Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for a Gaming PC
Five processors for a gaming PC, led by the large-cache chips that help most in CPU-heavy games.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Games reward fast cores and, above all, a large L3 cache. AMD's X3D chips stack extra cache and lead this list.
We compared cores, boost clock, L3 cache, rated power and platform from manufacturer specifications. Gaming results depend on the graphics card, resolution and game, so we make no frame-rate claims.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Gaming CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Eight Zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3.
Best for: Most high-end gaming builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3.
Best for: High-refresh monitors.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (opens in a new tab)
Best Value X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
96MB of L3 on Zen 4.
Best for: Putting more into the GPU.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Pick
Intel Core i5-14600K
Fourteen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Existing LGA1700 boards.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Best Low-Power Eight-Core
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Quiet or compact builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight Zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3. | Most high-end gaming builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3. | High-refresh monitors. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| 96MB of L3 on Zen 4. | Putting more into the GPU. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| Fourteen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support. | Existing LGA1700 boards. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating. | Quiet or compact builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Gaming CPU1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D pairs AMD's 3D V-Cache with eight Zen 5 cores, and games that lean on cache respond to it more than to extra cores.
Best for
- Most high-end gaming builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the bo rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the chip to pair with a high-end graphics card when the CPU would otherwise hold frame rates back. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in at 5GHz. It also offers second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores and an unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 120W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores
- Unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-14600K at the time of writing
Highest Boost X3D2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a higher-clocked version of the eight-core X3D design.
Best for
- High-refresh monitors.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It targets players who want the most gaming headroom AMD offers in an eight-core chip. It is AMD's second-generation X3D eight-core chip with 96MB of L3 cache. It matches the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D on L3 cache (96MB).
On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz). It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 120W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Higher-clocked take on the 9800X3D design
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-14600K at the time of writing
Best Value X3D3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has the same 96MB of L3 cache as its successor with an older core design and lower clocks.
Best for
- Putting more into the GPU.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
On the same AM5 socket, it is the way into X3D gaming for less. Its 5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9850X3D leads at 5.6GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X at 8 cores.
It also comes with first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache and the Zen 4 architecture. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 9700X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 120W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- First-generation AM5 3D V-Cache
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (5.6GHz)
- Costs more than the Core i5-14600K at the time of writing
Best Intel Pick4 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Existing LGA1700 boards.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. On L3 cache it trails the group at 24MB, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB.
On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.3GHz: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in at 5GHz. Its 14 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D comes next at 8 cores. Its 125W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 65W.
You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 9700X and its an AM5 socket. DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses DDR5 memory. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 7 9700X was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB)
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (65W)
Best Low-Power Eight-Core5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9700X gives eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating without the X3D cache.
Best for
- Quiet or compact builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is the quieter, cooler-running choice when a build balances games with everyday work. Its 32MB L3 cache ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core i5-14600K (24MB). Its 5.5GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (5GHz).
On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (120W). It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
When we checked, only the Core i5-14600K cost less, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D cost more. Core count is its weakest area, and the Core i5-14600K covers it better at 14 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
- Costs more than the Core i5-14600K at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in a CPUs for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
The socket decides your upgrade path
The socket fixes which motherboards and future CPUs you can use. AM5 has had several CPU generations; AM4 has no newer chips coming.
If you plan to upgrade later, a current platform is worth a small premium.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
Integrated graphics are a useful backup
Chips with integrated graphics can drive a display without a graphics card, which helps when troubleshooting or between upgrades. Intel's F and KF models and most AM4 Ryzen chips have none.
How to Choose a CPUs for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most high-end gaming builds | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Eight Zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3 |
| High-refresh monitors | Ryzen 7 9850X3D | A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3 |
| Putting more into the GPU | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB of L3 on Zen 4 |
| Existing LGA1700 boards | Core i5-14600K | Fourteen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| Quiet or compact builds | Ryzen 7 9700X | Eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 96MB | 5.6GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 32MB | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 7 9850X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the rated power figure mean?
It is AMD's default TDP or Intel's base power. Chips can draw more under boost, so size the cooler for sustained loads, not the label alone.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
Is AM4 still worth buying into?
For an upgrade to an existing AM4 system, yes. For a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 gives a longer upgrade path.
What does X3D mean on a Ryzen CPU?
It marks AMD's 3D V-Cache chips, which stack extra L3 cache on the processor. Games that are limited by the CPU tend to run faster on them.
What memory should I pair with it?
AM5 and LGA1851 use DDR5; AM4 uses DDR4. For AM5, a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is a common pairing; check the board's memory support list.
Will a new CPU work in my current motherboard?
Only if the socket matches and the board's BIOS supports it. Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the gaming pick for most high-end builds. The 9850X3D adds boost clock, the 7800X3D saves money, the i5-14600K suits Intel boards, and the 9700X is the efficient eight-core.