The 12 Best CPUs for Gaming
The best CPUs for gaming come in all shapes and sizes. From AMD Ryzen chips to Intel Core processors.
You’ll need to consider your other hardware too, to ensure it’s compatible.
While gaming CPUs often get tagged as more expensive products, there is plenty of decent mid-level and high-performance CPUs for gaming at a reasonable price.
Here are the best CPUs for gaming available today.
If you are looking for the biggest and baddest CPU for gaming, they don’t get much more impressive than the Intel Core i9-12900KS. With a maximum turbo frequency of 5.50GHz, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most powerful processors on the market at the moment.
The Intel Core i9-12900KS is ideal for those looking to build a next-gen gaming PC. With compatibility with next-gen hardware such as DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, it’s an expensive investment that will offer you the best performance money can buy, especially when paired with a solid GPU and DDR5 RAM.
However, while the Intel Core i9-12900KS might boast some incredible clock speeds, this does however result in a 20% power increase, which can cause the CPU to run hotter than others. So if you’re thinking about upgrading to the Intel Core i9-12900KS, make sure you have sufficient cooling in place.
- DDR5 compatible
- PCIe Gen 5 support
- 16-cores
- Impressive overclocking capabilities
- Includes collectors tin
Are you looking for the ultimate gaming PC? Do you have excess money? If you can answer yes to both of these questions, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X might be the right choice for you.
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X boasts impressive single and multi-thread capabilities, high boost frequencies, and is next-gen compatible, working with both DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5.0.
As with Intel’s latest CPU lineup, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X requires some beefy cooling. So it’s best to ensure you have either dedicated water cooling or either a 240mm or 360mm AIO water cooling unit to keep this beast of a CPU running at optimal temperatures to maintain solid performance.
- Solid performance
- Higher boost frequencies
- Can be overclocked
- DDR5 and PCIe 5.0
- Requires an AM5 motherboard
- Overpriced
The Intel Core i5-11400 is one of the best budget gaming CPUs on the market. Compared with AMD’s entry-level Ryzen 5 3600, this intel chip beats the competition. It offers a welcomed balance of performance and value, producing high-performance single-thread work.
Included in the Intel Core i5-11400 is a bundled cooler. While it would be sufficient for application performance, gaming enthusiasts will require a better cooler to ensure their system’s temperature doesn’t exceed the maximum and damage performance.
The Intel Core i5-11400 supports memory overclocking, so it’s an affordable alternative for those who want to tinker.
- Great gaming performance
- Includes a cooler
- Memory overclocking
- Gaming enthusiasts will require a better cooler
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a high-performance CPU that delivers uncompromisable speeds at a reasonable price. While it’s undoubtedly more expensive than some mid-range processors, this gaming CPU boasts 16 cores and 32 threads which rival HEDT-class hardware without the added price tag.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is compatible with all AMD 500 series motherboards. You’ll need to apply an update to the BIOS, but the process is relatively simple. Using AMD Ryzen Master utility software, you can keep an eye on your CPU’s temperatures, speeds, core voltage, and much more.
If your high-end gaming PC is ready for it, you can overclock the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. However, it doesn’t come with any type of cooler, so it’s recommended to use a liquid cooling system to ensure your PC’s temperatures are kept well within range.
- Overclockable
- Power efficient
- PCIe Gen 4.0
The Intel Core i9-10900K is a suitable AMD rival for those who prefer to stick with Intel. Intel-based systems will probably find this CPU overkill for what’s needed, but it’s certainly a great choice if you’re a gamer or content creator that wants the reassurance of high-performance processing.
Although it’s a mainstream CPU, the Intel Core i9-10900K offers 10 cores and is able to hit 5.3GHz, making it ideal for gaming. You’ll need a Z490 motherboard to support this chip and decent cooling as it’s pretty powerful. As this gaming CPU has overclocking potential, you may even want to invest in a beefier PSU to ensure your PC can handle what’s thrown at it.
While it isn’t a match for AMD chips, the Intel Core i9-10900K is a worthy contender. It sits nicely in the mid-range price bracket, making it affordable for those who don’t want to move away from Intel.
- High-performance gaming
- Overclockable
- Great for creatives
- Uses older Comet Lake architecture
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X will compliment most high-performance graphics cards while maintaining frames to ensure you can enjoy triple-A titles. Boasting 12 cores and 24 threads, this beast of a CPU can cope with the latest games and multiple applications; pretty much anything you can throw at it.
From video editing to gaming, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is an investment that’s worthwhile. However, it will need an incredibly good cooling system to support its powerful nature. While the Ryzen 9 5950X is the next logical step up, gaming enthusiasts won’t have any trouble powering up their games with this chipset.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X seems to have found the right balance between performance and cost. Yes, you could invest in more power, but it’s not needed when this CPU can handle 4K gaming and 3D rendering.
- Excellent gaming performance
- Fast and efficient architecture
- Mid-range cost
- Extra cooling is required
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a decent gaming CPU. If the Intel Core i7 wasn’t a contender, it would definitely have a place at the table for one of the best gaming CPUs. It’s an affordable choice and delivers excellent gaming performance. It also supports PCIe 4.0 motherboards, meaning it’s more future-proof than a PCIe 3.0 chipset.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X delivers high speeds for demanding applications and high-end games. While Intel is cheaper and offers much the same performance, if you’re dedicated to sticking to AMD, this CPU is an ideal choice for gaming.
