Best CPUs of 2023 | The Versus ranking
Whether it’s a high-end gaming computer, an office workstation, or a PC for general use, each desktop build has its own set of requirements, which will determine what components you need. Before searching for a CPU for your PC, you should think about what type of software you are going to use frequently.
CPU workloads
There are two types of workloads in the technical sense: single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.
Single-threaded workloads are simple tasks, like web browsing or text editing, which do not require a lot of processing power. Multi-threaded workloads involve heavier types of processing, for example, video editing and gaming. These types of workloads require a powerful processor, coupled with a significant amount of RAM.
The number of cores and the clock speed are the two primary indicators of a CPU’s power. A CPU core receives instructions and performs calculations (operations) accordingly. Clock speed, also called clock rate, refers to the frequency at which one core is running, determining how fast the processing unit executes instructions.
Together, they give the total clock speed or CPU speed, about which you can read in detail here. With more cores, the CPU’s performance increases, as each core is being utilized to process the workload.
CPU socket
You also have to think about the motherboard’s socket whenever you’re looking to buy a new chip, as CPUs have various sizes, and the CPU must fit on the motherboard. AMD and Intel have a lot of different sockets for almost every new generation of CPUs. Taking into account that Intel CPUs became more and more popular, chances are that you’ll find more motherboards compatible with Intel CPUs.
AMD vs. Intel
Brand wars are frequent in the tech industry, and when it comes to CPUs, there are only two giants: AMD and Intel. AMD CPUs operate efficiently and usually have a lower price tag. For example, AMD Sempron and Athlon dual-core processors are affordable, starting at 30$, and perform very well on PCs running home applications.
However, AMD processors do get hotter than Intel chips, and additional cooling solutions may have to be implemented.
Intel CPUs are a bit more expensive, but they tend to outperform the competition, especially when it comes to multi-threaded workloads. Intel CPUs are power efficient and generate less heat. For this reason, many portable computers employ Intel CPUs.
CPU performance
CPUs use multiple cores to increase the overall speed by running numerous instructions simultaneously. Knowing the type of workload will help you determine what kind of processor you’ll need.
For a PC running general-purpose applications, a dual-core processor will be enough, while for more complex workloads, you’ll probably need a quad-core. The more cores a CPU has, the pricier it is. More cores translate to faster and better processing for heavy computing tasks, such as 3D modeling, photo and video editing, big data processing.
Generally, a quad-core processor would be the right choice if you use your computer for various tasks. For example, the Intel Core i5 quad-core processors provide excellent performance for running common applications and for gaming.
However, Intel i7 processors shine when complex computing is involved, such as running 3D modeling applications or playing games with 4K HDR graphics, and this is mainly because of Intel’s hyperthreading technology.
Hyperthreading doubles the logical cores or thread count of a processor. By duplicating the threads of one core, execution resources are used efficiently, and the processing speed increases.
AMD chips, though cheaper, are perfectly acceptable for everyday usage, and high-end processors can deliver outstanding performance, but they do not have hyperthreading. AMD does compensate with high clock speeds and more cores packed into a single chip.
CPU benchmark
While CPU benchmark is a component of CPU performance, it’s worth mentioning separately as it can help you determine which CPU is the best for your needs. What is a CPU benchmark? It’s a score that uses baseline measurements to compare the performance of a CPU against others. In essence, they provide companies and users with a standardized way to engage in CPU comparison.
UserBenchmark, Geekbench, and Cinebench, and PassMark are all excellent CPU benchmarks to look at when comparing CPUs. While you’ll encounter various measurements, it’s especially helpful to look at the difference between the single-core score and the multi-core score.
Devices and actions that only require a single-core, including playing games and working with basic programs, will rely more on the single-core score. For heavily-threaded games, you’ll need to look for a CPU that has a higher multi-core score to ensure that the processor can support the workload.
