The advent of Intel's new 14th-generation CPUs builds on the success of its 13th-generation Raptor Lake-based CPUs with higher clocks and, in some cases, higher core counts in tow. Meanwhile, AMD clings firmly to its X3D CPU-induced wins in gaming, making it quite challenging for players to choose the best CPU for their PC rig.
While most modern CPUs are good at gaming with equal performance in most games in GPU-bound titles, some rise above the rest when the tables turn and CPU-intensive game engines come into play, such as with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Valorant, and other Esports titles for example. At the same time, some of the fastest CPUs for gaming right now are built specifically to maximize their gaming performance versus productivity, making them a tad slower when it comes to productivity-related benchmarks that concentrate on the raw power of a CPU running optimized multithreaded workloads.
When choosing a CPU, consider these factors:
When it comes to picking a CPU, there are currently more choices than ever before with both Intel and AMD offering motherboards that have been out for over a year that work with 3 and 2 different CPU generations respectively (considering the X3D lineup a different CPU generation). This means that one needs to take a better look at what fits their needs, which could range from general-purpose uses to gaming to hardcore productivity-centric tools. The key metrics for identifying and picking a CPU based on performance that works for a given user include but may not be limited to:
- Instructions Per Cycle (IPC)
- Clock Speeds
- Core Counts
- Memory & PCI-E Support
- Single Core Performance
- Efficiency/Power Consumption
- Cooling Requirements
Anyone looking for the best of both worlds can benefit from these top-tier CPUs, which include the best overall CPUs for productivity and gaming.
Game Rant's Pick for The Best CPUs in 2023
Intel Core i5 14600K 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU
The Core i5 14600K is unmatched, thanks to its hybrid architecture, featuring 14 cores and 20 threads that offer excellent single/multi-threaded performance. While it doesn't bring significant improvements over the 13600K, it's currently the fastest Core i5, which is adequate for high-end gaming and is quite impressive in productivity too.
- Brand
- Intel
- CPU Model
- Core i5 14600K
- CPU Socket
- LGA 1700
- Cores
- 14 (6P + 8E Cores)
- Threads
- 20
- Architecture
- Raptor Lake Refresh
- Process
- Intel 7 (10 nm)
- Base Clock Speed
- 3.5 GHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 5.3 GHz
- Cache
- 20MB L2 + 24MB L3
- RAM
- Upto 192GB DDR5 RAM
- PCIe
- PCI-E 4.0/5.0 support
- Graphics
- Intel UHD 770
- Power Draw
- 181W (Turbo)
- 14 cores/20 threads for great productivity on a budget
- 6-8% faster in gaming compared to the 13600K
- Comes with an Intel UHD 770 graphics
- Runs cooler than its predecessor and slightly more power efficient
- Needs a decent Z790 chipset board for overclocking
- Needs an aftermarket cooler
To counter AMD's rise of Ryzen 7000 CPUs, Intel came up with the refreshed lineup of the Raptor Lake CPUs. However, the CPUs aren't redesigned from scratch but rather provide some improvements in specifications. One of them is the Core i5 14600K, which even though doesn't bring any increase in the core/thread count, brings a higher boost clock speeds on both Performance and Efficient cores. The slight increase in the core clocks might not seem too impactful, but it does help out in a variety of applications.
The combination of 6+8 cores ensures users have enough horsepower to run CPU-intensive games and applications, while the 20 threads make sure the load is distributed properly. The 14600K is roughly 6-8% faster in gaming compared to the 13600K and closes the gap between itself and the Ryzen 7800X3D, which is more expensive. However, it outperforms its competitors, the Ryzen 7700X and 7700 with a small margin in gaming loads. That said, when it comes to rendering, video editing, compression, and various other productivity tasks, the Ryzen 7700X is no match for it. The 14600K competes head-to-head with the more expensive Ryzen 7900/7900X in multicore tests and even outperforms it when it comes to single-core performance.
All of that without any increase in power usage or temperature compared to its predecessor, makes it the best overall CPU for around $300. The only thing users must care about is the choice of the motherboard. Unlike the locked chips like Core i5 13400F/13500, it needs a Z690/Z790 motherboard for overclocking. Moreover, the CPU requires an aftermarket CPU cooler as it doesn't come with a stock cooler. It's obvious that such a processor can't maintain stability at higher clock speeds on a stock cooler. Therefore, a premium AIO cooling solution is crucial for reaching its potential.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Octa Core Gaming Supremacy
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.
