ASUS has officially confirmed AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700F – the first Zen 5 CPU to exclude integrated graphics. Spotted in BIOS support lists by Bits and Chips, this 65W processor repurposes Ryzen 7 9700X dies with defective RDNA 2 iGPUs, offering identical 8-core Zen 5 performance at a discount for discrete GPU users.
Key specifications:
- 8 cores / 16 threads
- 3.8 GHz base clock (matches 9700X)
- 65W TDP
- 40MB cache (L2+L3)
- Requires discrete graphics
Why AMD Created the “F” Series
- Silicon Salvage: Uses 9700X dies with faulty iGPUs (common in chip manufacturing)
- Cost Reduction: Avoids discarding partially defective dies
- Market Segmentation: Targets budget builders who use dedicated GPUs
- Pricing Leverage: Undercuts 9700X’s $329 MSRP by ~$80
This follows Intel’s “F-series” strategy but with AMD’s chiplet efficiency.
Performance Expectations & Value
| CPU | Cores | Base Clock | iGPU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 8c/16t | 3.8 GHz | 2CU RDNA 2 | $329 |
| Ryzen 7 9700F | 8c/16t | 3.8 GHz | None | $249 (est) |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 6c/12t | 4.4 GHz | 2CU RDNA 2 | $249 |
Gamers Note: With identical cores/cache to 9700X, the 9700F delivers equivalent gaming fps when paired with a dedicated GPU.
Who Should Buy It?
- Discrete GPU Owners: No need to pay for unused iGPU
- Budget 1440p Builders: Pair with RX 7600/RTX 4060
- Upgraders: AM5 socket compatibility (B650/X670)
- iGPU Users: Requires external graphics card
Also, Read
- AMD Threadripper 9000X Launches July 31 – 64-Core Beast at $5,000
- Massive AMD Radeon Prototype Surfaces – Triple 8-Pin “RX 7950 XTX” Cooler Hints at Unreleased Flagship
- AMD Zen 6 CPU Engineering Samples Distributed – 12-Core CCDs & Dual Memory Controllers Confirmed
Release Timeline & Final Notes
- Availability: Expected September 2025
- Platform: AM5 motherboards (BIOS update required)
- Cooling: Compatible with AM4/AM5 coolers
Pro Tip: Pair with affordable GPUs like RX 7600 ($269) or RTX 4060 ($299) for a potent 1080p/1440p build under $600.
Why This Matters: The 9700F exemplifies AMD’s flexible chiplet design – transforming “defective” silicon into value products. It could become the go-to CPU for GPU-centric builders if pricing holds.
Source: bitsandchips