What is the Best CPU for Gaming in 2024

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for managing the functions of your computer and handling the operational requirements of gaming applications. As modern games advance, PCs require greater computing capabilities to run games more smoothly. Therefore, choosing the right CPU for your gaming desktop is essential. In this context, we have categorized the best CPUs for gaming into three main sections: the best overall CPU for gaming, the best budget, and the market’s high-end gaming CPUs. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Overall Best CPU for Gaming: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Specs: 

• Cores/ Threads: 8/ 16
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz): 4.2
• Turbo Clock Frequency (GHz): up to 5
• Overclocking: Yes
• L3 Cache Size: 96 MB (Shared)
• Architecture: Zen 4 (Raphael)
• TDP: 120 W
• Socket: AM5

Reasons to Buy 

• Best Gaming CPU
• High gaming performance
• Low power consumption
• High Efficiency
• Large cache size
• PCI Express 5.0
• DDR5 support

Reasons Not to Buy

• Lack of support for DDR4 memory
• Less performance in productivity applications than in games
•  No cooling included

Launched on Jan 2023, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is our top gaming choice CPU for PC. The best-ever gaming CPU manufactured by AMD can easily outperform even more expensive rivals in terms of gaming FPS for both less money and power. For the affordable price of 345$, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has eight physical cores and 16 virtual threads with the cutting-edge Zen 4 generation architecture at the base clock of 4.2GHz, boosting up to 5.0GHz. With an outstanding L3 cache size of 96 Mb that comes with AMD’s 3D-V technology and thanks to PCIe 5 standard, gaming performance is positively impacted by reducing latency, faster data access, and extending CPU efficiency.

To grasp the actual gaming performance of this game changer, you can get a frame rate as much as the 9th gen Ryzen or Intel Core series at a far lower cost. However, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is specifically designed and optimized for gaming, and in other scenarios like productivity tasks, the performance is not as expected as what you encounter while gaming. So, if you are looking for a CPU that is more suited for such applications, look at its competitor, the Intel i7-14700K.

This processor is equipped with the Radeon Graphics integrated graphics solution. However, you should consider a decent discrete graphic card to obtain smooth gaming performance.

Regarding power consumption, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is more efficient than Intel’s CPUs, resulting in lower working temperatures than rivals at the Core i7 and even Core i9 levels. It reaches 80 °C while gaming, which is a pretty low number compared to others. The maximum operating temperature lies somewhere around 89 °C.

If you have been convinced to purchase this CPU, consider that The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D only supports DDR5 motherboards, imposing a slightly higher cost for compatible DDR5-supported RAM and motherboard.

To summarize, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best overall gaming chip on the market and can quench gamers’ thirst in any aspect.

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Overall Best CPU Alternative: Intel i7 14700K

Specs:

• Cores/ Threads: 20 (12E + 8P)/ 28
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz): 3.4
• Boost Clock Frequency (GHz): 5.6
• Overclocking: Yes
• L3 Cache Size: 33 MB (Shared)
• Architecture: Raptor Lake Refresh
• TDP: 125 W
• Socket: LGA 1700

Reasons to Buy 

• High Performance
• Four more E-cores for productivity tasks (compared to i7 13700K)
• DDR5/DDR4 Support
• PCI Express 5.0

Reasons Not to Buy 

• High power consumption
• No cooling included
• Reaches high temperatures under large workloads

Released on October 2023, The Intel i7 14700K CPU is our alternative option for the AMD Ryzen 7 7800. Compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 7800, the Intel i7 14700K has a more balanced performance, meaning it will be a more suited CPU for productivity tasks. It has received substantially more cores, with 20 physical cores and 28 threads, than its predecessors. The Raptor Lake architecture, integrated into the heart of the Intel i7 14000K, is designed to boost the core clock speed of both e-cores and P-cores while also introducing an additional four cores than the 13th Gen to enhance the chip’s multi-threaded performance, where it exceeds the AMD Ryzen 7 7800 by far. Similarly, the Base Clock frequency and Turbo clock speed have increased, and the CPU is equipped with a L3 cache of 33 MB. The base clock for the 14th generation starts at 3.4GHz and hits the maximum of a rough 5.6GHz while boosted. While overclocking, the clock speed can rise to 6.2GHz.

Compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 7800, the i7 14000K has a TDP of 125W and a max TDP of 253W, which could cause overheating up to around 96°C under heavy use. This prompts the need for the best CPU cooling to manage temperature levels. The CPU also comes with a UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution for light graphic demands.

Priced at $390, this CPU excels in multi-tasking, nearly matching the gaming performance of the i9 14th generation 14900K, which costs $549, but for $159 less.

The CPU supports both PCIe 5 and PCIe 4 inter-connectivity standards. Based on your needs, you can also benefit from the possibility of using DDR4-type RAM and motherboards in addition to DDR5.

