Good intel gaming cpu: The Best CPU for Gaming in 2023 — Top Gaming CPUs for the Money

Best CPU for gaming 2023

Are you looking to find the best gaming CPU for your PC? Well, we’re here to help. Our list of the best CPUs has something for everyone, whether you’re on a tight budget or have money to burn – our CPU buyers guide will show you the best choice for your needs.

We’ve got budget CPUs under $200 / £200 all the way up to the mammoth 24-core processing power of the latest chips that cost over $600 / £600 and all the essentials in between.

A new CPU might not seem as high a priority as getting the best graphics card for your PC when it comes to getting the highest frame rate, but the right processor is essential for unlocking performance. What’s more, while you may not need the 16 or even 24 cores of AMD and Intel‘s latest chips for gaming, they come into their own for heavy multitasking and other workloads so are worth considering, if you have the budget.

Here are the best CPUs for gaming in 2023:

  • AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D – the best CPU for gaming
  • Intel Core i5-13600K – the best CPU for gaming from Intel
  • Intel Core i5-13400F – the best budget CPU for gaming
  • AMD Ryzen 5800X3D – the best CPU for gaming on older AM4 systems
  • AMD Ryzen 5600X – the best budget CPU for gaming on older AM4 systems
  • Intel Core i9-13900K – the best CPU for gaming and multi-tasking
  • AMD Ryzen 7700 – the best CPU for gaming and power efficiency

1.

 AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The best CPU for gaming is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is, quite simply, the single fastest CPU for gaming. It may only have eight cores and a relatively modest 5GHz peak clock speed but its extra 64MB of 3D V-Cache give it a massive boost in gaming performance, consistently boosting frame rates in all games we’ve tested. It’s less capable when it comes to other tasks, compared to other CPUs of around the same price, but is still more than powerful enough for most users.

Its power consumption is also very low all things considered, with a TDP of just 120W. It’s not a cheap processor but if gaming performance is your top priority it’s better value than other flagship processors. In April 2023 there were reports of these AMD CPUs overheating and destroying themselves but this was fixed a week later with new motherboard BIOS updates – be sure to install the latest update when running this processor.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D review.

Pros:

  • Fantastic gaming performance
  • Super-low power draw
  • Only needs modest cooling

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Poor performance outside of games
  • Socket AM5 platform and DRR5 memory are pricier than other options

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D specs:

Architecture Zen 4
Cores 8
Threads 16
Base clock speed  4.2GHz
Boost clock speed 5GHz
Platform Socket AM5
Maximum turbo power 120W

Price: Expect to pay $440 / £435

2. Intel Core i5-13600K

The best CPU for gaming is the Intel Core i5-13600K.

While it might not be the most power-frugal option, the Core i5-13600K is one of the fastest chips available in many tasks, despite its reasonable price tag. It’s quick out of the box, matching or bettering AMD’s Ryzen 7-series CPUs, and once it’s overclocked it’s a monster that punches well above its weight.

The most attractive quality is its versatility. It’s good at every task, and rarely far behind more expensive options, fulfilling the remit of a Core i5 chip brilliantly. If you need an affordable gaming CPU, that’s also a multi-threaded performance beast when you need it, this is the best all-round option.

Read our full Intel Core i5-13600K review for more.

Pros

  • Excellent overclocking potential
  • Great all-round performance for the cash
  • Reasonable temperatures

Cons

  • New AMD chips are faster in some lightly-threaded loads
  • Ryzen 7 5800X3D quicker in some games

Intel Core i5-13600K specs:

Architecture 13th-gen Core / Raptor Lake
P-Cores 6
E-Cores 8
Base clock speed  3. 5GHz E-Cores / 2.6GHz E-Cores
Boost clock speed 5.1GHz P-Cores / 3.9GHz E-Cores
Platform LGA1700
Maximum turbo power 181W

Price: Expect to pay $319 USD / £329 GBP

3. Intel Core i5-13400F

The best budget CPU for gaming is the Intel Core i5-13400F.

There are a few points to consider with the Core i5-13400F, the first being its performance. As we explore in our full Intel Core i5-13400F review, performance is solid, sticking close to the Core i5-12600K and costing a lot less money, while outpacing the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600X and even bettering the Ryzen 5 7600X in a few tests too.

Critically, Intel has much cheaper motherboards available for its latest chips than AMD, with some B660 models retailing for under £120, and they also support cheap DDR4 memory, while with Socket AM5, you need DDR5 memory that still demands a price premium. For now, at least, the Core i5-13400F offers excellent value when paired with the right components, and is a much better bet for a mid-range system than AMD’s cheapest Socket AM5 options.

Pros

  • Good performance for the price
  • Power-frugal
  • Doesn’t need lavish cooling

Cons

  • Low clock frequencies
  • No L2 cache upgrade
  • Only four E-Cores

Intel Core i5-13400F specs:

Architecture 13th-gen Core / Raptor Lake
P-Cores 6
E-Cores 4
Base clock speed 2.5GHz E-Cores / 1.8GHz E-Cores
Boost clock speed 4.6GHz P-Cores / 3.3GHz E-Cores
Platform LGA1700
Maximum turbo power 148W

Price: Expect to pay $219 USD / £235 GBP

4.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

The best gaming CPU for older AM4 systems is the AMD Ryzen 5800 X3D.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still a solid option for gamers looking to spruce up an existing Socket AM4 system, offering increased frame rates, even if you have an older GPU. Its new architecture and manufacturing process provides big leaps in performance across the board over previous-generation Ryzen chips. As a drop-in fix, it can save money over opting for a new motherboard and memory, which you’ll need with Ryzen 7000 chips.

However, it’s not faster in all games than other cheaper Ryzen 5000 CPUs, and its relatively modest core for its price means performance outside of gaming is not all that compelling, which makes its current price a little hard to swallow.

Pros

  • Still very fast in lots of games
  • Works in Socket AM4 motherboards
  • Cheaper system cost than Ryzen 7000 CPUs

Cons

  • Poor content creation performance
  • High temperatures
  • No upgrade path

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D specs:

Architecture Zen 3
Cores 8
Threads 16
Base clock speed 3. 4GHz
Boost clock speed 4.5GHz
Platform Socket AM4
TDP 105W

Price: Expect to pay $325 USD / £320 GBP.

5. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

The best budget CPU for gaming on older AM4 systems is the AMD Ryzen 5600X.

The 5600X can’t compete with AMD’s 7000 series or Intel’s 13000 series chips for raw speed. However, it still offers decent all-round performance and its compatibility with older AM4 systems and DDR4 RAM makes it an ideal drop-in replacement for anyone still running a 1st, 2nd or 3rd-gen Ryzen system. Plus, the change in manufacturing process and architecture improvements still net you a huge leap in performance over any of those previous Ryzen models, especially in games.

The Ryzen 5800 X3D is considerably faster still but it costs over $300USD / £300GBP whereas the 5600X is a bargain at under $160USD / £160 GBP. Meanwhile, sticking with an AM4 system means you avoid the cost of paying for new DDR5 memory and a new motherboard, which you’ll need to do if you upgrade to a Ryzen 7000 chip.

Find out more in our full AMD Ryzen 5 5600X review.

Pros

  • Cheap price
  • Low power draw
  • Compatible with old AM4 motherboards

Cons

  • Ryzen 7 5800X3D is much faster in games
  • Intel’s Core i5-13400F is generally faster
  • Little benefit from overclocking

AMD Ryzen 5600X specs:

Architecture Zen 3
Cores 6
Threads 12
Base clock speed 3.7GHz
Boost clock speed 4.6GHz
Platform Socket AM4
TDP 65W

Price: Expect to pay $165 USD / £158 GBP.

6. Intel Core i9-13900K

The fastest overall CPU for gaming available right now is the Intel Core i9-13900K.

Intel’s 13th-gen Core flagship CPU is the fastest thing out there for desktop PC gaming. Its enormous count of 24 cores dwarfs anything else out there (even if 16 of those cores are modest power-efficient E-Cores) making it immensely powerful for multi-threaded workloads. What’s more, its high clock speed makes it fantastic for gaming and other low thread-count tasks too.

However, it’s not meaningfully much faster than lower-spec CPUs when it comes to gaming. The 13600K is just as fast and costs half as much while AMD’s 7000 series chips aren’t far behind either. Moreover, its power consumption is horrendous, with peak consumption in our tests of over 540W, compared to just 389W for the 13700K and 376W for the Ryzen 7950X.

Read our Intel Core i9-13900K review.

Pros

  • Blisteringly fast in multi-threaded workloads
  • Excellent lightly-threaded performance
  • Great in games

Cons

  • Cheaper CPUs are just as fast in most games
  • Very high power consumption at default settings
  • Limited overclocking headroom

Intel Core i9-13900K specs:

Architecture 13th-gen Core / Raptor Lake
P-Cores 8
E-Cores 16
Base clock speed 3. 5GHz E-Cores / 2.6GHz E-Cores
Boost clock speed 5.8GHz P-Cores / 4.3GHz E-Cores
Platform LGA1700
Maximum turbo power 253W

Price: Expect to pay $600 USD / £590 GBP.

7. AMD Ryzen 7 7700

The best CPU for power efficiency is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700.

The Ryzen 7 7700 is not a processor that tops performance charts for gaming or any other task where raw clock speed or single-core performance is concerned. For those sorts of tasks, the Intel Core i5-13600K is the better option. However, the Ryzen 7 7700 still packs in plenty of multi-core performance thanks to its eight cores (16 threads) and it still has perfectly decent gaming performance too – it’s just not the very fastest.

The key factor with this processor, though, is how little power it uses. In our tests, it used just 208W under full load which compares to 331W for the Core i5-13600K. What’s more, for those times when you do want to crank up the clock speed this chip overclocks well, so you get the easy choice of power-saving or extra performance. All that and it’s fairly cheap too and includes a CPU cooler.

Pros

  • Decent multi-threaded performance
  • Cool-running
  • Very power efficient

Cons

  • Core i5-13600K is faster and potentially cheaper
  • Socket AM5 is expensive
  • Limited benefits to manual overclocking

AMD Ryzen 7700 specs:

Architecture Zen 3
Cores 8
Threads 16
Base clock speed 3.8GHz
Boost clock speed 5.3GHz
Platform Socket AM5
TDP 65W

Price: Expect to pay $345 USD / £315 GBP.

How we test the best CPUs for gaming

At Custom PC, we want you to be confident that our reviews are trustworthy, reliable and repeatable so that you can easily compare products and find the best CPUs for your needs.

We’ve been reviewing the latest CPUs since 2003, and we’ve tested and overclocked hundreds of CPUs, going right back to the Pentium 4 and Athlon XP era. We’ve developed an expert testing methodology that covers all the key areas of performance, including single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as well as gaming:

Our benchmarks include our very own RealBench suite, which had a GIMP image editing test that stresses single-threaded performance, and a Handbrake H.264 video encoding test to gauge multi-threaded performance, as well as multi-tasking tests.

We also use the single and multi-threaded tests in CinebenchFar Cry 6 and Watch Dogs: Legion. For our game tests, we record the 99th percentile and average frame rates.  We also measure the idle and load total system power consumption at the wall, while running Prime95’s smallest FFT test with AVX disabled.

