What Cpu Should I Get For Gaming

The hunt for a great gaming processor to pack into a high-terminate gaming PC may come after finding the best graphics cards. It's not totally unreasonable to prioritize the GPU, as that component ultimately determines the quality settings and resolution you can run your games at. But beware, you tin't throw all your time and money into choosing your GPU only to skimp on a CPU. After all, your processor is arguably just every bit of import every bit it dictates how well the rest of your gaming PC runs. A CPU that's too weak can bottleneck your system, preventing your GPU from fifty-fifty running at its full capacity and doing all the things you purchased information technology for.

The processor isn't only known every bit the 'central processing unit' for kicks, it'south in charge of how quickly your whole calculator operates from the system memory to the SSDs property your games – which is why it'southward all and so of import to pick the best gaming CPU for your rig. Unlike graphics cards that you'll be swapping in every other generation, the best gaming processors can final for years, so be certain you're making the correct choice you lot won't regret in the long term.

Although the marketplace for CPUs boils down to merely Intel and AMD, each company has myriad offerings, and the market is always changing quickly. There is an insane range of prices and seemingly constant updates that make it hard to proceed up. The confusing model numbers don't help much either. To help you figure it all out, hither's our rundown of the best CPUs for every type of PC gamer – and click here to discover them in the UK.

TL;DR – These are the Best CPUs for Gaming

Intel Cadre i5-12600K
Intel Cadre i5-12400
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Intel Core i9-12900K
AMD Ryzen vii 5700G
AMD Ryzen nine 5950X

i. Intel Core i5-12600K

Best CPU for Gaming

Equal parts fast, affordable, and loaded with the latest technology, the Intel Cadre i5-12600K is the perfect improver to just well-nigh whatsoever PC parts list. This is the first i5 chip to include Intel's hybrid compages, making information technology a powerful and efficient CPU worth twice its toll. This processor manages to pack in ten cores: half-dozen power cores and four efficient cores. These volition assistance to divvy up tasks and keep your gaming worlds running smoothly. And on top of all that, serious hyper-threading adds to its muscle, so information technology can handle almost any game and run a stream at the same time.

The Intel Core i5-12600K runs at 3.7GHz but tin can boost upwardly to 4.9GHz on its P-core, and it boasts a solid 20MB of L3 cache to maintain consistently polish functioning through everyday operation. Plus, it's future-proofed for DDR5 retention and PCIe v.0 interfaces assuasive the highest performance possible. For most gamers, this processor has everything you could possibly desire to keep you satisfied including a high overclock ceiling. Merely exist sure you've got the latest LGA1700 motherboard to pair with this beauty. Overall, this pick goes far above what you'd await from a CPU at such a reasonable price point.

two. Intel Core i5-12400

Best Budget CPU for Gaming

With all the chip shortages of the past year, it'due south great to see Intel's latest round of CPUs are not but available but priced fairly. Yous can get the Intel Cadre i5-12400 for slightly over $200, which is insane considering all that'southward packed into this device. It is office of the latest 12th generation lineup from Intel, but it lacks the hybrid efficient cores seen on other models. It's no slouch though with a solid six cores and 12-threads for gaming. Plus, you'll become great operation out of it, especially due to the support of the latest DDR5 retention and PCIe five.0 interface.

This CPU has enough might to handle any mainstream gaming PC build, but its overclocking ability really puts it higher up the pack. Fifty-fifty amend, this chip stays relatively cool and is non power-hungry even when being pushed to the limit. Yous're in for some solid 1080p gaming, but it'll also hold upward in 1440p and 4K. And, if you lot still oasis't been able to go your easily on a new graphics card, this scrap'south onboard graphics will get your computer up and running while you wait for the platonic GPU. Some lite gaming tin can even be done on the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730.

3. AMD Ryzen v 5600G

Best Ultra Cheap CPU for Gaming

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is your one-stop shop for affordable PC gaming. This processor comes in at just over $200, still it's packing all the processing and graphics ability y'all need to get up and running in all your favorite games. That's because this is an APU that bundles a CPU and GPU onto the same scrap. You lot're getting insane value thanks to that integrated graphics card.

