 2700X: €319; 8 x 3.7 – 4.3 GHz; power consumption of 105 watts
A new processor also always raises the question of a new motherboard. Ryzen 2 continues to be compatible with the chipsets A320, B350, and X370 after an update. So, if you already own an old Ryzen processor, you can easily switch to the new model. Additionally, the new chipset X470 will soon be released, priced from €150.
First benchmarks available
According to the Spanish site El Chapuzas Informatico, the Ryzen 7 2700X is about ten percent faster in games than its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 1700. For applications, the performance increase is slightly lower at 7%. The reason for the increase is lower cache and memory latencies.
Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 performance are close to each other in games. However, the problem with these first benchmarks is that both processors are likely limited by the used graphics card, the GTX 1070 with ultra details. In applications, Ryzen 7 has a clear advantage due to its additional cores.
According to the benchmark comparison from wccftech, the Intel CPU i7 8700K and AMD Ryzen 7 2700X are on par. In Doom, Ryzen 7 achieves 56,067 FPS, the i7 8700K 56,167 FPS, and in Resident Evil 7 it’s 44,735 for AMD and 43,494 for Intel. The same goes for other games. Sometimes Intel wins, sometimes AMD. The differences are always marginal.
If the game benefits from a high core count, Ryzen wins. If the clock rate is more important, the i7 8700K wins the duel.
You can find a comprehensive article on this benchmark on GameStar: Ryzen 2 vs. Core i7 8700K & Co – How meaningful are the preliminary benchmarks?
AMD: Like a phoenix from the ashes
AMD has always had strong competitors. In the graphics card sector, it is Nvidia, in processors, Intel. For a long time, Intel seemed unbeatable and put AMD in a financial predicament. Analysts even suspected the company’s bankruptcy by 2020.
But the CEO Lisa Su, appointed at the end of 2014, managed to turn things around. Through a long-term strategy, she ensured AMD’s financial success. With the Ryzen CPUs, she achieved a breakthrough: AMD is profitable again and Lisa Su is seen as the new Steve Jobs.
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