Buying Guide
The Best Gaming CPUs, Checked Against the Specs
Five processors that come up again and again in build-advice threads, checked against AMD and Intel specifications.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Search for a gaming CPU and Reddit build threads appear near the top. We did not count forum votes; we took chips that such threads name often and checked each one against AMD and Intel's own specifications.
The ranking reflects cache, cores and platform, not popularity. We did not benchmark these processors.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most Recommended X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DEight cores with 96MB of L3 on AM5.
Best for: Gaming builds at a mid-high budget.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best No-Compromise Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3DZen 5 cores with 96MB of L3.
Best for: Builders who want the top gaming chip.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mid-Budget AM5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XSix Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Budget AM5 builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Classic
AMD Ryzen 5 5600Six cores on AM4 with a boxed cooler.
Best for: The lowest-cost gaming builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Intel
Intel Core i5-14400FTen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Intel builds on a budget.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight cores with 96MB of L3 on AM5. | Gaming builds at a mid-high budget. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3. | Builders who want the top gaming chip. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating. | Budget AM5 builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Six cores on AM4 with a boxed cooler. | The lowest-cost gaming builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support. | Intel builds on a budget. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most Recommended X3D1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has the same 96MB of L3 cache as its successor with an older core design and lower clocks.
Best for
- Gaming builds at a mid-high budget.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
On the same AM5 socket, it is the way into X3D gaming for less. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5600 comes in at 4.4GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on core count (8 cores).
It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen 5 9600X; the Core i5-14400F goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Best No-Compromise Pick2 of 5
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
- Builders who want the top gaming chip.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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 second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (4.4GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 8 cores.
Like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 5 9600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses an AM4 socket. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the nearest cheaper option.
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 Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Best Mid-Budget AM53 of 5
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
- Budget AM5 builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache (32MB). Nothing else here matches its 5.4GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D comes closest at 5.2GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses an AM4 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. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D cost more.
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
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Best Budget Classic4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- The lowest-cost gaming builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 32MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.4GHz, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores). It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on rated power (65W). You get an AM4 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core i5-14400F and its an LGA1700 socket.
DDR4 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses DDR5 memory. You also get DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core i5-14400F was the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
If boost clock is your priority, the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) is the stronger choice.
Best Budget Intel5 of 5
Intel Core i5-14400F
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Intel builds on a budget.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. Its 20MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D leads at 96MB. Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (4.4GHz).
Nothing else here matches its 10 cores core count; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes closest at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 9600X, which has an AM5 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has DDR5 memory instead. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5600 and below the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 20MB
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 10 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (96MB)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 7 7800X3D to the Core i5-14400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 7800X3D for eight cores with 96MB of L3 on AM5; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3; the Ryzen 5 9600X for six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5600 ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Gaming CPU (Reddit Picks)
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Across these 5 picks L3 cache spans 20MB (the Core i5-14400F) to 96MB (the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D sets the ceiling at 96MB.
Boost clock across these picks
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz and the Ryzen 5 5600 sits lowest at 4.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 9600X is the pick for boost clock.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much core count you need
The Core i5-14400F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 5600 sits lowest at 6 cores. Start with the Core i5-14400F if core count decides it.
Memory
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 5 9600X list DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5600 lists DDR4; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Core i5-14400F go without; the Ryzen 5 5600 has it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
How to Choose a Gaming CPU (Reddit Picks)
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming builds at a mid-high budget | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Eight cores with 96MB of L3 on AM5 |
| Builders who want the top gaming chip | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Zen 5 cores with 96MB of L3 |
| Budget AM5 builds | Ryzen 5 9600X | Six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating |
| The lowest-cost gaming builds | Ryzen 5 5600 | Six cores on AM4 with a boxed cooler |
| Intel builds on a budget | Core i5-14400F | Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5600 was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 5 9600X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 9600X or the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D follows at 5.2GHz, 4% apart. The Ryzen 5 5600 is at the other end of this group with 4.4GHz.
Is the Core i5-14400F ahead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D on core count?
The Core i5-14400F leads at 10 cores, with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 8 cores. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D add over the Ryzen 5 5600?
What it brings is L3 cache (96MB against 32MB), boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.4GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5600 still leads on rated power (65W). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5600 was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 5 9600X our Best Mid-Budget AM5 pick?
It carries the badge for six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating. It makes sense for budget AM5 builds.
Do the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 5 5600 differ on socket?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 5 9600X use AM5; the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D include?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D: first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D: second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D earns its reputation with 96MB of cache at a lower price than the 9800X3D, which is the top pick when budget allows. The Ryzen 5 9600X suits budget AM5, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the low-cost AM4 classic, and the Core i5-14400F is the budget Intel chip.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Budget CPUs
- Related guideThe Best AM5 CPUs for Gaming
- 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: motherboardsWhat Is a Motherboard VRM and When Does It Matter?
- 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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