We rated, reviewed, & compared 22 of the best processors for gaming across various budgets. These top gaming CPUs are perfect for gamers or anyone else looking for a solid desktop processor.
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NAME | CORE(THR) | CLOCK | RATING | ||
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TOP PICK
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Intel Core i7-8700K | 6(12) | 3.7GHz(4.7GHz) | 9.5/10 |
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MID-RANGE
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Intel Core i5-8400 | 6(6) | 2.8GHz(4.0GHz) | 9.0/10 |
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MID-RANGE OC
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AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | 6(12) | 3.2GHz(3.6GHz) | 9.0/10 |
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VALUE
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Intel Core i3-8100 | 4(4) | 3.6GHz | 8.7/10 |
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BUDGET
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Intel Pentium G4560 | 2(4) | 3.5GHz | 8.1/10 |
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[expand title=”Check Update History »” trigclass=”noarrow” targclass=”maptastic”]
11/8: Added AMD’s Ryzen 3 processors as well as Intel’s new Coffee Lake chips.
9/12: Added AMD Threadripper Processors and newer Intel Extreme processors.
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The processor is at the center of everything in your computer. It is the “brains” of the operation. And, in order to build a solid gaming computer in 2018, you’re going to need a quality CPU. While some games (like first person shooters) are heavily dependent on your graphics card, other games (like RTS’ and MMORPGs) have many more calculations that need to be carried out and therefore utilize your processor more.
This should factor into your decision when looking for the best gaming CPU for your build.
Another thing you’ll need to take into account is the total budget you’ve set for your build. You obviously don’t want to spend $300 on a processor if you’re building a $400 budget gaming PC, because you wouldn’t have very much money left over for other parts.
And, likewise, putting a $100 processor in a high-end $1,000 gaming PC probably isn’t a good use of your budget as well.
In this post, we will take a look at the best CPUs for gaming in 2018. I’ve broken down the categories into five different price ranges: the best processors over $400, the best processors under $400, the best processors under $300, the best processors under $200, and the best processors under $100.
For each price range, there are multiple CPUs listed and each one has a brief overview of the processor as well as a list of specifications.
BEST GAMING CPUs OVER $400
With the introduction of AMD’s new Ryzen processors and Intel’s new Coffee Lake chips, the landscape of desktop processors has shifted.
AMD has long held value in the budget sector for desktop processors, but now they have entered into the conversation when discussing the best all-around CPUs on the market.
And, for the first time in a long time, it is worth considering either of the top two CPU manufacturer’s high-end processors.
Of course, Intel’s new i7-8700K six-core 12-thread CPU is probably the best option value-wise in the over $400 price range, as the performance gain between it and the $900 CPUs listed below will be negligible for most users.
However, for those of you who have extreme budgets and want the best of the best, AMD’s Threadripper processors and Intel’s extreme chips might be more of what you’re looking for.
Ultimately, though, while Threadripper and Intel’s extreme chips might be a worthy option if you have an enormous budget for your upcoming build, as of right now you’d get better value out of the i7-8700K or even one of the CPUs from the lower budget ranges. And, this is especially true if you will mainly be using your system for gaming.
A COMPARISON OF THE TOP CPUS OVER $400 (CLICK ‘READ REVIEW’ TO EXPAND)
Intel Core i7-8700K |
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Recommendation
The Intel Core i7-8700K checks off every area that enthusiasts look for in a CPU. It’s a monster overclocker, its single core performance is phenomenal, it does very well in multi-threaded applications, and its price is still on par with the competition (considering the value you get). If you’re looking to build a high-end PC with very few limitations you might want to start with the 8700K.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.7GHz(4.7GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(12) |
TDP | 95W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i7-8700K
After years of sticking to quad-core chips with hyperthreading on their mainstream processors, Intel has finally decided to up their game and challenge AMD for the title of the best mainstream multi-core chips.
With six-cores and 12 threads, Intel’s i7-8700K is at the pinnacle of their new Coffee Lake architecture.
The i7-8700K has a ton going for it.
For starters, it’s an unlocked processor that comes with a base clock of 3.7GHz with a boost of up to 4.7GHz. However, even more impressive than its base and boost clocks are the fact that early results show that the i7-8700K is a phenomenal overclocker.
A lot of users have been able to hit stable overclocks of as high as 5GHz with high-end air coolers and AIO coolers.
The chips is a bit costlier than Intel’s mainstream i7 processors, but the chips are also short in supply at the moment, so we could see prices fall back into the mid $300s when there are more available.
Ultimately, though, if you are looking for a processor for gaming, as well as for doing some multi-threaded heavy type work (like editing and rendering) have you have a large budget, the Intel Core i7-8700K is probably the option you should be considering. One of AMD’s Ryzen 7 CPUs might be worth considering if you will be primarily be using your machine for multi-threaded applications, but even there the i7-8700K is no slouch and considering it’s single-core performance is well ahead of Ryzen’s higher-end chips, the 8700K is probably the best all-around chip currently available.
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Intel Core i9-7900X |
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Recommendation
The Intel Core i9-9700X is a CPU that has a 2066 socket and is compatible with an Intel X299 chipset that has advanced clocking technology. The 10-core, 20-thread model, has a 3.3 GHz base clock and can be overclocked through Turbo Boost 2.0 to 4.3GHz, and with Turbo Boost Max 3.0 to 4.5GHz. It’s a great choice to effectively handle visually demanding titles that incorporate virtual reality or need high frame rates.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Skylake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.3GHz(4.3GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 10(20) |
TDP | 140W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
Intel Core i9-7900X
The latest in processing technology, the Intel Core i9-9700X combines a 10-core, 20-thread model with a 140W TDP, and 13.75MF on a restacked L3 cache.
Also included in the package is the reconfigured Turbo Boost 3.0 technology with support that’s native to Windows 10 so you won’t need a driver to operate the enhancement. The base clock speed of the system is 3.3 GHz. Turbo Boost 2.0 allows for two system cores to go to 4.3GHz, two to hit 4.1 GHz, and those remaining to clock in at 4.0GHz. The Turbo Boost Max 3.0 feature gives you power on top of Turbo Boost 2.0 and takes your clock speed up to 4.5 GHz.
Also, the CPU supports up to 128GB of memory and has an enhanced memory speed of 2666MHz.
The CPU has a 2066 socket and is compatible with an Intel X299 chipset.
These system enhancements make it a great fit for any gamer who needs advanced streaming and graphics capabilities. If you’re playing a lot of virtual reality games, for example, the processor will meet your needs and give you realistic gaming experiences with even the most demanding titles. It produces high frame rates and gives you that immersive VR feel that you’re looking for.
The overclocking capabilities and options with this CPU are second to none. You can tune your voltage with precision on each core, and make customized selections that allow your processor to meet your specifications.
If you’re using a 4k monitor and want state of the art streaming, 3D modeling, and visual effects in every application, the Intel Core i9-9700X can support these functions. Through the combined power of the multi-core processors and the Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology, you can render images without any fragmenting or having to wait for load times.
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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X |
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Recommendation
If you’re looking for the biggest, strongest, and fastest CPU available, and your budget isn’t an issue, AMD’s Ryzen 1950x is a top choice. Also known as the Threadripper, this 16-core, 32-thread CPU boasts tremendous processing power. It comes with a 3.4 GHz base and overclocking capabilities up to 4.2 GHz. The Game Mode allows you to play older titles without any system issues.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Zen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.4GHz(4GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 16(32) |
TDP | 180W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | sTR4 |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Billed as the fastest multi-threaded processor compatible with a consumer desktop PC that’s ever been built, the AMD Ryzen 1950X makes a bold claim.
This CPU operates an unheard of 16 cores and 32 threads of processing power, giving you up to 38% more performance than comparably priced models according to the manufacturer, AMD.
The Ryzen 1950x is unlocked for overclocking, giving you a 3.4GHz base speed and speeds of 4.0 GHz with precision boost, and up to 4.2 GHz with XFR. The CPU includes 40MB of cache memory and 64 PCIe Gen3 Lanes along with a Quad-Channel DDR4.
The system gives you performance and technology benefits no matter what your needs, and as a strictly gaming CPU it could arguably be a bit of overkill. But, if you’re looking for more cores than you know what to do with, it’s one of the best choices on the market today.
