CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7640X X-series vs Intel Core i7-7820X X-series
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-7640X is a quad-core, four-thread desktop processor on the LGA2066 platform with base and boost clocks of 4.0 GHz and 4.2 GHz, respectively, dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory, and 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration; CPU-bound inference only.
- Lacks AVX-512; limited to SSE4.1/4.2 and AVX2 instruction sets.
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX-512 can help certain CPU-bound inference tasks
- Most modern AI workloads are better served by GPUs
Content Creation
Gaming
- High clocks help in CPU-bound scenarios, but modern games increasingly benefit from more cores/threads.
- Requires a discrete GPU; no integrated graphics.
- Performance comparable to contemporary mainstream Kaby Lake i5s when GPU-bound.
- Capable of high-refresh gaming with a strong GPU
- Single-core boost reaches up to 4.5 GHz on favored cores
- Modern CPUs offer better gaming efficiency and higher IPC
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High base and boost clock speeds
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Supports Intel Optane Memory
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization support
- DDR4-2666 dual-channel memory support
Cons
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- No Hyper-Threading; only four threads
- Only dual-channel memory on a HEDT platform
- Only 16 CPU PCIe 3.0 lanes
- Discontinued platform with limited upgrade options
Pros
- 8 cores and 16 threads for multi-threaded workloads
- Quad-channel DDR4 memory increases bandwidth
- 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes plus chipset lanes for expansion
- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 for higher single-core boosts
- AVX-512 support for optimized workloads
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
Cons
- High 140 W TDP and power consumption
- No integrated graphics
- Only 28 CPU PCIe lanes, limiting multi-GPU configurations
- Discontinued platform with limited future upgrades
- Older 14 nm process versus modern smaller nodes
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-7640X X-series
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XRival
Mainstream
- Intel Core i5-7600KRival
Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-7700KRival
Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-7740XRival
HEDT
- Intel Core i5-8400Alt
Six-core mainstream Coffee Lake with better multi-threaded performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Alt
Six cores, 12 threads on AM4 with superior efficiency and upgrade path.
- Intel Core i5-9600KAlt
Later-generation six-core with higher clocks and improved platform longevity.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Zen 2 six-core with much higher IPC and efficiency on AM4.
- Intel Core i5-10600KAlt
Six-core, 12-thread Comet Lake on modern platform with DDR4 and better connectivity.
Intel Core i7-7820X X-series
- AMD Ryzen 7 1800XRival
Creator/Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700XRival
Creator/Gaming
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950XRival
Workstation
- Intel Core i9-7900XRival
HEDT
- Intel Core i7-14700KAlt
More cores, higher efficiency, and DDR5 on a modern mainstream platform.
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900Alt
Strong multi-threaded performance with excellent efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900XAlt
12-core AM4 option with strong gaming and creator performance.
- Intel Core i7-13700KAlt
High-performance mainstream platform with good upgrade path.
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X (used)Alt
Higher core and lane count for workstation-class workloads.
Our Verdict on Each
A capable but ill-positioned quad-core for the X299 HEDT platform, offering strong clock speeds yet lacking Hyper-Threading, integrated graphics, and the multi-threaded punch of contemporaries; mainly relevant today for specific upgrades or used-market builds.
Best for: Upgrading an existing X299 system on a tight budget or acquiring used parts at low cost
Read the full reviewA competent eight-core HEDT chip with strong multi-threaded performance and platform expansion, though high power draw and limited PCIe lanes compared to higher-tier X299 CPUs make it a niche choice today.
Best for: Used-market upgrade for an existing X299 build with quad-channel DDR4 and a need for more cores than mainstream.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-7640X X-series or Intel Core i7-7820X X-series?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-7820X X-series comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-7640X X-series or Intel Core i7-7820X X-series?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-7820X X-series leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-7640X X-series and Intel Core i7-7820X X-series.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-7640X X-series has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-7640X X-series (112 W), Intel Core i7-7820X X-series (140 W).
Do Intel Core i5-7640X X-series and Intel Core i7-7820X X-series use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-7640X X-series : FCLGA2066, Intel Core i7-7820X X-series: LGA2066), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-7820X X-series has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-7640X X-series (4 cores), Intel Core i7-7820X X-series (8 cores).