The perfect gaming CPU performs a big half in figuring out the capabilities of your system. This little bit of silicon could make all of the distinction in hitting your goal common body charges, significantly for those who play on a excessive refresh price show or take pleasure in gaming with ray tracing enabled.
The 2 foremost gamers are AMD and Intel, and competitors has by no means been extra fierce, with the 14th Gen Core and Ryzen 7000 sequence every providing excessive efficiency ranges. You’re spoiled for alternative with regards to selecting the proper processor on your PC, which is why we’re right here to make your search simpler.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D guidelines the roost in keeping with our testing. Nonetheless, the Intel Core i9 14900K can pull forward in some benchmarks, offering you have got a powerful sufficient cooler and energy provide to tame that exact beast.
When in search of a brand new CPU, we propose choices with a minimum of six cores. Hexacore chips at the moment are the usual amongst players, and a rising variety of AAA PC video games anticipate as a lot. There are nice present era choices that match this invoice, just like the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, however don’t really feel sheepish about choosing a twelfth Gen Core or Ryzen 5000 sequence mannequin, as they’ll be effective for years to return too.
Why you’ll be able to belief our recommendation ✔ At PCGamesN, our consultants spend hours testing {hardware} and reviewing video games and VPNs. We share trustworthy, unbiased opinions that can assist you purchase the most effective. Discover out how we check.
Finest gaming CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D specs:
Socket
AM5
Cores (P+E)
8
Threads
16
Base clock
4.20GHz
Increase clock
As much as 5.00GHz
L3 cache
96MB
TDP
120W
Causes to purchase
Flagship efficiency beneath $500/£500
Extraordinarily environment friendly
AM5 platform is feature-rich and has longevity
Causes to keep away from
Comparatively gradual clock speeds
No inventory cooler
L3 cache doesn’t assure greater body charges
The gaming CPU crown firmly sits with the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D due to its 3D V-Cache expertise. This perky processor punches nicely above its weight, costing simply $449 / £439, and handily competes with costlier flagship choices.
The 96MB of L3 cache contained in the 7800X3D does wonders to spice up the ground and ceiling of body charges, guaranteeing that you just’re getting all of the pixel-pushing juice out of your graphics card. Its results are most keenly felt at resolutions like 1080p, making it a perfect alternative for aggressive players.
It would concede floor the place clock speeds are king, however these cases are few and much between in our expertise. Plus, the AM5 motherboard you choose as much as seat the 7800X3D will serve you nicely for a drop-in improve, futureproofing your construct.
Learn our AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D overview.
Intel Core i5 12400F specs:
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores (P+E)
6 (6+0)
Threads
12
Base clock
2.5GHz
Increase clock
4.4GHz
L3 cache
18MB
TDP
65W
Causes to purchase
Six P-Cores
Superb value
Stable gaming efficiency
Causes to keep away from
Clock velocity may very well be greater
No E-Cores
No built-in GPU
When you’re trying to construct a gaming PC on a really tight funds, the Intel Core i5 12400F is a cut price CPU. The value is superb for the gaming efficiency on supply. Not like newer funds CPUs, such because the Core i3 13100, the Core i5 12400F has six P-Cores beneath its warmth spreader, fairly than simply 4, giving it loads of uncooked horsepower in video games.
Don’t be fooled by the ‘12’ on this CPU’s mannequin quantity both – the Alder Lake structure utilized by this chip is similar to the Raptor Lake structure utilized in Intel’s newest 14th gen CPUs, and we’ve discovered it greater than succesful with regards to gaming. Not like AMD’s AM5 CPUs, you’ll be able to run the Core i5 12400F along with your outdated DDR4 reminiscence in case you have some in an current system, and it’ll fortunately run an outdated motherboard with a B660 chipset.
With its TDP of simply 65W, this CPU additionally doesn’t want a large AIO cooler to maintain it in verify – an honest air cooler will do the job effective. There are a number of catches. One is that this ‘F’ mannequin has no built-in GPU, however that’s not a difficulty for those who purchase a separate graphics card for gaming. It additionally doesn’t have any of Intel’s E-Cores, which offer a lift in multi-threaded work, however these are largely irrelevant with regards to efficiency in most video games.
