The 8 core, 16 thread 2700X is AMD’s second generation Ryzen 7 flagship following in the wake of the Ryzen 7 1800X which continues to offer excellent multi-core value for money. This new Pinnacle Ridge processor features the Zen+ architecture with 12nm lithography compared to 14nm previously. Whilst there is no increase in the number of cores, the stock base / boost clocks appear to have received a bump up to 3.7 / 4.3 GHz from 3.6 / 4.0 GHz. The 2700X is compatible with both the new 400 series and 300 series of motherboards. Early benchmarks indicate that the 2700X has a slightly greater effective speed than the 1800X, although further benchmarks are necessary to quantify this. The expected launch price of $329 includes a Wraith Prism cooler and is in the same price bracket as the 1800X and Intel’s Coffee Lake i7-8700K. Whilst the 6 core, 12 thread 8700K beats the 2700X in single and quad core performance by around 15%, the 2700X wins on multi-core workloads. PC gaming and desktop performance is generally governed by six or less cores but the 2700X offers value for money to workstation users. Even though the 2700X excels at video production, streamers should look elsewhere. Streaming with dedicated hardware such as NVENC or a separate stream PC will nearly always result in fewer dropped frames. [Apr '18CPUPro]
This was the ultimate niche CPU. At the time of its release, it had an optimal combination of multi-core performance without sacrificing as much single- and quad- as the higher-core CPUs, at an excellent price-point. It utilizes quad-channel RAM. If you were a content creator without external funding, had one machine in the budget, then this chip might even now in mid-2019 be what you're looking for.
The higher-end Threadrippers will throw more cores at you... for up to five times the price. If you've a home studio, running a DAW on the same PC you use for everything; or you do your own video editing; or you're an independent streamer; then those extra 12 or 18 cores aren't really going to help you that much anyway, for all that extra cash - AND those CPUs have lower performance in more common applications (single- low-thread apps). Not worth it. Intel isn't even on the table, of course.
If you're reading this in the future: these benchmarks have multiple categories for a reason. Read and think. Find the best combination for what you intend to do with it - not some arbitrary "the best" overall. There is no such thing, because you won't be using your computer for Overall, now will you? [Aug '19spacefiddle]
We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]
Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.