Home Tech Land is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is an eight-core desktop central processing unit (CPU) for the AM5 platform that costs less than AMD’s Ryzen 7 8700G because it ships with the integrated graphics turned off. AMD launched it in April 2024 at a suggested price of $269, first in China and then worldwide. In this Ryzen 7 8700F review, we look at its verified specs, what published benchmarks show, the tradeoffs AMD made to hit its price, and which processors on Amazon you should compare before you buy one in 2026.
Quick verdict: The Ryzen 7 8700F is an efficient, cool-running eight-core chip that handles 1080p and 1440p gaming well with a dedicated graphics card. However, its smaller 16-megabyte (MB) L3 cache and Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) 4.0 limit put it behind the Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen 7 9700X, so it only makes sense when you find it noticeably cheaper than those chips. Check the Ryzen 7 8700F price on Amazon.
Ryzen 7 8700F at a glance
| Spec | Ryzen 7 8700F |
|---|---|
| Cores and threads | 8 cores, 16 threads (Zen 4 architecture) |
| Clock speeds | 4.1 gigahertz (GHz) base, up to 5.0 GHz boost |
| Cache | 8 MB L2 plus 16 MB L3 (24 MB total) |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 65 watts (W), configurable down to 45 W |
| Socket | AM5 |
| Memory | Dual-channel Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5), rated up to 5,200 megatransfers per second (MT/s) |
| PCIe | PCIe 4.0, 20 usable lanes from the CPU |
| Integrated graphics | None (disabled on the die) |
| Neural processing unit (NPU) | Ryzen AI NPU listed at up to 16 trillion operations per second (TOPS) |
| Overclocking | Unlocked multiplier; supports Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Curve Optimizer |
| Process | 4-nanometer (nm), made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) |
| Cooler in the box | AMD Wraith Stealth |
| Launch price | $269 suggested retail price (April 2024) |
Specs come from TechPowerUp’s CPU database, Guru3D’s launch coverage, and PCGamesN.
What the Ryzen 7 8700F actually is
The 8700F uses the same monolithic chip as the Ryzen 7 8700G, AMD’s eight-core desktop accelerated processing unit (APU). AMD disables the Radeon 780M graphics on that die and trims the boost clock from 5.1 GHz to 5.0 GHz. Some early reports said AMD also removed the AI engine, but TechPowerUp’s database, PCGamesN, and Guru3D’s updated coverage all credit the 8700F with an active Ryzen AI NPU rated at 16 TOPS. Its six-core sibling, the Ryzen 5 8400F, is the chip that ships without an NPU.
That heritage explains the 8700F’s main compromise. Mobile-derived chips like this one carry 16 MB of L3 cache, half of what the Ryzen 7 7700, Ryzen 7 7700X, and Ryzen 7 9700X offer. They also expose PCIe 4.0 lanes instead of PCIe 5.0. Neither limit matters much for productivity, but cache size has a real effect on gaming frame rates.
Gaming performance
Paired with a capable graphics processing unit (GPU), the Ryzen 7 8700F runs modern games smoothly. Eight Zen 4 cores and 16 threads give it plenty of headroom for streaming, voice chat, and background apps while you play. At 1440p and 4K, the graphics card does most of the work, so the gap between the 8700F and pricier chips shrinks.
At 1080p with a fast GPU, though, the smaller L3 cache shows. PCGamesN and Tom’s Hardware both pointed out at launch that the Ryzen 7 7700X, with 32 MB of L3 cache and a 5.4 GHz boost clock, should beat the 8700F in cache-sensitive games, and AMD’s 3D V-Cache chips like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D sit in a different league for high-refresh gaming. If you play competitive shooters on a 240-hertz (Hz) monitor, cache matters more than core count.
If you’re building around a big screen, check our TCL Q77K review for a budget TV that handles 144 Hz gaming from a PC.
Productivity and multithreaded work
Early benchmarks that Tom’s Hardware reported from motherboard maker JGINYUE put the 8700F within about 2% of the Ryzen 7 8700G in Cinebench R23 and CPU-Z, which makes sense given the shared silicon. That means it handles photo editing, 1080p and 4K video editing, code compilation, and everyday multitasking comfortably.
It isn’t a workstation chip, though. Intel’s Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, with 18 cores, and older chips like the Core i7-14700F, with 20 cores, pull well ahead in heavily threaded rendering. The 8700F’s real productivity strength is efficiency: at 65 W it stays cool and quiet on air cooling, and you can drop it to a 45 W mode for small form factor builds.
No integrated graphics: what that means
The “F” means you must install a dedicated graphics card to get any display output. The motherboard’s High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and DisplayPort outputs won’t work with this CPU. That’s fine for a gaming PC, but it also means you can’t troubleshoot the system without a GPU, and you lose the fallback if your card fails. If you want a working display while you wait for a graphics card, the Ryzen 7 8700G or most non-F Ryzen 7000 and 9000 chips (which include basic Radeon graphics) are the safer choice.
Overclocking and tuning
AMD unlocks the multiplier, and the chip supports PBO and per-core Curve Optimizer through the motherboard’s basic input/output system (BIOS) or the Ryzen Master app. Don’t expect big gains. Overclocker SkatterBencher found that the 8700F topped out at about 5.08 GHz manually, while a tuned PBO and Curve Optimizer setup delivered an average gain of about 5.6%, with up to about 15% in a few memory-sensitive tests. SkatterBencher’s full overclocking guide walks through the settings.
