Both Intel Core i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors are excellent options for Photoshop, offering high performance and a good balance of features. However, there are some key differences between the two that you should consider before making a decision.

Intel Core i7 Processors

Intel Core i7 processors are known for their strong single-core performance, which can be beneficial for certain Photoshop tasks, such as applying filters or rendering complex images. However, they also tend to have fewer cores and threads than Ryzen 7 processors, which can limit their ability to handle multitasking and multi-threaded tasks.

AMD Ryzen 7 Processors

AMD Ryzen 7 processors are designed for multitasking and multi-threaded performance, with more cores and threads than Intel Core i7 processors. This can give them a performance advantage in Photoshop tasks that require multiple processors to work simultaneously, such as editing large files or working with multiple layers.

Photoshop Performance Benchmarks

Several independent benchmarks have been conducted to compare the performance of Intel Core i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors for Photoshop. These benchmarks have shown that both processors can provide excellent performance, but Ryzen 7 processors tend to have a slight edge in multi-threaded tasks. For example, a recent benchmark by Puget Systems found that the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X outperformed the Intel Core i7–12700K by up to 10% in Photoshop.

Which Processor Is Right for You?

If you are a casual Photoshop user who only works with small files and basic edits, either an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor will be a good choice. However, if you are a professional photographer or designer who works with large files, complex edits, or multiple projects simultaneously, an AMD Ryzen 7 processor is a better choice.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between Intel Core i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors for Photoshop:

Feature | Intel Core i7 | AMD Ryzen 7

Single-core performance | Strong | Good

Multi-core performance | Good | Excellent

Cores | 8–12 | 8–16

Threads | 16–24 | 16–32

Price | More expensive | More affordable

Here are some of the best Intel Core i7 processors for Photoshop:

• Intel Core i7–12700K
• Intel Core i7–11700K
• Intel Core i7–10700K

Here are some of the best AMD Ryzen 7 processors for Photoshop:

• AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
• AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
• AMD Ryzen 7 5600X