Integrated graphics
Sometimes, the graphics processing unit (GPU) is integrated into the processor. For most entry-level desktop PCs, CPUs that have integrated graphics are good enough. But for designers, content creators, and IT solutions, a graphics module embedded on the CPU does not rise to the challenge. Thus, a dedicated GPU is necessary for professionals. Our guide for graphics cards gives helpful tips for choosing a GPU.
| AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 | Intel Xeon W-11855M | Intel Core i5-11500B | Intel Core i5-12600 | Intel Core i5-11600K | Intel Core i5-11600KF | Intel Core i7-11600H | Intel Core i5-10600KF | Intel Core i5-10600K | Intel Core i5-12500 | Intel Core i5-12400F | Intel Core i5-12400 | Intel Core i5-12600T | Intel Core i5-12500T | AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i5-12400T | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7-10750H | |
| Image | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best price | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best price | ||||||||||||||||||||
Semiconductor sizeSmall semiconductors provide better performance and reduced power consumption. Chipsets with a higher number of transistors, semiconductor components of electronic devices, offer more computational power. A small form factor allows more transistors to fit on a chip, therefore increasing its performance. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Semiconductor sizeSmall semiconductors provide better performance and reduced power consumption. Chipsets with a higher number of transistors, semiconductor components of electronic devices, offer more computational power. A small form factor allows more transistors to fit on a chip, therefore increasing its performance. | 5nm | 5nm | 10nm | 10nm | 10nm | 14nm | 14nm | 10nm | 14nm | 14nm | 10nm | 10nm | 10nm | 10nm | 10nm | 7nm | 7nm | 10nm | 7nm | 14nm |
CPU speedThe CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores (processing units). It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU speedThe CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores (processing units). It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores. | 6 x 4.7GHz | 6 x 3.8GHz | 6 x 3.2GHz | 6 x 3.3GHz | 6 x 3.3GHz | 6 x 3.9GHz | 6 x 3.9GHz | 6 x 2.9GHz | 6 x 4.1GHz | 6 x 4.1GHz | 6 x 3GHz | 6 x 2.5GHz | 6 x 2.5GHz | 6 x 2.1GHz | 6 x 2GHz | 6 x 4GHz | 6 x 3.8GHz | 6 x 1.8GHz | 6 x 3.6GHz | 6 x 2.6GHz |
| CPU threadsMore threads result in faster performance and better multitasking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU threadsMore threads result in faster performance and better multitasking. | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
RAM speedIt can support faster memory, which will give quicker system performance. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| RAM speedIt can support faster memory, which will give quicker system performance. | 5200MHz | 5200MHz | 3200MHz | 3200MHz | 4800MHz | 3200MHz | 3200MHz | 3200MHz | 2666MHz | 2666MHz | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 3200MHz | 3200MHz | 4800MHz | 3200MHz | 2933MHz |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP)The thermal design power (TDP) is the maximum amount of power the cooling system needs to dissipate. A lower TDP typically means that it consumes less power. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thermal Design Power (TDP)The thermal design power (TDP) is the maximum amount of power the cooling system needs to dissipate. A lower TDP typically means that it consumes less power. | 105W | 65W | 45W | 65W | 65W | 125W | 125W | 45W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 35W | 35W | 95W | 95W | 35W | 65W | 45W |
Integrated graphicsWith integrated graphics you don’t need to buy a separate graphics card. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Integrated graphicsWith integrated graphics you don’t need to buy a separate graphics card. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Geekbench 5 result (multi)Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor’s multi-core performance. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Geekbench 5 result (multi)Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor’s multi-core performance. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023) | 11075 | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 8611 | 7897 | 7897 | N.A. | 6917 | 6905 | N.A. | 7905 | 7905 | N.A. | N.A. | 7034 | 6908 | N.A. | 6690 | 5416 |
Geekbench 5 result (single)Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor’s single-core performance. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Geekbench 5 result (single)Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor’s single-core performance. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023) | 2120 | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 1770 | 1663 | 1663 | N.A. | 1318 | 1307 | N.A. | 1624 | 1624 | N.A. | N.A. | 1295 | 1247 | N.A. | 1203 | 1135 |
| PassMark resultThis benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using multiple threads. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PassMark resultThis benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using multiple threads. | 28713 | N.A. | 18810 | 17801 | 21361 | 19715 | 19715 | 15907 | 14803 | 14532 | 20353 | 20420 | 19546 | 17074 | 17302 | 18901 | 18325 | 16867 | 17860 | 12450 |
PassMark result (single)This benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using a single thread. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| PassMark result (single)This benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using a single thread. | 4202 | N.A. | 3304 | 3231 | 3846 | 3371 | 3371 | 3159 | 2963 | 2936 | 3743 | 3642 | 3529 | 3292 | 3575 | 2810 | 2678 | 3445 | 2585 | 2725 |
Processors for PC in the category «Appliances and electronics»
Thermal grease GD900 1 g for laptop PC processor
In stock in Zaporozhye
Delivery across Ukraine
44 UAH
Buy
PC for cooling system AQUA 120, RGB, 120 mm, remote control (dropsy)
Delivery across Ukraine
0002 in warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
2 567 — 3 413 UAH
from 4 sellers
2 824 UAH
2 567 UAH
Proceror Intel Pentium G5420 BOX
in the warehouse
Ukraine
4 400 UAH
Buy
AMD A8-5500 CPU 3.
