AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor Review: The Ultimate All-in-One CPU for GPU-Less Builds?

Building a new PC has always been a balancing act. For years, I’ve navigated the tricky landscape of component selection, trying to strike that perfect equilibrium between performance, price, and future-proofing. The single biggest hurdle, the component that often inflates budgets and complicates builds, has consistently been the dedicated graphics card. The market volatility, staggering price tags, and sheer physical size of modern GPUs can turn a dream build into a frustrating compromise. This is a problem many of us face: we want a powerful, snappy computer for daily tasks, content consumption, and even some quality 1080p gaming, but we don’t want to dedicate half our budget to a graphics card we may not fully utilize. This is especially true for those of us drawn to the elegant challenge of small form-factor (SFF) or home theatre PC (HTPC) builds, where space and thermal efficiency are paramount. The dream has always been a single chip that could do it all, and do it well. For a long time, that dream felt just out of reach.

What to Consider Before Buying a Desktop Processor

A desktop processor, or CPU, is more than just an item on a spec sheet; it’s the brain of your entire system, dictating the speed and responsiveness of every click, command, and calculation. However, a processor with powerful integrated graphics—often called an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit)—is a different beast entirely. It’s both the brain and the visual artist, a key solution that elegantly solves the problem of needing a separate, expensive, and power-hungry graphics card. This integrated approach dramatically simplifies the build process, lowers the overall cost, reduces power consumption, and opens up possibilities for incredibly compact and quiet systems that would be impossible with a large, hot-running GPU.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone building a new PC on a budget who still wants a legitimate 1080p gaming experience. It’s also perfect for the enthusiast crafting a sleek, minimalist small form-factor machine, or someone putting together a powerful media centre PC for the living room. It provides a fantastic, modern starting point on the AM5 platform, allowing for a future GPU upgrade without needing to replace the motherboard or RAM. However, it might not be suitable for those who are hardcore, high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K gamers. If your primary goal is to play the latest AAA titles at maximum settings, you are still better served by pairing a traditional CPU with a high-end dedicated graphics card.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Socket Compatibility & Platform: The processor is the heart, but the motherboard is the nervous system. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor uses the new AM5 socket, which requires a compatible motherboard (e.g., B650 or X670 chipset) and DDR5 memory. While this represents a higher initial investment than the previous AM4 platform, it provides access to the latest technologies like PCIe 5.0 and ensures a clear upgrade path for years to come.
• Performance & Cores: For modern computing, core count and clock speed are still king for raw processing power. The 8 cores and 16 threads of this CPU, built on the efficient “Zen 4” architecture, ensure incredible multitasking performance. Crucially, for an APU, the integrated graphics performance is the star of the show. You need to evaluate its gaming capabilities at your target resolution (e.g., 1080p) to see if it meets your needs without a separate GPU.
• Thermals & Power Consumption (TDP): Thermal Design Power (TDP), measured in watts, gives you an idea of how much heat a processor will generate under load. The 65W TDP of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is remarkably low for its performance class, making it easier to cool. This is a massive advantage in small cases where airflow is restricted. While it includes a stock cooler, your case and workload will determine if an aftermarket solution is needed for quieter operation.
• Setup & Driver Support: Modern components can sometimes have teething issues. As with any new platform, you must be prepared to perform a BIOS update on your motherboard to ensure full compatibility and stability. Furthermore, installing the correct and latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website is absolutely critical to unlock the full performance of the integrated GPU. Failing to do so can lead to poor performance and system instability.

Keeping these factors in mind, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor stands out in several areas, especially for its unique blend of CPU and GPU power. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Compact Powerhouse

The arrival of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor was met with a great deal of anticipation in our workshop. The packaging is classic AMD: a compact, sturdy box with bold orange and grey branding that feels premium and secure. Inside, the CPU itself is nestled safely in a clamshell case, its intricate array of pins on the underside protected. Holding it, you feel the dense, solid quality of a high-tech component. Also in the box is the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler. It’s a low-profile, downward-firing cooler that’s surprisingly well-built for an included solution. While it won’t break any thermal performance records, its inclusion adds tremendous value, meaning you have everything you need to get a system up and running right out of the box. For a builder focused on an immediate, cost-effective start, this is a huge plus. The installation process onto our AM5 test motherboard was straightforward, with the new socket’s locking mechanism feeling more secure and user-friendly than the older pin-grid array designs. From the moment it was unboxed, the 8700G projected an aura of efficient, integrated power.

