Best gaming CPU 2025

AMD has pulled out all the stops of the latest X3D chips. In other words, the best gaming CPU at the moment is AMD Ryzen 7 9800x3d. This 8-core CPU isn’t cheap, but it requires the winning formula of its predecessor, 7800x3D, and it runs on it.

The 9800x3D is the fastest gaming CPU ever tested, and absolutely wipes out the current Arrow Lake competition from Intel. This CPU surpasses the frame rate charts of the Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6, and is much faster than its application software predecessors.

The secret to this CPU’s success is the use of a second generation AMD 3D V cache, a large 64MB slice of silicon under the CPU core, providing a big boost to caches that save CPUs that have to access slower RAM of data.

This cache significantly improves gaming performance, and the fact that it is under the 9800x3D CPU core (as opposed to above them, like 7800x3D) means that the CPU cooler will cool those cores directly rather than cool the cache first. Not only does this mean cooler operating temperatures than the 7800x3D, but it also allows AMD to increase clock speeds with a maximum boost clock of 5.2GHz.

Adding AMD’s latest Zen 5 architecture, you’ll find a formidable gaming CPU and a chip that can handle multi-threaded software without sweating. There aren’t many CPU cores, but they’re good enough for most people’s needs and are a great chip for the game.

Read the AMD Ryzen 7 9800x3D review.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is currently being taken away by the top 9800x3D, but there is still a reason to consider buying the previous champion, especially if you can’t buy a new chip. The savings aren’t that big. Unfortunately, the 7800x3D is still not significantly discounted despite the new 9800x3D around, but in many cases it can be about $50 less.

The 96MB L3 cache within 7800x3D questions the increased frame rate floor and ceiling, and you can get all the pixel pushing juices from your graphics card. Its effects are most keen to the point at resolutions like 1080p, making it an ideal choice for competitive gamers.

We acknowledge the ground where the speed of the clock is king, but these instances are rare in our experience. Additionally, the AM5 motherboard picks up to sit on the 7800x3D, which can be useful for drop-in upgrades and for future proofing of the build.

Read the AMD Ryzen 7 7800x3D review.

If you want to build a gaming PC on a very tight budget, the Intel Core i5 12400F is a bargain CPU. The price is amazing for the gaming performance on offer. Unlike new budget CPUs like the Core i3 13100, the Core i5 12400F has six P-cores under four Heat spreaders, providing plenty of raw horsepower in the game.

Don’t be fooled by the “12” model number for this CPU. The Alder Lake architecture used in this chip is very similar to the Raptor Lake Architecture used on Intel’s latest 14th generation CPUs, and we’ve found something more than abilities when it comes to the game. Unlike AMD’s AM5 CPU, if you have one in your existing system, you can run the Core i5 12400F on your old DDR4 memory and you can happily run your old motherboard with the B660 chipset.

With just 65W TDP, this CPU does not require a large AIO cooler to keep it down. A decent air cooler keeps the job going smoothly. There are a few catches. One is that this “F” model does not have a GPU integrated, but that’s not a problem when purchasing separate graphics cards for games. It also doesn’t have an Intel e-core to help work with Multi-Threaded, but it’s pretty much irrelevant when it comes to performance in most games.

It could also increase the peak clock speeds of just 4.4GHz, which is also not a K-series CPU, so it’s not easy to overclock, but you can’t have it all for this price. This is the perfect option if you want a decent gaming CPU at the lowest possible price.

Read the Intel Core i5 12400f review

If you’re not only on a limited budget, but also want a bit of a boost to multithreading tasks like video encoding and rendering, the Core i5 13400F is a solid candidate. It features Intel’s six latest Raptor Lake P-Cores and a 4.6GHz boost clock, making it a capable processor for the gaming, but also offers an extra bonus on the 12400F.

Unlike its predecessor, the 13400F is under the thermal spreader for four of Intel’s low-power e-cores, providing a total of 10 cores, thus boosting multi-threaded software. This is the ideal choice for those who don’t spend a huge amount of money using the system, as well as games.

Like the 12400F, this chip does not have a K in the model name. This means that you cannot officially overclock the multiplier by changing it. F means that you don’t have an integrated GPU either. However, using the latter will save you money if you’re buying a dedicated graphics card anyway.

