AMD Ryzen 7 2700 review - Introduction

AMD Ryzen 7 2700
Is the non X gonna give it ya?

It is time to have a look at the non-X model Ryzen 7 2700. This eight-core processor is 30 bucks cheaper compared to the 2700X model, it also frees itself from a 105W TDP, as the 2700 runs a 65 Watt TDP only. The essence, heck even the hardware is the same, however, the 2700 is clocked substantially lower and the X models are better binned and has better default clock frequencies. If you are willing to tweak a bit yourself, you can save cash and retrieve the very same performance. The Ryzen 7 2700 has eight-cores and sixteen threads priced pretty at just 299 USD, a pretty looking value price. But is it the better piece of silicon for proper threading and gaming? Well, let's find out!

AMD has been going strong the past year, rattling all the cages with an Intel logo on it. From top to bottom they have been able to compete with Intel, introducing quad-core processors in the entry-level segment, six and eight-core for the mainstream, and up to 16-core processors with Ryzen Threadripper at the enthusiast level PCs. It has been a year already ever since AMD launched the first generation Ryzen processors. It had a bit of a rocky launch with the inter-core latency discussion a 1080p gaming performance as well as memory support. But the tide definitely turned for AMD as more and more people are considering to purchase an AMD processor-based PC, for their next purchase. The memory compatibility issues are mostly all gone, of course, we'll look at game performance in this article as well. But yes, things are looking good.

Ryzen Series 2000

AMD launches the new Zen+ update of Ryzen. Pretty much, these are the very same processors, yet tweaked a bit and now fabricated on a smaller fabrication node, AMD reached 12nm. Smaller fabrication of chips always comes with challenges, more overly, bigger benefits. There's often a little more room to play with voltages and frequencies. Last year's Ryzen processors had a frequency dead-spot threshold of roughly 3.9~4.0 GHz with some exceptions here and there. The new 12nm generation, however, can be clocked a notch higher. The upper range frequencies at 4.2~4.3 now are feasible, that also means that on the lower end of the spectrum, AMD is now capable to increase base-clock performance ion the more high-end parts. All these little tweaks bring the benefit of an overall faster processor series. Add to that improved memory latency and improved XFR2 ranges and you'll notice that the new Zen+ generation now has become a really viable and more competitive product. So the ones that have not made a move towards AMD Ryzen just yet, now potentially could or will. 

Ryzen 2000 thus are 12nm Zen+ optimized Ryzen processors, the 'refresh' SKUs so to say. 12nm Zen+ processors will work fine with your X370 chipset based motherboard and vice versa, however, AMD launched the new X470 chipset alongside these new Zen+ processors. The new chipset should offer small improvements in combo with the new 12nm products. To facilitate better XFR revision 2 options, AMD is releasing the X470 chipset, all optimized for the latest generation Ryzen procs. We'll address X470 in separate motherboards reviews though. This article will be all about the Ryzen 2000 series. This review covers the Ryzen 7 2700 (8c/16t) priced 299 USD. We’ll go into more detail on the next few pages, of course. The Ryzen 2000 series 7 and 5 processors are six and eight core processors competitively priced, combined with a nice performance increase over the last generation products. Overall we have lots to talk about and to look at, let’s start up the review on the Ryzen 7 2700, shall we?