Investing in the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X means you won’t have to dig too deep to splash out on more technology for some time. It’s configured with eight cores and 16 threads, matching the Xbox Series X and PS5’s specifications.
- Uses Zen 3 architecture
- Solid gaming performance
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Falls just below Intel for gaming
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is an affordable Zen 3 chip, offering high-performance gaming at the same frame rates as the higher end AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. For gaming enthusiasts who are on a tight budget, it’s hard to beat this CPU in terms of performance and cooling. There’s a Wraith Stealth cooler included which is decent enough for most high-end games.
While it does offer half the cores of the top CPU, the six cores and 12 threads will easily handle most productivity tasks. With next-gen consoles featuring eight cores and 16 threads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X isn’t too far off the latest gaming technology.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X not only saves you money by throwing in an included cooler, but it also delivers excellent gaming performance at half the cost. It’s possible to extend its capabilities with overclocking, but most gamers won’t require this.
- Solid gaming performance
- Affordable
- Includes a great cooler
- Costs more than the 3600X
The Intel Core i5-11600K is capable of supporting a mid-range GPU on high settings. It’s a competitive gaming CPU that’s available at an affordable cost. There’s also the KF version which includes an integrated GPU that delivers similar performance at an even cheaper price, making this range an absolute steal.
With peaks of 4.9GHz on two cores and 4.6GHz on all cores, the Intel Core i5-11600K is able to deliver incredible performance. It comes with an unlocked multiplier, meaning you can overclock it if you wish. It supports most 400 and 500 series motherboards and is compatible with PCIe 4.0 for M.2 SSD and graphics cards.
Compared to the 10600K, the Intel Core i5-11600K comes with a 69W increase. It doesn’t include any cooling, so you’ll need to invest in a decent PSU and cooler to ensure your system can handle the performance.
- Cheaper than the 5600X
- Great gaming performance
- Solid multi-threading
The Intel Core i5-12600K is a great choice for those who are looking for a mid-range, low-cost gaming PC. And while there are cheaper alternatives out there, not many will come close to the power of the 12600K with the additional bonus of DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support.
While the Intel Core i5-12600K is one of the top processors for gaming it’s not without its faults. The processor can run a little hot during heavy loads, partly owing to the 125W base power consumption. It also doesn’t come with a fan, meaning you will need to buy your own third-party one as well as the CPU itself.
- Reasonable pricing
- PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- Overclocking capabilities
- Impressive single-threaded performance
- No fan included
- Power hungry
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G is an affordable CPU that comes with an integrated GPU. For gamers who don’t want to splash out on the latest technologies, this CPU is a solid option. The Vega-based GPU can deliver 1080p gaming, so most mid-performance games will perform well without any interruptions.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G boasts eight cores and 16 threads, meaning it can handle plenty of applications and games. You won’t be able to play the latest gaming titles on the highest graphics, nor will it support 4K, however, the price justifies its slightly lower performance.
Despite this, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G offers excellent thermal performance. It’s also compatible with 500 series motherboards and some 400 series motherboards, making it a versatile option for gamers on a lower budget.
- Great integrated graphics
- Excellent thermals
- Strong performance
While it is great to get the latest and greatest CPU, sometimes the inflated price of a newly released processor can be enough to put us off. Thankfully there are some mid-range next-gen processors that make taking advantage of the latest technology a little more affordable.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X comes in at a mid-range price, and while it’s not as powerful as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, it’s still powerful enough for even the most demanding games. It also lets you take advantage of new technology, such as DDR5.
Much like many of the top Ryzen processors, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X can get a little hot during heavy loads, and does not come with a stock fan. Thankfully there are plenty of AIO coolers out there that can handle this CPU and will keep it running at optimal temperatures, but it is an extra investment.
- Much more reasonable price than the 7950X
- Includes integrated graphics
- Mid-range performance
- Can get very hot
- Doesn’t include a fan
FAQ
Q: Is A 10 Core CPU Good For Gaming?
Most six-core CPUs are more than suitable for gaming. While four cores would still be sufficient, six cores will offer a future-proof solution.
Eight cores may offer improved performance, but it’s dependent on the game you’re playing and your PC’s hardware, including CPU and GPU.
Q: Is i9 Better Than i7 For Gaming?
Intel’s i7 CPUs should be sufficient for most gaming PCs. i7 chips tend to be more affordable and offer plenty of power for most gaming setups. However, if you intend to use your PC for other applications, an i9 would definitely do the job, but for most gaming PCs it’s overkill.
Q: Can CPU Affect FPS?
CPUs will impact your FPs when gaming. However, the majority of the impact will come from your GPU. You need to ensure your CPU and GPU are on-par with each other so there isn’t a bottleneck.
Q: Are CPUs Repairable?
CPUs are made up of tiny pins that line up with your PC’s motherboard. If a pin gets bent, it’s possible to straighten it up with the right tools. You’ll need to ensure you use anti-static materials and surfaces, however, in most cases it will be too difficult to align the pins perfectly.