7 Best CPUs for Gaming in 2024
Apr. 23, 2024Picking an optimal desktop CPU for your gaming build can be a daunting task, given the amount of options on the market. This guide intends to simplify that task for anyone looking to build a new PC with maximized gaming performance. Alongside the GPU, a good CPU is also integral for high FPS in games. In this guide, we have included both Intel and AMD desktop CPUs at various price points, so you can build a budget or a top-tier fully-specced gaming PC.
For AAA gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, the overall load on the CPU is heavy enough for you to consider getting one of the best CPUs we’ve listed below. However, do make sure yourGPUalso packs enough punch for the games you will be playing on this build. That said, let’s dive in!
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D – Best High-End AMD CPU for Gaming
Ryzen 7 7800X3D also comes with in-built Radeon graphics, but you need a good GPU for optimal gaming performance. The iGPU here is good for basic tasks, with two cores and a frequency of 2200 MHz. This CPU has 96MB of L3 Cache and has a rated TDP of 120W. To be honest, it’s also not very hard to cool so you don’t need a super beefy CPU cooler for this processor.
Intel’s Core i9-14900K is one of the fastest desktop CPUs you can buy today. In my detailedreview, it proved to be quite the beast in all workloads and excels at gaming. While you can get similar FPS with lower-end Intel CPUs, the Core i9-14900K’s 6.0 GHz peak turbo clock facilitated via thermal velocity boost can still make a difference to achieve better FPS in games.
This processor has acore count of 24 cores and 32 threads. This CPU is made with a hybrid performance architecture, with 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores. It is power-hungry, so you need to pair it with an adequate cooling solution such as a 360mm AIO or high-end air cooler capable of handling 250-300W loads. By the way, the CPU is also compatible with bothDDR4 & DDR5 RAMdepending on yourmotherboard.
By the way, a more affordable alternative would be theCore i7-14700K, which delivers equally good gaming performance at a lower price tag.
Intel’s Core i5-14600K is the latest mid-range 14th-gen processor that the company released. It has gone down in price since it launched and is the best pick for mid-range builds. This 14th-Gen i5 CPUdelivers slightly better turbo clock speedsas compared to the previous-gen i5-13600K while costing pretty much the same. Of course, if you find a good deal on the 13th Gen i5-13600K, you can go for that as well because it performs similarly to the i5-14600K.
This CPU has 14 cores with 20 threads, with6 P-cores and 8 E-cores. The turbo boost clock goes up to 5.30 GHz, with a boost power of 181W. You’ll need a somewhat beefy cooler for this particular processor too, capable of providing 150-200W worth of cooling prowess to keep the 14600K stable under loads. Like the i9-14900K, this CPU also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM based on your motherboard choice.
Just like the more expensive Ryzen 7 7800X3D listed at the top, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D also excels in gaming performance since it is built with 3D V-Cache. It has 96MB of L3 cache which is super useful in many latest games of today. You can have a look at itsperformancehere, compared to a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor.
By the way, there isno stock cooler includedin the box, and there is also no on-board integrated GPU. So, you will need a dedicated GPU installed for the system to work.
Getting into the budget territory, the first recommendation I have is the Intel Core i5-12400F. This is a 12th-generation Alder Lake CPU, so the manufacturing process is not as mature as some of the latest generations. Still, it is plenty fast for today’s games and can definitely handle everything you throw it as long as your accompanying GPU and RAM are also a good fit.
Moreover, keep in mind that this is anFvariant Intel CPU, so it does not have integrated graphics. The non-F i5-12400 is more expensive, but if you desperately need integrated graphics you can go for that CPU as well.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a perfect budget gaming CPU for new-generation AM5 motherboard owners. You will have to use it with DDR5 RAM since AM5 motherboards don’t support DDR4, unlike Intel’s LGA 1700 motherboard platform which supports both. Sure, you can upgrade to newer AM5 CPUs down the line as AMD has confirmed this specific socket would be supported for a long time.
The CPU has 6 cores with 12 threads and boosts up to 5.10 GHz. It boasts a TDP of 65W, so it’s not a power-demanding processor either, making it perfect for budget builds.
You can also go for the more expensive Ryzen 5 7600X, which is slightly faster. But still, I consider the Ryzen 5 7600 to be better for budget-oriented gaming PC builds because it does include a stock cooler which will help you save some costs.
Itboosts up to 4.40 GHz and has a 65W TDP, which is easy to keep cool. Moreover, the Ryzen 5 5600X, which is faster, is also available at a similar price. But the Ryzen 5 5600X does not include a CPU cooler like the 5600 does, which will add to your cost. Also, you don’t have an integrated GPU on this processor.
Picking the right gaming CPU for your PC build can be hard, but I hope the above list helped you in making the right choice. By the way, you can learnhow to install a CPUhere with our step-by-step instructions.
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