Putting the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor to the Test: A Deep Dive

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a component like the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor, you have to live with it, push it, and see how it performs when the benchmarks are closed and the real work—and play—begins. We integrated this APU into a compact ITX build, pairing it with 32GB of 6000MHz DDR5 RAM, which is the sweet spot for feeding its hungry integrated graphics. What we discovered was a chip that doesn’t just fill a niche but redefines what we thought was possible for an all-in-one build.

The Main Event: GPU-Free 1080p Gaming Performance

Let’s be clear: the single biggest reason to buy this processor is for its integrated graphics. The Radeon 780M, built on the latest RDNA3 architecture, is nothing short of a marvel. Our expectations were high, and frankly, they were exceeded. We threw a gauntlet of popular esports and AAA titles at it, and it handled them with astonishing capability. In games like Fortnite on performance settings, we were consistently seeing frame rates well over 100 FPS, providing a smooth and competitive experience. One user’s report of hitting 120 FPS was spot on with our findings. Similarly, in Valorant, the frame rate was incredibly high, often pushing past 200 FPS, making it an esports powerhouse. More demanding titles like Call of Duty: Warzone were also very playable, holding a stable 60 FPS at 1080p with optimised settings. This performance aligns perfectly with what many users have found, creating a gaming experience on par with modern consoles or PCs equipped with entry-level discrete cards like the GTX 1650 or RX 6400. It fundamentally changes the entry point for PC gaming; you no longer need a separate graphics card to have a great time. This is a game-changer for budget builds and media centre PCs, transforming them into legitimate “couch gaming” rigs.

Raw CPU Power: More Than Just a Gaming Chip

While the integrated GPU steals the headlines, it would be a huge mistake to overlook the CPU at the core of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor. This is a full-fledged 8-core, 16-thread processor based on AMD’s highly efficient 5nm “Zen 4” architecture. In our day-to-day use, this translated into a supremely snappy and responsive system. Web browsing with dozens of tabs, streaming 4K video, and running multiple applications simultaneously never caused the system to break a sweat. This was confirmed by users who noted its “sクサク動作” (crisp performance) in daily tasks. For productivity, it’s a workhorse. We ran multitasking stress tests involving music production software, YouTube, and simulators running all at once, and as one German user noted, he “never had a problem.” The CPU performance comfortably sits between that of the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X, making it a powerful processor in its own right. This robust CPU foundation means that even if you decide to add a high-end dedicated GPU down the line, the 8700G will not be a bottleneck in the vast majority of gaming and productivity scenarios. It’s a complete package that excels at both work and play.

Thermals, Power, and the Included Wraith Stealth Cooler

One of the most impressive aspects of the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is its efficiency. With a TDP of just 65 watts, it sips power compared to many of its high-performance counterparts. This efficiency directly translates into lower heat output, a critical factor for any PC build, but especially for compact ITX cases where airflow is at a premium. During regular desktop use, such as web browsing and video playback, we saw temperatures hover in a cool 30-40°C range, a finding echoed by several users. The included Wraith Stealth cooler is perfectly adequate for this kind of workload and even handles moderate gaming sessions without issue. However, when we pushed the processor with prolonged, heavy gaming or all-core productivity tasks, the fan on the stock cooler did become noticeable. It’s not loud, but it is audible. This is a common trade-off with included coolers. For those who prioritize a near-silent setup or plan to do some overclocking with Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO), investing in a larger aftermarket tower cooler or a premium low-profile cooler would be a wise decision. As one user found, tweaking the PBO settings with a negative curve optimizer offset can also work wonders to keep it running cool, even with a more compact cooler.

