APU Newcomer
This year’s 618 and Double 11 were uneventful, with frugal living becoming a must for everyone. As a result, is a discrete graphics card no longer necessary for gaming if you only play online games to save money?
Taking advantage of this, AMD has launched a heavyweight product in the APU field – the Ryzen 7 8700G. In order to compete effectively with INTEL, AMD has moved away from simply focusing on performance and instead emphasized gaming and AI computing. This allows both gaming enthusiasts and AI enthusiasts to achieve more performance while spending less money.
So, what kind of product is the Ryzen 7 8700G? Let’s explore together.
Hardware
CPU:
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is built on the Zen 4 architecture, using the Phoenix core and TSMC’s 4nm FinFET process. It features an 8-core 16-thread architecture with 8MB L2 cache and 16MB L3 cache. The base frequency is 4.2GHz, with a boost frequency between 5.1GHz. The TDP power consumption is 65W. At face value, the CPU’s performance seems a bit unremarkable.
The most striking feature of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is that the processor integrates Radeon 780M graphics, using AMD’s latest RDNA 3 architecture. It boasts 768 stream processors, 16 raster units, 48 texture units, with a default frequency of 2900MHz and a 128-bit memory interface, allowing it to compete with some entry-level discrete graphics cards.
Motherboard:
For the initial setup, the ASUS ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI Blizzard motherboard was used for testing. The Blizzard series motherboard is part of ASUS’s mid-range mainstream series, featuring a “2D” esports style.
The Blizzard series adopts a unified packaging style, with the “esports girl” character on the box giving it a distinctive look. The 1-year replacement and 3-year warranty policy also ensure ASUS’s quality guarantee.
Unboxing
In terms of accessories, the ROG STRIX motherboard comes with a variety of convenient and practical accessories.
The ASUS ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI Blizzard motherboard is an ATX model with a black PCB base and white metal heatsinks, presenting a stylish black-and-white color scheme.
Cooling and Power Delivery:
Regardless of whether it’s AMD or INTEL, the increase in hardware performance will inevitably lead to increased heat dissipation. The CPU power supply module and Southbridge chip are both covered with integrated white heat dissipation armor, ensuring effective heat dissipation.
In terms of power delivery, with the performance improvement of Zen 4 processors, the power supply of the motherboard has also been significantly enhanced. The ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI Blizzard motherboard uses the AM5 socket, featuring a 12+2 power phase design with reinforced metal-clad power MOS. The motherboard’s CPU power supply interface uses an 8+4PIN connector with reinforced armor, ensuring stable operation with high-end, high-power CPUs. “`
Ryzen 7 8700G APU Dominates Entry-Level GPUs in First Test Out
Storage
In terms of storage, the motherboard is equipped with 4 black memory slots, supporting a maximum capacity of 192GB. It also supports AEMP and EXPO technologies. When installing two memory modules, it is recommended to prioritize slots labeled A1 and B1 for dual-channel transmission mode. The memory features one-click overclocking, with support for up to 7600Mhz frequency.
The motherboard is equipped with front Type-C, GPU quick release buttons, and front USB 3.0 slots. The south bridge chip controls 4 sets of SATA interfaces, all installed horizontally, saving space above the motherboard.
Expansion
The ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI Blizzard is equipped with 4 PCI-E slots for installing GPUs and other devices: 2 PCI-E 4.0×16 slots for GPUs, and two intermediate PCI-E x1 slots for expanding other devices. The main PCI-E slot is covered in alloy armor to prevent deformation or damage under heavy GPU pressure.
The motherboard is equipped with 3 M.2 interfaces: the top one supports the PCI-E 5.0 transfer standard, while the other two support the PCI-E 4.0 transfer standard. ASUS has equipped the board with conventional second-generation programmable lighting effect pins and is compatible with 5V RGB and 12V RGB control sockets, providing comprehensive features.
The ALC 4080 audio chip on the motherboard provides pure sound quality and implements two-way AI noise reduction, with separate areas from the rest of the motherboard.
I/O Interface
The motherboard has a total of 9 USB interfaces: 4 built-in USB 2.0 interfaces, including one dedicated for BIOS refresh without CPU. In terms of 20Gbps, there is one USB 3.2 GEN 2X2 (Type-C) interface. For 10Gbps, there are 3 USB 3.2 GEN 2 Type-A interfaces, and 1 USB 3.2 GEN 2 Type-C interface. The network interface includes a 2.5G high-speed network card interface and a built-in WIFI 6E wireless network card. Additionally, the BIOS FlashBack one-touch up/down button is also provided. The integrated graphics can output via the built-in HDMI and DP interfaces.
Other Features
There is a ROG STRIX LOGO on the back of the motherboard.
Memory
The memory used is the GeIL DDR5 Orion RGB memory kit. The memory supports lighting control functions from the four major motherboard manufacturers, and its packaging is quite impressive, showing the manufacturer’s dedication.
Upon unboxing, the packaging inside is also very luxurious.
The memory adopts a white milky metal heat sink, and the overall style is very steady and low-key, complemented by a square shape, which looks very impressive. The brand logo in the middle and the memory label are marked with a yellow stripe.
