Buying Guide
The Best Processors for a Gaming PC
Six processors for a gaming PC between about $175 and $350 at the time of writing, where most builds spend.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Most gaming PCs spend between about $175 and $350 on the processor at the time of writing. In that range, AMD's X3D chips offer the most cache, while Intel offers more cores.
We compared cache, cores and boost clock 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 Gaming PC Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D96MB of L3 cache on eight cores.
Best for: Most gaming PCs.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Six-Core for Gaming
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D96MB of L3 on six cores.
Best for: Saving for a better graphics card.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best All-Rounder
AMD Ryzen 7 9700XEight Zen 5 cores at a 5.5GHz boost.
Best for: Gaming and light editing.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Gaming Pick
Intel Core i5-14600KF14 cores and 20 threads on LGA1700.
Best for: Intel gaming PCs.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget LGA1851 Chip
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF14 cores on Intel's newer socket.
Best for: New Intel builds on a budget.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best With Included Cooler
AMD Ryzen 7 7700Eight cores with a boxed cooler.
Best for: Builds that skip an aftermarket cooler.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Gaming PC Processor1 of 6
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
- Most gaming PCs.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the same AM5 socket, it is the way into X3D gaming for less. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (4.7GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores.
On rated power it sits mid-pack at 120W: the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 65W, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes in at 125W. It also offers 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. Only the Ryzen 7 9700X 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
- 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 Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Best Six-Core for Gaming2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings 96MB of L3 cache to a six-core AM5 chip at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Saving for a better graphics card.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way into AMD's cache-heavy gaming line on AM5. Its 4.7GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz. On core count it trails the group at 6 cores, while the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at 65W. 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. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 7700 and below the Core i5-14600KF at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
The catch
It gives ground on boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz.
Best All-Rounder3 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
- Gaming and light editing.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the quieter, cooler-running choice when a build balances games with everyday work. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on L3 cache (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF (5.3GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 7700 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 priced above the Core i5-14600KF and below the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 245KF at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Best Intel Gaming Pick4 of 6
Intel Core i5-14600KF
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Intel gaming PCs.
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 display output. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 24MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF on core count (14 cores). You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and its an AM5 socket. DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 7700 uses DDR5 memory.
It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included.
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
- Boost clock of 5.3GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700. If that matters, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Best Budget LGA1851 Chip5 of 6
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- New Intel builds on a budget.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D comes in at 4.7GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14600KF on rated power (125W). You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 9700X and its an AM5 socket. It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 7 7700 was the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 14
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
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
If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (96MB) is the stronger choice.
Best With Included Cooler6 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The Ryzen 7 7700 is the 65W version of the 7700X and ships with a Wraith Prism cooler.
Best for
- Builds that skip an aftermarket cooler.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Core Ultra 5 245KF was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X on core count (8 cores). It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X on rated power (65W). 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. Its price falls between the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming PC Processors
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 set side by side six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 9 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Ryzen 7 7800X3D to the Ryzen 7 7700, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 7800X3D for 96MB of L3 cache on eight cores; the Ryzen 5 7600X3D for 96MB of L3 on six cores; the Ryzen 7 9700X for eight Zen 5 cores at a 5.5GHz boost.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Gaming PC Processor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D tops L3 cache at 96MB and the Core Ultra 5 245KF sits lowest at 24MB; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is the runner-up at 96MB ($150 to $250 tier).
Boost clock
Across these 6 picks boost clock spans 4.7GHz (the Ryzen 5 7600X3D) to 5.5GHz (the Ryzen 7 9700X). The Core i5-14600KF comes second at 5.3GHz, 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 How much core count you need
Across these 6 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7600X3D) to 14 cores (the Core i5-14600KF). For less, the Core Ultra 5 245KF is the runner-up at 14 cores.
Memory
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 7 7700 list DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 6 picks to 5 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core Ultra 5 245KF go without; the Ryzen 7 7700 has it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 5 and 1.
How to Choose a Gaming PC Processor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB of L3 cache on eight cores |
| Saving for a better graphics card | Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB of L3 on six cores |
| Gaming and light editing | Ryzen 7 9700X | Eight Zen 5 cores at a 5.5GHz boost |
| Intel gaming PCs | Core i5-14600KF | 14 cores and 20 threads on LGA1700 |
| New Intel builds on a budget | Core Ultra 5 245KF | 14 cores on Intel's newer socket |
| Builds that skip an aftermarket cooler | Ryzen 7 7700 | Eight cores with a boxed cooler |
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 5 7600X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 32MB | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core Ultra 5 245KF, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Ryzen 7 7700, Ryzen 5 7600X3D, Core i5-14600KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 7 9700X or the Core i5-14600KF?
Between the top two, it is 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X against 5.3GHz on the Core i5-14600KF, a 4% difference. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D is at the other end of this group with 4.7GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (96MB against 24MB) and rated power (120W against 125W) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 245KF still leads on boost clock (5.2GHz) and core count (14 cores). The Core Ultra 5 245KF sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and rated power decide your purchase.
What makes the Core Ultra 5 245KF the Best Budget LGA1851 Chip?
The label rests on 14 cores on Intel's newer socket. It is aimed at new Intel builds on a budget.
Do the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Core i5-14600KF differ on socket?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 use AM5; the Core i5-14600KF uses LGA1700; the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D apart?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D: first-generation AM5 3D V-Cache. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D: 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip. The Ryzen 7 9700X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best processor for most gaming PCs, and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings the same cache for less. The 9700X is the all-rounder, the i5-14600KF and Core Ultra 5 245KF cover Intel, and the Ryzen 7 7700 includes a cooler.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Desktop CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Processors for a Budget 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 Choose a Motherboard for Your PC Build
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Desktop Processors
- 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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