The 7 Best Processors for Gaming in 2023

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The gaming world has been changing at an unprecedented rate since the incorporation of modern technology. Over the years, technology transformed this sector, leading to innovations such as consoles and computer games that have kept people busy and entertained right in their homes.

The games have been improving continuously as developers keep releasing newer versions with better graphics and features. However, playing these latest games requires upgraded processors. 

CPU manufacturers haven’t let gamers down, as they have also enhanced the capabilities of their machines. Right now, the market is flooded with several brands providing dedicated processors for gaming. These gaming CPUs have additional core counts, higher clock speeds, as well as power and heat management systems.

They have been designed to give gamers the most exciting and satisfying gaming experience. However, finding the perfect gaming processor has become a challenge for gamers because of the many options available on the market today. To help make the decision easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best gaming processors on the market in 2023.

Top Picks: Best Processors for Gaming in 2023

  1. Intel Core i5-13600K
  2. $309.99

    • 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads
    • Performance hybrid architecture
    • Up to 5.1 GHz
    • Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
    • Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

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    06/11/2023 01:06 am GMT

  3. Intel Core i5-13400F
  4. $208. 98

    • 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads
    • Up to 4.6 GHz
    • PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support

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    06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

  5. Intel Core i9-13900K
  6. $568.46

    • 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) and 32 threads
    • Prioritizes distributing workloads to optimize performance
    • 5.8 GHz
    • Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
    • Intel Optane Memory support

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    06/11/2023 01:16 pm GMT

  7. AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X
  8. $315.37

    • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
    • Based on AMD «Zen 4» architecture
    • Can support PCIe 5. 0 on select 600 Series motherboards
    • 5.4 GHz Max Boost, 100+ FPS

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    06/11/2023 06:11 am GMT

  9. AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X
  10. $556.46

    • 16 Cores, 32 processing threads
    • 5.7GHz unlocked overclocking
    • DDR5-5200 support
    • PCIe 5.0 support (select motherboards)
    • Uses AMD’s Zen 4 architecture

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    06/11/2023 10:40 am GMT

  11. AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D
  12. $289.06

    • 3D stacking technology
    • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
    • 4.5 GHz Max Boost, 100 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
    • Can support PCIe 4. 0 on X570 and B550 motherboards

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    06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

  13. AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
  14. $167.91

    • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
    • Bundled with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
    • 4.6 GHz Max Boost (unlocked for overclocking)
    • 20 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support

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    06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

Best Overall Processor for Gaming: Intel Core i5 13600K

Best Overall

Intel Core i5-13600K

$309.99

  • 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads
  • Performance hybrid architecture
  • Up to 5. 1 GHz
  • Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
  • Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

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06/11/2023 01:06 am GMT

Intel Core i5 13600K is a top-notch mid-range chip professionally tuned by Intel to provide the best gaming experience. It is one of Intel’s chips that are economically viable, yet they have sufficient power for a breathtaking gaming experience.

This processor features higher frames and additional core counts for better performance. Overall, it is the best CPU on this list in terms of performance, reliability, and affordability.

This processor has 14 cores and 20 threads. The extra cores give it the much-needed additional power for running CPU-intensive tasks and heavy-duty games. Additionally, the extra 4 cores significantly improve the Intel Core i5 13600K processor’s multithreaded performance.

This CPU is great for editing, content creation, and streaming. Its base clock is 3.5 GHz P-core and 2.6 GHz E-core, and a boost clock of 5.1 GHz P-core and 3.9 GHz E-core. Its thermal design power is also 125/181 watts.

Best Budget Option: Intel Core i5 13400F

Best Budget Option

Intel Core i5-13400F

$208.98

  • 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads
  • Up to 4.6 GHz
  • PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support

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06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

Intel Core i5 13400F is the most budget-friendly gaming CPU in the tech market. Besides its affordability, this processor comes with adequate power to run advanced games seamlessly. This processor has a total of 10 cores, 4 Efficient-cores, and 6 Performance-cores with 16 threads.

The top speed for this CPU is 4.6 GHz. When compared to AMD Ryzen 7600 in terms of price, you will discover the Intel Core i5 13400F costs $33 less. 

The Intel Core i5 13400F has fewer frame rates than the Core i9 13900K in games such as Total War: Three Kingdoms, F1 2021, and Metro Exodus. Unfortunately, it experiences lags when running CPU-intensive games such as Far Cry 6.

This is the only limitation that makes high-end CPUs preferable to Intel Core i5 13400F. However, this processor is still faster than the Core i5 12600K, the best gaming CPU last year.

Intel Core i5 13400F has a Base Clock of 2.5 GHz P-core and 1.8 GHz E-core and a Boost Clock of 4.6 GHz P-core and 3.3 GHz E-core, a 20MB L3 cache, and 65/148-watt thermal design power.

Best for Power: Intel Core i9 13900K

Powerful

Intel Core i9-13900K

$568.46

  • 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) and 32 threads
  • Prioritizes distributing workloads to optimize performance
  • 5. 8 GHz
  • Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
  • Intel Optane Memory support

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06/11/2023 01:16 pm GMT

Intel Core i9 13900K is the best power processor for heavy users such as enthusiastic gamers. This CPU has the resources to operate optimally while multitasking and running highly demanding creative tasks and heavy-duty games.

Its power is generated by its 24 cores. If you’re a vivid gamer interested in taking your gaming experience to the next level, consider acquiring this processor. The Intel Core i9 13900K is considered to be fairly faster than Alder Lake Chip and the ex-HEDT chips.

It is still faster than the Core i5 12600K, the best gaming CPU last year. Intel Core i9 13900K falls in the same price range as Core i9 12900K, despite having 8 extra cores that make it more powerful.  

