Looking to upgrade your gaming rig? Then you will want to make sure you have a processor that’s up to the job.
If you need advice on what CPU to buy, then you’ve come to the right place. We have a lot of experience when it comes to processors and have reviewed some of the latest CPUs on the market, including the next-generation 13th-gen Intel Core models.
We ensure to use both synthetic and in-game benchmarks for every CPU we review. Moreover, we take into account component support and measure the power efficiency and peak temperature of every processor when reaching a final verdict. This not only informs how much power every processor holds but also gives you an indication of how well it will fit alongside your current gaming set-up.
Even though this list is geared towards gaming, not everyone will only be after raw power. This list includes a huge variety, with options for those on a budget, those who after specific features – like DDR4 support – and those who want to engage in creative workloads. There are also options from both AMD and Intel listed here so you can ensure that the next CPU you buy is the right choice for your rig.
Don’t fret if this list doesn’t have anything that’s catching your eye right now; we will be updating this list every time another capable gaming CPU comes through our doors, so make sure you bookmark this page and come back soon for more entries. Additionally, if you’re not looking for a processor that’s specifically aimed at gaming, then take a gander at our best CPU round-up for a broader view of what’s on the market.
With all that said, here are all the best gaming CPUs you can find right now.
Best gaming CPUs at a glance
How we test
We always review multiple CPUs at once to compare data, using consistent components for fair testing where possible.
We use a mix of both synthetic and in-game benchmarks to gauge performance, while also considering additional features and pricing.
We also measure the likes of power consumption and peak temperature under stress to get an idea of performance efficiency.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Best value gaming CPU
Pros
- Outstanding gaming performance
- Support for DDR5 and PCIE 5.0
- Great power efficiency
- Affordable price
Cons
- Subpar multi-core performance
- Requires a high-end cooler
- Worth waiting for Intel Raptor Lake
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is, in our opinion, the best gaming CPU in terms of value right now.
In testing, we found that the Zen 4 chip offers a fantastic gaming performance, similar to the much more powerful (and expensive) flagship chip in the new Ryzen 9 7900X.
Our results showed there to only be a handful of frames different in AAA titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn and older games such as Dirt Rally. Intriguingly, the 7600X also managed to best the 7900X in Borderlands 3, even if it was only by a single frame per second. The point stands that for the price, the 7600X is an incredible gaming CPU.
As well as offering an excellent performance, the 7600X is also futureproofed for the foreseeable future, with support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, enabling compatibility with cutting-edge RAM and SSDs. Sadly, there’s no support for DDR4 here, so you will be forced to upgrade your RAM when switching up to the Ryzen 7000 Series.
The only cause for concern here is that the Ryzen 5 isn’t great for multi-core performance. If you fancy editing video or creating animations when taking a break from gaming, we recommend opting for the similarly priced Intel Core i5-12600K instead. The Intel isn’t quite as good at gaming, but it offers a more rounded performance.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X review
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Most powerful gaming CPU
Pros
- Fantastic multi-core performance
- Top class gaming speeds
- Future-proofed with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- Great power efficiency
Cons
- Requires a powerful cooling system
- Can find better value gaming CPUs elsewhere
- Worth waiting for Intel Raptor Lake before buying
AMD chips have previously lagged behind their Intel counterparts when it comes to gaming performance, but the Ryzen 7000 series has leapfrogged Intel’s Alder Lake family. The powerful AMD Ryzen 9 7900X takes things up a gear and is currently the most powerful AMD processor we’ve tested, although we’re yet to review the Ryzen 7950X.
When playing AAA games such as Horizon Zero Dawn, the 7900X highest frame rates across the board in our group test, be it at 4K, QHD, or at 1080p. Intriguingly, it’s actually at an FHD resolution where AMD’s flagship experienced its largest gains over the Intel Core i9-12900K.
The same was also true in older games such as the original Dirt Rally, which launched in 2015. Again, the largest gains were found at an FHD resolution – the Intel 12900K’s result was 30fps less. This essentially means that if you wanted to hike up the frame rate as much as possible in less intense games, the 7900X should be a fantastic option.
It’s also worth highlighting that the 7900X offers support for both DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, which will also help to improve your gaming experience to no end with much faster components.
The biggest issue with the 7900X is that it’s expensive. The Ryzen 5 7600X is noticeably more affordable, yet offers a similar gaming performance. This means the 7900X is only really worthwhile if you want the absolute fastest gaming performance, and want to also benefit from a blazing fast multi-core performance for workloads such as 4K video editing and 3D animation.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X review
Intel Core i5-12600K
Best value gaming CPU with DDR4 support
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance
- Huge improvements to multi-core performance
- Future-proofed with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- Great power efficiency
Cons
- Teething issues for game compatibility
- Requirement of Z690 motherboard drives up cost
The Intel Core i5-12600K was previously our top recommended gaming processor in terms of value, but has since been pushed down the pecking order by the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X.
