Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Esports
From the Ryzen 5 9600X to the Ryzen 7 9700X: three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Esports titles chase frame rates that depend on single-core speed. Every pick boosts to 5.3GHz or more and cost $300 or less.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700XThe highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XThe cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700X.
Best for: Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 7700XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700X. | Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Its L3 cache is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Nothing else here matches its 5.5GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 5 9600X comes closest at 5.4GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on core count (8 cores).
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. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 32MB.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz. Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 8 cores.
You also get the Zen 5 architecture. 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 7 7700X was the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700X
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (8 cores)
The catch
If core count is your priority, the Ryzen 7 9700X (8 cores) is the stronger choice.
Also Consider3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on boost clock (5.4GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X at 8 cores.
You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9700X cost more. Boost clock is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 7 9700X covers it better at 5.5GHz.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing
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 three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 7 9700X to the Ryzen 7 7700X, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 9700X gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 9700X gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 9600X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 9700X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 3 picks boost clock spans 5.4GHz (the Ryzen 7 7700X) to 5.5GHz (the Ryzen 7 9700X). The Ryzen 7 9700X is the pick for boost clock.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 9600X to 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 9700X, a 33% spread. The Ryzen 7 7700X comes second at 8 cores, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 9700X.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Rated power across these picks
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops rated power at 65W and the Ryzen 7 7700X sits lowest at 105W. If rated power is your first filter, the Ryzen 5 9600X sets the ceiling at 65W. The Ryzen 7 9700X gives no rated power figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700X: a 5nm process.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 9700X at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Esports
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
| Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money | Ryzen 5 9600X | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700X |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 7 7700X | The Zen 4 architecture |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads on boost clock at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X at 5.4GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 7 9700X leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 9600X, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 9700X at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 7 7700X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz, with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 5.4GHz.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 5 9600X or the Ryzen 7 7700X?
The Ryzen 5 9600X is lowest on rated power at 65W; the Ryzen 7 7700X follows at 105W, 38% apart. No rated power figure is published for the Ryzen 7 9700X, which leaves 2 of 3 picks ranked here.
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 9600X?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.4GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). The Ryzen 5 9600X sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 9700X in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 9700X the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). The Ryzen 5 9600X is next on boost clock at 5.4GHz, so this pick's 5.5GHz is 2% further out. The Ryzen 5 9600X, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts boost clock first.
Which of these processors have integrated graphics?
The Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X have it. The maker of the Ryzen 7 9700X doesn't state integrated graphics, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 5 9600X apart?
The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 9700X, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). Look at the Ryzen 5 9600X for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7700X for the Zen 4 architecture if those matter more to you.
Pair with fast DDR5 for the highest frame rates.
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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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