You don’t need one of the best AIO cooler options to keep this CPU down. You will also get the appropriate Intel stock air cooler included in the box if you purchased the retail version.

Read the Intel Core i5 13400f review.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is about to build a new gaming PC, but doesn’t spend much. This Zen 4 processor only has six cores, but most game scenarios have enough cores, especially since AMD’s cores support supporting all handling two threads per core. So the chip looks like a 12-core chip on the rest of the PC.

Importantly, this midrange chip not only packs enough punches on its own to make a solid gaming PC, but also uses AMD’s AM5 sockets that support 7800x3D and 9800x3D (AMD has promised to support the platform for several more years).

This and the chips will eliminate the power, making them economical to run and easier to cool down. It’s not the last word for multi-core CPU performance, but it’s a great starting point for most game setups.

Read our AMD Ryzen 5 7600X review.

Perhaps to build a small system, for anyone who needs a single chip that can handle CPU and GPU duties, or if you’re just spending another $200 on a graphics card and not an option, check out the Ryzen 5 8600g. With six Zen 4 cores and a Radeon 760m integrated GPU, it is a thrilling performer for a processor and Standin graphics card.

8600g is the brightest shine in less demanding games, but if you’re happy to play at 1080p using a low setting, you can play Cyberpunk 2077 and more at 30fps. It is also compatible with FidelityFX Super Resolution, which helps to further increase frame rates through upscaling and frame generation.

To pair with DDR5 RAM clocked above 8600G and 6,000MHz, you need to get the most performance from the integrated graphics. This adds the total cost to bring the system together, but you can use the same RAM when upgrading your CPU in the future. Plus, even the rather fast DDR5 RAM is relatively affordable.

If you plan to upgrade to a dedicated graphics card in the not too distant future, the 8600G is not the ideal processor. This is because it is not as fast as an equally priced CPU without strong integrated graphics and has a limited number of PCIE lanes. However, unless you upgrade to a faster graphics card, it is likely that the GPU will reduce gaming performance rather than this CPU.

Read the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G review.

The 13700K is like a champion for both streamers and creatives, offering an all-in-one solution that doesn’t have an overly premium price tag. With 16 cores and 24 threads, this chip is more than capable of handling real-time 120fps encoding using the “x264 slow” preset.

This is especially useful if you have a Radeon graphics card, but it could serve as a great alternative to “NVENC” on GeForce GPUs if your needs arise. The chip can also keep up with the highest layer pixel pushers, maintaining maximum, average and minimum frames per second.

It is also useful for exporting and editing VODs. It boasts fast export times and rendering capabilities for Adobe Suite applications such as Premiere Pro and After Effects.

Read the Intel Core i7 13700k review.

Sitting at the top of Intel’s gaming CPU stack is the Core i9 14900K, one of the few chips that can hit 6GHz clock speeds.

Packs the usual configuration of 24 cores and 32 threads that defined all Core i9s over the last three generations. The other LGA 1700 processors that can compete are the Core i9 13900ks, but the 14900K is essentially the same as the more expensive CPU.

The Core I9 14900K is best achieved with multi-core workloads, making it ideal for systems that act as both gaming rigs and workstations. Make sure you have a capable power source and a cooler in your hand, as you guzzle your electricity like anyone’s business.

However, this CPU has a warning. This means that there is a problem with voltage fluctuations, causing game conflicts and permanently damaged the CPU. If you want to run this CPU, make sure you flash the BIOS to your motherboard so that the latest microcode is at the beginning.

Read the Intel Core i9 14900k review.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is one of Team Red’s most powerful processors thanks to its 16 cores and Zen 4 architecture. This tip has the best that the Zen 4 has to offer, and the flagship hides amazing tricks in its sleeves.

This chip does not have a higher co-account or thread count compared to previous generation offerings, but they are clocked much higher. This not only translates to high frames per second, but also significantly improves performance for almost any application that can utilize multiple CPU cores.

However, the biggest trick is the “eco mode.” This allows you to attract up to 65W to the processor. Even with such low power consumption, you can trade hits with first-class processors. Naturally, you’ll make the most of your chips while running on the standard 170W TDP, but it’s a small form factor build outlook with 7950 times more potential than your dreams.

Read our AMD Ryzen 9 7950X review.