AMD's launched a pair of new budget chips in its 8000-series, lopping the GPUs of its APUs

HardwareProcessorsAMD’s launched a pair of new budget chips in its 8000-series, lopping the GPUs of its APUsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD Zen 4 AM5 socket photograph

Wefirst heard tell of these new models, based on the non-chiplet Phoenix 2 architecture, back in March and now we’ve got a full global launch on our hands. The silicon was originally used for laptops and some handheld PCs, before making an appearance in the desktop PC market in the form of the 8000G series. The best one of those, theRyzen 7 8700G, is a great way to start the basis of a cheap 1080p gaming PC, although it’s a little on the pricey side with a SEP of $329.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyAMD Ryzen 8000 and 7000-series specsModelCores / threadsBoost clockL3 cacheIntegrated GPURyzen AI NPUSEPRyzen 7 8700G8 / 165.1 GHz24MB12 CU (RDNA 3)Yes - 16 TOPS$329Ryzen 7 77008 / 165.3 GHz32MB2 CU (RNDA 2)No$329Ryzen 7 8700F (new)8 / 165.0 GHz24MBNoneYes - 16 TOPS$269Ryzen 5 8600G6 / 125.0 GHz16MB8 CU (RDNA 3)Yes - 16 TOPS$229Ryzen 5 7500F6 / 125.0 GHz32MBNoneNo$179Ryzen 5 8500G6 / 125.0 GHz16MB4 CU (RNDA 3)No$179Ryzen 5 8400F (new)6 / 124.7 GHz16MBNoneNo$169

Swipe to scroll horizontally

AMD Ryzen 8000 and 7000-series specsModelCores / threadsBoost clockL3 cacheIntegrated GPURyzen AI NPUSEPRyzen 7 8700G8 / 165.1 GHz24MB12 CU (RDNA 3)Yes - 16 TOPS$329Ryzen 7 77008 / 165.3 GHz32MB2 CU (RNDA 2)No$329Ryzen 7 8700F (new)8 / 165.0 GHz24MBNoneYes - 16 TOPS$269Ryzen 5 8600G6 / 125.0 GHz16MB8 CU (RDNA 3)Yes - 16 TOPS$229Ryzen 5 7500F6 / 125.0 GHz32MBNoneNo$179Ryzen 5 8500G6 / 125.0 GHz16MB4 CU (RNDA 3)No$179Ryzen 5 8400F (new)6 / 124.7 GHz16MBNoneNo$169

That’s the same price as theRyzen 7 7700, which only has a very basic GPU, though its higher boost clock speed and larger L3 cache make it a better CPU than the 8700G. The new Ryzen 7 8700F has no GPU whatsoever and has a lower boost clock than the 8700G and 7700, but it’s quite a lot cheaper—its SEP of $269 is $60 less than the other two 8 core processors. And, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700, you do get a Wraith Stealth CPU cooler included in the box. It’s not agreatair cooler, but it will get you up and running.

The issue we found with the 8700G, however, was that it performs noticeably worse than the equivalent chiplet-based CPU when paired with a discrete graphics card. That’s going to be the same with the 8700F, and you can mostly blame that lack of L3 cache for the lower frame rates. But a $60 saving is a $60 saving, and you can be up and running without having to fork out for a third-party cooler.

But if that’s still too expensive for you, how does $169 sound for a CPU with six cores, 12 threads, and a boost clock of 4.7 GHz? That really is cheap but the problem for the new Ryzen 5 8400F is that the GPU-less Ryzen 5 7500F is only $10 more and it has double the amount of L3 cache and a noticeably higher boost clock.

And it’s not like the 8400F uses less power, as all of the above chips in the above table have a TDP of 65 W.

Image1of2(Image credit: AMD)(Image credit: AMD)

Image1of2

(Image credit: AMD)(Image credit: AMD)

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD 8700F CPU performance

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD 8400F CPU performance

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

The 8700F and 8400F are chips that are likely to have failed the binning process to be 8000G processors, due to manufacturing defects in the GPU. So rather than grinding them down and sticking them in the trash can, it’s a sensible choice to repackage them as budget offerings.

Well, the 8700F is certainly a good option for a budget-minded PC builder, but the 8400F isn’t cheap enough. For the sake of the price of a couple of coffees, you could get the far superior Ryzen 5 8500G orRyzen 5 7500F. If it was my money, I’d get the 7500F even though its GPU is mediocre compared to the 8500G’s.

The latter only has 4 Compute Units, half that in theSteam Deck’s chip, so you’re pretty much limited to basic or old games, even at 1080p. Sure, you won’t be playinganygames with the 7500F’s GPU but given that it’s the more capable CPU of the two (L3 cache helps alotin games), that’s where my money would be heading to.

I can’t see AMD releasing any more Zen 4 variants now, as it’ll be gearing up ready tolaunch its forthcoming Zen 5 rangefor desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, and well, everything really.

Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.

Best CPU for gamingBest gaming motherboardBest graphics cardBest SSD for gaming

Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.

More about processorsIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortageLatestCivilization 7 has been Steam Deck Verified ahead of its launch next monthSee more latest►

More about processors

If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortage

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X CPU on a blue background

If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 off

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor

AMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortage

LatestCivilization 7 has been Steam Deck Verified ahead of its launch next monthSee more latest►

Latest

Civilization 7 has been Steam Deck Verified ahead of its launch next month

Digital Ben Franklin looking very perturbed on dark background

Civilization 7 has been Steam Deck Verified ahead of its launch next month

See more latest►

Most PopularIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSquare Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fansThe Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcementsPath of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better lootPalestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 NakbaPiranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod sceneSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything

Most Popular

If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video

Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans

The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements

Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot

Palestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 Nakba

Piranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’

Marvel Rivals' latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene

Sorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our fault

Team Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40K

Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

A bunch of the best Steam Deck accessories on a blue background.

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here review

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

4Ikea Utespelare desk review

Ikea Utespelare desk review

5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals