<p>In addition to CPU power, you’ll also need to cultivate an army of loyal parts, starting with graphics cards, RAM, SSDs, and even accessories like <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g61060556/best-gaming-mouse/” target=”_blank”>gaming mice</a>, fancy <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g61084647/best-gaming-keyboards/” target=”_blank”>keyboards</a>, and <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g61190548/best-ultrawide-monitor-for-gaming/” target=”_blank”>high-refresh monitors</a>. But first, before expanding your collection of <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a46092025/esquire-gaming-awards-2023/” target=”_blank”>great gaming gear</a>, you will need a processor that can handle itself under pressure. These are the five best CPUs for gaming.</p>”/>
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Best Overall CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Pros
- Fast and powerful
- AMD 3D V-Cache
- Can be overclocked
Cons
- Expensive
The Ryzen series of processors are the iPhones of PC gaming CPUs. Not the favorites of die-hards, but in terms of ubiquity, most players I talk to have wound up using one AMD Ryzen chip or another. The fastest and most powerful of these is the Ryzen 9 7950X3D with 3D V-Cache technology. It has a ridiculous amount of cache memory, allowing your CPU to process large amounts of data without relying on onboard RAM.
The Hexadeca-core, 32-thread processor will get the best frame rate (we are talking in the hundreds) out of even the most demanding titles. In practice, that’s rendering Cyberpunk 2077‘s cityscape faster and seeing every small movement during Elden Ring‘s combat.
The manufacturer recommends pairing it with a water cooler of 280mm or more to keep the CPU running cooly and optimally, and you’ll need a high-end GPU to reap those benefits on the graphics end. But when it comes to CPUs that can power a serious system, the 7950X3D is an AMD chip that will ensure you won’t need an upgrade for years to come.
| Cores | 16 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 32 |
| Clock Speed | 4.2GHz (5.7GHz Max Boost) |
| L3 Cache Memory | 128 MB |
Best Value AMD CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
If you’re looking to build a good PC for something closer to the price of a brand new gaming console ($500 to $600), this AMD processor is a great shout. The Ryzen 7 5700X3D launched earlier this year and can already be found for under $200. At that price it provides tremendous value, especially if you have an otherwise reliable PC and just want a little CPU upgrade.
I found that this AMD chip, like many others, offered great performance. Unless you already have a $500 processor, this 5000 Series model will improve the frame rate on a majority of your library. Even though I’ve now been exposed to better chips, I go back to this one and often think most players don’t need something much faster than this. If you pressed other PC expert types, I think they might agree.
Like with any AMD CPU, you will need a pretty powerful liquid cooler to make sure this chip stays in a safe heat range. That’s a cost worth factoring into your budget before buying,
| Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 16 |
| Clock Speed | 3GHz (4.1GHz Max Boost) |
| L3 Cache Memory | 96 MB |
What to Look for When Buying a Gaming CPU
When looking for a new processor either as an upgrade or the powerhouse of a brand new PC, there are some key factors to consider. These can get a bit jargony so we’ve laid everything out below in plain English.
Cores and threads: These numbers determine how many processing units a CPU has and how many tasks it can execute simultaneously. In gaming, you don’t usually need more than an eight-core, 16-thread CPU, but many of the best gaming processors exceed that.
Speed: CPU clock speed measures power. Clock speed is measured in Gigahertz (GHz). In general, CPUs with higher clock speeds can run games smoother, at higher frame rates. Some processors allow you to overclock them to get more power out of your current CPU.
Motherboard support: The first thing you probably want to do when shopping for a new processor is check which CPUs are compatible with your motherboard. Intel and AMD both have this information listed on their websites.
RAM support: The same goes for RAM. Not all CPUs support every RAM format. Check which generations of DDR your processor supports to see if that matches your current (or future) RAM situation.
Cache memory: This is essentially how much onboard memory your CPU has. Higher L3 cache memory will often lead to more consistent and stable frame rates while gaming.
How We Tested Central Processing Units
Here at Esquire, we take a generalist approach to product testing. We’ve gamed on PCs, and we’ve got a network of contacts and internet friends who have done the same. Instead of running a bunch of stupid tests, we just ask smart people: What is your favorite CPU? What gets the best out of your setup with the least damage done to your bank account? These five processors are the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is overclocking and what does it do?
Without getting into exactly how it’s done, overclocking allows you you to eek an extra couple GHz of power out of your CPU. This comes with the trade-off of pushing your processor to its absolute limit, which will result in an excess of heat and noise. You will need an extra liquid cooler to offset this. In my opinion, overclocking is not often worth it to get slightly better performance out of an already great CPU.
Do I go with Intel or AMD?
Again, the answer depends on what you’ve already been using and which compatible motherboard you have. If you are starting from scratch, though, there are equally valid reasons to go with either brand. Many gamers currently prefer AMD. It is admittedly the company that gives the most options and allows you to more easily and freely customize and upgrade its components.
Why Trust Esquire?
Here at Esquire, we’ve been testing and reviewing the latest and greatest products, gadgets, and tech for years, scratch that, decades.
I’m a lifelong gamer and I can tell the wheat from the chaff grenades. From controllers to portable monitors and gaming laptops, I’ve personally tested and reviewed some of the best PC gaming tech around. When it comes to gaming gear, I’ve tested the best of the best—and some of the worst of the mediocre for good measure. If I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or loved one, I wouldn’t even let you think about recommending it to our discerning (and vocal) readers.
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