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In AMD’s March 2017 launch, the Ryzen 7 1800X, 1700X, and 1700 brought the same Zen-based, 8-core/16-thread design to the AM4 desktop platform at different clock speeds, rated power levels, launch prices, and cooler bundles. HotHardware’s review treated them as contenders across application, gaming, power, thermal, and overclocking tests—not as one universally fastest processor. This is a historical launch-era comparison; its prices and benchmark results do not establish current value or performance against newer CPUs.
What changed between the Ryzen 7 1800X, 1700X, and 1700?
AMD announced the three processors on February 22, 2017, with worldwide availability beginning March 2. Each model had eight cores and 16 threads, used the Zen architecture, and was designed for AMD’s AM4 desktop platform. Their principal differences were clock specifications, rated TDP, suggested US launch price, and whether AMD listed an included cooler.
| Model | Cores / threads | Base / boost clock | Rated TDP | Suggested US launch price | Cooler listed by AMD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 1800X | 8 / 16 | 3.6 / 4.0 GHz | 95 W | $499 | None |
| Ryzen 7 1700X | 8 / 16 | 3.4 / 3.8 GHz | 95 W | $399 | None |
| Ryzen 7 1700 | 8 / 16 | 3.0 / 3.7 GHz | 65 W | $329 | Wraith Spire |
All figures in the table are AMD’s launch-announcement specifications and suggested US prices from February 22, 2017; they are not current pricing or measured power draw. The 1700’s lower rated TDP and included Wraith Spire distinguished its bundle, while the X models carried higher clock specifications and no cooler in AMD’s listing. A complete build comparison would also need to account for motherboard, cooling, and other system costs.
What did the 2017 review establish about performance?
HotHardware’s March 2, 2017 review covered synthetic and application benchmarks, games, overclocking, and power consumption, alongside Zen architecture, chipsets, motherboards, and its test setup. That breadth matters: results from a threaded application, a game, or a lightly threaded task answer different questions. The review should be read benchmark by benchmark, with its test platform and conditions attached, rather than reduced to a claim that one Ryzen 7 was fastest at everything. The available launch-era material does not support a current ranking against modern processors.
#1 Best Overall
- Requires a thermal solution sold separately
- Max turbo frequency 4.00 ghz ; 3.6 ghz clock speed
- 8 cores/16 threads unlocked
- Cache: 4 mb/16 mb (l2/l3)
- Socket type: am4; System memory type: DDR4
AMD said Zen exceeded its 40% IPC-improvement goal over Excavator and announced a 52% improvement. That 52% was AMD’s claim, not a universal independent benchmark result; IPC comparisons depend on the workload and test conditions. At launch, GamersNexus also cautioned readers against treating AMD’s demonstrations as hard performance evidence before controlled independent testing, saying the demonstration environment did not meet its standards for repeatable benchmarking.
How should you interpret “Zen brings the fight back to Intel”?
It is launch-era framing, not a timeless performance verdict. AMD positioned Ryzen 7 for gamers, creators, and enthusiasts, and HotHardware evaluated the processors against the competitive landscape of 2017. Any conclusion about which CPU held an advantage depends on the workload, benchmark version, settings, and test system. AMD’s corporate performance claims should be distinguished from results produced independently in reviews.
Rank #2
- Requires a thermal solution sold separately
- Max Turbo Frequency 4.00 GHz ; 3.6 GHz Clock Speed
- 8 Cores/16 Threads UNLOCKED
- Cache: 4 MB/16 MB (L2/L3)
- Socket Type: AM4
AMD’s February 2017 announcement quoted president and CEO Dr. Lisa Su describing Zen’s development goal as delivering generational performance gains and restoring choice and innovation in high-performance computing. That statement expresses AMD’s aim; it is not independent evidence of benchmark outcomes.
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AM4 identifies the platform family, but it does not prove that every AM4 motherboard or firmware revision supports a particular processor. Before assembling or upgrading a system, check the exact motherboard model’s CPU support list and required BIOS/firmware version. The launch comparison alone cannot establish support for a specific board.
Rank #3
- 8 Cores 16 Threads, Base Clock 3.6 GHz, Max Boost Clock 4.0 GHz
- Socket AM4, TDP 95 W, Unlocked Multiplier Supports Overclocking
- 4 MB L2 Cache + 16 MB L3 Cache, First-Gen Zen Architecture
- DDR4 Dual Channel Memory, Up to 2667 MHz
- No Integrated Graphics, Requires Discrete Graphics Card. Tray CPU packed with anti-static bag only, without coolerer
- Verify the exact processor appears in the motherboard maker’s CPU support information.
- Check the minimum BIOS or firmware version, especially for an older board or a board that has been in storage.
- Account for cooling: AMD listed the Wraith Spire with the 1700, but no included cooler with the 1800X or 1700X.
What this review can—and cannot—tell you now
The launch-era specifications and review are useful for understanding AMD’s 2017 product positioning and the differences among these three models. They do not establish today’s used-market prices, availability, support status for a particular motherboard, or relative performance versus current processors. Those questions require current listings, board-specific documentation, and newer comparative testing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The world’s fastest gaming processor, built on AMD ‘Zen5’ technology and Next Gen 3D V-Cache.
- 8 cores and 16 threads, delivering +~16% IPC uplift and great power efficiency
- 96MB L3 cache with better thermal performance vs. previous gen and allowing higher clock speeds, up to 5.2GHz
- Drop-in ready for proven Socket AM5 infrastructure
- Cooler not included
Rank #4
- Powerful Gaming Performance
- 8 Cores and 16 processing threads, based on AMD "Zen 3" architecture
- 4.8 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 36 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
- For the AMD Socket AM4 platform, with PCIe 4.0 support
- AMD Wraith Prism Cooler with RGB LED included
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