The height clock velocity of simply 4.4GHz is also greater, and this isn’t a Ok-series CPU both, so you’ll be able to’t formally overclock it with the multiplier however you’ll be able to’t have all the pieces at this value. That is the most suitable choice if you would like an honest gaming CPU for the most cost effective value attainable.
Learn our Intel Core i5 12400F overview
Intel Core i5 13400F specs:
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores (P+E)
10 (6+4)
Threads
16
Base clock
2.50GHz / 1.80GHz
Increase clock
As much as 4.60GHz / 3.30GHz
L3 cache
18MB
TDP
65W
Causes to purchase
Beneficiant value
Barely greater clock velocity than 12400F
4 E-Cores over 12400F
Causes to keep away from
No overclocking capabilities
Restricted increase clock
No built-in GPU
If you wish to get an honest gaming CPU on a good funds, but additionally desire a little bit of a lift in multi-threaded work akin to video encoding and rendering, the Core i5 13400F is a stable candidate. It options six of Intel’s newest Raptor Lake P-Cores and a 4.6GHz increase clock, making it a succesful processor for gaming, however it additionally has an added bonus over the 12400F.
Not like its predecessor, the 13400F additionally has 4 of Intel’s low-power E-Cores beneath its warmth spreader, providing you with a complete of ten cores, which provides it a lift in multi-threaded software program. It’s a perfect alternative for anybody who does extra than simply sport with their system however doesn’t have an enormous amount of cash to spend.
Just like the 12400F, this chip doesn’t have a Ok in its mannequin identify, which implies it might’t formally be overclocked by altering the multiplier, and the F means it doesn’t have an built-in GPU both. Nonetheless, the latter allows you to avoid wasting cash for those who’re shopping for a devoted graphics card anyway.
You gained’t want an enormously highly effective AIO cooler to maintain this CPU in verify both, and for those who purchase the retail model you’ll even get an enough Intel inventory air cooler included within the field.
Learn our Intel Core i5 13400F overview.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X specs:
Socket
AM5
Cores (P+E)
6
Threads
12
Base clock
4.70GHz
Increase clock
As much as 5.30GHz
L3 cache
32MB
TDP
105W
Causes to purchase
Lion’s share of Zen 4 efficiency
Outperforms last-generation flagship processors
Causes to keep away from
No included cooler
Runs hotter than non-X model
Once we examined the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, we discovered that the Zen 4 processor packs a potent efficiency punch that’s sturdy sufficient to run with essentially the most highly effective GPUs of as we speak. This makes it a first-rate candidate for almost any construct you could possibly consider, no matter measurement or energy.
Regardless of sitting on the decrease finish of the Ryzen 7000 sequence stack, the 7600X handily outperforms earlier era flagships with regards to gaming. Higher nonetheless, you’re not lacking out on many frames in any respect by choosing it versus its costlier siblings.
It’s price taking into consideration, nevertheless, that you just’ll need to pair the 7600X with suitably sturdy cooling because it doesn’t include a inventory cooler. Don’t neglect that you just’ll want a brand new motherboard too, in addition to some sticks of DDR5 RAM.
Learn our AMD Ryzen 5 7600X overview.
Finest gaming CPU with built-in graphics
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G specs:
Socket
AM5
Cores (P+E)
6
Threads
12
Base clock
4.3GHz
Increase clock
5GHz
L3 cache
16MB
TDP
65W
Causes to purchase
Finest worth iGPU available on the market
Included air cooler
Good CPU efficiency in video games
Causes to keep away from
6,000MHz+ RAM is a should for iGPU
So-so worth versus low cost graphics card
Doesn’t have 16x PCIe 4.0 lanes
For these needing a single chip that may deal with CPU and GPU duties, maybe for constructing a small system, or for those who’re simply on a good funds, look no additional than the Ryzen 5 8600G. With six Zen 4 cores and a Radeon 760M built-in GPU, it’s a perky performer as a processor and stand-in graphics card.
The 8600G shines brightest in much less demanding video games, however it’s nonetheless able to enjoying the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 at 30fps for those who’re snug with enjoying at 1080p utilizing low settings. It’s appropriate with FidelityFX Tremendous Decision too, which may also help increase body charges additional by way of upscaling and body era.
You’ll must pair the 8600G with DDR5 RAM clocked at 6,000MHz or above to get essentially the most efficiency out of its built-in graphics. Whereas this does add to the full value of placing collectively a system, you should utilize the identical RAM for those who improve your CPU sooner or later.
When you plan to pair the 8600G with a devoted graphics card, it solely helps a restricted variety of PCIe 4.0 lanes. That is much less of an issue with present era pixel pushers (Radeon RX 7000 and GeForce RTX 40 sequence), however it can restrict the bandwidth of future graphics playing cards that use the PCIe 5.0 interface.
Learn our AMD Ryzen 5 8600G overview.
Intel Core i7 13700K specs:
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores (P+E)
16 (8+8)
Threads
24
Base clock
3.40GHz / 2.50GHz
Increase clock
As much as 5.30GHz / 4.20GHz
L3 cache
30MB
TDP
125W
Causes to purchase
Simply handles 120fps ‘x264 Slower’ encoding in actual time
Nice gaming and artistic utility efficiency
Causes to keep away from
Might be crushed by AMD Ryzen 7000 processors
Runs a contact sizzling
The 13700K is one thing of a champion for streamers and creatives alike, providing an all-in-one resolution that doesn’t carry an excessively premium price ticket. That includes 16 cores and 24 threads, the chip is greater than able to dealing with real-time 120fps encoding utilizing the ‘x264 Slower’ preset.
That is particularly helpful in case you have a Radeon graphics card however it might act as an awesome substitute for ‘NVENC’ on GeForce GPUs, ought to the necessity come up. The chip can sustain with top-tier pixel pushers too, sustaining stable most, common, and minimal frames per second.
It’s lots helpful for exporting and enhancing VODs too, boasting quick export instances and rendering capabilities in Adobe suite functions akin to Premiere Professional and After Results.
Learn our Intel Core i7 13700K overview.
Strongest Intel gaming CPU
Intel Core i9 14900K specs:
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores (P+E)
24 (8+16)
Threads
32
Base clock
3.20GHz / 2.40GHz
Increase clock
As much as 5.60GHz / 4.40GHz
L3 cache
36MB
TDP
125W
Causes to purchase
Nice body price consistency
6.00GHz most turbo frequency
Unrivalled multi-threaded capabilities
Causes to keep away from
Terribly energy hungry
Requires a high-end cooling resolution
Typically falls behind cheaper AMD X3D CPUs in video games
Sitting on the high of Intel’s gaming CPU stack is the Core i9 14900K, one of many few chips on the market able to hitting 6.00GHz clock speeds.
It packs the same old make-up of 24 cores and 32 threads which have outlined each Core i9 for the previous three generations. The one different LGA 1700 processor able to competing is the Core i9 13900KS, however the 14900K is actually similar to the costlier CPU.
The Core i9 14900K is finest fitted to methods that serve each as a gaming rig and workstation, as its strengths are finest realized in multi-core workloads. Simply be sure to have a succesful energy provide and cooler handy, because it’ll guzzle electrical energy like no one’s enterprise.
Learn our Intel Core i9 14900K overview.
Strongest AMD gaming CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X specs:
Socket
AM5
Cores (P+E)
16
Threads
32
Base clock
4.50GHz
Increase clock
As much as 5.70GHz
L3 cache
64MB
TDP
170W
Causes to purchase
Nice energy effectivity
A lot multi-core energy
Eco mode works nice
Causes to keep away from
Will get sizzling in multi-threaded workloads
Specs profit manufacturing workloads greater than gaming
Excessive value
You’ll discover the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X on the high of Workforce Purple’s newest processor sequence. On this chip lies the easiest that Zen 4 has to supply, with the flagship hiding some stunning methods up its sleeve.
Whereas this chip doesn’t boast a better core or thread depend in comparison with earlier era choices, they’re clocked a lot greater. This not solely interprets into greater frames per second but additionally drastically improves efficiency in nearly each utility that may make use of a number of CPU cores.
Its biggest trick, nevertheless, is its ‘Eco Mode’, which might pressure the processor to attract a most of 65W. Even with such low energy consumption, it might nonetheless commerce blows with top-tier processors. Naturally, you’ll get essentially the most out of the chip whereas operating at its customary 170W TDP, however it makes the prospect of a small kind issue construct that includes the 7950X extra risk than a dream.
Learn our AMD Ryzen 9 7950X overview.
Finest gaming CPU FAQ
How we check the most effective gaming CPUs
There are a number of gaming CPUs available on the market, and it may be laborious to know which processors are genuinely price your cash. That can assist you resolve which CPU is true on your system and funds, we consider every chip’s gaming capabilities paired with essentially the most highly effective graphics playing cards, together with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.
Once we check gaming CPUs, our benchmarks embrace our ordinary suite of PC video games with a number of additional additions, together with 3DMark, Civilization VI, and Cinebench 2024. We additionally observe what temperatures the processor hits beneath load, noting how lengthy it might keep its marketed increase clock speeds.
How do I select a CPU for gaming?
When you’ve found out your funds, selecting the best CPU on your system comes all the way down to what you propose to make use of it for. Do you play video games at 60fps, 120fps, or greater? Do you play aggressive shooters and RTS video games or lean extra towards action-adventure video games or RPGs? All of those variables ought to influence your buy determination.
Core i5 and Ryzen 5 chips pack loads of processing energy to sate most individuals’s wants. When you’re in search of extra CPU efficiency it’s best to go for Core i7 and Ryzen 7 choices. Whereas Ryzen 9 and Core i9 choices supply extra energy nonetheless, they’re finest fitted to manufacturing workloads. Ryzen 3 and Core i3 are nonetheless stable choices for funds builders, however choosing a costlier chip is good.
Can I improve my CPU?
To improve the CPU in your gaming PC, you’ll must bodily swap it out for one of many extra highly effective processors on this listing. It’s extra easy than you’d assume, supplied you have got a appropriate chip, an enough cooling resolution, and the fitting instruments.
Examine {that a} new CPU is appropriate along with your motherboard earlier than upgrading. Intel’s compatibility software enables you to search for any Intel processor and think about all appropriate motherboards, whereas AMD’s search software does the same factor.
While you’re prepared, our 7-step CPU improve information has loads of recommendation on putting in a brand new processor.
When to improve a gaming CPU
There isn’t a set period of time {that a} CPU will final you, however there are a number of methods to find out the most effective time to interchange your CPU. Both you’ll discover that your present system has slowed and is not assembly your wants, you have got a quick processing velocity and need to maintain it that manner, otherwise you need to futureproof your self with the newest processor.
When you’re uncertain whether or not the CPU is the weak hyperlink in your gaming machine, there are instruments that can assist you determine it out. CapFrameX and Rivatuner Statistics Server can show CPU and GPU hundreds while you boot a sport with it operating within the background. In case your GPU hovers round 90-100%, upgrading to the finest graphics card you’ll be able to shall be higher than a CPU improve.
What ought to CPU utilization be when gaming?
In a balanced system (i.e. a PC with a CPU and GPU of comparable caliber, assume RX 7700 XT and Ryzen 5 7600 or RTX 4090 and Core i9 14900K) your CPU utilization will largely rely on the sorts of video games you’re enjoying.
Sure genres, akin to RTS video games, will lean extra closely on the CPU as extra computational efficiency is required to handle issues like synthetic intelligence. That mentioned, extra usually than not, your GPU utilization shall be at 100% lengthy earlier than your processor is however greater body charges (120+) will put extra pressure on it.