Having the right gaming CPU can completely change your gaming experience. In this article, I’m breaking down the top five best gaming CPUs, so you’ll never have to suffer through laggy performance again. The issue is that a CPU might work great for one person but might not be the best for you because most CPUs are not made with the same people in mind, which is why I made sure to include options for all types of situations. So regardless of what you’re looking for, I’ll have the perfect gaming CPU for you. The products mentioned in this article are in no exact order, so be sure to stay tuned so you don’t miss anything.
First on my list is the Intel Core i9-13900K, my choice for the best overall CPU. The Intel Core i9-13900K is a super powerful processor that will more than meet any gaming challenge that you throw at it. It has 24 cores, 8 performance or p-cores, and 16 efficient or e-cores, making it one of the most robust processors on the market. The p-cores unleash the capability to play the latest games and gaming software, while the e-cores provide multitasking power. It has 32 threads, so it can execute tons of tasks at the same time without any background tasks slowing things down, giving you great power for even the toughest gaming scenarios. The i9-13900K features a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 770 controller for improved graphics and visual quality, with support for up to four monitors. It’s got a PCore clock speed of up to 5.8 GHz and an eCore maximum of 4.3 GHz. It features Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, which potentially increases CPU speeds while staying within safe temperature and power limits. This can increase performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The i9-13900K is unlocked, so you can customize the settings to best maximize your play. It has enhanced overclocking for both sets of cores, so you can customize them to your performance. So with the right cooling solution, you can easily push this chip to its limits and get even more performance out of it. It features a robust 36 MB cache to support memory speeds of up to DDR5 (5600 MHz) and DDR4 (3200 MHz). It’s compatible with Intel 600 Series and 700 Series chipset-based motherboards. The i9-13900K provides expanded memory options with support for both DDR4 and DDR5 expansion, and you can use its Thunderbolt 4 ports to simply and easily build out your setup. It also has support for Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. The i9-13900K can crush any gaming challenge you throw at it, even at higher resolutions and with multiple applications running in the background. Now, if you’re someone who wants to push their system to the limit and run the most demanding games and applications, the i9-13900K is the chip for you.
Next on my list is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. My choice for the best overall AMD CPU. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a part of AMD’s new generation of Ryzen processors, and it comes with some incredible features. First off, it has 8 cores and 16 threads running at a base clock speed of 4.2 GHz with a max turbo boost of 5.0 GHz. That’s some serious processing power, perfect for handling the latest games as well as multitasking and content creation. Now what sets this processor apart from the competition is AMD’s groundbreaking 3D vCache technology. This new technology allows the CPU to have a whopping 96 MB of cache, which is significantly higher than the amount of previous Ryzen processors. This extra cash helps reduce latency and boosts gaming performance significantly. For the enthusiasts out there, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is fully unlocked, meaning you can push it even further with some overclocking. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D snaps into the high-level AM5 motherboards that support DDR5 5200 memory and PCLE5 connectivity on select 600 series motherboards. The 7800X3D’s maximum supported temperature is 192 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, while it doesn’t come with a bundled cooler, AMD recommends a 280mm water cooler, or better, the Ryzen 7000X3D processors. Now, you might be thinking that with all these amazing features, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is going to cost an arm and a leg. Well, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. AMD has priced this processor very competitively, making it a fantastic value for gamers who want top-tier performance without breaking the bank. The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a gaming powerhouse that offers incredible performance thanks to its eight cores, 16 threads, and groundbreaking 3D vCache technology. With these outstanding capabilities, this CPU is at the top of the AMD CPU list for gaming.