Y'all get six cores and twelve threads that run at a 3.9GHz base clock, hands handling almost everyday tasks you throw at them. There's even the possibility of doing some overclocking, and it tin can striking a heave clock of 4.4GHz. Meanwhile, the 7 Radeon Graphics cores tin can muster some pocket-sized 1080p gaming functioning. All of that comes in a 65W power budget that'll be easy to keep cool thanks to the cooler that comes in the box.

4. Intel Cadre i9-12900K

Best Loftier-End CPU for Gaming

Intel's latest 12th generation CPUs are giving AMD a run for their money. The compages of these new processors allows for more cores, higher speeds, and better bandwidth. And, the Intel Cadre i9-12900K is the best of the bunch, which is reflected in the toll tag. There are a full of 16 cores packed into this chip. Viii of these are performance cores that can reach upwards to v.2GHz. This enhances gaming and other lightly threaded activities. Then, there are 8 efficient cores to help with multi-threading. The efficient cores as well take the load off of the P-cores to prevent interruptions while gaming.

Aside from the new core architecture, the Intel Cadre i9-12900K supports the latest DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 interfaces. That means you might be spending a bit more than on a new LGA1700 motherboard to utilise this CPU, but you'll be fix for hereafter upgrades to your build. You lot'll also detect that this chip tin handle whatever yous throw it. Honestly, information technology's unlikely you lot'll find a game that this CPU can't handle with ease, fifty-fifty if yous're playing at 4K or 8K to push the processor to its limits while gaming at high frame rates. It'due south truly a gaming fauna that should be with you for the long haul.

5. AMD Ryzen 7 5700G

All-time APU for Gaming

If you saw our ultra-inexpensive pick, the Ryzen 5 5600G, and liked the sound of it but wanted something with a bit more power, the AMD Ryzen seven 5700G is the APU for you. You are getting a ii-for-one deal with both a solid GPU and CPU on board. So, you'll be saving a whole lot by non purchasing a split graphics card. This option does stay at the same 65W TDP as its smaller sibling, simply AMD has packed in 8 cores with multi-threading, and information technology can hit boost clocks up to four.6GHz. Plus, it still manages to stay cool even during heavy tasks, in function cheers to the included cooler.

The AMD Ryzen vii 5700G comes with a little actress oomph in the graphics department thanks to an extra graphics core, bringing the full to 8 Radeon Graphics cores. And, where the Rzyen five 5600G's graphics cores run at 1900MHz, the Ryzen 7 5700G's graphics cores run at 2,000MHz. You'll be hardpressed to find some other processor with faster-integrated graphics at such an affordable price.

6. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

All-time CPU for Gaming Video Editing

See it on Newegg

When AMD first introduced its Zen architecture, you would take had to turn to its massive Threadripper processors to get a sixteen-core/32-thread chip. At present, it'due south officially mainstream – or enthusiast anyway. The Ryzen 9 5950X delivers that incredible core count for nether $600. Plus, information technology keeps those cores fed with data thanks to a hefty 64MB L3 enshroud.

With this many cores, you'll have no problem recording and streaming your gameplay. And, when information technology comes to editing, the Ryzen 9 5950X won't miss a beat. The multithreading ability of this CPU actually puts it over the edge for content creators. It also supports PCIe four.0, and since PCIe 5.0 hasn't fully taken off, y'all'll be able to take reward of the fastest SSDs on the market to make loading projects and scrubbing through footage quicker than ever. You won't fifty-fifty need an exotic cooler for this chip, as information technology only has a 105W TDP.