The LED light bar on the top of the memory is designed in two layers, with the inner layer being an LED light bar and the outer layer covered with a transparent acrylic shield to create a softer and more diffused lighting effect.
This memory is capable of achieving a single-bar capacity of 24GB, thanks to the use of Micron’s M-DIE 3Gb chips, making it a balanced solution in terms of capacity and performance.
The pre-set frequency of the memory is 6800MHz, capacity is 24Gx2, operating voltage is 1.35V, and the timing is CL34-46-46-108.
Test platform:
CPU: Ryzen 7 8700G
Motherboard: ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI
Memory: GLOWY DDR5 RGB 6800 24G×2
Mechanical hard drive: TOSHIBA MG 18T
Solid state drive: WALKDISK 2T
Cooler: DEEPCOOL AG620 DIGITAL BK
Power supply: ANTEC NEOECO 1000GM
- CPU and Display Performance Tests
CPU information
CPU-Z benchmark test
Chess single-thread benchmark test
Chess multi-thread benchmark test
7 ZIP benchmark test
CINEBENCH R24 test
Memory and chip information
AIDA64 cache performance test
Integrated graphics information
Integrated graphics performance:
3DMARK FIRE STRIKE performance test
3DMARK NIGHT RAID performance test
3DMARK TIME SPY mode performance test
In terms of CPU performance tests, the Ryzen 7 8700G shows no pressure in terms of CPU performance, making it completely adequate for everyday use.
- Other Hardware Performance Tests
Solid state drive information
Solid state drive performance:
AS SSD Benchmark
ATTO disk benchmarks
CrystalDiskMark
TXBench
Mechanical hard drive performance:
Read performance test
Write performance test
File benchmark test
CrystalDiskMark test
Copy write test
Copy read test
- Gaming Tests
As a new product, the most significant feature of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is that the processor integrates Radeon 780M graphics, considering that integrated graphics performance is limited. A few representative games have been selected, using a 1080P resolution with preset low graphics settings for testing, without individually adjusting each setting. If there is no benchmark, FRAPS software will be used to measure the average frame rate.
- “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla”
“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” continues the story of Odyssey, telling the story of the assassin from the perspective of the Vikings. The built-in BENCHMARK allows for testing, and the HUD mode can display hardware usage.
# Gaming Performance Test at 1080p Resolution
1. Godfall
Godfall is a third-person slasher game with a focus on melee combat. It presents a vast and stunning world, where each adventure is captivating and the gameplay offers a rich variety. The level of polish to the game’s details is painstaking.
Resolution: 1080p, FSR Performance Mode Enabled, Epic Graphics, Performance Testing
2. Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3, with its animated shooting game style, has been a hit since its inception, and the third installment in the series further improves on gameplay. Although it offers single-player missions, the multiplayer cooperative mode is where the game truly shines.
Resolution: 1080p, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
3. CS2
For gamers who grew up in the 80s and 90s, the enduring appeal of Counter-Strike is unmatched. Whether teaming up in internet cafes or engaging in online battles, CS has become a classic emblem of an era.
Resolution: 1080p, Low and High Graphics, Performance Testing
4. Cyberpunk 2077
In Cyberpunk 2077, players explore Night City as an ambitious mercenary in pursuit of immortality. Customize your character’s cyberware, skills, and playstyle as you embark on a city-wide adventure where players’ choices have profound open-world narrative impacts.
Resolution: 1080p, FSR Auto Mode, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
5. DOTA 2
DOTA 2 is an immensely popular team cooperation game where the objective is to protect your side’s towers. It requires strategic team coordination.
Resolution: 1080p, High Graphics, Performance Testing
6. Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6, released by Ubisoft in 2018, is an expansive and beautiful open-world game. The adventure is full of twists and turns and offers diverse gameplay options with meticulous attention to detail.
Resolution: 1080p, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
7. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is an extremely popular racing game renowned for its realistic environments, responsive controls, and thrilling speeds.
Resolution: 1080p, Very Low Graphics, Performance Testing
Resolution: 1080p, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
8. League of Legends (LOL)
Similar to DOTA 2, League of Legends is another highly popular team cooperation game focused on protecting your towers. It tests teamwork and strategy and enjoys widespread popularity.
Resolution: 1080p, High Graphics, Performance Testing
9. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the latest installment in the Lara Croft series, was tested in DX12 mode. The game’s visuals are akin to a cinematic experience, and the content is richly rewarding, making it a classic must-play title that has received high praise.
Resolution: 1080p, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
10. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
The well-known “chicken dinner” game has been extremely popular in recent years, needing no further introduction.
Resolution: 1080p, Low Graphics, Performance Testing
Summary of Game Testing Results
Conclusion
The comprehensive test indicates that the Ryzen 7 8700G CPU delivers dependable performance and, when paired with the ASUS B650 motherboard, is more than adequate for daily applications and gaming.
The highlight of this APU is the Radeon 780M integrated graphics, which performed well across a variety of games, including triple-A titles and online games with different hardware demands. For online games like LOL and DOTA 2, the 780M can smoothly handle 2K resolution with medium settings or 1080p at the highest quality. For demanding triple-A titles, it can run them at 1080p resolution with low settings. Activating the built-in FSR feature can significantly boost game framerates for a smoother experience.
In the realm of integrated graphics, the combination of Ryzen 7 8700G and Radeon 780M is poised to become a popular APU—especially with future driver and application improvements. Technologies like AMD SAM and FSR can further unlock the potential of the iGPU and enhance game framerates.
Compared with Intel’s consistently unchanged UHD 770 iGPU, AMD’s offering easily stands out. The key factor moving forward will be the pricing of the 8700G; if the price is reasonable and offers good value for money, it could be a game-changer. And to the gamers out there, we say once more, AMD—YES!
Additional Hardware in the Test Platform
Hard Disk Drive (HDD):
With SSD prices surging lately, large storage needs might require turning back to HDDs.
Amid various options like perpendicular and shingled magnetic recording, Toshiba’s enterprise-grade HDDs are a reliable choice. Not only do they offer fast transfer speeds with vertical recording technology to ensure data safety, but this time we’ve chosen the Toshiba 3.5-inch 18TB enterprise-grade model, with a three-year warranty from the official supplier and a five-year warranty from the distributor.
These enterprise-grade HDDs are designed for 7×24 hour continuous operation, include built-in RV sensors to protect the disk in case of falls by parking the head early, and maintain cleanliness in the SATA connector pins.
Solid State Drive (SSD):
For solid state drives, we selected the WaklDisk brand, model WN20 PRO, with a 2280 form factor, 2TB capacity, and NVMe 4.0 protocol.
Unboxing
The WN20 PRO SSD features a single-sided black PCB design with no cache. Both the controller and storage chips are located on the front side.
The controller is a MAXIO MAP1602A, and the storage chips are from YMTC, with the model YMC60004Tb74CA100.
Overall, this SSD offers commendable performance and is suitable for storing applications like games.
Heat Sink:
The heat sink is equipped with a Kyushu Fengshen Big Frost Tower AG620 digital display version. This heat sink is designed to offer high aesthetics and cost-effectiveness. The packaging is made of Kyushu’s traditional hard leather material.
As an upgraded version of the Big Frost Tower, the AG620 is close to the AK620 in terms of aesthetics and performance. Additionally, the digital display function is a recent addition, making it a next-generation product of the Big Frost Tower. The heat sink has a TDP of 260W and is compatible with the 14th generation Core processors.
Inside the box, you’ll find the heat sink body and fasteners.
It comes with universal screws and fasteners for easy compatibility.
The version I acquired is the black AG620, which features a dual-fan dual-heat sink structure, measuring 161X136X129(MM). The Kyushu Fengshen logo is present at the fan bearing, offering a good balance of aesthetics and efficiency.
The heat sink comes with two 12CM fans, totaling 9 large-sized fan blades. The fans use hydraulic bearings, and their frames and blades are made of black plastic. They do not have RGB functionality, and the maximum fan noise is 29.4dB.
There are 6 nickel-plated pure copper heat pipes and 60 aluminum fins in the heat sink, with a height of 160CM. The connection between the fins and heat pipes utilizes clip FIN and fold FIN technology.
The heat sink base features a dual constant heat balance base, which enhances heat dissipation efficiency.
At the top of the heat sink, there is a fully enclosed structure with shock-absorbing rubber pads between the fan and the tower. Both heat sink towers have LED lighting areas to display the brand logo and CPU parameters.
The control line for the heat sink has a 4-pin socket, supporting PWM functionality. The digital display function is achieved through a 9-pin USB socket. Additionally, there is a 5V ARGB socket to control the fan’s RGB function.
Power Supply:
The system is powered by an Antec NE1000W Platinum fully modular power supply.
The NE1000 supports the ATX 3.0 power supply standard and offers native support for PCIE 5.0 power modules to better support the new generation of graphics cards.
Belonging to Antec’s NEO ECO series, the NE1000 prioritizes quiet and energy-efficient operation. With an 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency and a robust 10-year warranty, it provides reliable assurance.
Inside the box, there are a total of 12 flat modular cables, designed for easier cable management within the chassis, providing a more aesthetically pleasing setup.
The main modular cables include 6, 2 4+4PIN CPU power cables, and 4 single-head 6+2PIN PCIe power cables. Additionally, the power supply comes with a PCIE 5.0 16PIN 12VHPWR graphics card power module cable.
The power supply unit features a standard ATX form factor, with a 13.5CM silent fan that offers enhanced heat dissipation under low-noise conditions.
Internally, the power supply utilizes high-quality Japanese capacitors, ensuring stable operation at full load on a single 12V rail. It incorporates full-bridge LLC synchronous rectification technology based on a DC-DC scheme, achieving a conversion efficiency of up to 94.35%.
The fully modular interface of the power supply is well-organized for convenient cable connection, minimizing space occupation.
The power supply features a 16PIN 12VHPWR PCIe power interface.
The power supply fan supports HYBRID MODE adjustment, enabling a fan stop function under low loads, ensuring quieter operation.
The power information label indicates a single 12V output design with a maximum output current of 83A.
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