2-3.7GHZ/4M/65W SOKKET FM2 Processor for PC AD5500OKA444HA
at a warehouse in Kyiv
590 GRN
9,000 9000 9000 9000 9000
002 Buy
AMD PRO A8 8600e Trai processor for desktop PC
in warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
2 425 — 3 225 UAH
from 16 sellers
2 668 UAH
2 425 UAH
Buy
Processor Intel Core i5 8400 2.8GHz (8MB, Coffee Lake, 65W, S1151) Box (BX80684I58400) for PC
In stock
Delivery across Ukraine
6 699 — 10 020 UAH
2 from 21 seller
2 nine0003
6 699 UAH
Buy
Intel Core i5 4670 SR14D 3.80GHZ/6M/84W SOKKET 1150 Processor for PC
in Kyiv
Delivery in Ukraine
9000 UAH
Buy
Intel Intel Core i5 4440 SR14F 3.30GHz/6M/84W Socket 1150 Processor for PC
In stock in Kyiv
Delivery in Ukraine
1155 Processor for PC
in a warehouse in Kyiv
Delivery in Ukraine
849 UAH
Buy
Intel Core i3 540 SLBMQ/SLBTD 3.
06GHZ/73W SOCKET 1156 Processor PC
at Kyiv
66 Delivery in Ukraine
95 UAH
Buy
AMD A8-9600 processor (AD9600AGM44AB)
in warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
2 567-2 740 UAH
of 16 sellers
9000 2 567 UAH
BUY nine0003
CPU AMD A6 7480 Box Socket FM2+ AD7480ACABOX for desktop PC
in warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
9000 2 241 UAH
2 037 UAH
PC Maternity Conde GB processor Xeon E5 2620 V3 LGA2011-3
N/A
6 783 — 9 494 UAH
from 2 sellers
9 494 UAH
Watch
GHz 90 A1K5 Processor
90 A1K55W, FM2
In a warehouse in Lutsk
Delivery in Ukraine
650 UAH
624 UAH
Buy
See also
Thermal Power Silicone thermal conductive HY510 3G GREATIONAL PC of a processor laptop
in a ward Odessa
Delivery across Ukraine
UAH 78
UAH 39
Buy
Processor Intel® Core 2 Quad Q9650 LGA775 3.
00GHz
In stock in Lutsk 9Ol000
Processor AMD FX-Series FX-8350 (8-core) 4.0-4.2GHz, 125W
In stock
Delivery across Ukraine
core) 3.3-3.9GHz 95W 9Ol000 AMD FX-Series FX-8300 (8-core) 3.3-4.2GHz, 95W FX8300
Delivery from Kyiv
for intel 1150/1151/1155/1156
In a warehouse in Kyiv
Delivery in Ukraine
221 UAH
Buy
Go AMD Pro A8 8600E Tra Tray processor
at Kyiv
Delivery in Ukraine
9000 3 802 UAH
2 720 UAH
Buy
Processor for PC AMD A8 X4 9600 TRAY (3.1GHZ 65W AM4) AD9600AGM44AB (OPT3_8693-33566)
in Kyiv
Delivery
9000 3 946 UAH 9000 GRN
002 3 132 UAH
Buy
Processor for PC AMD A8 X4 9600 TRAY (3.1GHZ 65W AM4) AD9600AGM44AB (K-3122S)
in a warehouse in Kyiv
Delivery
4 262 GRN
3 3 157 UAH
Buy
Intel Core i5-7500 3.
