AMD 2nd Gen Ryzen Review: 2700X And 2600X Deliver More Performance Per Dollar

Performance Summary: AMD’s 2nd Generation Ryzen 2000 series desktop processors don’t change the game, but they are a clear step up over their predecessors that compete very well with rival products from Intel. Both the Ryzen 7 2700X and Ryzen 5 2600X outpaced their first-gen counterparts across the board. These new processors offered better single and multi-threaded performance, lower latencies, and improved overall performance in every test we ran. Versus competing products from Intel, these 2nd Generation Ryzen processors close the gap somewhat in terms of single-threaded performance, but Intel still has an advantage there. In most multi-threaded tests, however, AMD often comes out on top versus Intel processors in the same class, with similar core counts. The 8-core / 12-thread Ryzen 7 2700X outpaces the more expensive, 6-core / 12-thread Core i7-8700K more often than not and beats the 8-core / 12-thread Core i7-7820X in many spots as well. The 6-core / 12-thead Ryzen 5 2600X also hangs with the Core i7-8700K on a few occasions and clearly outran the Core i5-8400 in multi-threaded tests, though we didn’t have a faster Core i5 on hand for a more direct comparison.

AMD Second Generation Ryzen 2000 Series Processors -- Find Them At Amazon

AMD and its board partners have done an excellent job with the launch of these 2nd Generation Ryzen processors and their X470-based motherboard companions. To be clear, these are not revolutionary next-generation CPUs that significantly alter the desktop processor landscape. They are, however, refined steps forward that offer better performance and more features, and keep up the fierce competition in the processor market – all of which benefits consumers considerably.

Unless they’re die-hard AMD fans, owners of first-gen Ryzen 1000-series processors and X370 motherboards probably won’t feel enough motivation to upgrade to a 2nd Gen processor and X470, but enthusiasts, gamers, and do-it-yourselfers that were contemplating a new rig should be very intrigued. AMD is offering strong value with these processors. The Ryzen 7 2700X is available for $329, including AMD's excellent Wraith Prism Cooler. That’s cheaper than both the Core i7-8700K and Core i7-7820X, yet its performance is typically on-par with or better than those chips in multi-threaded workloads – and the included coolers simply don’t compare. The Ryzen 5 2600X is available for $229, which is in-line with some of Intel’s 6-core Core i5 8th Gen processors, but because the Ryzen 5 2600X has SMT, is unlocked, and also includes a nice cooler, its value proposition should be enticing as well. AMD’s motherboard partners seems to have knocked it out of the park too; our experience with initial setup, overclocking, and the overall user experience was great. AMD has clearly been working more closely with board partners to ensure a smooth launch with these new processors.

All told, AMD’s got another winner on their hands with the 2nd Generation Ryzen 2000 series. These processors offer better performance, more features, and higher overclocks than their predecessors, they compete very well in their respective product classes, and they're compelling values to boot. If you’re thinking of building a new rig and were contemplating an AMD CPU, give the 2nd Generation Ryzen 2000 series a long, hard look.

Strong Performance More Overclockable More Refined Features Competitive Pricing	Higher Peak Power Than Predecessors Max Overclocked Frequencies Still Much Lower Than Intel