That said, no matter how experienced you are with building your own system, you’ll want to take a minute to read the manual before assembling the AMD Ryzen 1950x. As the first in its class, it uses a new CPU socket, the sTR4, and features a land-grid array that deviates from the typical pin-grid style of AMD. There are some delicate parts to the process, so taking the time to get it right will not only make installation simpler but could save you from making costly mistakes.
Additionally, if you’re planning to use this CPU, also known as Threadripper, strictly for gaming, the option to use game mode is an attractive feature. When AMD was testing the new system, they noticed that some games that need lower latency to run effectively were having issues with crashing because they couldn’t handle the number of CPU cores. To combat this, they introduced Game Mode that switches from Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) to Local Mode. This effectively shunts the memory access to one memory controller to lower latency allowing you to play older games without issue.
Ultimately, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is the best AMD processor ever built.
Intel Core i7-7820X |
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Recommendation
If you’re looking for an 8-core, 16-thread CPU, the Core i7-7820X is a good value for the money. It works with the Intel X299 chipset, has an LGA 2066 socket and a base clock speed of 3.6GHz. You can achieve up to 4.5GHz of customizable speed using Intel’s Turbo Boost technologies inherent in the system.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Skylake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz(4.3GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 8(16) |
TDP | 140W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
Intel Core i7-7820X
Just one step down from the top of the line CPU from Intel, the Core i7-7820X is an 8-core, 16-thread processor that incorporates top of the line technology for blazing fast gaming speed.
The i7-7280X is compatible with the Intel X299 chipset and has an LGA 2066 socket. The overclocking enabled CPU has a base clock speed of 3.6GHz that can be ramped up to 4.3 GHz through Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and 4.5 GHz utilizing Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Frequency.
In addition, there’s an 11 MB L3 cache, 140W TDP, 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes, and quad-channel DDR4-2666 memory support.
As a gamer, this CPU gives you extremely high frame rates allowing you to play the most advanced titles that include graphic enhancements like virtual reality or 3D without any issues. In addition, 4K streaming and gaming to multiple monitors render perfectly every time.
Built-in Thunderbolt 3 technology makes it easy to transfer large files quickly, whether they are gaming packets or high definition graphics or video files.
Finally, the overclocking customization options on the i7-7280X are some of the most advanced ones available. You can tune your system by adjusting the voltage to each individual core and make precise adjustments that create a truly custom-built system that matches what you want from your gaming experience.
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AMD Ryzen 1920X |
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Recommendation
The AMD Ryzen 1920X is the little brother in the Threadripper series that still offers an enormous bang for your buck. The 12-core, 24-thread processor, has a 3.5 GHz base clock that can reach up to 4.2 GHz with overclocking. The 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes make it stand out from its competition, and performance tests show it can deliver up to 11% better results than comparable processors from other manufacturers.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Zen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz(4.0GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 12(24) |
TDP | 180W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | sTR4 |
AMD Ryzen 1920X
If the 16 cores in the 1950X seem like overkill, you might find what you’re looking for in the processor that’s one step down in the Threadripper series from AMD, the Ryzen 1920X. With an average price point of around $200 less than its 1950X counterpart, the AMD 1920X features a 12-core, 24-thread processor that will get the job done on any modern gaming title.
The base clock operates at 3.5GHz. With precision boost, it reaches 4.0 GHz, and it can go up to 4.2 GHz with XFR.
The CPU includes 38 MB of cache memory, and like its more expensive counterpart, it has 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes. This feature is one of the main ones that differentiate it from the Intel processors which have significantly less.
The 1920x uses a quad-channel DDR4 and a 180W TDP.
According to the manufacturer, the Threadripper 1920X delivers up to 11% more performance than competitive systems by other manufacturers on a variety of benchmark tests.
While this isn’t a gaming-specific system, with modifications and configurations, it can be the ultimate beast for your gaming set up. It’s also a powerful tool for anyone who needs a processor capable of high-definition content creation including video, photos, photo editing, 3D imaging and virtual reality experiences.
BEST GAMING CPUs UNDER $400
The CPUs listed in this price range are split with two AMD CPUs and two Intel CPUs. As of right now, the consensus among most benchmarks shows that Intel’s Coffee Lake processors outperform AMD’s Ryzen processors by a decent amount in gaming-specific scenarios.
However, the CPU you choose will not have nearly as big of an impact on your in-game performance as will your video card. Rather, when choosing a processor for your gaming computer, you want to choose one that will not hinder the performance of your video card.
It’s important to note that all of the CPUs in this price range will handle any game just fine and will not hinder even the most powerful of video cards. Even the processors below $300 that are listed below are very viable options and will not create a bottleneck in the majority of situations.
So, then why choose one of these processors if you can save money and go with a sub-$300 CPU?
Well, mostly because these CPUs offer better overall processor performance. While they may not offer more in-game performance, they will provide better performance outside of gaming. So, if you’re looking to do more than just game and high processing power is important to you, then the processors listed below are a good choice.
A COMPARISON OF THE TOP CPUS UNDER $400 (CLICK ‘READ REVIEW’ TO EXPAND)
Intel Core i7-8700 |
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Recommendation
The Intel Core i7-8700 is perfect if you want to build a high-end gaming/workstation build and you have no desire (or need) to overclock your system. Although, in this price range, it’s not a huge leap in cost to get the OC chip, especially when you consider that at the moment, your only option is a more-expensive Z370 motherboard anyways.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.2GHz(4.6GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(12) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i7-8700
If you’re not looking to overclock your processor, but you still want a high-end multi-core option, the Intel Core i7-8700 is a nice alternative to the i7-8700K and it comes in a bit cheaper.
However, as the i7-8700K can hit fairly high overclocks, there is some potential performance loss. But, for most use-cases, overclocking won’t be necessary and the i7-8700 is worth considering.
The 8700, like the 8700K is a six-core, 12-thread processor. It has a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and a boost of 4.6GHz.
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AMD Ryzen 7 1800X |
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Recommendation
Ryzen has definitely given Intel a run for the money. However, it still appears as if Intel’s high-end options hold a performance edge over AMD’s new CPUs in gaming-specific uses. In my opinion, if you want an AMD CPU, you could save a lot of money without seeing a big performance dip if you went with the Ryzen 7 1700 instead of the more expensive 1800X.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz(4.0GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 8(16) |
TDP | 95W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
AMD’s flagship processor for its AM4 platform is the Ryzen 7 1800X.
With 8 cores and 16 threads, the 7 1800X is a real monster. It starts out with a base clock of 3.6GHz and has a “precision” boost of 4.0GHz.
The Ryzen 7 1800X is a high-end performer that will work for you if you are looking for something that can both deliver good performance while gaming and handle multi-threaded applications with ease.
The 1800X is still fairly expensive, though, and only makes sense for builders who are looking to build an extreme setup.
If gaming is your main concern, though, you may want to check out the Ryzen 7 1700X or Ryzen 7 1700 (if you’re deadset on AMD) or an Intel Core i7-8700K or i5-8600K, as they are a bit cheaper and will still offer similar in-game performance (and in the case of Intel’s Coffee Lake chips, outperform the Ryzen 7 1800X).
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Intel Core i7-7800X |
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Recommendation
The Intel Core i7-7800X CPU offers a 6-core, 12-thread set up that utilizes the X299 chipset and an LGA 2066 socket. It has 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes, an 8.25 MB L3 memory cache, and uses quad-channel DDR4-2400 memory support. Its base clock speed is 3.5GHz, and with Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology you can achieve 4.0 GHz.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Skylake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.5GHz(4.0GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(8) |
TDP | 140W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
Intel Core i7-7800X
If you want the latest in Intel processing technology, but have a mid-range budget, the Core i7-7800X could be the perfect fit for you. This CPU has six cores and 12 threads and is compatible with the cutting-edge Intel X299 chipset. Like other modern processors from Intel, it has an LGA 2066 socket and comes equipped with 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
The 8.25 MB L3 cache is supported by quad-channel DDR4-2400 memory support. It uses 140W TDP and weighs just over two pounds.
While it doesn’t have the Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology you see in some of the high-end models from Intel, it does incorporate Turbo Boost 2.0 Frequency Technology which results in comparably fast overclocked speeds. The base clock speed is 3.5GHz, and with overclocking you can achieve up to 4.0GHz.
Like other processors from this manufacturer, there are several customizable options, especially when it comes to overclocking your system. You can tune each core individually and specifically to achieve your desired results.
This CPU has more than enough juice to effectively render images in virtual reality or 3D gaming environments at 4K resolutions with ease. It also is Intel Optane memory ready and can support Intel Optane SSDs which eliminate data center storage bottlenecks to streamline your gaming experience further.
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X |
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Recommendation
The Ryzen 7 1700X has eight cores and 16 threads and its low TDP make this a high-performing and very efficient processor. The only downside to the 1700X, though, is the fact that it’s little brother (the 1700) will perform just as well in most scenarios and comes in at nearly $70 cheaper.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.4GHz(3.8GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 8(16) |
TDP | 95W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X
At just under $400, AMD’s Ryzen 7 1700X is a real machine. It boasts a 3.4GHz clock rate, eight cores & 16 threads, and 4MB/16MB of L2/L3 cache.
The 1700X is so good, that it can hold its own against Intel’s high-end CPUs across a wide-range of uses. And, while Intel’s Coffee Lake processors will deliver better performance in gaming, the Ryzen CPUs are a worthy—if not better—option for uses like streaming gameplay, video editing, graphics design, etc.)
It also sports a 95W TDP, which, in comparison to older AMD architectures is a huge boost.
Still, though, despite the Ryzen 7 1700X being a phenomenal option and the best performer in this price range, you could go with the Ryzen 7 1700 instead for a bit cheaper and still get incredible performance.
Either way you choose, though, going with a Ryzen CPU—even with the release of Intel’s Coffee Lake chips—still looks like a pretty solid option at the moment (especially if you are looking to do the non-gaming tasks listed above).
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BEST GAMING CPUs UNDER $300
With AMD’s and Intel’s recent releases of their processors, the market for mid-range CPUs is more competitive now than it has been in some time.
AMD’s Ryzen chips are solid options that give you more cores for the price.
Intel has finally decided to give us more than four cores with their release of their Coffee Lake architecture, all the while keeping their lead over AMD in terms of single-core performance.
If you’re building a PC strictly for gaming, you’ll likely want to go with one of Intel’s new Coffee Lake chips. However, for editing or any other multi-threaded tasks, a Ryzen processor might be the way you’ll want to go.
Ultimately, though, if you have between $200-$300 to spend on your processor, you likely won’t be decided which way you go, as both Ryzen and Coffee Lake are more than good enough for most users’ needs.
A COMPARISON OF THE TOP CPUS UNDER $300 (CLICK ‘READ REVIEW’ TO EXPAND)
AMD Ryzen 7 1700 |
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Recommendation
If you’re building a brand new system and you have a decent-sized budget, an AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is a worthy option. It won’t quite perform on par with an i7-8700K in gaming, but it’s extra cores and threads make it a really good option in other CPU-dependant tasks. So, if you’re looking for a CPU that will help you do more than gaming, the 7 1700 might be your best bet.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.0GHz(3.7GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 8(16) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
In my opinion, as of right now, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is one of the best options currently on the market. Not because it is the highest performing CPU on this list (it’s close), but because of all of the new Ryzen CPUs that have been released, the 1700 offers the best price-to-performance.
Yes, it’s true that in the grand scheme of things an Intel Core i7-8700K still performs better than the new Ryzen CPUs when gaming.
Gaming nowadays is just way more GPU-dependent than CPU dependent, and both Intel’s i5 and i7 processors and AMD’s new Ryzen CPUs are more than enough to avoid bottlenecking today’s top GPUs.
However, the one bright spot of the Ryzen 7 1700 is that with eight cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen 7 1700 is well-suited for things like video editing, streaming, and doing graphics design. Yes, the new 8700K and 8700 have added more cores and threads (they’re both six-core, 12-thread CPUs) and they have closed the gap in multi-threaded applications. However, they are quite a bit more expensive to build with and so the Ryzen 7 1700 is still the way to go at certain price points if you will be doing a lot of editing as well as gaming.
Ultimately, though, if you are building your computer for more than just gaming and you don’t quite have the budget to fit in an i7-8700K or 8700, then the 7 1700 is definitely an option you’ll want to consider.
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Intel Core i5-8600K |
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Recommendation
The i5-8600K is a six-core (and six-thread) processor that will serve well in mid-range to higher-end builds. It won’t offer quite as good of performance in multi-threaded applications as the 8700K and it is quite a bit more expensive to build with than the Ryzen 6 1600 or i5-8400, but all-in-all it is a very worthy CPU for people who are working with moderate budgets to build their systems with.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz(4.3GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(6) |
TDP | 95W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i5-8600K
I’m a little torn on the i5-8600K. Intel’s unlocked Core i5 processor has always typically been their sweet spot for mid-range to-high-end gaming builds. And, really, the 8600K is an excellent chip, especially when you consider Coffee Lake i5’s have bumped up to six-core CPUs.
However, Intel’s unlocked Core i5 processor has not had any significant competition in a long time. In my opinion, the 8600K has two main competitors that currently offer better value and those are the Ryzen 5 1600 and Intel’s own i5-8400.
With the Ryzen 5 1600, you can pair it with a sub-$80 motherboard and keep the stock cooler and still be able to hit mild overclocks. And, the total cost to build a system with a Ryzen 5 1600 setup (CPU, motherboard, and stock cooler), is going to be at least $100 lower than it will to build a system with an i5-8600K setup (CPU, motherboard, and aftermarket cooler).
The other option is Intel’s Core i5-8400, which while it can’t be overclocked, it does come in at almost $80 lower than the i5-8600K and it does include a stock cooler.
The problem with the i5-8400, though, is that there are no affordable H-series motherboards to pair it with and so it is still a more expensive CPU to build with than the Ryzen 5 1600.
Of course, both the i5-8600K and 8400 will outperform the Ryzen 5 1600 in gaming-only scenarios as they offer stronger single-core performance across their cores.
But the problem is, of course, that the extra money you will have to spend on one of these Coffee lake chips could potentially force you to bump down on your graphics card, which will ultimately have a bigger impact on your in-game performance.
So. there will be a bit of a dilemma for gamers who are building mid-range to upper mid-range builds. But in the end, all three of these processors are solid options and there probably won’t be too many scenarios where someone would be angry with choosing any of the three we just discussed over the others.
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AMD Ryzen 5 1600X |
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Recommendation
While the Ryzen 5 1600X is a solid processor, you’d probably be better off saving money by going with the Ryzen 5 1600 and overclocking it to match the speeds of the 1600X. Ultimately, the costs involved with the 1600X make it a bit hard to justify when the just-as-capable 1600 is sitting there at a lower cost of entry.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz(4.0GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(12) |
TDP | 95W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
While the Ryzen 5 1600X is definitely a solid processor and it is a good option in this price range, I’m not sure it is the choice you want to make…
Yes, with the Ryzen 5 1600X you get a six-core 12-thread processor that can be overclocked. However, you can get the same thing with the Ryzen 5 1600 for quite a bit less.
And, with the Ryzen 5 1600X there is no stock cooler included. This might not seem like a big deal seeing as how in the past most stock coolers never worked well for overclocking.
However, the Wraith Spire cooler included on all of the other Ryzen 5 CPUs is actually decent enough to allow for mild overclocks. In fact, you can use the stock Wraith Spire cooler on the Ryzen 5 1600 to overclock it to reach 1600X levels.
And, that’s really the main downside of the 1600X… it’s just not as feasible price-wise. Because, if you think about it, once you add a decent-enough cooler to it, you’re approaching ~$300 in price and at that point, you might as well start thinking about moving up to a Ryzen 7 1700. So, while the Ryzen 5 1600X is a solid processor, I think the Ryzen 5 1600is the best AMD processor for gaming when you bring price into the picture.
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AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
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Recommendation
Six-cores, 12 threads, a stock cooler that is feasible for overclocking, affordable motherboards, low TDP, and a reasonable price… that’s what you get with the AMD Ryzen 5 1600. All-in-all, it might just be the best all-around CPU currently on the market when price is brought into the equation.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.2GHz(3.6GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(12) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
I’d say that, as of right now, there are three really attractive mid-range CPUs available. And, those are the Ryzen 5 1600, 1500X, and 1400.
Each of those processors are affordable, will provide ideal in-game performance in just about any scenario, come with good overclocking potential, and have a stock cooler that is actually suited for mild overclocks.
Of those three, if you’re looking for the most all-around performance, then the Ryzen 5 1600 is your best bet. It has six cores and 12 threads and it comes in at well under $250.
And, while it may not perform quite as well as Intel’s mid-range processors in gaming-only scenarios, it really isn’t that far behind. Not to mention, the fact that its cost of entry is a lot lower help make it a better overall deal than Intel’s 7th generation quad-core processors.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to build a new mid-range gaming computer, you have a little over $200 to spend on your processor, and you want as many cores and threads as possible, then the Ryzen 5 1600 is the CPU to get.
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BEST GAMING CPUs UNDER $200
For gamers who have a lower budget, the CPUs in the under $200 price range are excellent options.
In fact, in most gaming scenarios, they offer enough power to not be a hindrance to your video card.
Therefore, if you have less to spend on your gaming computer, you can choose one of these CPUs to help you allocate more to your video card–which will ultimately give you better in-game performance.
All-in-all, these CPUs aren’t the top processors on the market, but they are affordable, powerful for the price, and will get the job done for anyone looking to build a mid-range (or even better) gaming computer.
A COMPARISON OF THE TOP CPUS UNDER $200 (CLICK ‘READ REVIEW’ TO EXPAND)
Intel Core i5-8400 |
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Recommendation
The Intel Core i5-8400 is one of the best value chips currently available if you only consider the price of the CPU. However, with no budget motherboards to pair it with, it is actually more expensive to build with the 8400 than it is to build with the Ryzen 5 1600. So, whether or not the 8400 makes sense for your build is all going to come down to how much you want to spend.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 2.8GHz(4.0GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 6(6) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i5-8400
In my opinion, if you look at just the CPU, the Intel Core i5-8400 is probably the best value option right now for anyone looking to build a mid-range gaming PC.
The problem, though, is that when you take into consideration that there are no affordable motherboard options currently available for the i5-8400, even with a price tag lower than the Ryzen 5 1600, it is actually more expensive to build with an i5-8400 right now.
It also cannot be overclocked, whereas the Ryzen 5 1600 can.
But, with six-cores and extremely good single-core performance, the i5-8400 is a better option than the Ryzen 5 1600 if your sole purpose is gaming.
And, when Intel finally decides to release a budget-friendly motherboard for the i5-8400, it will likely make the Ryzen 5 1600 obsolete for gamers who aren’t biased towards one company. However, initial reports suggest that Intel won’t release an H300 series motherboard until the beginning of 2018 and that is also around the same time that AMD’s Ryzen CPUs will get a refresh.
And, at that point the 8400s value will largely be determined by whatever processor they introduce to replace the Ryzen 5 1600.
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Intel Core i3-8350K |
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Recommendation
While the Intel Core i3-8350K is defnitel a solid processor, its price is only slightly lower than the i5-8400. So, really, whether or not you choose the i3-8350K or the i5-8400 will come down to whether you want to overclock or you want more cores. The Ryzen 5 1600 is also a competitive alternative at this price range as there are cheaper motherboards available for it and the stock cooler it comes with is good enough for mild overclocking.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 4.0GHz |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(4) |
TDP | 91W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i3-8350K
With Intel’s focus on adding more cores to their processorts, their i3 lineup has gone from being dual-core processors to quad-core processors, thus making them much more viable options for mid-range gaming builds.
Of Intel’s two new Core i3 chips, the i3-8350K is the bigger and more extreme.
It is a qud-core processor that has a high base clock of 4.0GHz and it also unlocked and therefore can be overclocked.
It’s price is only slightly lower than the 8400, which means that if you have the budget to accommodate either of these CPUs, the decision becomes whether or not you want more cores, or the ability to overclock.
Once some budget-friendly motherboards drop for Coffee Lake chips, though, the 8400 will be less expensive to build with and thus a more attactive option.
Ultimately, though, the i3-8350K is a solid processor and will work well for gamers who are working with a moderate budget and who want to have the chance to overclock their CPU.
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AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
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Recommendation
Both the Ryzen 5 1500x and 1400 are phenomenal options for the price they come in at. Where the 1500X comes with good performance right out of the box, the 1400 can be overclocked to make up for the slower clock rate. So, the better option for you really depends on your budget and your needs, but you can’t go wrong either way.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.5GHz(3.7GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(8) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
The Ryzen 5 1500X is an amazing offering for the price. For just under $200, you get a quad-core, eight thread processor that is capable of delivering an ideal in-game experience in most scenarios.
And, while Intel’s offerings might be better suited for gaming-specific purposes, the Ryzen 5 1500X is a more versatile option.
Not to mention, the value with AMD’s Ryzen 5 CPUs is amazing… the price is good, you don’t have to spend money on an aftermarket cooler (the stock cooler is capable of deliver decent overclocks), and the motherboard options are affordable.
So, if you are working with a bit more of a limited budget, but you don’t want to sacrifice too much performance, the Ryzen 5 1500X might be your best option for your new gaming PC build. In fact, when you consider price-to-performance, the Ryzen 5 1500X just might be the best AMD processor for gaming currently available.
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AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |
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Recommendation
The Ryzen 5 1400 is another really nice option in this price range. Like the 1500X it has four cores, eight threads, and can be overclocked. It does have a lower clockrate out of the box than the 1500X, but it is a bit cheaper as well and can be overclocked to make up for the difference.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.2GHz(3.4GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(8) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 5 1400
If you have a tight budget and you need to save as much as possible then you can forego the 1500X listed above and go with the Ryzen 5 1400.
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Intel Core i3-8100 |
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Recommendation
Intel’s Core i3-8100 brings an incredible value at its price but is really a tough sell considering that you can’t find a motherboard to pair with it for under $100. This is essentially an ultra budget-friendly chip that can’t be used in ultra budget builds because there are no affordable motherboard’s to pair it with. Though, when H300 series boards finally drop, the 8100 will likely be one of the best value options on the market.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Coffee Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.6GHz |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Core i3-8100
The Intel Core i3-8100 is kind of in the same boat as the i5-8400. It’s a phenomenal chip for the price. But the fact that there are no budget-friendly motherboard options for it make it a harder buy.
Because, while it will outperfom the Ryzen 3 processors listed below, it’s also going to cost significantly more to build a system with the i3-8100 than it will to build one with a Ryzen 3 chip.
And, for some gamers who are working with a tight budget, the extra cost that comes with current Coffee Lake motherboards just won’t be doable with the amount they have to spend.
So, while the i3-8100 is an excellent chip for the price, unofortunately, it probably isn’t a viable option for most builders at the moment.
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Ryzen 3 1300x |
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Recommendation
The AMD Ryzen 1300X is an affordable processor that will perform well in games, thus making it an excellent option for budget-friendly 1080P gaming builds. Although, for about $20 less you could also land the Ryzen 3 1200, which will perform similarly in games and might give you enough extra to jump up to a little bit better GPU.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.5GHz(3.7GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
Ryzen 3 1300x
The Ryzen 3 1300x is another incredible option for anyone looking to build a budget gaming PC. And, unlike the Intel Core i3 8100, you can pair a Ryzen 3 1300x with a ~$60 motherboard, which will give people working with tight budgets the opportunity to grab a solid mid-range graphics card (like a GTX 1050 Ti).
The Ryzen 3 1300X won’t perform quite on the same level as the 8100 in therms of in-game performance, but again, the extra money saved will allow you to get a bigger GPU which will, of course, give you more performance in your games.
The Ryzen 3 1300X can also be overclocked, which will help it bridge the gap in performance between it and the 8100 a bit.
Ultimately, the 1300X is a solid option. Although, for $20 less you can get the Ryzen 3 1200, which should perform similarly in most games as well. And, of course, the Intel Pentium CPUs are a strong performer for a lot less, too. But the downside there is that you can’t upgrade one of them to a Coffee Lake chip.
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AMD Ryzen 3 1200 |
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Recommendation
The Ryzen 3 1200 is another solid budget-friendly processor that will work for anyone who is looking to build a new entry-level system for gaming. The Intel Pentium G4560 will perform similarly to the 1200 and it comes in at $30 less, but since Intel’s Coffee Lake chips aren’t compatible with LGA1151 200-series motherboards, the 1200 is a better option if you want to upgrade in the future.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Ryzen |
BASE CLOCK | 3.1GHz(3.4GHz) |
CORES(THREADS) | 4(4) |
TDP | 65W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | AM4 |
AMD Ryzen 3 1200
AMD’s Ryzen 3 1200 doesn’t quite match the 1300X in terms of performance, but for $20 less it is at least worth considering if you have a lower budget.
It’s a quad-core processor that runs at a base clock of 3.1GHz and boosts up to 3.4GHz.
Like the 1300X it can be paired with an affordable motherboard, which will leave you with more room in your budget to spend on your other components (like your graphics card.)
There is a case to be made for choosing an Intel Pentium processor over the 1200, but since the G4560 and G4600 can’t be upgraded to a new Coffee Lake chip and AMD’s existing motherboards will likely be able to accept the refreshed Ryzen chips that are coming out early next year, the 1200 might be a better option if you plan to upgrade in the near future.
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BEST GAMING CPUs UNDER $100
If you have an extremely tight budget, then you will want to consider take a look at these sub-$100 CPUs.
They won’t offer the best performance, but if you’re just looking to build a system that will at least play most games on lower settings, then they will easily accomplish that.
As mentioned above, the video card you choose will play a bigger role in determining your in-game performance.
So, by choosing one of these more affordable CPUs you can allocate more money towards a better video card and you’ll be able to build a solid entry-level gaming PC.
A COMPARISON OF THE TOP CPUS UNDER $100 (CLICK ‘READ REVIEW’ TO EXPAND)
Intel Pentium G4560 |
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Recommendation
If you’re working with an extremely tight budget, the Intel Pentium G4560 is probably your best bet. The G4560 isn’t the best gaming processor out there, but it is cheap, which will allow you to pair it with a decent entry-level graphics card, and since it works with the LGA 1151 socket, you’ll have the option to upgrade it to a high-end i5 or i7 CPU down the road.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Kaby Lake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.5GHz |
CORES(THREADS) | 2(4) |
TDP | 54W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Pentium G4560
In the past, AMD typically took the crown for budget processors. However, the Intel Pentium G4560 has plenty of selling points to it that definitely makes it one of the best cheap processor currently available.
In fact, the Pentium G4560 is probably the best processor under $100, all things considered…
For starters, the G4560 is cheap. I mean like sub-$70 cheap. That makes it by far the most affordable CPU on this list. It can also be overclocked and it can get to 4.0 GHz fairly easily. And, unlike its predecessors, it is hyperthreaded and has four total threads.
But, perhaps the biggest benefit of going with a G4560 over an AMD APU, Athlon X4, or the FX-4300, is the fact that the G4560 (which belongs to the LGA 1151 family) can be upgraded to an Intel i5 or i7 CPU and be paired with a high-end video card.
So, ultimately, while the Pentium G4560 isn’t the fastest CPU on the market, it does offer a very interesting option at an incredibly affordable price that will not only give you decent performance, but will give you a good foundation to upgrade on later. And, in the end, it is probably the best budget CPU currently available.
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Intel Pentium G4400 |
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Recommendation
The Intel Pentium G4400 is an entry-level gaming CPU is a dual band 3.3GHz processor. It has all the technology you would expect from a base model Skylake processor and is a good option for casual gamers. It supports up to 64GB of DDR4 or DDR3L memory, can integrate with the Intel HD Graphics 510 card, and can display in 4K definition (4096×2304) at 60Hz.
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TECH SPECS
ARCHITECTURE | Skylake |
BASE CLOCK | 3.3GHz |
CORES(THREADS) | 2 |
TDP | 54W |
PROCESS | 14nm |
SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
Intel Pentium G4400
The Intel Pentium G4400 is a processor with the potential to be a gaming CPU for someone with a limited budget. It’s the entry-level Pentium model, but that doesn’t mean it’s without processing power.
The dual-core model comes with a 3.3GHz processing speed and can handle two threads simultaneously. With a thermal design power (TDP) of only 54W, the unit is easy to keep cool in a traditional home gaming setting.
This low-cost option comes with many of the features that are common to Skylake processors. The Pentium G4400 supports up to 64GB of DDR4 or DDR3L memory in dual channel.
As a gamer, integrated graphics are important, and this option includes the Intel HD Graphics 510 card that uses up to 1.7GB of memory from your processor. Depending on the monitor that you couple with your set up, you can achieve up to 4096×2304 resolution at 60Hz if you use Display Port, and the system can support up to three different displays at once.
The G4400 includes virtualization technology (VT), which allows the processor to run more than one operating system simultaneously. It also has Advanced Encryption Standards New Instruction (AES-NI) to create encrypted data streams quickly and is coupled with Secure Key technology which provides an additional layer of protection.
As an entry level model, the Pentium G4400 is missing a few popular Intel Technologies, like vPro, Hyper-Threading, and Turbo Boost, that you would find in higher end processors. It will get the job done for many gamers, but if you want to play some of the cutting-edge games that require four threads to operate, you won’t be able to enjoy them on this model.
NEED HELP CHOOSING A GAMING CPU?
While list covers my opinions on what the best CPUs for gaming are, it’s inevitable that others will disagree with me. And, that’s fine!
I based this list off of what I believed were the best options in terms of overall performance and value. And, because I mainly looked at price-to-performance, I left some CPUs completely off of the list.
Ultimately, though, if you’re in the market for a new gaming computer and you are planning on buying a new system, or if you are just looking for an upgrade for your current system, and you have questions, please post them below.
Erik Hansen says
Older CPU`s that is still on the market is not on this list… The i7 4790k is still the fastest there is with a little bit of over-clocking as the higher speed eats up the little margin 4 years newer CPU has. The old 2013 model Xeon in socket 1150 is at least here in Norway the most bang for you money that you can get. It even beats the AMD Ryzen in price vs performance.
Donnie says
Is there any way to use my current CPU to do record and play video gaming? Here’s my CPU info:
Processor: ASUS AMD A10-6700 w Radeon HD graphics
Memory: DDR3 8GB
Graphics: Integrated Graphics
OperSys: 64 bit
Conner Hutson says
I have my list but I cant Submit it please help.
Ansh Gupta says
Hi there..I’m planning to build a gaming + streaming type of pc with the GTX 1060 6 GB version..I want a cpu that won’t bottleneck and is under 300$ and won’t give any probs if I go for rendering or NVIDIA SLI
Brent Hale says
Hey Ansh, how’s it going?
Does the $300 include the cost of the motherboard? Or, just the CPU.
In any case, at that price range, you could consider the following:
Ryzen 7 1700: http://amzn.to/2yd9cHo
Intel Core i5-8600K: http://amzn.to/2yec0DY
Ryzen 5 1600X: http://amzn.to/2hiO4Mx
Ryzen 5 1600: http://amzn.to/2yciBin
Intel Core i5-8400: http://amzn.to/2AroiKW
The Coffee Lake chips are low in stock at the moment, but any of these chips come in under your budget and will work well for what you want to do.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Ansh Gupta says
thnx ill go with the i7-8600k…illl increase my budget
Brent Hale says
Sounds like a plan! Have fun with your build!
JPLopes says
Hi , what about ryzen 3 cpu’s ? Are they good ?
Pinky says
Hi, I’m getting ready to build my own custom pc and have a parts list that I researched here. I tried to make sure everything works together but I’m not a wizard and need some help
( https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/user/IndigenousPinky/saved/9TqqkL )
If any one who knows a lot about building PC’s here could have a quick look at if I’m missing anything on an upcoming pc build I am making as it is my first time building a pc and I don’t know if I have everything or I’m missing anything I have a build ready… Things will change as I find out what I’m missing and what I need or what I should have…
ANY INPUT IS BETTER THEN NOTHING!!! Thank you!
Brent Hale says
Hey Pinky, I hope you’re doing well.
I have two suggestions…
1. I’d up the power supply to a quality 600W unit. The 1080s require a minimum of 550W and 30A on the +12v rail. That unit does have 38A and so it should run it, but I’d recommend giving yourself some more head room, especially if you’re going to OC your processor.
2. You might also want to swap out the SSD you’ve chosen and go with an M.2 NVME SSD as they have even faster read/write times than the traditional disks.
Other than that, the part list looks great!
All the Best,
Brent
Jack Meoff says
AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Max boost is only 3.6 GHz not 4.6. This whole page is flawed!!!!
Brent Hale says
Thanks for pointing that out. In the next update I’ll fix all the errors.
Most of them are due to switching out older processors for newer ones, but forgetting to change some of the specs.
Emil says
The i7 7700k does not have 8 cores and 12 threads as far as I believe (?)
Storm says
Thanks for the article. Excellent and perfectly timed!
Now, about gaming motherboards and gpu’s for those cpu’s??
Brent Hale says
Hi Storm, thanks for reading!
You can use these guides for motherboard and GPU recommendations:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/best-motherboards/
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/best-graphics-cards/
Hope this helps!
All the Best,
Brent
Dave R says
The top pick shows “Intel Core i7-7700K 8(16) 3.6GHz(4.0GHz) 9.6/10”. You made a mistake in the core/thread count for that. It should read 4(8), instead of 8(16).
Angery says
Precisely. Please fix this, it’s misleading
Akshay says
am planning to assemble a complete gaming PC, my Budget is Rs 40000. Can anyone suggest me the best components available in the market?
Currently i have selected AMD ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350 and 1050 Ti gaming x. is there any better and cheaper option as i have to buy a smps, cabinet, ram and a liquid cooling unit also under the same budget?
GyzaN says
Where is the G4560, 2 cores and HyperThreading 3.5GHz budget champion?
Brendan Hodges says
Which AMD processor is the best?
s virdi says
can I request for updated on email please
Curtiss says
Hello Brent, I am currently spec’ing out parts for a high end pc. My main purpose for the PC is to power Oculus Rift. I have chosen an NZXT 340 Elite for the case because it has 2 USB ports and an HDMI port on the front. I have gone back and forth between Intel I7 6850k and I7 6700k. I think the 6700k would serve me better but I’m torn because I have read a lot of good things about the x99 motherboards and I’m reading that those do not support the I7-6700k. I have chose two MSI GeForece GTX 1080 Armor 8g graphics cards, Corsair RM1000x PSU, Deepcool captain 240ex CPU water cooler, Samsung 950 pro m.2 512GB and a WD Red 3TB NAS hard drive. If I go with the I7 6850k, I like the MSI Gaming carbon X99 motherboard and I would pair it with G.Skill Tridentz 32GB DDR4 3200 RAM (I read that this motherboard’s 3.0 USB’s do not work with the Oculus Rift which is a problem for me). Can you steer me in the right direction?
JoeGamer707 says
Why 2 1080’s when you can get 2 1070’s or even get a single 1080 TI for less money
Derrick says
Hello Brent. I am on a hunt for a new build. I have looked at a few motherboards and also have thought of the fx-8320. the board i looked at which isn’t to expensive or to cheap is the msi 970a gaming pro carbon. i have wondered what some differences to the 990 chipset and the 970 chipset are. also would this be a good setup for gaming and doing lots of other work like movies, and music and other things. i do some gaming and one game i love playing is an older game called half life 2 deathmatch. i did read somewhere that it was said amd processors dont do well with older games. what would you suggest for some good amd boards and processors. i can get the msi 970a gaming pro carbon for $109 and the fx-8320 for around $149. what are your thoughts on this setup or is there a better budget gaming board or setup
Shantanu Deshpande says
Hello Brent,
Thanks for taking the time to do all this. I have a parts list for my new gaming PC, would you mind checking if all the parts are compatible and/or making suggestions? You can access it here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1abce2FH-pmL66nxWcV7wTe-hzvGAAok0hkDDwY6S6SM/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks!
-Shantanu Deshpande
Kshitij says
Go to in.pcpartpicker.com it will help you.
Glad to help
vidura says
for amd processors i want to know is better in value, perfomance all cores game and single core games,(without integrated any graphics) FX-4300 or FX-6300 or athlon x4 860k or fx-6350? i spend about 90$(Euro)
im interesting in best 4core amd cpu without integrated graphics
Martin says
The best 4 core CPU (without built-in graphics), would be FX-4300, but I would seriously recommend the Fx-6300
MutenRoshi says
for amd processors i want to know is better in value, perfomance all cores game and single core games,(without integrated any graphics) FX-4300 or FX-6300 or athlon x4 860k or fx-6350? i spend about 90$(Euro)
im interesting in best 4core amd cpu without integrated graphics
Xavier says
Hi. I’m saving up money to build my first gaming pc. I mainly play WoW, but right now I’m playing it on a laptop, and it runs slow (and it stutters sometimes), which is annoying. I would like to be able to run WoW Legion at 90+ FPS (Ultra Settings) in most situations; what do I need? I have been doing my research, but it seems that I get more confused by the day… I would also like to be able to sometimes play more graphics demanding games like Tomb Raider and Battlefront (also at Ultra / really high FPS)… My budget right now sits at 1000-1500 USD (but I’m willing to keep saving if necessary). Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Brent Hale says
Hi Xavier, thanks for reading and commenting!
With a budget of $1,000 to $1,500 you can build a really high-end machine. In fact, if you mainly play WoW, you can easily get away with spending less.
For the most part, WoW isn’t too demanding. Although, the big raids can slow down even the best setups.
I would take a look at the $600, $700, and $800 builds on this page:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/
As well as the $1,000, $1,250, and $1,500 builds on this page:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/top-gaming-computers/
Any of those should get the job done. And, all of them will also let you play games like Tomb Raider and Battlefront on higher settings with good FPS (assuming you’re playing at 1080p).
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Gopinath says
Hellow Brent
My question is
I have Intel i3 core processor 3.30 Ghz ddr3 2gb ram applied
Can you tall me
I buying
The Kingston fury 8gb ddr3 1866Mhz ram so is perfect and supported my mother board and processor ? because I want gaming computer so I adding this ram to play best graphically games
Please tell me sir
And my second question is
I buying WD 1TB SATA hard disk 7200 rpm to speed and gaming fast opening anything
So it’s perfect my mother board and processor ?
Please tell me sir
Please sir give me answers quickly
And suggest me to buying witch brand and 1 gb or 2gb graphics card to playing heavily graphically games
For my desktop
But I have low budget conditions please give
Answers for my questions
Please sir
. Thanks
Ashwin says
Hello Brent,
I wanna build a gaming desktop with low budget.so that i choosed following. Pls help me to select better one.
Processor:-intel i3 6100 or pentium k3258
Ram:- kingston hyperx 8gb ddr4 or trancend 4gb ddr3
Hdd:- 1TB for both
Graphics card:- Nvidia GT 720 2 Gb ddr3 for both
So which one is best? If any suggestion from your side then also i will accept it.
Brent Hale says
Hey Ashwin, how’s it going?
i3-6100
Kingston DDR4
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Ashwin says
Hey Thanx Brent
One more thing is i want to build gaming Pc.
So can u suggest me budget Graphics card which will fullfill my need #Upcoming Games. I hav 2 choices Gtx 750ti or gtx 950.
What do u say? If u hav better then Suggest me.Thanx
Sagar says
I’m going to build a pc for the first time and I have a budget of around 1000$ but I don’t know what to choose that’s best for me. Please help me. I’m going with 1080p only and will look to upgrade it down the road a few months later.
Brent Hale says
Hey Sagar, how’s it going?
Check out this build here:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/top-gaming-computers/#30
Normally I would say that if you’re just sticking to 1080p gaming (and assuming not at 144Hz), you could get away with something much lower priced. But the build I linked to will give you plenty of options down the road (game at 1440p/144Hz, 4K, VR, etc.)
But then again, if you want to save a bit more, this build could also do those things as well:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/#24
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Valter says
I’m looking at a pre built pc and I cant decide. PC1 has: i5 6400, R9 380x, 8GB DDR4, Fortron Hyper 600W, 80+, H110M (DDR4,USB 3.0,SATA III). And the other PC has: AMD Godavari Athlon II X4 880K up to 4.2GHz, R9 380X, 16GB DDR3, mother board AMD A68, FM2+, 500W PSU, 240GB SSD
Joe Schmuck says
I would go with pc1. better cpu, faster ram, better psu. The only thing in pc2’s favor is the ssd drive and a small one like that can be found cheap on amazon or newegg.
Richik Ghosh says
Hello .. Brent hale
I am a budget gamer .. And recently I am looking to buy a laptop with specifications : 8gb ram ;1TBHDD ;and 2GB GPU but the thing I am looking for a strong processor .. I had looked on to Intel i5 with same specs and is costing me around 1500$ and on the other hand AMD a10 is costing me 800$ I need
some advice..
Brent Hale says
Hi Richik, hope you’re doing well.
Check out this post here::
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/cheap-gaming-laptops/
There’s definitely a few options there well under $1,000 that will come with an Intel Core i5 CPU and will meet your needs.
And, of course, if you’re willing to build a gaming computer, rather than buy a laptop, you can get even more power. Check out this post for some build ideas:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Bram says
Hi brent is it true that the Intel Core i7-5820K is better then the i7 6700k for gaming when the i7-5820k is overclocked?
Because the i7-5820k has 2 cores more?
Or should i buy the i7 6700k if i want the latest gaming rig?
grtz
Wollibolli says
The problem with the 5820k is that, nearly no game uses more than 4 cores. When it comes to applications, video cutting and so on the 5820k is a bettet choice, but for gaming it cant reach the 6700k
Brent Hale says
Hi Bram, how’s it going?
As Wollibolli mentioned, there really aren’t too many games where the extra cores are going to give you a performance boost. And, therefore, since the i7-6700K is cheaper and doesn’t require as expensive of a motherboard (LGA 2011 motherboards are expensive), you can either save more money, or put that extra money towards a better GPU.
Or, in other words, choosing the i7-6700K over the i7-5820K won’t result in a performance loss, but the extra money you save could end up getting you a better GPU, which will definitely lead to better in-game performance.
Now, if you’re looking to build a workstation and you’re doing some CPU-intensive tasks outside of gaming, then the i7-5820K might be a better option.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Tahir says
Hey man can you help me build a gaming pc under 400$ I have already selected a processor i3-6100 and GPU GTX 750 Ti but I don’t know which motherboard to select under 60$ that supports these specs please help me with it……
And how many watts of PSU will be required for these specs
Brent Hale says
Hi Tahir, how’s it going?
Take your CPU and GPU and substitute them into this build:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/good-cheap-gaming-computers/#20
Then exchange the motherboard inn that list for this motherboard:
http://amzn.to/295MDfP
And the RAM for this RAM:
http://amzn.to/28WttU4
So, your end list would look like this:
CPU: i3-6100
MOBO: MSI H110M Pro-VD
GPU: GTX 750 Ti
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR4
HDD: Seagate 250 GB
CASE: Rosewill Dual Fans
PSU: Antec VP-450
This system won’t require a big power supply at all as the GTX 750 Ti doesn’t even need a connection from the PSU.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Omar says
Hello. I am planning to build a really fast gaming PC but I don’t know which parts are the best. I want to play the newest games at 4k or whatever that means. I don’t really know where to start. Help. omarfernandez900[at]gmail[dot]com.
Brent Hale says
Hey Omar, how’s it going?
It really all depends on what your total budget is for everything (the tower, monitor, peripherals, etc.).
But to give you an idea of what it would take to build a 4K-capable gaming PC (just the tower—doesn’t include the 4K monitor) take a look at these builds:
https://elitegamingcomputers.com/top-gaming-computers/
Any of those builds will allow you to game at 4K (or jump into VR gaming, too).
So, really, it comes down to how much you want to spend.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Travis Tostee says
hello,i wanted to know what kind of processor i would need to run the new game call ‘OverWatch’
at the moment i have AMD A8-7650k radeon R7 10 compute cores 4C+6G processor.
would this be enough to get the job done without using the lowest settings to run the game
thank!
s says
let me guess you so this pc on ebay lol
Brent Hale says
Hey Travis, how’s it going?
It looks like you should be able to just meet the minimum requirements, but you’ll probably have to play on lower settings, especially if you have a 1080p monitor.
If you were to add a ~$100-$150 video card like the GTX 750 Ti or GTX 950, you’d be able to turn the settings up a bit.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
YourFriendRob says
this will probably get you to run overwatch at 1080p 60fps if you have the rest of the specs chosen right.
Glenn says
Hello, I want to build a strong gaming pc that can at least strong enough to stream in 1080p 60fps.
But I don’t know what I should choose for my processor.
Some friends says AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz or a Intel i5-6500
Can anyone help me out here?
I appreciate it very much!
Regards Glenn
Ivan Sanmugam says
I am planning to built a PC for my son who is in the 5th standard. It is intended to be a all in one PC ( Gaming + school work + browsing + movies). Basing on my research on building a PC understand that CPU is the first component to be selected followed by MB, casings and …….. . From info provided in this website FX-6300 appear to match my needs and price. Please advise me on a suitable MB and video cards (if necessary) for my project. Please take into account that i am looking at entry level gaming as my son is not into gaming yet. Would be much obliged if you could offer further information for a complete built.
Ben Dover says
here have a look at this:
UK: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
US: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
mayank says
Hi..
I m a bit confused whether to go for DDR3 OR DDR4. my purpose is to simply play games with a budget of 40000. Please suggest me the specifications that should I choose for?
Matthew Dullemond says
did you mean 40.000 or 4.000?
John Picton says
It has been a while since I built my last Gaming Rig. I think late 2011ish – I have an intel i7 2600K LGA 1155 on an ASUS Sabertooth P67 Motherboard. I’m running 4 GB RAM since I had so many issue getting 8GB to work reliably, and an EVGA GTX 580 GPU. My son is graduating from Grad school and is ready to give up gaming on his Laptop in favor of a solid gaming rig. I thought I would upgrade myself at the same time, and started a spreadsheet. WOW! how things have changed. There are so many choices anymore, it is overwhelming. I get the feeling my processor is still fine for gaming, but since the socket types change, you pretty much have to upgrade everything these days. Should I build his and just upgrade my GPU, or will I see a fairly large difference upgrading everything. BTW, we play mainly WoW, Heroes, The Division, Fallout 4 and Starcraft.
bobby says
What’s your opinions on I7-4790k paired with xfx r9 390 gpu. I just finished this build up.
Brent Hale says
Hey Bobby, how’s it going?
That’s an excellent pair. The only reason why Haswell CPUs aren’t listed here is because the newer Skylake chips are out. But, ultimately, Haswell is still just as good as Skylake in terms of in-game performance.
So, definitely a solid build!
Best,
Brent
Docc says
Hello there,
I’m going to build my first gaming PC.
I’m a bit unsure about which CPU I should buy.
Intel Core i5-6600 or Intel Core i7-6700, I don’t mind overclocking.
My GPU will be a Nvidia GTX 970
16GB 2666mhz of RAM.
Now, the price difference between the two CPU is not that high but I’m not sure if more games will use hyperthreading in future.
I do some low end 3D graphics as hobby.
bram says
i think you dont need i7 , sold my i7 and bought a i5
Erisk says
I think $130 dollars is a big price difference in terms WHERE that money can be spent ELSEWHERE, (ex: GPU always sure, but a quality gold rated PSU like evga g2 650 or p2s, etc. ppl tend to skimp out on PSUs), but, regardless, unless u plan to do heavy 3D designs/encoding in near future, for light-moderate use of that and high-end gaming i5 is a much better price/performance.
GTX 970 will bottleneck any gaming before the 6600 will. I’m sure u have the GPU already but again that’s another place the 130 can go towards that will boost gaming > than going from an i5 to and i7. Hyperthreading is helping i3s stay competitive at budget (even a 6100 paired with minimum 970 will be quite decent in 1080p gaming, maybe not all ultra every game but it’s quite amazing how with current titles even ones making use of multi-cores it can still hang in there, and skylake’s shown increased RAM frequencies act like an OC with performance); BUT not quite at 4 cores w/ hypethreading YET have those results; and that’s a good while away. Sorry to rant :)
Short story, if this is even relevant, determine what other components u need, vs. future like, a year from now… enjoy whatever build u decide!
Alex says
Yoyo, guys, how’s things ?
Wondering which one of these 2 option would be more viable:
the i5 4460 + 1150 mobo or the i3 6300 with 1151 mobo ? I’m currently on a budget and i was trying to find out which one will perform better with a gtx950, comparing the price-quality ratio, as well.
Note that I already own 8+4 ddr3 1600mhz ram, so the 6300 would require a ram upgrade, also.
Kind regards,
Waiting for your opinion :)
TJ says
well the mobo isn’t going to cause any change in your computer’s graphical capabilities, but it will affect the maximum amount of RAM you can have and a couple other things. So with that in mind, the i3-6300 is moderately better than the i5-4460. Plus, the 6300 is less expensive as well.
And with 1600mhz or RAM, you’re going to need a RAM upgrade either way.
Mike says
The only thing is the core differences. In a few years the i3 might not be as good, but it’s a newer model and you could always upgrade do an i5 or i7. I would go with the i3, and if it doesn’t work well for future games that require more cores, just upgrade.
hunter says
hey Brent i was wondering if the i7-5500U processor is a good gaming processor, with 12 gb of ram .
TJ says
the i7-5500U is an ok processor, but it’s nothing particularly impressive. With a decent gpu though, it will run most lower-end games on medium settings.
Michael says
What would be your opinion on combining an i3-6100 or an i5-6400 with a GTX-970? My aim is to play The Witcher 3 and Dragon Age 3 with max settings on 1080p 144hz resolution.
Brent Hale says
Hi Michael, how’s it going?
I would definitely go for the i5 over the i3 if your budget permits and the GTX 970 is a solid card, but I would look to get the 4GB version as opposed to the 2GB version as modern games are starting to utilize more VRAM.
So, with an i5-6400 and a GTX 970 4GB you should be able to handle TW3 and DA3 pretty easily on 1080p.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Joseph says
Brent- The GTX 970 does not come in a 2gb variety. 970s only come with 4 gb of vram (3.5 fast vram + .5 gb slower vram). Peace.
Brent Hale says
You are absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing that out. I went back in time and was remembering the 700 series.
Joseph says
Not a problem, keep up the good work.
bram says
hi brent can you tell me a good mobo for the Intel Core i5-6600K and does it support ddr 4? grtz
earl says
Hi Brent,
I just would like to know if i5-4690k not good for gaming. I don’t find it anywhere from the list.
bram says
i have a i5 3570k running at 4ghz and its also very good for gaming , its probaly 3 years old
TJ says
a 4690k is a very good processor, and although it isn’t on the list, it is a great option for $230.
Shubham Devdas says
Hey Brent….i m from India…i want to configure a gaming computer under 30,000..Plz suggest me best specifications for awesome gaming n graphics… I m bit confused in processors.. plz do reply
Rishabh Patadia says
hey i too have same budget shubham
here are my specs
intel i3 3220(two cores with hyperthreading, so you computer reads it as four cores, better single core performance) or an amd fx 6300 considering both go for about the same price for about 8k
if you are gonna play more modern games you may want to go with the fx 6300 because it has 6 cores and better multi threaded performance and considering that new games like farcry 4 have betrayed us dual core (as well as hyperthreading users i3 and pentium) users with blank screens and more games will follow the trend of abandoning less core processors and optimising games for more cores
an asus/gigabyte mobo which should run you about 5k(check the copatibillity of the socket with the processors)
nvidia 750ti which is by far the best performing lower-middle budget gpu and should cost you about 10k
ram kingston 1866 mhz ddr3 4 gb 2.5k
psu corsair cx 430 2.5 k
you can get an atx case, cd drive(which is optional) and 256 gb harddrive for 2.5k-3k
please dont cheap out on power supply…
yes this is slightly over your budget but should perform very well on most AAA titles with 1080p(good for most game) and 900p(best results, recommended optimal resolution for this setup )
ENJOY…………………..
DKL says
“As mentioned above, the video card you choose will play a bigger role in determining your in-game performance. So, by choosing one of these more affordable CPUs you can allocate more money towards a better video card and you’ll”
This is the 3rd paragraph in the Tier 4 section of this article. The paragraph stops at “and you’ll”. A little odd. O.o
William says
I believe you have gotten the specs wrong for the AMD fx-9590. the standard clock speeds are 4.7 GHz turbo 5.0 GHz. the misinformation could cause amd some trouble, and being the fastest standard clock 8 core out there, it deserves some recognition.
Michael says
For the 600 dollar Build, What would be the best Windows OS system to get is it the 8.1 regular? Basically which windows version is best for gaming?
Brent Hale says
Hey Michael, how’s it going?
Right now, Windows 8.1 is your best bet. However, Windows 10 is coming out this Summer and it will be a free upgrade, so plan on switching in the near future!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Brent
lorenzo says
where would the i7-5820k cpu be ranked?
ExtremelyRough says
The i7 is what i would prefer for a gaming pc. I don’t know why they didn’t list that in here.
Lorenzo says
My first build so far
Enermax ostrog black with blue mesh
Corsair CX Series 750W
MSI X99S Gaming 7 motherboard
MSI 970 gaming video card
M500 crucial 240GB SSD
WD black 1TB HDD
KEvin says
Hey brent which one do u recomend
Shane says
I’m looking for a budget gaming laptop under $700 for my son who plays SWOTR, Skyrim, Rift style games…
Here are the few I found:
*Acer Aspire ($599.95): Intel® CoreTM i5-4210U processor (1.7GHz/2.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost) – 8GB DDR3L memory – 1TB hard drive / 15.6″ HD widescreen CineCrystalTM display (1366 x 768) – NVIDIA® GeForce® 840M w/ 2GB DDR3 VRAM
*Acer Aspire 2 ($649.99): Intel Core i5-4210U 1.70GHz Dual-Core processor / 8GB DDR3L RAM / 15.6″ Active Matrix TFT Color LCD Display 1920 x 1080 / 1TB HDD / NVIDIA GeForce 840M w/2GB DDR3
*Asus ($699.99): Intel Core i5-4210U 1.7GHz-Max Turbo Frequency 2.7GHz / 8GB DDR3L / 750GB / NVIDIA GeForce GT 840M-Dedicated 2GB GDDR3 (1920 x 1080)
They all look fairly close as far as CPU and Graphics Card…Is having 1080HD that important? I like the cheaper one as it has 1TB Hard Drive but not 1080
Zach says
1080p is the way to go imo.
RBTD says
For games such as Skyrim, I feel that two cores might not be sufficient. I would play well, but you might have to play the game on Low settings. Most of the games these days usually need 2+ Ghz of Clock speed and a fast VRam for smooth graphic rendering. Since the laptops that you have suggested are below 2 Ghz, there’s another struggle. RAM is sufficient, but if you want to futureproof this device, you might want to look elsewhere. And if you would consider 1080p as important, the specs are quite low and would not play in 1080p so there’s no use of having such a display when the games are playing on sub 1080p or sub 720p. So yeah! You might need to invest more if you are specific on a laptop. But if you are okay with a desktop, you can build one yourself one having much higher specs than these laptops yet with the same price bracket.
Robert says
The AMD FX 9590 should be the top CPU, it tops all the Intel chips!!!
Works very stable, I use in my PRO rig!!!
Also, I only use the AMD top four chips in my customer;s custom rigs!!!
Works great, no problems at all!!!
Heat from the top chip has no issues at all like how many on Intel’s bandwagon ($$$) says…
It is top dog and the company is top old school class act!!!
Akhilesh says
You are 100% right as I own a 9590 which is overclocked to 5.2 GHz. But the problem is, 9590 is sold only for individuals and not to companies. Hence,it is underestimated.
mr4790K says
AMD in your PRO RIG!!! LOL X3 ..come on pro rig?!!?!?!?!
Dustin says
So now that the Intel Core i7-4790K Processor is out would you re-post this as top pick or still stick with Intel Core i5-4670k?
Also how much better,IYO, is it to the AMD-8350?
Dustin says
Also how does Intel’s quad cores do vs AMD’s 8 Core Black edition’s?
Kelby says
Hey Brent!
So I was looking at some cooling options for my cpu. My motherboard has an AM3+ socket, and i was thinking about liquid cooling my setup w/ the H100i. It says it’s compatible with AM3 sockets, so does that also mean it would be compatible with mine, or do I have to look elsewhere?
BTW my motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3