Many things make a CPU, which makes determining the best one slightly more of a task. However, it’s not ideal to buy whatever CPU you can see because some CPUs are better for your needs than others. A gaming desktop will require different CPU specifications and layout compared to a browsing one. So, it’s necessary to ensure your CPU is not only the best you can get but can also form the right system for your needs.
1. AMD Ryzen 5-3600 Six-Core
It’s not the most powerful CPU available or the cheapest, but it’s the best budget gaming CPU you’ll see. Ryzen 5-3600 comes in a set of six cores with a 3.6GHz base frequency and 4.2GHz max boost clock speed. Combined with a GPU like RX-5700, this processor can deliver a superb gaming experience without needing all your savings.
Features
- 12 threads
- AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
- 35MB cache
- AM4 socket
- 16 PCIe4 lanes
- DDR4 3200 support
- 100+fps
- 65W TDP
Pros
- Can handle overclock
- Budget price
- Reliable performance
- Comes with a thermal solution
- Lightweight
- Extremely quick
- High compatibility
Cons
- Not a premium for gaming
- TDP is low
Price: View on Amazon
2. Intel Core i9-10900K
If there’s a CPU out there that dominates all others, it’s going to be Intel core-19-10900K from everything we’ve seen. The processor’s performance is insane, reaching a massive 5.3GHz with overclocking. I9-10900K is, without doubt, the processor you want if you want to be rendering 8K and 4K videos.
Features
- 10 cores
- 125W TDP
- 5.3GHz on overclock
- 3.7GHz base speed
- LGA 1200 socket
- Optane memory support
- 20 threads
- 20MB cache
- 16 PCIe3 lanes
Pros
- A tenth-generation products
- Insane processor speeds
- Plenty of threading and multitasking ability
- High compatibility
- Superb at 8K and 4K 120Hz resolutions
Cons
- Expensive
- Low thermal limits
Price: View on Amazon
3. AMD Ryzen 9-3950X
In terms of processing ability, AMD’s is one of the highest if not the best CPU on the market. It’s expensive, no doubt, but with a 16-core processor and a 72MB game cache, Ryzen 9-3950X is worth it.
Features
- 3.5GHz base and 4.7GHz boost speed
- 32 threads
- AM4 socket
- 100+fps
- DDR4-320 support
- PCIe4
- Zen 2 architecture
- 105W TDP
Pros
- Massive 16-core processor
- Incredible speeds
- High thermal limit
- Supports overclocking
- Power-efficient
Cons
- No liquid cooler in package
- Pricy
- No game bundles
Price: View on Amazon
4. Intel Core i7-10700K
Even with all of AMD’s efforts, Intel is a difficult opponent, and i7-10700K shows exactly why. Despite having a much lower price-tag, the CPU offers a faster 3.8GHz base speed and 5.1GHz max boost. It also retains the ever-popular 125W TDP and 400 series motherboard compatibility.
Features
- 16 PCIe3 lanes
- Eight-core/16-thread
- LGA 1200 socket
- 16MB cache
Pros
- Budget streaming and gaming king
- Awesome clock speed
- Huge fps benchmark
- Overclocks as advertised
- Cheap
Cons
- Immense and fast heat-up
- Not ideal for heavy workloads
Price: View on Amazon
5. AMD Ryzen 7-3700X
In a way, you can look at AMD’s Ryzen 7 as a low budget Ryzen 9. It costs half the price of the 16-core CPU and offers 8-core and 16 threads. The socket remains AM4, retains compatibility with X470 motherboards, and the architecture is Zen 2.
Features
- PCIe4
- DDR4-3200 support
- 100+fps
- 4.4GHz boost and 3.6GHz base speed
- 65W TDP
- AMD Wraith Prism cooler
- 36MB cache
Pros
- Stable on heavy workloads
- Superb speeds
- Comes with cooling liquid
- Affordable
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Runs too hot
Price: View on Amazon