Introduction
When building a mid-range PC, striking a balance between price and performance is essential in order to stretch the capabilities of your budget restricted system. In most PC builds, the CPU takes up a big chunk of the budget, so finding a processor that offers good value for money should be a top priority. After a number of price drops, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs are some of the best options on the market in terms of value, with a number of high-quality CPUs available at a reasonable rate.
Question is, which processors in the AMD Ryzen 7000 lineup will be best suited for a mid-range PC? And which CPU provides the best blend of performance and value? We’ve tested a wide range of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs to find out which option will be the best choice to slot into a mid-range PC build.
Best Mid-Range Ryzen 7000 CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
📸 View the AMD Radeon 7 7800X3D gallery.
AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply one of the best processors money can buy, especially if you plan on building a gaming-focussed system. Thanks to AMD’s 3D V-cache technology, this CPU boasts an additional layer of L3 cache, which is great for 1440p and 4K gaming. Whilst the 7800X3D’s performance in productivity settings are slightly weaker, it will be enough to run most applications without technical issues. It might be on the pricier side for some mid-range builds, but the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is certainly worth the investment.
Thermals: 4.5/5
Performance: 4.6/5
Value for Money: 4.7/5
Our Verdict: 4.6/5
Suggested Article: Best Budget Ryzen 7000 CPUs to Buy for Gaming
The Best Mid-Range Ryzen 7000 CPUs
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Best Value
The Ryzen 7 7700X is a great choice for mid-range consumers sticking to tight budget, or perhaps want to allocate more of their budget to other components like a graphics card. Whilst most Ryzen 7 processors wouldn’t be considered too budget-friendly, the 7700X has become surprisingly affordable. As a result, most consumers looking to build a mid-range gaming PC will be able to afford this CPU, leading to better performance while gaming at 1440p settings or running a myriad of demanding applications.
Featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, the 7700X has plenty of firepower to support the latest games and productivity-based applications. Additionally, this CPU can reach clock speeds of up to 5.4GHz, with support for overclocking.
Whilst the Ryzen 7 7700X is a surprisingly affordable choice for mid-range PC builds, the performance of a Ryzen 5 processor will be enough to run games and workspace applications well. As a result, more price-conscious buyers may want to consider a CPU such as the Ryzen 5 7600X for their build.
Pros
- Solid 1440p and 4K gaming performance.
- Can handle lighter workstation loads.
- Plenty of room to upgrade in the future.
Cons
- Generally more expensive to build a Ryzen 7000 PC.
- Ryzen 7 7700X runs quite hot.
2. Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Best for Gaming
AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply one of the best CPUs on the market, especially when it comes to gaming. This processor is part of AMD’s Ryzen 3D lineup, a revolutionary advancement which adds an extra layer of L3 cache to the CPU. This results in excellent gaming performance that can rival the Ryzen 9 CPUs.
With 8 cores and 16 threads, the 7800X3D is packed with the performance we’d expect from a Ryzen 7 processor, but with a greater focus on gaming. Compared to the previously-tested 7700X, the 7800X3D will provide similar performance in most tasks, but the reduced clock speeds could be detrimental to performance in more demanding applications.
But for consumers looking to build a powerful 1440p gaming PC that offers competitive frame rates, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the clear CPU of choice.
Pros
- Incredible 4K gaming performance.
- Ideal for a top-end gaming PC.
- Very competitive price point.
Cons
- Isn't ideal as a productivity CPU.
- Can be quite hard to pick up.
3. AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Best for Workstations
It might be somewhat of a stretch, but the Ryzen 9 7900X is a shockingly affordable way to gain access to top-tier performance. Despite this Ryzen 9 CPU being a high-end Ryzen 7000 processor on paper, it can be found for under $350, which won’t be out of reach for a lot of mid-range builds.
When you compare the price of this CPU to Intel’s i7 13700K, its place in our testing roundup becomes easier to justify. Plus, at the time of writing, the 7900X is cheaper than its ‘non-X’ variant, making it even better value.
Because of this, we’d consider this CPU a great choice for mid-range workstations, or for those wanting to invest in a powerful CPU for editing.
Boasting 12 cores and 24threads, this CPU provides significant improvements to gaming and workstation performance compared to the Ryzen 7 alternatives. Additionally, the 5.6GHz boost clock speeds and overclocking capabilities leads to less time waiting for games to load or projects to finish.
Pros
- Well priced versus market alternatives.
- Excellent multi-core performance.
- Can easily handle top-end gaming.
Cons
- Pricey for a mid-range PC build.
- Wasted purely as a gaming CPU.
How We Tested the Best Mid-Range Ryzen 7000 CPUs
To determine which CPU is the best option on the market, all of AMD’s mid-range Ryzen 7000 processors have been put through their paces in number of testing and evaluation procedures. These tests are used to determine whether the CPUs in question provide a solid value-proposition, along with decent performance across the board. There are also a plethora of considerations that we take into account when analysing CPUs, which includes:
- Single and Multi-Core Performance
- Thermals
- Upgrade Paths
- Platform Longevity
- Pricing
For a more detailed breakdown of our testing methods, take a look at our full debrief of the GeekaWhat CPU testing methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Should I Spend on a CPU?
For a mid-range gaming PC, we’d recommend allocating a budget of $200-$400 for the CPU, as the options within this price range will be suitable for 1440p gaming.
Are Ryzen 3D Processors Worth It?
For gaming PCs, Ryzen 3D variants are certainly worth considering, mainly due to their ability to boost gaming performance for a small fee.
Are Ryzen 7000 Processors Expensive?
Compared to Intel’s 14th and 13th Gen processors, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series can be found for significantly cheaper (at the time of writing).
