Intel & AMD Processor Hierarchy

[cangelini]

Here is a resource to help you judge if a CPU is a reasonable value: The gaming CPU hierarchy chart groups CPUs with similar performance.

Intel & AMD Processor Hierarchy : Read more

 

[abryant]

Archived comments are found here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3819348/intel-amd-processor-hierarchy.html

 

[King_V]

Will the G5xxx Pentiums, as well as the Ryzen-based Athlons, be added?

Come to think about it, maybe the AM4 versions of the A10 and A12?

Low end stuff, true, but still interesting I think to see where the new bottom-end CPUs fit relative to some of the older things that were decent performers in their day.

 

[Yarberger1]

I have an i5-3570. I have previously been told that an upgrade to (for example) an i7-8700K would see a significant improvement and would be well worth the investment. This article seems to say the exact opposite.

I presently have a 1920x1080 monitor and GTX960 GPU. My system is used for general office applications, surfing and limited gaming (WoW, with an intention to switch to Elite: Dangerous shortly).

 

[King_V]

My son, at his mother's house, still uses an i5-2320 with a GTX 660Ti. Handles his needs just fine. I'd say with your usage, what you have is more than sufficient.

 

[Yarberger1]

Would this remain the case if I were to upgrade to a 2560x1440 monitor? (Thanks for the reply)

 

[King_V]

That I couldn't say - as I'm not familiar with those particular games or how demanding they are.

Might be more appropriate to start a separate thread though, for that question. That way you're more likely to get people who can address that question than who would see it buried in the midst of this thread about the hierarchy charts.

 

[urbanman2004]

Would it be advisable to upgrade the GPU on a system running a i7-980X (w/ 16GB RAM) from a GTX 680 (2GB) to a GTX 1070 (8GB)?

 

[King_V]

That would really be more dependent on your monitor's resolution and refresh rate. Could be the right choice, could be a bit of overkill, depending on the monitor.

 

[nufelevas]

Here are the prices updates to February 2019.

The size of the bubbles indicate application performance.

The labels in red belong to best buys (lower price or higher performance)

Not all prices and processors on the article are on sale anymore, so I excluded some CPUs.

Prices source:
Intel Core i7-8700K $ 400 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598VZR8/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-8700 $ 350 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598HLB4/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i9-7960X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B075XRYMDS/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-8600K $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0759FKH8K/?tag=pcpapi-20
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X $ 216 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428V2L/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428M7F/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i9-7980XE $ 1.900 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intel-Core-i9-7980XE-Skylake-X-18-Core-2-6-GHz-LGA-2066-Desktop-Processor-BX80673I97980X/267995409?affp1=Gf2ssvCIn0M5cClvlZxbzAfXxGbjFWVJaxJnUrYVLKY&affilsrc=api&u1=&oid=223073.7200&wmlspartner=8BacdVP0GFs&sourceid=24923187711495984409&affillinktype=14&veh=aff
Intel Core i9-7900X $ 1.013 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAA6581U4822&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
Intel Core i7-7700K $ 419 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MXSI216/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-8400 $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FGJ3Q/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Threadripper 2950X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07GFN6CVF/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7820X $ 670 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B072NF4BY3/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-8350K $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FWJDK/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 2700 $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41717Z/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1900X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0754JNQBP/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-7700 $ 340 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N0L41N7/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Threadripper 2990WX $ 1.730 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07G25SD1P/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 $ 165 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41WS48/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7800X $ 400 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117793&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0gcflbe00035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=05fe1ba92e0c11e98283044d0a24060d
Intel Core i5-7600K $ 280 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MRRPPQS/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1950X $ 590 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113447&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Threadripper 1920X $ 450 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B074CBJHCT/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X $ 320 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06W9JXK4G/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7600 $ 270 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MYTYSMK?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X $ 190 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06X3W9NGG/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKWT7GD/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i3-8100 $ 119 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FTRZL/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-7500 $ 242 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MZZJ1P0/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7400 $ 220 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117731&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Ryzen 7 1700 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06WP5YCX6/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKVNRSM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7350K $ 200 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117772&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0h0apiku0035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=9d681f5d2e0e11e9809a04500a240614
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G $ 150 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D8FD28/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7300 $ 241 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N59LL8R?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
Intel Core i3-7100 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01NCESRJX/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1400 $ 135 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKWT8J4/ref=olp_f_new?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 3 1300X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DLVL7/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D3DBNM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Pentium G4560 $ 110 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117743&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0h9q5vas0035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=a399b49e2e0f11e9826d04460a24060f
AMD Ryzen 3 1200 $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DN383/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

[drawingpin]

The amazon prices showing for the likes of the Ryzen 2600X are inflated as they're displaying the price for a combo deal with a Corsair AIO. Not very helpful as price is a huge factor and the Ryzen CPUs already come with their own cooler.

 

[littleleo]

Here are the prices updates to February 2019.

The size of the bubbles indicate application performance.

The labels in red belong to best buys (lower price or higher performance)

Not all prices and processors on the article are on sale anymore, so I excluded some CPUs.

Prices source:
Intel Core i7-8700K $ 400 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598VZR8/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-8700 $ 350 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598HLB4/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i9-7960X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B075XRYMDS/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-8600K $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0759FKH8K/?tag=pcpapi-20
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X $ 216 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428V2L/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428M7F/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i9-7980XE $ 1.900 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intel-Co...24923187711495984409&affillinktype=14&veh=aff
Intel Core i9-7900X $ 1.013 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...6&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
Intel Core i7-7700K $ 419 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MXSI216/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-8400 $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FGJ3Q/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Threadripper 2950X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07GFN6CVF/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7820X $ 670 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B072NF4BY3/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-8350K $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FWJDK/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 2700 $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41717Z/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1900X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0754JNQBP/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-7700 $ 340 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N0L41N7/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Threadripper 2990WX $ 1.730 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07G25SD1P/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 $ 165 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41WS48/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7800X $ 400 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ink2&cjevent=05fe1ba92e0c11e98283044d0a24060d
Intel Core i5-7600K $ 280 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MRRPPQS/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1950X $ 590 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...6&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Threadripper 1920X $ 450 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B074CBJHCT/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X $ 320 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06W9JXK4G/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7600 $ 270 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...ag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X $ 190 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06X3W9NGG/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKWT7GD/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i3-8100 $ 119 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FTRZL/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-7500 $ 242 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MZZJ1P0/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7400 $ 220 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...6&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Ryzen 7 1700 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06WP5YCX6/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKVNRSM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7350K $ 200 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ink2&cjevent=9d681f5d2e0e11e9809a04500a240614
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G $ 150 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D8FD28/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7300 $ 241 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...ag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
Intel Core i3-7100 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01NCESRJX/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1400 $ 135 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...ware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 3 1300X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DLVL7/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D3DBNM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Pentium G4560 $ 110 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ink2&cjevent=a399b49e2e0f11e9826d04460a24060f
AMD Ryzen 3 1200 $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DN383/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Buy the time you typed this, most the intel CPUs probably went up in price.

 

[atavax]

In what world is a i7 2600k lower tier than a Ryzen 3 1200?

 

[486SupportTech]

This article seems to be interestingly timed. When this article was published amds highly anticipated 3000 series were right around the corner. And now we have additional articles, after the amd 3000 release, from tomshardware referring to the cpu hierarchy that does not include amd 3000 series for readers to decide there cpu purchase. Intel must of opened up the purse strings to make this happen. But maybe it's just a coincidence....

 

[King_V]

This article seems to be interestingly timed. When this article was published amds highly anticipated 3000 series were right around the corner. And now we have additional articles, after the amd 3000 release, from tomshardware referring to the cpu hierarchy that does not include amd 3000 series for readers to decide there cpu purchase. Intel must of opened up the purse strings to make this happen. But maybe it's just a coincidence....

Umm, you realize that the "article" and hierarchy's last update both pre-date the release of the Ryzen 3000 series, right?

 

[honujab]

This needs an update with the Ryzen 3xxx

 

[cryoburner]

Umm, you realize that the "article" and hierarchy's last update both pre-date the release of the Ryzen 3000 series, right?

That's exactly what they are pointing out. The list was updated within the couple weeks before the 3000-series was set to launch, which seems like an odd time to update a list, knowing full well that it will be outdated shortly thereafter. I would like to think they would update it again before this month is through, now that they have reviews out for most of these processors, but these hierarchy lists often tend to go months between updates.

 

[TCA_ChinChin]

What is the reason that so many of the listed processors have no gaming score or application score?

 

[SteveRNG]

What is the reason that so many of the listed processors have no gaming score or application score?

I believe the answer is that TomsHardware didn't test those processors directory and are estimating their performance.

 

[Gurg]

"We determined the order based on average gaming performance across our test suite,"

No. The the 9900k and 9700k beat the new AMD cpus in every game tested in your recent comparison review but you ranked the AMD 3900x above the 9900k and both the 3800x and 3700x above the 9700k. You didn't include the 9600k in your testing so we don't know where it ranks with the AMD CPUs.

These new AMD are great desktop CPUs for workstation applications and can also perform well in gaming (primarily TW 3 Kingdoms).

Your test results however show they aren't the fastest or best CPUs for gaming performance. Please just let the numbers and facts dictate rankings.

 

[PaulAlcorn]

What is the reason that so many of the listed processors have no gaming score or application score?

Sorry, we have switched to a new test image with new revisions of the OS and applications, which invalidates our previous comparison data. We have roughly 55 processors to test to derive a full set of performance data. For now, we don't have enough processors re-tested to outweigh all of the other performance rankings we have. We will update once we hit about 20 processors.

 

[TCA_ChinChin]

Sorry, we have switched to a new test image with new revisions of the OS and applications, which invalidates our previous comparison data. We have roughly 55 processors to test to derive a full set of performance data. For now, we don't have enough processors re-tested to outweigh all of the other performance rankings we have. We will update once we hit about 20 processors.

Sounds good. Can't wait to see the completed list!

 

[nufelevas]

Sorry, we have switched to a new test image with new revisions of the OS and applications, which invalidates our previous comparison data. We have roughly 55 processors to test to derive a full set of performance data. For now, we don't have enough processors re-tested to outweigh all of the other performance rankings we have. We will update once we hit about 20 processors.

Please, give priority to this test. Is the most important information on TH, and It had been outdated for months.

 

[Piri1974]

Here is a resource to help you judge if a CPU is a reasonable value: The gaming CPU hierarchy chart groups CPUs with similar performance.

Intel & AMD Processor Hierarchy : Read more

Just for your info:
I understand that the Bristol Ridge CPUs and other older CPUs are no longer listed in this list,
but even in the "Legacy Desktop Processor Hierarchy" below I don't see the Bristol Ridges, while I do see
their older APU siblings.
So, I just mean to say that the entire line of A12-9xxx, A10-9xxx, A8-9xxx and A6-9xxx is missing, while their older siblings ( 8xxx, 7xxx and even the 6xxx) are there... which is a little strange.

Have a nice day;
Carl

 

[King_V]

Just for your info:
I understand that the Bristol Ridge CPUs and other older CPUs are no longer listed in this list,
but even in the "Legacy Desktop Processor Hierarchy" below I don't see the Bristol Ridges, while I do see
their older APU siblings.
So, I just mean to say that the entire line of A12-9xxx, A10-9xxx, A8-9xxx and A6-9xxx is missing, while their older siblings ( 8xxx, 7xxx and even the 6xxx) are there... which is a little strange.

Have a nice day;
Carl

I was a little puzzled by that as well, back when Bristol Ridge came out - now, I understand that they were never meant to be chips that performed, but almost seemed like a little bit of a placeholder in AM4, and maybe allowed for use of existing resources that couldn't be used for Ryzen (I guess?)

Still, as much as I personally would've liked to see them in the chart, I think they'd be a curiosity at best, and really not overly useful to add in. My guess is that, in the legacy chart, they'd be in the 4th tier at best . . MAYBE barely edging their way into the 3rd tier.