Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Content Creation
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 7 265KF has the highest core count, and the Ryzen 9 5900XT costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Content creators switch between editing, encoding and streaming, which rewards many threads at a sensible price. Every pick has 16 or more threads and cost $400 or less, ordered by thread count.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XTA lower price than the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 5950XThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 9900X costs.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 7900XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 9 9900XThe lowest rated power here (120W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KFThe highest core count here (20 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest when we checked. | Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache. | Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 9900X costs. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (120W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (20 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT
The Ryzen 9 5900XT stands out for 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform.
Best for
- Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.8GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. Its 4.8GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5950X at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5950X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses an LGA1851 socket. Like the Ryzen 9 5950X, it has DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 9 9900X uses DDR5 memory. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 9 7900X was closest.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.8GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache
- PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform
- A lower price than the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest when we checked
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 9 7900X instead: it offers 64MB, while this one gives no figure.
Premium Pick2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The Ryzen 9 5950X stands out for 16 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds a liquid cooler recommended by AMD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 9900X costs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.9GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT (4.8GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5900XT at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5900XT, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses an LGA1851 socket. Like the Ryzen 9 5900XT, it has DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 9 9900X uses DDR5 memory. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. Only the Ryzen 9 9900X came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 cores with 72MB of cache
- Liquid cooler recommended by AMD
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB.
Also Consider3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 9900X at 64MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 9900X at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 9 9900X on core count (12 cores). Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 9 9900X leads at 120W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 9900X; the Ryzen 9 5950X goes with an AM4 socket.
It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 9 9900X and Core Ultra 7 265KF; the Ryzen 9 5950X goes with DDR4 memory. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 9 5900XT and the pricier Core Ultra 7 265KF, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 9 9900X (120W)
The catch
The trade-off is rated power; for more, the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 120W.
Lowest Rated Power4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
The Ryzen 9 9900X steps down to 12 cores on Zen 5.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It leaves plenty of threads for an encoder alongside a game, with a lower power rating than the 16-core chips. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 64MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on core count (12 cores). On rated power it leads this guide at 120W, ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 7900X; the Ryzen 9 5950X goes with an AM4 socket.
It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 9 7900X and Core Ultra 7 265KF; the Ryzen 9 5950X goes with DDR4 memory. You also get the Zen 5 architecture. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core Ultra 7 265KF and the pricier Ryzen 9 5950X, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 7 265KF (20 cores)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 9 5900XT at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores.
Highest Core Count5 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
The Core Ultra 7 265KF is the 265K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for any display output. Its 30MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB. Its 5.5GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT (4.8GHz).
Nothing else here matches its 20 cores core count; the Ryzen 9 5900XT comes closest at 16 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 125W: the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 120W, and the Ryzen 9 7900X comes in at 170W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Ryzen 9 7900X, which has an AM5 socket.
Like the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 9 9900X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses DDR4 memory. It was priced above the Ryzen 9 7900X and below the Ryzen 9 9900X at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 30MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 20 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and rated power are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 9 5900XT to the Core Ultra 7 265KF, state boost clock, core count and threads.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no rated power.
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 9 5900XT to the Ryzen 9 5950X, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPUs for Content Creation
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops boost clock at 5.6GHz and the Ryzen 9 5900XT sits lowest at 4.8GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. The Ryzen 9 7900X is the pick for boost clock.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 9900X to 20 cores on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, a 67% spread. For less, the Ryzen 9 5900XT is the runner-up at 16 cores.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC L3 cache across these picks
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 30MB (the Core Ultra 7 265KF) to 64MB (the Ryzen 9 7900X). Start with the Ryzen 9 7900X if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X list DDR4; the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Core Ultra 7 265KF list DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 2.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 9 5900XT, the Ryzen 9 5950X, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Core Ultra 7 265KF go without.
How to Choose a CPUs for Content Creation
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money | Ryzen 9 5900XT | A lower price than the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 9900X costs | Ryzen 9 5950X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 9 7900X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 9 9900X | The lowest rated power here (120W) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core Ultra 7 265KF | The highest core count here (20 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on boost clock at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9900X at 5.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 5900XT | Not listed | 4.8GHz | 16 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 9 5950X | Not listed | 4.9GHz | 16 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 7 265KF or the Ryzen 9 5900XT?
Between the top two, it is 20 cores on the Core Ultra 7 265KF against 16 cores on the Ryzen 9 5900XT, a 25% difference. The Ryzen 9 9900X closes the ranking at 12 cores.
Is the Ryzen 9 9900X ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF on rated power?
The Ryzen 9 9900X is lowest on rated power at 120W; the Core Ultra 7 265KF follows at 125W, 4% apart. The Ryzen 9 7900X is at the other end of this group with 170W. No rated power figure is published for the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Ryzen 9 5950X add over the Ryzen 9 5900XT?
On paper it adds boost clock (4.9GHz against 4.8GHz). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in boost clock cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Core Ultra 7 265KF our Highest Core Count pick?
It earns the label for the highest core count here (20 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 9 5900XT, 20 cores against 16 cores, a 25% margin. It is aimed at anyone who puts core count first.
Do the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 7900X differ on socket?
The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X use AM4; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X use AM5; the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses LGA1851.
What extras do the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X include?
The Ryzen 9 5900XT: 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache. The Ryzen 9 5950X: 16 cores with 72MB of cache. The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 5900XT, chosen for a lower price than the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest when we checked. Look at the Ryzen 9 5950X for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache, the Ryzen 9 7900X for the Zen 4 architecture and the Ryzen 9 9900X for the lowest rated power here (120W) if those matter more to you.
Match the CPU with 32GB of RAM; editing timelines use it quickly.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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