Where to Get the Best CPU for Gaming in the UK

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600X

All-time CPU for Gaming

AMD

Ryzen 3 3200G

All-time Budget CPU for Gaming

Intel

Core i9-10900X

Best High-Stop CPU for Gaming

Intel

Cadre i5-10600K

All-time Midrange CPU for Gaming

AMD

Ryzen 9 3950X

All-time CPU for Gaming Video Editing

Intel

Pentium Gilt G6400

Best Super Cheap CPU for Gaming

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

All-time High-Finish Desktop Processor for Gaming

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Best Streaming Gaming Processor

What'due south Next for Gaming CPUs

AMD has made a huge splash with its Ryzen CPUs, and they've just continued to get amend with each generation. With the Ryzen 5000 Serial, they're equally potent every bit ever. AMD's graphics department has as well been playing catch up with Nvidia and getting inside hit distance. Now, AMD is introducing the latest meeting point of those two product segments with the latest Ryzen 5000 Series APUs, which combine AMD's processing cores with integrated graphics.

For PC builders on a budget, the AMD Ryzen vii 5700G and AMD Ryzen v 5600G are solid products. Both chips have a TDP of just 65W, making it like shooting fish in a barrel to build a depression-power PC around them. And, with their integrated graphics, they can help you get gaming while avoiding the graphics carte du jour shortage that we just now seem to be getting out of. For perspective, AMD boasts the Ryzen 7 5700G averaging 78fps at 1080p in Rogue Visitor with graphics prepare to Loftier. So, these could be a solid bet for esports fans.

What to Expect in for a CPU for Gaming

Beneath nosotros've broken downwards the two types of processors you'll notice online or on shop shelves, and some of the key specs you should look for in a gaming processor.

When looking for a gaming CPU, you lot'll probably come beyond two types of processors: mainstream and High-End Desktop (HEDT). Mainstream processors are what yous'll primarily find on store shelves and online catalogs, and these typically include Intel's Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 products also as AMD Ryzen 3, 5, and 7-series chips.

HEDT processors are less prevalent and are like shooting fish in a barrel plenty to spot. All Intel HEDT CPUs come with an 'X' or 'XE' suffix at the end of their model names, meanwhile, AMD HEDT chips all fall nether the Ryzen Threadripper brand.

What's the difference betwixt a mainstream processor and HEDT bit? Mainstream processors typically only support dual-channel retention – for a maximum of 4 DIMMs up to 64GB – and, thus far, a maximum of 24 PCIe lanes, which enable loftier-speed connections to graphics cards, NVMe, SSDs, and Thunderbolt three ports. HEDT processors, on the other hand, are physically larger to make room for more than cores, while bringing memory back up up to quad-aqueduct – up to eight sticks for a total of 128GB of RAM – and a maximum of 64 PCIe lanes.

So, if you accept the coin and the desire to build the ultimate gaming PC, HEDT is the way to go. But that'll probably be overkill for most users, and then a mainstream processor should be what almost users need.

Almost users should aim for at to the lowest degree a quad-core processor

The next thing you should be mindful of is how many cores a processor has. Cores are essentially the office of the CPU that receives instructions to perform calculations or deportment, so the more cores yous have the more than you tin practice. Most entry-level processors should have ii to iv cores, 4 to 6 cores on mid-range chips, and at least six or eight cores on the highest-end CPUs, thought those numbers seem to be jumping upwardly substantially these days.

How many cores do you need for gaming? Most users should aim for at to the lowest degree a hexa-core processor like the AMD Ryzen five 5600G or Intel Core i5-12400. Most modern games should run well, but if you're playing anything with a high grapheme count or an abundance of in-game physics—i.eastward. annihilation from the real-time strategy genre—you might meet frame rates improve with a octa-core processor.

Processor threads are far less important for gaming, only they help with multi-tasking and multi-threaded workloads. You'll often see a number of threads right next to cores on the spec canvas of a CPU. Usually, the number of threads will be twice every bit high equally the core count and they basically human action as schedulers, telling the CPU cadre what to do adjacent so there's no downtime in between tasks.

This process is known as Hyper-threading on Intel's platform and multi-threading on AMD-powered systems. Despite the different names, they accomplish the same goal, whether that be making sure your next vocal streams in the background or your video renders as quickly as possible.

Kevin Lee is IGN'due south Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam