If you are into gaming, you will already be aware of the huge number of accessories for gamers on the market. Headsets, chairs, custom controllers, and more are all out there to enhance the game experience. But have you considered optimizing your gaming system? Spending a little time and cost on gearing up your package can offer huge benefits in terms of improved system performance. Upgrading your system is sure to result in user enjoyment while playing your favorites, whether they are sports, puzzle, trivia, or multiplayer role-playing games.
One of the most impactful changes you can make to your system is to upgrade the CPU. Fast processors are essential for speedy and responsive movement as well as superlative graphic displays. But there is a whole range available and the terminology can seem confusing to the uninitiated!
If you are looking to select the best CPUs for the gaming experience, read on for our tips, tricks, and best buys. Let us take the stress out of the buying process with expert advice and guidance so you can sit back, relax, and spend more time gaming.
Tips Choosing a Gaming CPU
Not sure where to start? Read on for our expert tips in choosing the best CPU gaming product for your needs. We’ll have you feeling confident about the buying process in no time!
1 What do you need?
It can be easy to be dazzled by the amazing specs and range of cheap CPUs available on the market. There are choices for every budget, from high-end products to great value, lower-cost processors. A good way to narrow down the selection is to make a list of exactly what you need from a new processor:
- Functions: is your system just for games, or do you need high-performance streaming and video editing, too?
- Portability: do you have a dedicated space for your PC, or do you prefer a portable laptop?
- Tech: do you crave the latest releases or are you happy to pay less for slightly older models?
2 Look for additional features
The standard measurements for CPU performance are core count and clock speed. In general, the higher the clock speed and the number of cores, the faster the processor. However, some processors offer additional features that are perfect for serious gamers, such as integrated graphics, which are great for streaming and editing video. Make sure to check out any extra features when you’re shopping around.
3 Set a budget
When you’re looking for the best gaming CPU, the choice can be overwhelming. Our tried and true method for narrowing the field is to set a budget that you’re comfortable with. You’ll find choices from entry-level to high-end processors on the market, so decide what you’re happy to spend and then narrow your search to products within that price range. Whilst you’re upgrading your setup, you may also want to set aside extra for improved storage, graphics card, and RAM for a truly immersive game experience.
What CPU brand is better for gaming?
Many people associate Intel with processors and are familiar with the Intel Core range thanks to market share and advertising. However, in recent years the gamer community has accepted AMD as a serious competitor. The AMD Ryzen CPU is a serious competitor to the Intel Cores, with incredibly fast performance and impressive specs.
Both Intel and AMD are consistently releasing high-performance CPUs and many users will find little difference between the two brands. However, for gaming purposes, especially coupled with video streaming and/or editing, users will want to look for the processor offering the best gaming performance with high-end graphics capability.
When we’re talking high-end CPUs, the best choices for great gaming are for sure the Intel Core i9 10900K and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. Both products offer superfast processing speeds, perfect for both gaming and non-gaming uses.
What Ryzen CPU is best for gaming?
If you’re working with an unlimited spend, Ryzen 9 3900X is overall AMD’s best CPU for gaming. With 12 cores and 24 threads, it’s not the fastest AMD processor but it doesn’t need to be for excellent performance in games. It’s affordable compared with some of its competition, includes a Wraith Prism cooler, and is sure to delight most home gamers.
For pro gamers who need even more performance speed, check out the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. It’s multithreaded (32 to be precise), has a whopping 16 cores, is power-efficient, and compatible with most AM4 boards. This Ryzen 9 3950X offers excellent core performance and is a serious choice for a gaming PC.
What is the best value for money CPU?
Looking for decent overall value? Take a look at the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, ideal for game streaming, editing, and general PC usage. It offers more threads than its counterpart, the Intel Core i7-9700K, at a lower price, meaning it offers excellent value without compromising performance. For the everyday gamer, this would be a fantastic choice, especially when coupled with a decent graphics card. What’s more, it comes with a bundled cooler, so you don’t have to worry about your system overheating. Delivering enough cores and threads for the casual gamer, the Ryzen 7 3700X is a fantastic value choice for gaming performance.
What is the best budget CPU for gaming?
If you’re on a low budget, you still want to find the best CPU for gaming and the Ryzen range has you covered. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G comes in at under £100 at many retailers yet offers the speed and graphics performance you need for many game titles. It comes with an integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics engine that eliminated the need for a discrete graphics card. Game performance will be slightly slower than with some of the newer and more expensive Ryzen products, but if your budget is tight, this would be a great choice for everyday playing!