Besides the 24 cores, this processor has 32 threads, an L3 cache of 36 MB, clock speeds of 2.2 GHz to 3.0 GHz, and a thermal design power of 125/253 watts.

Best Deal: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X

Best Deal

AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X

$315.37

  • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
  • Based on AMD «Zen 4» architecture
  • Can support PCIe 5.0 on select 600 Series motherboards
  • 5.4 GHz Max Boost, 100+ FPS

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06/11/2023 06:11 am GMT

This CPU is perfect for multi-core and single-core performance. The AMD 7 7700X’s gaming performance and results almost match the high-end processors. That is why it is a gaming processor that offers the best deal on the market. This CPU also supports PCle 5.0 and DDR5.

The AMD 7 7700X can run heavy-duty tasks like pro-level content creation and gaming with its power-packed 8 cores and 16 threads. It can be difficult for you to notice the difference in its performance compared to the faster Intel alternative.

AMD Ryzen 7 7700X has a base clock of 4.5 GHz, a boost clock of 5.4 GHz, an impressive 32 MB Level 3 cache, and 105 watts of thermal design power. These specs are adequate for immersive gaming.

Best for Performance: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X

Best AMD

AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X

$556.46

  • 16 Cores, 32 processing threads
  • 5.7GHz unlocked overclocking
  • DDR5-5200 support
  • PCIe 5.0 support (select motherboards)
  • Uses AMD’s Zen 4 architecture

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06/11/2023 10:40 am GMT

This CPU’s design comprises an AM5 motherboard and a shiny heat spreader design. It outperforms the Ryzen 9 5950 16 Core processor in terms of speed, responsiveness, as well as running demanding PC tasks and games. This processor maximizes its resources to deliver an incredible performance while retaining its elegance. 

Additionally, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X has a unique feature that makes it impressive for gaming. It has a power management system that controls the heat to prevent internal damage. Although it can get hot during gaming, users can keep it running for hours without exceeding the CPU’s performance limit. 

This processor has a 16-core and 32-thread chip. It has a base clock of 4.5 GHz, a boost clock of 5.7 GHz, a Level 3 cache of 64 MB, and a total thermal design power of 170 watts.

Best Upgrade Processor for Gaming: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Best Upgrade Processor

AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D

$289.06

  • 3D stacking technology
  • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
  • 4.5 GHz Max Boost, 100 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
  • Can support PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards

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06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

This processor was developed using AMD’s latest TSMC packaging processes. It became the fastest CPU created by AMD once it was launched due to its higher computing power. Immediately, it became a darling for most gaming enthusiasts and heavy users.

This year, it still retains the spot as the best gaming processor for AM4 motherboard users. This processor runs heavy-duty games and CPU-intensive tasks smoothly without major issues. However, while a better upgrade, it’s not the best gaming CPU available. 

This processor allows for the squeezing of higher frequencies from its architecture. AMD upgraded it by adding more cache memory, significantly improving its performance.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is also similar to Ryzen 7 5800X because the design of their Zen 3 processor is comparable. This amazing gaming processor has 8 cores, 16 threads, 4. 5GHz max boost, 100MB Level 3 cache, and 105 watts TDP.

Best Power Saving: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G

Best Power Saving

AMD Ryzen 7 5700G

$167.91

  • 8 Cores and 16 processing threads
  • Bundled with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
  • 4.6 GHz Max Boost (unlocked for overclocking)
  • 20 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support

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06/12/2023 02:31 pm GMT

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G is famously known as the jack-of-all-trades for its unique ability to perform a broad range of tasks. It is the best CPU among the Zen 3 chips. This processor has an exemplary power-saving ability compared to the previous AMD processor versions. 

Another unique aspect of this processor is its ability to function optimally without a graphics card. It also features 8 cores and is fully backed with a powerful GPU. Users can upgrade their gaming performance by integrating a DDR4-3600 RAM for extra frame rates and standard DDR4-3200 memory support for enhanced gameplay. 

AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has an 8-core and 16-thread chip. It also comprises a base clock of 3.8 GHz, a turbo clock of 4.6 GHZ, a 16MB Level 3 cache, and a 65-watt TDP.

How to Pick the Best Processor for Gaming: Step by Step

The continued growth of the gaming sector placed a demand on the evolution of CPU technology, which has been going on for ages. Gamers are now expecting realistic games with highly advanced features. We can attest to the innumerable transformations of these games.

However, not every CPU can run modern games. As a gamer that won’t tolerate interferences or limitations in your gameplay, it’s essential to buy a gaming processor with superior specs. Here is a step-by-step process for selecting the best CPU for your gaming needs. 

Consider What You Need

The first step of this process involves figuring out your gaming needs. The existing games have different features requiring CPUs with different specs. For instance, some games are GPU-intensive, while others are CPU-intensive.

Therefore, your favorite games will guide you in establishing the most suitable processor for your gaming needs. Additionally, you must choose between a stationed desktop or a portable gaming laptop. These considerations should also cover the CPU’s clock speed and core count.

Check How the Processor Works

The functions of every feature in the processors will affect your gaming experience directly. Most gamers know the processor’s clock speed and core count features, yet don’t know how they affect the CPU’s performance.

A better understanding of why extra core counts and a higher clock speed deliver more power and resources for immersive gaming will guide you in picking the best CPU. Therefore, it is essential to know how the CPUs work.

Check Additional Features

Besides the basic specs required in a gaming CPU, consider checking if it has any extra features. These features aren’t cosmetics, as their presence boosts the processor’s performance.

Some gaming processors have integrated graphics, overclocking, and unique laptop-specific features. Although CPUs with many features are costlier, their performance and reliability are top-notch. 

Consider the Benchmarks

High-end CPUs are the best for gaming, yet they are extremely costly. Not every gamer can afford them. However, you can still get a budget-friendly option that will serve your gaming needs adequately by considering the basic benchmark: the performance metrics of the CPU and your typical games.

This evaluation will determine the best processor for your gaming needs and budget. Additionally, consider the system’s RAM and GPU.

What to Know Before Buying the Best Processor for Gaming

Many modern games have high-speed action and realistic graphics. Running such programs with cutting-edge tech features requires a high-end gaming CPU with increased processing power and advanced graphics.

Such capabilities enable the processor to run any game without lags, limitations, or issues that are likely to ruin your gameplay. Here are some of the things you must know before buying a CPU for gaming.

Cost Factor

The best gaming CPUs are very expensive. However, their effectiveness in executing demanding tasks and heavy-duty games makes every penny spent on these processors worth it. Additionally, these processors will seamlessly run your favorite games for years, regardless of future updates.

If you cannot afford the high-end processors, opt for the more affordable options with the recommended specs for gaming. The economically viable CPUs also deliver an impressive gaming experience. 

Gaming Accessories

Whether you have settled for a laptop or desktop, it is necessary to invest in gaming accessories. To enhance focus and concentration, you will need a gaming headset. For better control, purchase a mouse, gaming controllers, and other peripherals.  

Reviews 

Reviews shared by tech experts and users can give you a clear glimpse of the reliability of gaming processors. Keep in mind every review reveals the experience of the users. So, before buying the gaming CPU, read several reviews about it.

By doing so, you will be able to know what to expect while using it. Processors with positive reviews from customers and experts are always the best choice, and you can count on them for immersive gaming. 

Purchase Aesthetics

Besides buying the best processor and other gaming peripherals, consider creating the perfect gaming ambiance. You can spice up your gaming hardware by adding appealing aesthetics.

Additionally, cool windows can spice up your gaming room. With a broad range of gaming decor retailing online, you can find various options that suit your style and personality. 

Using the Best Processors for Gaming: What it’s Like

The gaming experience for most players improved considerably with the introduction of gaming processors. These CPUs solved innumerable issues faced by gamers in the past. They have additional cores that increase their computing power and higher clock speeds that improve the games’ responsiveness.

Dedicated gaming processors allow you to play any interesting game without limitations. Whether the games are GPU- or CPU-intensive, the processors can run them seamlessly. Additionally, unlike with basic processors, heating issues cannot limit their performance, and they are able to operate for many hours to your satisfaction.

The 7 Best Processors for Gaming in 2023 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Do I need a high-end processor for gaming?

While a high-end processor is not strictly necessary for gaming, it can certainly improve performance and reduce lag in demanding games.

If you plan on playing graphically-intensive games or running multiple applications simultaneously, a high-end processor may be worth the investment.

However, if you are on a tight budget, you can still enjoy many games with mid-range processors. It ultimately depends on the specific games you plan on playing and your overall system requirements.

What is the difference between Intel and AMD processors for gaming?

Intel and AMD processors are both capable of providing excellent gaming performance, but they have some differences. Intel processors are generally known for their higher clock speeds, which means they can execute instructions more quickly.

They also tend to have better single-core performance, which can benefit games that rely heavily on a single-core. AMD processors, on the other hand, usually offer more cores and threads, which can improve multitasking and performance in games that can take advantage of multiple cores.

They also tend to have better value for the price, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious gamers. Both Intel and AMD processors have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the best processor for gaming will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Does the clock speed matter for gaming?

Clock speed is important for gaming, as it determines how quickly the processor can execute instructions. However, other factors such as the number of cores, cache size, and system memory also play a role in overall performance.

Can I overclock my processor for better gaming performance?

Overclocking can improve performance, but it can also increase heat and put additional strain on your system. If you plan on overclocking, ensure that your system has adequate cooling and that you are comfortable with the potential risks.

Should I prioritize my budget towards my processor or graphics card for gaming?

Both the processor and graphics card are important for gaming performance, but the graphics card is typically the more important component. If you have to prioritize, invest in a high-end graphics card first, and then choose a processor that can support it without bottlenecking performance.

How can I optimize my processor for better gaming?

To optimize your processor for better gaming performance, there are several things you can do. First, it’s important to keep your processor and system cool.

Overheating can cause your processor to throttle, leading to reduced performance. Ensure that your system has adequate cooling, including proper ventilation and a high-quality cooling system.

Second, make sure that your processor drivers and other system drivers are up-to-date. Outdated drivers can lead to reduced performance or even compatibility issues. Finally, if your processor is outdated or underpowered, consider upgrading to a newer, more powerful model.

Additionally, upgrading your system’s memory or graphics card can also help improve gaming performance by reducing system load and improving visual quality.

Reviews Intel i5-8400 Coffee Lake: «the best gaming processor of 2017»

At the end of September, Intel introduced the new Coffee Lake processors, one of the novelties of which is the Intel i5-8400. The novelties have not yet reached Russia and we have prepared the opinion of the foreign press.

PC Gamer

The PC Gamer edition considers it the best price/performance ratio on the market. The frequency in Turbo Boost mode is 4.0 GHz, but the base 2.8 GHz can scare off a potential buyer.

For $190 you get a powerful six-core processor, which comes with a fan.

PC Gamer notes that this processor has no potential for further overclocking.

If you want to overclock the processor, then buy the K series.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Rock, Paper, Shotgun also notes the availability of this processor:

The i5-8400 is an affordable six-core processor that costs only $190. It’s much cheaper than the six-core processors that were previously available from Intel

The publication also praised the performance of the processor:

Ryzen is not the smartest solution for a game, at least for now. Leader — i5-8400

On the negative side, Rock, Paper, Shotgun said the same thing: poor overclocking potential and buying a new motherboard and RAM.

HotHardware

HotHardware again notes the availability of this processor:

The Core i5-8400 is the most affordable six-core processor from Intel. This is the younger brother of the Core i7-8700K

Of the negative points, there is a poor ability for subsequent overclocking and the purchase of a new motherboard.

The Core i5-8400 has a base frequency of 2.8 GHz and a Turbo Boost of 4.0 GHz. This processor does not have a free multiplier, it is very difficult to overclock. Intel still segments its processors with locked and non-locked multipliers

PCGamesN

The PCGamesN edition in their review says that this is the most affordable six-core gaming processor.

The Core i5 8400 is the most affordable six-core processor you can buy right now.

Total:

In most cases, all publications were satisfied with the new processor from Intel, because for $190 we get a powerful six-core (6 threads) processor. The cons are the same everywhere — this is a poor ability to further overclock and buying a new motherboard.

Interesting

Interesting

All about games and hardwareGaming platform _

The best gaming computer for 2K resolution — Boiling Machine

Hello friends! In this review, we will try to tell you in detail how to assemble a gaming system, the power of which will be enough for a resolution of 2K, aka 2560 x 1440.

Monitors with a resolution of 2560×1440 are gradually replacing displays with a resolution of Full HD, which are still very numerous. On sale you can find many gaming models with a high-quality IPS matrix and a high refresh rate (hertz), which at the same time will not cost horse money. Today, 2K monitors are a kind of golden mean, because 1080p is already outdated and does not give good picture quality at a diagonal of 27 inches and above, and 4K requires an incredibly powerful computer to play at maximum quality settings. 2K resolution also requires a powerful PC, but not as much. Let’s try to figure out what components should be in such an assembly.

Which processor should I choose?

Let’s start with the processor, since the choice of the motherboard will depend on it. At the time of writing this article, processors with eight cores are best suited for gaming. If very basic, then the more cores the processor has, the smoother the game will run. But let’s take a concrete example.

Let’s take the same Cyberpunk 2077, which has very impressive requirements for maximum settings. Regardless of the physical power of the processor, this game runs smoother on 8 cores than on 6, not to mention quad-core processors. This is easily explained by the optimization of Cyberpunk for consoles. Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox X use 8-core AMD processors. Since today most projects are cross-platform, it is worth accepting the need for an eight-core processor as an axiom. The world of console gaming is definitely not going to collapse, so there is no doubt that eight-core processors will be increasingly in demand for games. If you plan to kill the number of cores with a high clock speed, we hasten to upset you. If the game is originally designed for eight threads, then even very fast six cores will not provide maximum smoothness.

For gaming processors from Intel, consider the 12th and 13th generation Intel Core models from the Core i7 and i9 families. To date, the thirteenth generation is the newest, but it’s too early to discount the twelfth as well, these are completely relevant processors with high performance. L3 Cache Overclocking TDP Intel Core i7-10700 8/16 2.9/4.8GHz 16 MB No 65 W Intel Core i7-10700F 8 / 16 2.9 / 4.8GHz 16MB No 65W Intel Core i7-10700K 8 / 16 3.8 / 5 .1 GHz 16 MB Yes 125W Intel Core i7-10700KF 8 / 16 3. 8 / 5.1GHz 16MB Yes 125 W Intel Core i9-10900 10 65 W / 20 2.8 / 5.2 GHz 16 MB No 65 W Intel Core i9-10900K 10 / 20 3.7 / 5.3GHz 16MB Yes 125W Intel Core i 9-10900KF 10/20 3.7/5, 3 GHz 16 MB Yes 125 W

For some reason, in the 11th generation, Intel abandoned 10-core processors. On the one hand, such a step looks strange, because before 10-cores were available, but now suddenly they are not. But in fact, the 8-core Intel Core i9-11900K is not inferior to the 10-core Intel Core i9-10900K. In Cinebench R20 tests, the 8-core i9-11900K was only 2% slower than the 10-core i9-10900K. And in the 10-minute Cinebench R20, on the contrary, the 8-core i9-11900K showed a result 2% better than the i9-10900K. In other words, the processors are equal in their performance, it makes no sense to take into account the lone percentages in different tasks. But at the same time, the 11th generation attracts with support for the PCIe 4.0 bus and an updated architecture.

If you’re more into red processors, then you should consider AMD Ryzen 5000 series models built on the new Zen 3 architecture. At the time of this writing, there are only two new 8-core AMD processors: Ryzen 7 5800 and Ryzen 7 5800X. The processor with the letter X has higher frequencies and, accordingly, performance. And if you want to get the top-end CPU, then you can consider two 12-cores: Ryzen 95900 and Ryzen 9 5900X. But more about them in another article. L3 Cache Overclocking TDP AMD Ryzen 7 5800 8 / 16 3.4 / 4.6 GHz 32MB Yes 65W AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8 / 16 3. 8 / 4.7 GHz 32 MB Yes 105 W 24 3.0 / 4.7 GHz 64 MB Yes 65W AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 / 24 3.7 / 4.8GHz 64MB

9009 7 Yes 105 W

The subject of overclocking should be mentioned separately. Unlocked Intel processors can be identified by the letters «K» or «KF» at the end of the model name, where the «F» stands for no integrated graphics. Everything is simpler for AMD, overclocking is supported by all Ryzen processors, its availability depends on the motherboard chipset. The maximum clock speed of an unlocked CPU can be increased both manually and using the automatic overclocking algorithms that modern motherboards are equipped with.

Which of the following processors should I choose? So, you can choose any processor from the tables above. We have selected the most interesting options so that you can play in 2K resolution without lags and brakes. The further choice depends on your financial capabilities, but we strongly do not recommend buying a processor with fewer cores.

Which motherboard do you need?

The motherboard is the basis of any computer. It determines how many connectors will be available for connecting peripherals and expansion cards, as well as the number of seats for fast M.2 SSDs.

An important point concerns the compatibility of Intel processors and motherboards. The 11th and 10th generation processors support the same LGA 1200 sockets. On the one hand, you can be glad that there is backward compatibility, but on the other hand, there are several nuances. 11th Gen Intel Core processors support PCIe 4.0, while 10th Gen Intel Core processors only support PCIe 3.0. When installing a 10th generation processor in a motherboard designed for 11th generation processors (all 500 series chipsets), the PCIe slots (including M.2 drives) will work in PCIe 3.0 mode. The M.2 drive slot associated with the processor lanes will also be disabled. 11th generation Intel Core processors, in turn, can be installed in all boards with the 500th series of Intel chipsets and in some boards with 400th series chipsets: Intel Z490, h570, Q470 and W480. PCIe 4.0 support will depend on the motherboard manufacturer, everything is extremely individual here. If the PCIe 4/0 bus is not supported, the slots will operate in PCIe 3.0 mode.

If you decide to take a processor with an unlocked multiplier, then you should choose between motherboards with Intel Z490 and Z590 chipsets. Only they will allow you to overclock the processors. If you have chosen a processor with a locked multiplier, then you can look at motherboards with Intel H570 and h570 chipsets. In terms of functionality, they are one step lower than the Z-series chipsets, however, the Intel H570 chipset allows overclocking of RAM when installing an 11th generation Intel Core processor. And this is already an important point, because otherwise, you will not be able to set very high frequencies even for the fastest RAM in the world. And the RAM gives, albeit not very large, but still a noticeable increase in some games.

If you choose an AMD processor, then the choice narrows down to two chipsets: AMD X570 and AMD B550. The first, the flagship X570 chipset, was introduced in July 2019 along with the Ryzen 3000 series processors. It is compatible with Ryzen 5000 series CPUs with Zen 3 architecture and supports PCIe 4.0. The AMD B550 chipset is introduced almost a year later, the first chipset announced since the X570. Although AMD B550 is not considered a flagship model, it allows you to overclock processors and also supports the 4th generation PCI Express bus.

It is worth noting that when choosing any motherboard, it is worth considering the number of power phases and the possibility of their cooling. High-performance processors are demanding on power, and when using Turbo Boost or Thermal Velocity Boost technology, the power consumption of the processor can increase to 200 or 250 watts, as is the case with the Intel Core i9-11900K. It is desirable that the motherboard has at least 10 power phases, which are cooled by radiators.

There are three main motherboard manufacturers: ASUS, MSI and GIGABYTE.

Video card

For gaming at maximum settings in 2K resolution, NVIDIA RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 graphics cards are suitable. They have enough video memory and GPU power to handle such a load. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card is ideal for Full HD resolution, but its performance is no longer enough for 2K. The flagship RTX 3090, on the contrary, will be too powerful and expensive for the configuration in question. So let’s focus on the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 and take a closer look at them.

9 0097 GA104

90 121

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
GPU Ga102
Chip size 392.6 mm 2 628, 4 mm 2
Number of transistors 17. 4 billion 28.3 billion
CUDA cores 5 888 8 704
TMUs 184 272
ROPs 96 96 901 00
Tensor Cores 184 272
Ray Tracing Cores 46 68
Video memory type GDDR6 GDDR6X
Video memory size 8 GB 10 GB
Video memory frequency 14 Gbps 19 Gbps
Video memory bus 256 bits 320 bits
Interface PCIe 4.0 X16 PCIe 4.0 X16

According to specifications, the GeForce RTX 3080 differs markedly from the RTX 3070. The former uses a large die, which contains almost 49% more transistors. Accordingly, the high transistor budget made it possible to increase the number of CUDA cores, texture units, tensor cores, and RT cores. Also worth mentioning is the video memory, the RTX 3080 uses GDDR6X memory, developed by Micron specifically for NVIDIA. The frequency of GDDR6X is 35% higher than that of GDDR6, plus the width of the video memory bus of 320 bits also gives its advantages. As a result, the memory system works much faster, which means it drives all the data through itself much more quickly.

Now let’s check both video cards in action. Testing took place at a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. We used the maximum graphics settings set manually, without using presets. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 3DMark Time Spy 12665 ​​ 14959 3DMark Time Spy Extreme 6152 7 327 3DMark Port Royal 8 285 11 496 97 50 Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 95 130 76 100 Crysis Remastered 38 100

56 61 NFS Heat 61 78

The difference in 3DMark Time Spy tests was 18. 1% in favor of the RTX 3080. Also in the Time Spy Extreme and Port Royal tests, the RTX 3080 was 19% and 38% faster, respectively. In games, the difference is also noticeable. It ranges from 8.9% in Metro Exodus to 36.8% in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Also, judging by the fps figures, it can be argued that both video cards are suitable for a resolution of 2560×1440. While the RTX 3080 can handle max settings in just about any game, the RTX 3070 will need to lower some settings from max to high. For example, in the same Cyberpunk 2077. Still, for the heaviest games, the RTX 3080 is preferable. It has more CUDA cores, more memory, and is simply more powerful.

There are also three proprietary technologies from NVIDIA that are fully supported by the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 graphics cards. The first is the best real-time tracing, which will add realistic reflections to supported games. The second technology — NVIDIA DLSS — is a smart anti-aliasing developed by NVIDIA. The picture is rendered at a lower resolution than the monitor, and then completed using artificial intelligence. Enabling DLSS can significantly increase FPS, but it’s worth clarifying that the game itself must support this anti-aliasing method. DLSS also has different modes of operation: performance and speed. In the first case, the increase in FPS will be less, but the image quality will hardly suffer. In the second case, the picture quality may decrease, but the number of frames per second will greatly increase. Given the high performance of the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, you can safely set the DLSS “performance” profile in games and enjoy the result. The third technology is called Resizable Bar, with its help the processor will have access to the entire memory pool of the video card. In compatible games, this will also help increase the amount of FPS.

RAM — how much and how much

The minimum amount of memory that we recommend for a gaming computer is 32 gigabytes. Memory isn’t just for games. The operating system, running applications, and the browser also use memory. In order for the games to work smoothly and there were no brakes when minimizing the game window, it is better to start with 32 gigabytes. The days of Win7 are over, and today a clean Win 10 Pro operating system easily eats up 8-10 gigabytes immediately after booting. A dozen open pages in the browser will easily destroy another 5-10 gigabytes. And now we already understand that for comfortable work with high resolution, there can be no talk of 16 GB of RAM and 32 GB of a really necessary minimum if you want comfort.

And if you want to assemble the system seriously and for a long time, then it is better to take a 64 gigabyte memory kit. A similar amount of memory is enough for both games and for any complex work, such as rendering, video editing, photo processing and other tasks. And most importantly, you can run it all at the same time. Those. you don’t have to close Adobe Premier Pro if you want to play games to free up RAM. You just start the game and enjoy the lack of downloads.

Now about clock frequencies. We recommend using memory with a clock speed of 3500 MHz or higher with good timings. Such memory is the golden mean. It’s not too slow, but it’s not overpriced either. For the current build, it is more important to invest in an RTX 3080-level graphics card or a top-end processor.

Cooling system, which one to choose

Today, there are three types of processor cooling systems for the mass user: classic air, ready-made CBO and custom CBO. With air, everything is clear, we believe that no explanation is required — a radiator with fans. Ready CBO, and liquid cooling system, which is assembled at the factory and ready to use out of the box. Well, custom CBO is something that can spend a lot of your money, but also gives the most maximum return. With the help of custom CBOs, you can cool even the hottest processors.

If we talk about air cooling, then we should consider only the top «towers» with two fans. The Intel website indicates only the base thermal package of processors, in fact their TDP will be noticeably higher. This is due to the use of Turbo Boost and Thermal Velocity Boost technologies, with the help of which the processor can work for a long time at higher frequencies. For example, consider the Intel Core i9-11900K. At maximum load, its power consumption can reach 250 W peak. Only a high-quality cooling system can remove up to 250 W of heat.

Water cooling systems are more suitable for productive computers. They handle large amounts of heat better, and most importantly, they will be quieter than air coolers when the system is under heavy load.

Prefabricated CBOs are easy to use and do not require special skills to install. But the result is shown, as a rule, lower than custom dropsy.

Hand built water cooling system is the best option for any gaming PC. Such cooling systems operate quietly and much more efficiently than all the others. For example, the pump power of the combined CBO is much higher than that of the finished factory dropsy. In addition, a video card can also be added to the custom CBO circuit. And in some cases — RAM and a radiator of the power phases of the motherboard. There is only one minus for a custom CBO, it is difficult to assemble it yourself, it is better to entrust such work to professionals. Otherwise, you risk destroying the system.

Memory subsystem. SSD or SSD + HDD

Modern motherboards support PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDs with sequential read speeds of up to an impressive 7,000 megabytes per second. Some boards allow you to install two such drives, which means that they can be combined into a RAID-0 array, as is done with top gaming laptops. If you use the same drives, then the read and write speeds will double. Starting the operating system, downloading applications and games will be almost instantaneous. The most important advantage is loading into a level in a multiplayer game in order to start moving to the point of battle or defense as quickly as possible.

If desired, a hard drive can be added to the SSD. Of course, hard drives will never catch up with solid state drives in terms of performance. However, one advantage of the «hard drives» remains — this is the volume. Today, the maximum capacity of M.2 SSDs is 8 TB, but such drives are very expensive and are still considered exotic. Even a 4TB NVMe SSD is not a mainstream product due to the same price. But a 6 or 8 TB hard drive is significantly cheaper, and you can store videos and games there without any problems.

Power supply

Select the power supply based on the overall performance of the assembly. In this case, you should look for a power supply with a power of 800 W or more. It’s not worth saving here — cheap and unreliable models in the event of a breakdown can drag one of the system components, if not all at once. On the one hand, the task seems difficult, but on the other hand, power supplies have an 80 PLUS quality standard, which determines the efficiency of the unit. Since the efficiency depends on the components used, it can be argued that the higher the efficiency, the better the components are used in the power supply and the better the power supply.

80 PLUS Platinum and 80 PLUS Titanium can be used as a guideline. These are the two highest standards of the entire 80 PLUS specification. Among the PSU manufacturers, we can recommend the brands ROG, CoolerMaster, be quiet! and Super Flower.

Case selection and summing up

After all the main components of the system are selected, it is worth moving on to choosing a system unit. Here it is best to focus on large, well-ventilated cases that allow the possibility of placing long (more than 30 cm) video cards, installing a water cooling system and additional fans. Given the performance of the selected components, additional turntables will come in handy.

One of the best cases is the ROG Strix Helios Case. It is made of thick steel and allows you to fit even the largest motherboards. Even for installing custom dropsy components, this case has all the additional holes.

We have collected a lot of different useful information for you in one text, but it is very difficult to learn all this at once. If you’re not ready to spend weeks and months figuring out how to build your own, you can choose one of our prebuilt builds.