Best Gaming CPU for Gamers in 2023

The next generation of processors is on the way, and AMD and Intel compete for your attention. However, the AMD Ryzen 7000-series(opens in new tab) and Intel 13th Gen are likely expensive or difficult to obtain for a few months or more. In the meantime, you may consider current-generation processors for a lower cost.

Saving money on a CPU is critical because it allows you to splurge on other components, such as a larger SSD, a better motherboard, and possibly even a better graphics card. It’s not about being cheap, it’s about being wise with your money to get the most gaming bang for your buck.

Every chip on this list has passed our rigorous CPU benchmarking suite on our PC Gamer test rigs. Because we’re all content creators and streamers now, it includes many of the most recent games and 3D and video rendering workloads. However, for obvious reasons, games are our most important tests.

6 Best Gaming CPUs For Pro Gamers in 2023

1. Intel Core i5-12400

The mid-range Alder Lake six-core 12-thread Core i5-12400 is your chip, especially with recent price cuts that bring it down to an unbelievable $160. It’s faster in gaming than the previous-generation $549 Core i9-11900K flagship, so it should go without saying that it’s also faster in gaming than the $230 Ryzen 5 5600X. The chip includes six P-cores that support hyper-threading and run at a base speed of 2.5 GHz and a boost speed of 4.4 GHz. The 12400 supports cutting-edge connectivity with DDR4-3200 or DDR5-4800 memory, 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and four PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chip for M.2 SSDs.

2. AMD Ryzen 5 5600

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is the best AMD CPU for gaming overall, with a solid blend of gaming and application workloads performance, bringing a new level of value to the Zen 3 lineup. The Ryzen 5 5600 is a great value-oriented alternative to Alder Lake for new builds, and it’s an unbeatable deal if you’re upgrading a first-generation Ryzen system. However, competing Intel Alder Lake processors are a better value for most new builds. The six-core 12-thread Ryzen 5 5600 is available for $184, a significant discount caused by Intel’s competitive pressure.

In our testing, the Ryzen 5 5600 outperforms its more expensive sibling, the $325 Ryzen 7 5800X. The Ryzen 5 5600 has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock of 4.6 GHz, but with proper cooling and a motherboard, you can expect greater short-term boosts. The chip also has a TDP of 65W, which means it runs extremely cool and quiet for its capabilities.

3. Intel Core i9-12900K

The Intel Core i9-12900K was once the fastest gaming processor in the market. At $589, it outperforms AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X in gaming and heavily-threaded content creation tasks, making it an excellent value for high-end game streaming. It is also the undisputed x86 single-threaded performance leader.

The chip has eight hyper-threaded P-cores and eight single-threaded E-cores for 24 threads. P-cores have a base frequency of 3.2 GHz and peak frequencies of 5.2 GHz with Turbo Boost Max 3.0. (this feature is only active on P-cores). Meanwhile, the E-cores have a base frequency of 2.4 GHz that can be increased to 3.9 GHz using the standard Turbo Boost 2.0 algorithms. In addition, the chip has 30MB of L3 cache and 14MB of L2 cache.

4. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X, with 16 cores and 32 threads, is built on the predecessors’ mission of bringing HEDT-class performance to mainstream motherboards, lowering the entry barrier. The 5950X costs $550, which is very low compared to competing HEDT processors in the same performance class. High-end desktop processors have long provided the best performance for the price. Apart from high MSRPs, the chips necessitate costly accommodations such as beefy motherboards and the additional cost of fully populating quad-channel memory controllers. Consider the unavoidable trade-offs, such as decreased performance in light-threaded applications and games. Most cost-conscious users who could benefit from the threaded horsepower of a HEDT chip opt for mainstream offerings.

5. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D consumes far less power than the Core i9-12900KS and 12900K, making it a far cooler processor that won’t necessitate as expensive upgrades such as a beefy cooler, motherboard, and power supply. That means the 5800X3D provides excellent gaming performance while being cooler, quieter, and less expensive than a Core i9.

But Assume you’re willing to accept less-than-ideal performance in desktop PC applications. Also, do your research to ensure that the Ryzen 7 5800X3D can handle the games you frequently play. In that case, it’s difficult to go wrong with this chip, particularly for AMD system upgraders. Suppose you enjoy high-end gaming and understand the strengths and weaknesses of different processors. In that case, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is an impressive chip that delivers cutting-edge gaming performance while leaving room for future GPU upgrades.

6. Intel Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is 12% faster than the Ryzen 7 5800X. However, the $449 Ryzen seven 5800X3D is 13% faster at 1080p than the stock Core i7-12700K, but only 3.6% faster than a CPU overclocked 12700K configuration. The Core i7-12700K got eight P-cores and four E-cores for 20 threads. The P-cores have a base/boost frequency of 3.6 / 5.0 GHz, while the E-cores have a frequency of 2.7 / 3.8 GHz. The 12700K also has cutting-edge connectivity with DDR4-3200 or up to DDR5-4800 memory, as well as 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes and four PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chip for M.2 SSDs. The power rating of the 12700K is 125W PBP (base) and 190W MTP (peak).

Conclusion

Most people searching for a PC gaming processor will use a dedicated graphics card with it. A specific graphics card’s frame rates will change in a given game when paired with various CPUs, though generally, the quantity of force attributable to the CPU greatly relies on your display resolution.

Systems are evolving daily, and new games are venturing, delivering an endless buffet of enjoyment and amusement for your day-to-day requirements. However, not all PCs may be up to the task of that brand-new, power-hungry game with upgraded illustrations. Before buying a new CPU, evaluating which prototype is the right fit for your needs and the gaming type you enjoy is necessary.