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Best Budget CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Specs:

• Cores/ Threads: 6/ 12
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz): 4.7
• Boost Clock Frequency (GHz): 5.3
• Overclocking: Yes
• L3 Cache Size: 32 MB
• Architecture: Zen 4
• TDP: 105 W
• Socket: AM5

Reasons to Buy

• Zen 4 architecture at an affordable price
• Performs well in gaming
• Integrated GPU
• Supports PCIe and DDR5

Reasons Not to Buy

• Reaching high temps with 105 W TDP
• Only supports DDR5 that increase total costs
• No cooling included

In September 2022, AMD introduced the Ryzen 5 7600X desktop processor alongside other CPUs in the Ryzen 7000 series, including the Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 9 7900X, and Ryzen 9 7950X. The initial price of the Ryzen 5 7600X was $300 but has dropped to approximately $205 now, making it our top selection for best-budget gaming CPU.

For a cheaper alternative, you might also want to check out the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 7500f. They perform quite similarly to the 7600X, but when it comes to value for your money, the 7600X stands out as the best choice.

The Ryzen 5 7600X has 32MB of L3 cache and operates at a default clock speed of 4.7GHz, which can be boosted up to 5.3GHz based on workload requirements.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is built on the Zen 4 TSMC 5nm FinFET architecture and features a new LGA socket. It also supports overclocking, making it possible to get more clock speed. However, you should be aware of temperature constraints and remember that it is unsafe for your CPU to be overheated at its maximum operating temperature of 95 C. On the other hand, the Intel Core i5-13400f doesn’t support overclocking.

All Ryzen 7000 series include an on-board graphic for those who don’t require a discrete graphic but still want to benefit from the high computing capabilities of the Ryzen 5 7600X.

The benchmark results from GeekBench V6 reveal that the Ryzen processor outperforms the Intel i5-13400f with a 21% advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance tests. Thanks to its affordable B650 motherboard, the chip became one of the most budget-friendly CPUs out there.

According to gaming benchmarks from various web sources, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X performs 15% better than the Intel Core i5-13400f in Cyberpunk 2077, 1.5% better in Far Cry 6, and 24% better in F1 2021 under similar conditions.

Despite its $30 higher price, the Ryzen 5 7600X provides an estimated 27% better value for the money, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking optimal performance.

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Best Budget CPU Alternative: Intel Core i5 13400F

Specs:

• Cores/ Threads: 6+ 4/ 16
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz):  2.5/ 1.8
• Boost Clock Frequency (GHz): 4.6/ 3.3
• Overclocking: No
• L3 Cache Size: 20 MB
• Architecture: Raptor Lake
• TDP: 65 W
• Socket: LGA 1700

Reasons to Buy

• Excellent price
• Compatible with cheap motherboards
• High gaming performance
• PCIe 5.0 and DDR5/ DDR4 support

Reasons Not to Buy

• No on-board graphics in F versions
• Not overclocking

You can find the best budget CPU for gaming from the Intel family in the 13th generation Core i5-13400f model, succeeding last year’s 12600K and 12400 models. The 13400f owns six Performance plus four Efficiency cores (6P + 4E) with base clock speeds of 2.5GHz and 1.8GHz, respectively, capable of boosting up to 4.6GHz and 3.3GHz. The current model exhibits a 200 MHz increase in speed compared to its previous version, 12400. The e-cores, as additional processing units integrated into the system, have a beneficial impact on managing background tasks and multi-thread processing.

The processor is set to operate with a base power consumption of 65 watts and a maximum turbo power of 148 watts. The F series processor does not include an integrated graphics unit, so that you may consider a 13400 instead.

Intel’s motherboards will provide a more cost-effective environment with DDR4 support, offering the flexibility to meet your specific needs with DDR5 and DDR4 options. The 13400f has a bundled cooler that meets the CPU’s TDP temperature range.

To sum up, if you are an enthusiast of Intel products and are searching for a cost-effective gaming CPU with high performance, the Intel Core i5-13400F is the right choice. It delivers a close gaming experience comparable to its competitor, the Ryzen 5 7600X, while offering a lower price point.

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Best Intel High-end CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KF

Specs:

• Cores/ Threads: 8+16 / 32
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz): 3.2 / 2.4
• Boost Clock Frequency (GHz): 6.0 / 4.4
• Overclocking: Yes
• L3 Cache Size: 36 MB          
• Architecture: Raptor Lake
• TDP: 125 W 
• Socket: LGA 1700

Reasons to Buy

• Impressive gaming performance
• World record for overclocking speed of 9.1GHz
• Supports DDR4/ DDR5

Reasons Not to Buy

• Expensive

The brilliant Intel Core i9-14900K was released at 590$ last October, dominating the high-end CPU market. It is the fastest CPU on the market, with a boosting clock speed of 6.0GHz. However, it can barely be named a next-generation CPU from Intel 13th 13900K, where they share the same specifications in most parts. It benefits from the same amount of eight P-cores and 16 single-threaded cores at the base clock speed of 3.2GHz and 2.4GHz, boosting to 6.0/ 4.4GHz. The clock speed has increased by 200 MHz compared to the i9-13900K, while the turbo speed has only improved by 100 MHz compared to the i9 13900KS.