The AM5 Platform and Future-Proofing

Choosing the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor isn’t just a decision for today; it’s an investment in the future. By building on the AM5 platform, you are setting yourself up with the latest technologies and a clear upgrade path. This was a key purchasing reason for several users who saw it as a way to establish a “future proof AM5 route.” AM5 brings support for faster DDR5 memory, which is essential for maximizing the performance of the integrated Radeon graphics, as well as PCIe 5.0 for next-generation storage and graphics cards. This means that in a few years, when you’re ready for more power, you can simply swap out the CPU for a newer, faster Ryzen processor without needing to replace your entire motherboard and RAM. Furthermore, the 8700G is one of the first desktop processors to include a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for Ryzen AI. While local AI workloads are still in their infancy, this hardware acceleration ensures your PC is ready for the next wave of AI-powered applications, from creative software to enhanced operating system features.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from users who have purchased and built with the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is overwhelmingly positive. It’s frequently lauded as the “APU Definitiva” or the ultimate APU, with many builders expressing delight at creating a potent and compact PC without the expense of a dedicated graphics card. One user was “absolutely delighted,” calling it the most powerful APU that currently exists. Another was “super satisfied” with their choice to build a simple and economical “do-it-all” PC. The ability to achieve console-like performance (30-60 FPS) in many games on a budget build is a recurring theme.

However, the experience isn’t universally flawless, especially for early adopters. A handful of users reported initial stability issues, such as screen freezes and blackouts. One detailed account traced the problem to a faulty CPU, which was resolved after a replacement. Another pointed to driver updates and BIOS versions being critical, noting that a specific STAPM power issue was present on release but quickly fixed with a BIOS update. This highlights a crucial point for any new build: test your components thoroughly and ensure your motherboard BIOS and chipset/graphics drivers are fully updated to the latest versions. These teething problems seem to be rare but serve as a good reminder for the PC building process.

How Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor Compare to the Competition?

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor carves out a unique space in the market, but it’s important to understand how it fits in with other popular choices. Depending on your budget and primary use case, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Processor

The Ryzen 5 5500 is the undisputed king of ultra-budget PC building. It operates on the mature and incredibly affordable AM4 platform, where both motherboards and DDR4 RAM are significantly cheaper. This makes the total platform cost much lower. However, that savings comes with a major trade-off. Its Zen 3 CPU cores are a generation behind, and more importantly, its integrated Vega graphics are vastly weaker than the 8700G’s RDNA3 graphics. The Ryzen 5 5500 is a great choice for a basic office or home PC, but for anyone wanting to do any serious gaming without a dedicated graphics card, the 8700G is in a completely different league and well worth the extra investment.

2. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Processor

The Ryzen 5 9600X represents the next generation of mainstream CPU performance from AMD, built on the cutting-edge Zen 5 architecture. If your plan is to build a high-performance gaming PC with a powerful, dedicated graphics card from day one, the 9600X is the superior choice. Its CPU cores will offer better raw processing and gaming performance than the 8700G. However, its own integrated graphics are basic, designed for video output, not gaming. The 9600X is for the performance enthusiast who sees a discrete GPU as a mandatory part of their build, whereas the 8700G is for the builder who wants to eliminate it entirely, at least for now.

3. Intel Core i5-12600K Desktop Processor

The Intel Core i5-12600K remains a formidable competitor in the mid-range CPU space. Its hybrid architecture, combining powerful Performance-cores with efficient Efficiency-cores, delivers fantastic multitasking and gaming performance when paired with a discrete GPU. It offers a great balance of price and performance for a traditional PC build. Like the 9600X, however, its integrated UHD graphics are not intended for gaming and are significantly outmatched by the Radeon 780M in the 8700G. The choice is clear: if you are buying a dedicated GPU, the i5-12600K is a strong contender. If you want to game without one, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is the only logical option of the two.

Final Verdict: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor Worth Your Money?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is resounding. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is a truly revolutionary product that redefines what’s possible in a compact, budget-friendly, or minimalist PC build. It single-handedly makes high-quality 1080p gaming accessible without the need for an expensive and bulky graphics card. The combination of eight powerful Zen 4 CPU cores and the frankly brilliant Radeon 780M integrated graphics creates a package that is potent, efficient, and incredibly versatile.

We recommend it without hesitation to anyone building a small form-factor PC, a powerful home theatre PC, or a budget-conscious gaming rig with a clear upgrade path on the modern AM5 platform. It is, quite simply, the best all-in-one processor on the market today. For the user it’s designed for, it’s not just a good choice; it’s the perfect one.

If you’ve decided the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Processor is the right fit for your next build, you can check its current price and availability here.