It’s still a worthwhile option for some though. Unlike the Ryzen, it supports DDR4 RAM so you can gradually upgrade components rather than all at once for an even more expensive outlay. And when you’re ready to make the leap to more expensive components, you can make use of cutting-edge DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 SSDs.
The Intel i5 also has a better multi-core performance than the Ryzen, making it a more versatile option for those who like to edit video. And while not quite as speedy as the Ryzen, the Intel i5 still offers one of the best gaming performances available.
However, it’s worth remembering that Intel has just announced the new Raptor Lake series, with the next generation of Intel chips arriving as soon as October 2022. As a result, we recommend waiting to check out the new Intel chips, or even for the possibility of discounts to the current crop.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Intel Core i5-12600K review
Intel Core i5-11600K
Best gaming CPU for those on a budget
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance
- Support for PCIe 4.0
- Good value for money
- Runs at comparatively low temperatures
Cons
- Poor multi-threaded performance
- Marginal performance gains from 10th generation
The Intel Core i5-11600K offers a similar (albeit marginally slower) gaming performance compared to its newer 12th Gen sibling, but is also available at a cheaper price.
Aside from the mediocre multi-threaded performance that will turn off creators, the biggest issue with the i5-11600K is its lack of futureproofing. It features support for PCIe 4.0, but 12th Gen Intel chips offer a far higher performance ceiling with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.
But if you’re currently not bothered about future-proofing your system for cutting-edge SSDs and RAM, then the Intel Core i5-11600K remains a fantastic chip that offers a stellar gaming performance.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Intel Core i5-11600K review
Intel Core i9-12900K
The most powerful Intel gaming CPU
Pros
- Huge gains in multi-core performance
- Most powerful gaming CPU performance
- Very good for streaming games
- Future-proofed with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
Cons
- Expensive
- High peak temperature
- Only slightly better than i5 for gaming
The Intel Core i9-12900K is the most powerful gaming processor made by Intel that we’ve tested yet, but we’re not convinced its performance advantage over the i5-12600k is significant enough to justify that steep price for gaming alone.
Instead, the Intel Core i9-12900K is best considered if you want a processor for both content creation and gaming. Its multi-threaded muscle is hugely impressive, while the clever ‘hybrid architecture’ is particularly skilled at juggling multiple tasks simultaneously such as playing a game while recording/streaming video.
This chip isn’t cheap, but since it’s packing support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to upgrade your processor and motherboard again for a very long time.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Intel Core i9-12900K review
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Best for gaming and creativity
Pros
- Solid single-core performance
- Similar gaming results to high-end processors
- Future-proofed with DDR5 and PCle 5.0
- Will not require a massively powerful cooling system
Cons
- Cheaper CPUs are available with similar gaming performance
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is one of the best gaming processors on the market right now, with a fantastic balance between performance and price.
In our extensive testing, we found that the Ryzen 7 7700X was able to achieve a similar gaming performance to both the Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Core i9-1300K. We found that it hit very similar frame rates in a multitude of contemporary and older games, with some of the results even hitting a frame or two higher than its more powerful counterparts.
This makes the 7700X perfect for gamers as you’re getting an almost equal performance when playing triple-A titles without needing to shell out an extra $100/£100.
Moreover, the Ryzen 7 7700X comes kitted out with support for both PCle 5.0 and DDR5 RAM. The latter will provide compatibility with cutting-edge RAM and SSDs, with the former offering up double the amount of data transfer compared to PCle 4.0. This will raise the ceiling of your entire system but since the 7700X is not compatible with DDR4 you will need to upgrade your RAM if you do make the switch.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X also offered up a very respectable multi-core performance, although it was predictably outmatched by its flagship sibling. This makes it a suitable choice for content creators who want to work in applications like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, especially since it scored a lot higher than the mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 7600X.
Overall, the 7700X is a fantastic all-rounder that can take on both gaming and content creation. Unless you’re looking for an excessive amount of performance power, the Ryzen 7 7700X is a great choice, and the inclusion of DDR5 compatibility and PCle 5.0 will ensure that your PC is futureproofed for years to come.
Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
We also considered…
FAQs
PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) is an interface standard used for connecting high-speed components such as GPUs and SSDs. The PCIe generation will determine the performance handicap for connected components. The latest standard, PCIe 5.0, currently doesn’t have a big impact on GPU performance, but can enable far faster SSD speeds with compatible hardware.
The best thing to look out for when buying a gaming CPU is single-core performance. However, it’s also worth considering other aspects such as supported features, power consumption and temperature.