The 14900K has a base TDP of 125W and peaks at 253W, requiring an appropriate cooling system to mitigate high temperatures.

At the current price point of $547, the Intel Core i9-14900K does not present a significant cost advantage over the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, priced at $555. As a result, the AMD option remains the more compelling choice for gaming purposes. However, the i9 is better suited as an alternative for productivity apps and multi-tasking.

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Best AMD High-end CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

Specs:

• Cores/ Threads: 16/ 32
• Base Clock Frequency (GHz): 4.5
• Boost Clock Frequency (GHz): 5.7
• Overclocking: Yes
• L3 Cache Size: 128 MB
• Architecture: Zen 4
• TDP: 120 W
• Socket: AM5

Reasons to Buy

• World-class gaming performance
• Largest L3 cache
• Including iGPU
• Power efficient

Reasons Not to Buy 

• Expensive
• require a suitable cooling system

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, released in February 2023, is currently the top-performing high-end chip in AMD’s lineup and is considered one of the fastest gaming CPUs in the world. With its Zen 4 architecture and 3D V-cache technology, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D outperforms all previous AMD processors in gaming. As the world’s leading processor in certain situations, it can surpass its gigantic rival, the Intel Core i9-14900K.

Despite the advanced 3D V-cache technology that makes the Ryzen 9 7950X3D win almost all gaming titles, the Core i9-14900K performs better in productivity apps and multi-threading tasks.

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D possesses 16 cores alongside 32 threads at the base clock speed of 4.5 GHz up to the 5.7GHz peak while boosted. It also offers the largest L3 cache of 128MB for gaming CPUs on the market.

Compared to the Core i9-13900K, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D performs better in games like the Returnal and F1 2022 by 50-60% and 25%, respectively. In contrast, it loses some situations, like in the Total War Warhammer III Battle game, by approximately 10-12%.

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How to Choose the Best CPU for Gaming

When comparing options on the market, consider several key factors to choose the best CPU for your budget and needs.

• Cores and Threads: CPUs consist of processing units called cores that undertake computing tasks. Therefore, a CPU with more cores has a higher computing capability and will run games more smoothly. In addition to cores, Threads can enhance multi-tasking. So, always seek CPUs with more cores and threads at the first step.
• Clock speed: The CPU’s clock speed indicates the number of cycles it can execute per second, often reflecting the chip’s processing speed. The CPU’s base clock speed is the number of processing tasks required under normal conditions, but it can increase to much higher frequencies when CPU-intensive applications, such as high-end games, require more processing power.
• Cache size: Storing data in the CPU cache helps enhance the processor’s ability to perform repetitive instructions more efficiently. Typically, CPUs are equipped with multiple caches, denoted as L1, L2, and L3, with the latter exhibiting the slowest performance. The higher cache size guarantees better gaming performance.
• TDP: The Thermal Design Power (TDP) refers to the maximum heat a CPU can generate under heavy workloads. Choosing CPUs with low TDPs for efficient cooling while offering high clock speeds is important.
• Socket: You need to ensure that the CPU is compatible with the motherboard socket, as an incompatible CPU may not fit properly to your motherboard.

Tips for choosing your perfect gaming CPU

• For gaming, prioritize higher clock speed over the number of cores, as most games benefit more from faster single-core performance. However, a higher core count can benefit multi-threading and productivity tasks.
• As a rule of thumb, a strong CPU cannot match a weak GPU, RAM, etc.
• Don’t be biased against Intel or AMD. Pick the right CPU that meets your budget and performance needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CPU do for gaming?

CPUs are responsible for managing a variety of tasks during the execution of a game, like calculations, AI, sounds, and controls. Some games place higher demands on the CPU, necessitating increased processing power and, at times, additional cores for optimal performance.

What CPU gives the most FPS?

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU for gaming PCs. It is designed and optimized to deliver the most frames per second when gaming.

What is the best intel CPU for gaming?

The Intel Core i9-14900K is the world’s fastest CPU, clocking between 3.2GHz and a solid 6GHz. It can easily run every high-end game.

How much is a gaming CPU?

Gaming CPUs range in price from $170 to $500, with mid-range options typically falling between $200 and $300. Strong budget-friendly choices like the Core i5-13400F can be found for approximately $170.