40GHZ, S1151, TraI
Ends
Delivery in Ukraine
5 805 UAH
Buy
Intel Core 2 QUAD QUAD QUAD 1333MHS PC 9Ol000 Are the
M2 Pro and M2 Max the most powerful processors in Apple history? Comparison with M1 Pro and M1 Max
On January 17, without much presentation, Apple introduced an update to the MacBook Pro laptops in versions of 14 and 16 inches, as well as a fresh Mac mini computer. The main feature of the new products was the use of the second generation of their own processors for PC: M2 Pro and M2 Max . Of course, the company proudly announced an increase in the performance of new chips. But what lies behind these words and is fresh iron really that fast? To answer the question, we need to compare M1 Pro and M2 Pro , as well as M1 Max and M2 Max, which we will do today.
Apple introduced the updated M2 Pro and M2 Max processors, but are they much more powerful than their predecessors?
Contents
- 1 What processors does Apple 9 make0342
- 2 Comparison of Apple M1 Pro and M2 Pro
- 3 Comparison of Apple M1 Max and M2 Max
- 4 Which Apple processor is better
What processors does Apple make
and does not understand what is at stake.
Apple M chips are used in the company’s computers and advanced iPad tablets, the main task of which is to work with graphics. In addition to the basic version of processors, the M-series provides several improved variations:
- Pro;
- Max;
- Ultra.
Thus, the weakest in the series is the regular Apple M chip, and the strongest is the Apple M Ultra. The basic version is received by iPad Pro and Air tablets, MacBook Pro (13″) and Air laptops, as well as iMac (24″) monoblocks and Mac mini computers. M Pro is the prerogative of the minimum configurations of the MacBook Pro (14″ and 16″) and the maximum speeds of the Mac mini, M Max becomes the stuffing of the advanced builds of the MacBook Pro (14″ and 16″) and the initial variations of the Mac Studio. And Ultra is, in fact, two combined M Max processors and is used in the maximum builds of Mac Studio. nine0003
«Ultra» chips are much more powerful than all the others
The first generation update was introduced in June 2022, so you can find a comparison of M1 and M2 in our material about MacBook Air laptops. And today we will focus exclusively on the Pro and Max versions in isolation from the devices that use them. Just numbers and their interpretation in plain language.
⚡ Subscribe to Appleinsider in Pulse Mail.ru to be the first to receive news from the Apple world
Comparison of Apple M1 Pro and M2 Pro
Dimensions of Apple M2 Pro compared to last year’s M2
Let’s start with the firmware, which became the heart of the basic configurations of the new 2023 MacBook Pro at 14 and 16 inches, respectively. Despite the fact that we have the second generation of the system on a chip, there have been no revolutionary changes. Therefore, some characteristics of the Apple M2 Pro are similar to those of the M1 Pro.
| Feature | M1 Pro
The new chip is based on the same TSMC process technology as its predecessor, but in an improved variation. The new processor received more energy-efficient cores (4 instead of 2) with an increased frequency of operation, regardless of their direction. In the end, the chip received 20% more transistors, which allowed Apple engineers to increase the performance of the CPU by 20% and 30% of the graphics while maintaining the same power consumption (thanks to the improved process technology). Comparison of Apple M1 Max and M2 MaxM2 Max is significantly larger than the base M2 and slightly ahead of M1 Max As for the characteristics of the Apple M2 Max , against the background of the first generation of the chip, they also look slightly improved, but nothing more. And in addition to increasing the number and frequency of cores, the American company was able to offer up to | 5 nm | 5 nm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption (TDP) | 30 W | 30 W | 30 W This was the key to an increase in CPU performance by 20% and 30% for the GPU. Which Apple processor is betterNone of the new Apple processors turned out to be revolutionary The Apple M2 Pro nor the M2 Max are revolutionary chipsets. This is a nice upgrade due to the improved process technology, which allowed to increase performance by 20-30%, depending on the tasks being solved, while maintaining the current level of energy consumption. But to think that M1 Ultra is still the most powerful Apple processor, as it, let me remind you, is two M1 Max, and M2 Max is only 20-30% more productive than its predecessor. |