Platform costs in 2026
The AM5 socket is the 8700F’s best long-term feature. AMD has committed to supporting AM5 through at least 2027, and the platform already runs Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 chips, so you can drop in a faster CPU later without replacing the motherboard.
The catch is memory. AM5 requires DDR5, and Tom’s Hardware’s latest CPU buying guide notes that DDR5 and storage prices have surged through 2026, which makes budget AM5 builds more expensive than they were at the 8700F’s launch. Budget for a B650 motherboard and a 32 gigabyte (GB) DDR5-6000 memory kit, which is the sweet spot for Zen 4 chips. The included Wraith Stealth cooler works at stock settings, but a budget tower air cooler keeps the chip quieter under load.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Eight Zen 4 cores and 16 threads at a 65 W TDP
- Runs cool and quiet, with a 45 W mode for small builds
- Ships with a Wraith Stealth cooler
- Unlocked, with PBO and Curve Optimizer support
- AM5 socket offers an upgrade path
- Active Ryzen AI NPU, unlike the Ryzen 5 8400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so you need a dedicated GPU
- Only 16 MB of L3 cache, which costs frame rates at 1080p
- PCIe 4.0 only, not PCIe 5.0
- Little overclocking headroom
- Often priced too close to the faster Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen 7 9700X
Ryzen 7 8700F vs. the competition
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the Ryzen 7 8700F alongside every chip worth cross-shopping. Prices change often, so compare current listings before you decide.
Compare similar CPUs on Amazon
| CPU | Cores / threads | L3 cache | Integrated graphics | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 8700F | 8 / 16 | 16 MB | No | Efficient eight-core builds with a dedicated GPU | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 7 8700G | 8 / 16 | 16 MB | Yes (Radeon 780M) | Gaming without a graphics card | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | 6 / 12 | 32 MB | Yes (basic) | Lowest-cost AM5 gaming | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | 6 / 12 | 32 MB | Yes (basic) | Budget Zen 5 gaming | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | 8 / 16 | 32 MB | Yes (basic) | Balanced gaming and productivity | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 8 / 16 | 96 MB | Yes (basic) | High-refresh gaming for less | Check price |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 8 / 16 | 96 MB | Yes (basic) | The fastest gaming performance | Check price |
| Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | 18 / 18 | 30 MB | Yes | Multithreaded work on a budget | Check price |
| Intel Core Ultra 5 245K | 14 / 14 | 24 MB | Yes | Intel builds on sale | Check price |
- Ryzen 7 8700G: Same cores and cache, plus Radeon 780M graphics that can play lighter games without a GPU. Pay the difference if you might run without a graphics card. See the Ryzen 7 8700G on Amazon.
- Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 9600X: Two fewer cores, but double the L3 cache and higher clocks, so they match or beat the 8700F in many games for less money. See the Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon.
- Ryzen 7 9700X: Tom’s Hardware calls it one of the best all-around CPUs, with eight Zen 5 cores, 32 MB of L3 cache, and a 5.5 GHz boost. It’s the upgrade to pick if the price gap is small. See the Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon.
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 7800X3D: 96 MB of L3 cache makes these the gaming champions. AMD also released the Ryzen 7 9850X3D in 2026 for about $499, but Tom’s Hardware measured it only about 3% faster than the 9800X3D. See the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon.
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: Intel’s 2026 refresh packs six performance cores and 12 efficient cores, and it often sells near the 8700F’s price. It wins easily in multithreaded work. See the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus on Amazon.
Who should buy the Ryzen 7 8700F?
Buy the Ryzen 7 8700F if you already own a graphics card, want an efficient eight-core chip for gaming and creative work, and can find it on sale for clearly less than the Ryzen 7 7700 or Ryzen 7 9700X. It also suits small form factor builds, thanks to its 65 W and 45 W modes.
Skip it if you need a display without a GPU (get the 8700G), want the most frames per second (FPS) for the money (get a Ryzen 5 9600X or a 3D V-Cache chip), or do heavy rendering (consider the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus).
Frequently asked questions
Does the Ryzen 7 8700F have integrated graphics?
No. AMD disables the Radeon graphics on the 8700F, so you need a dedicated graphics card for any display output.
Does the Ryzen 7 8700F support PCIe 5.0?
No. It supports PCIe 4.0 only, with 20 usable lanes. A PCIe 5.0 graphics card or solid-state drive (SSD) still works, but it runs at PCIe 4.0 speeds.
Does the Ryzen 7 8700F come with a cooler?
Yes. The boxed version includes AMD’s Wraith Stealth cooler, which handles the chip at its stock 65 W. Tray versions sold by some retailers don’t include one.
Is the Ryzen 7 8700F good for gaming?
Yes, especially at 1440p and 4K with a strong GPU. At 1080p, chips with more L3 cache, like the Ryzen 7 9700X or Ryzen 7 9800X3D, deliver higher frame rates.
Final verdict
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is a capable, efficient eight-core processor that runs cool, includes a cooler, and gives you an AM5 upgrade path. Its halved L3 cache, PCIe 4.0 limit, and missing graphics mean it’s a value pick only at the right price, so compare it against the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X before you buy. Check the current Ryzen 7 8700F price on Amazon.
1 thought on “AMD Ryzen 7 8700F Review: Efficient Eight-Core Gaming CPU, With Caveats”