Next on my list is the Intel Core i7-13700K, my choice for the best CPU for most people. The Intel Core i7-13700K is another great choice, with lots of processing power for your money. It is a bit less robust than the i9 we talked about earlier, but you pay about 25% less too. And it really has enough power to support most gamers. Let’s have a look. It has a total of 16 cores, 8P cores like the i9-13900K, and 8E cores versus 16 on the i9. It also features a 16-threaded processor, whereas the i9 has 32 threads. They both have a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 770 controller for improved graphics and visual quality, with support for up to four monitors. With a base clock of 3.4GHz and a turbo clock of up to 5.4GHz, you can expect buttery smooth gaming performance even on the most demanding titles. The Intel architecture ensures efficiency and speed, and this chip truly delivers on that promise. Another great thing about the i7-13700K is its overclocking potential. This unlocked processor lets you push its performance even further. It features a robust 30MB of L3 cache memory and offers great system performance that will avoid interruptions while executing complex tasks. The i7-13700K is designed for the LGA 1700 socket and is compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards. The i7-13700K stands out with its excellent single-core and multi-core performance. This means that not only will you get an amazing gaming experience, but you’ll also have a CPU that’s more than capable of handling any heavy multitasking and productivity tasks that you throw at it. The Intel Core i7-13700K is a great choice for most gamers. It is great for those looking for top-tier performance without breaking the bank. When you factor in its 16 cores, 16 threads, 30 MB of cache, and other core features, it makes a really attractive choice.
Next up on my list is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600x, my choice for the best CPU for the money. The Ryzen 5500x offers amazing value and gaming features for your money. It has 6 cores and 12 processing threads, so it has solid processing power and can multitask to keep your games moving smoothly. It boasts a great base clock speed of 3.7 GHz and boosts clock speed to up to 4.6 GHz, so it gives you lots of speed. It is also unlocked, so it supports overclocking, plus you can adjust other settings to match your gaming requirements. It has a whopping 32 MB of cache, which is essential for gaming performance and overall productivity. It offers great system performance and avoids interruptions while executing complex and critical tasks. The Ryzen 5 5600X runs with a thermal design power of 65 watts. Which means that’s the heat that needs to be dissipated by the cooling system. Now the good news is that it’s bundled with the quiet-capable AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler, which features an aluminum heat sink and pre-applied thermal paste, along with a 3.8-inch fan and 4-pin power connector. So this will keep your CPU cool enough while you put it through the paces. The CPU has DDR4-3200 memory and is designed for the advanced socket AM4 platform. It can support PCLE 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards. Whether you’re playing an intensive first-person shooter or a graphically intensive game, this CPU can handle it all, allowing you to experience high frame rates and smooth gameplay. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is an excellent investment for its performance and features, making it the best gaming CPU for your money right now. It offers terrific performance and productivity at an affordable price. To upgrade your gaming PC, you cannot go wrong with the Ryzen 5 5600X.
And last on my list is the Intel Core i5-13600K, my choice for the best Intel CPU for the money. The Intel i5-13600K provides really good value for your money because it has lots of processing power for pretty intense gaming, but it’s about 25% less expensive than the i7-13700K. It comes with 14 cores, 6 P cores, and 8 E cores, so it has 2 fewer P cores than the i7-13700K. On the other hand, it has 20 threads versus the 16 of the i7. Both are very respectable when it comes to multitasking ability and can execute lots of tasks at the same time without any background tasks slowing things down. It has a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz, which is on par with the i7. It’s also unlocked, which means you can overclock it to get even better performance up to 5.1 GHz and adjust other settings to customize them to your preference. And with a thermal design power of 125 watts, this CPU is quite powerful and can handle really demanding games. Like the other Intel models we covered, the i5-13600K includes a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 770 controller for improved graphics and visual quality, with support for up to four monitors. It features a robust 24MB of L3 cache memory and 20MB of L2 memory. This serves to boost instruction processing and system performance, so there won’t be any interruptions while executing complex tasks. The i5-13600K is designed for the LGA 1700 socket and is compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards. The i5-13600K is quite affordable compared to some of the other high-end CPUs on the market. For games with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or anything weaker, the i5-13600K can pretty much match the higher-end CPUs. The difference shows up in higher-intensity games. This makes it the best Intel option for budget-conscious gamers who still want a powerful CPU for their gaming setup.
