Buying Guide
The Best Desktop CPUs for Gaming
Six desktop processors across AM4, AM5, LGA1700 and LGA1851, so there is a pick whether you are building fresh or upgrading.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The best desktop gaming CPU depends on whether you are building new or keeping a board. New builds get the most from AM5, while AM4 and LGA1700 owners can upgrade without replacing memory.
We compared cache, cores, rated power and socket from AMD and Intel specifications; we did not benchmark these processors.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best New-Build Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D96MB of L3 cache on AM5.
Best for: New high-refresh builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Current-Socket Intel
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF20 cores without integrated graphics.
Best for: New Intel builds.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Efficient AM5 Chip
AMD Ryzen 7 9700XEight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Quiet builds with a modest cooler.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best LGA1700 Upgrade
Intel Core i5-14600KF14 cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Existing 600- and 700-series boards.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Upgrade
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D96MB of L3 cache on AM4 with DDR4.
Best for: Upgrading an older Ryzen PC.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest-Cost LGA1851
Intel Core Ultra 5 225FTen cores at a lower price.
Best for: Budget Intel builds.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best New-Build Pick1 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
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
- New high-refresh builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
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. Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Core Ultra 7 265KF (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 8 cores.
On rated power it sits mid-pack at 120W: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 65W, and the Core Ultra 5 225F comes in at 125W. Like the Ryzen 7 9700X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses an AM4 socket. It also comes with second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores and an unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips. Only the Ryzen 7 5800X3D came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key 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 Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Best Current-Socket Intel2 of 6
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
The Core Ultra 7 265KF is the 265K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- New Intel builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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 ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (20MB). It matches the Ryzen 7 9700X on boost clock (5.5GHz).
Nothing else here matches its 20 cores core count; the Core i5-14600KF comes closest at 14 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14600KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i5-14600KF uses an LGA1700 socket.
You also get 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. It was priced above the Core i5-14600KF and below the Ryzen 7 9700X 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
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 7 9800X3D; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has it.
Best Efficient AM5 Chip3 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The Ryzen 7 9700X gives eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating without the X3D cache.
Best for
- Quiet builds with a modest cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 32MB: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB, and the Core Ultra 5 225F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 5.5GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes closest at 105W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D; the Core i5-14600KF goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Core Ultra 7 265KF and the pricier Ryzen 7 5800X3D, at the time of writing.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Best LGA1700 Upgrade4 of 6
Intel Core i5-14600KF
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Existing 600- and 700-series boards.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. Its 24MB L3 cache ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (20MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Core Ultra 7 265KF (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 14 cores: the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F at 125W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Core Ultra 7 265KF, which has DDR5 memory. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier.
Key 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
- No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 7 9800X3D; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has it.
Best AM4 Upgrade5 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Upgrading an older Ryzen PC.
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 lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 96MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.5GHz, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 5.5GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X on core count (8 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks second of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (65W) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (125W). You get an AM4 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core i5-14600KF and its an LGA1700 socket.
DDR4 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses DDR5 memory. It also offers a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Rated power of 105W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
If boost clock is your priority, the Core Ultra 7 265KF (5.5GHz) is the stronger choice.
Lowest-Cost LGA18516 of 6
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Budget Intel builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 20MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads at 96MB. Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Core Ultra 7 265KF (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265KF and the Core i5-14600KF at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 7 265KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i5-14600KF uses an LGA1700 socket.
It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14600KF the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 20MB
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 10 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 10
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB.
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 compared six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to the Core Ultra 5 225F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 9800X3D for 96MB of L3 cache on AM5; the Core Ultra 7 265KF for 20 cores without integrated graphics; the Ryzen 7 9700X for eight cores at a 65W rating.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Desktop Gaming CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 20MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F to 96MB on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, a 380% spread. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes second at 96MB, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 6 picks boost clock spans 4.5GHz (the Ryzen 7 5800X3D) to 5.5GHz (the Core Ultra 7 265KF). If boost clock is your first filter, the Core Ultra 7 265KF sets the ceiling at 5.5GHz.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC Core count across these picks
The Core Ultra 7 265KF tops core count at 20 cores and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D sits lowest at 8 cores. The Core i5-14600KF comes second at 14 cores, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Memory
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Core Ultra 5 225F list DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D lists DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 4, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Core i5-14600KF, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Core Ultra 5 225F go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 6.
How to Choose a Desktop Gaming CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New high-refresh builds | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB of L3 cache on AM5 |
| New Intel builds | Core Ultra 7 265KF | 20 cores without integrated graphics |
| Quiet builds with a modest cooler | Ryzen 7 9700X | Eight cores at a 65W rating |
| Existing 600- and 700-series boards | Core i5-14600KF | 14 cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| Upgrading an older Ryzen PC | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB of L3 cache on AM4 with DDR4 |
| Budget Intel builds | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ten cores at a lower price |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 32MB | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14600KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Core Ultra 7 265KF, Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core i5-14600KF compare with the Core Ultra 7 265KF on core count?
The Core Ultra 7 265KF leads at 20 cores, with the Core i5-14600KF at 14 cores. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D closes the ranking at 8 cores.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 7 9700X or the Ryzen 7 5800X3D?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 9700X against 105W on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, a 38% difference. The Core Ultra 5 225F is at the other end of this group with 125W.
What does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
What it brings is L3 cache (96MB against 20MB), boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.9GHz) and rated power (120W against 125W). It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 225F still leads on core count (10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in the $250 to $500 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-14600KF our Best LGA1700 Upgrade pick?
It earns the label for 14 cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support. The Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at existing 600- and 700-series boards.
Do the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Core Ultra 7 265KF differ on socket?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X use AM5; the Core Ultra 7 265KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Core i5-14600KF uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses AM4.
What extras do the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Core Ultra 7 265KF include?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D: second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores. The Core Ultra 7 265KF: 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. The Ryzen 7 9700X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the new-build pick, and the Core Ultra 7 265KF is the Intel alternative. The Ryzen 7 9700X runs cool at 65W, the i5-14600KF upgrades LGA1700 boards, the 5800X3D extends AM4, and the Core Ultra 5 225F is the budget Intel chip.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Desktop Processors
- Related guideThe Best Processors for a Gaming PC
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget CPUs for a Gaming PC
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
- ExplainerCPU Name Suffixes Explained: K, KF, F, X, X3D and G
- Check compatibility: motherboardsHow to Check Motherboard BIOS Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best CPU for Gaming
- Topic hubAll processors guides
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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