The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade.
- Brand
- AMD
- CPU Model
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- CPU Socket
- AM5
- Cores
- 8
- Threads
- 16
- PCIe 4.0 Support
- Yes, Supports up to PCI-E 5.0
- Architecture
- Zen 4
- Process
- 5nm
- Base Clock Speed
- 4.2GHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 5.0GHz
- Cache
- 8MB L2 + 96MB L3
- TDP
- 120W
- iGPU
- Yes, Integrated Radeon 2 Core
- Currently The Fastest Processor Money Can Buy
- One of the most efficient processors available for gaming
- Runs cooler than most of its direct gaming competitors
- Has considerably lower thermal requirements than its nearest competitor
- Lackluster productivity performance
- Has limited overclocking potential
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread processor is unapologetically designed to go for the jugular when it comes to gaming. AMD is putting its 3D V-Cache technology to full use to push out a processor that makes the most of it for gaming this year as it aims to dethrone Intel's recent dominance when it comes to gaming-related benchmarks and real-world performance.
While the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes as the last of 3 announced AMD 7000 series X3D Processors, it isn't difficult to see why; it often outperforms its own larger sibling, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D in some gaming benchmarks, positioning itself as the new king of the hill for gaming thanks to its stacked V-cache offering. What is not surprising, but still a bit disappointing, is its lack of productivity-based software gains thanks to the added 3D V-Cache, but that can be reasoned away somewhat as AMD's last generation X3D processor, the capable 5800X3D also exhibited similar behavior.
Intel Core i9 14900K Vs AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D : Is The Refresh Enough?
How does Intel's fastest CPU to date stack up against AMD's best gaming CPU post-launch?Overall, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU for gaming and a solid performer that doesn't cost as much as its competitors when it comes to gaming while dominating the playing field with some of the best scores in multiple benchmarks that cement it as the best gaming CPU money can buy currently. It also happens to be on sale at a variety of retailers, which significantly uplifts its overall value.
Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
Raw Unadulterated Power On Tap
The Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU is Intel's highest-end 14th generation CPU and offers the highest boost clocks for a consumer-grade CPU from Intel to date, clocking in at an impressive 6 GHz natively.
It succeeds the limited-release Intel Core 13900KS as the first mainstream 6 GHz CPU, even as it brings a large power draw and thermal requirement in tow to reach said clock speed.
- Brand
- Intel
- CPU Model
- Core i9 14900K
- CPU Socket
- LGA 1700
- Cores
- 24 (8P + 16E)
- Threads
- 32
- Architecture
- Raptor Lake (Refresh)
- Process
- Intel 7 (10 nm)
- Base Clock Speed
- 3.2 GHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 6 GHz
- Cache
- 32MB L2 + 36MB L3 Cache
- TDP
- 253 W
- PCIe
- PCI-E 4.0/5.0 supported
- Graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Can push up to 6GHz speeds out of the box with compatible hardware
- Has the best multi-core performance from a desktop-class CPU currently
- Works with older 12th/13th-gen Intel motherboards with a BIOS update
- Comes with Intel's new XTU AI tweaking tool that makes it a 1-button tweak
- Runs considerably hotter than its competition when under load
- Consumes considerably more power than most of its alternatives in the same performance bracket
The Core i9 14900K is currently the latest flagship CPU in the Raptor Lake Refresh lineup. It replaces the already-fast and multicore king of the hill, the Intel Core i9 13900K, and offers higher clocks than its predecessor on both its higher-end performance cores and its lower-clocked efficient cores by 200 MHz and 100 MHz, respectively. It offers best-in-class multicore performance and some of the best gaming performance to date in multiple titles, assisted by its ability to push clocks as high as 6GHz on multiple cores.
This advantage can be built up even further by using the Intel XTU AI tool that currently remains an exclusive for the Intel Core i9 14900K and KF, using it to profile and attempt to run suggested overclocks based on multiple data sets.
The Best Intel CPUs in 2023
Intel has had a strong year, finishing off with the 14th generation of its processor lineup. But how does it stack against itself in 2023?While Intel's quest for the fastest gaming CPU crown is ongoing with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D standing strong, the 14900K comes as close as possible to Raptor Lake while also pulling surprise wins in certain newer titles. It also decimates its competition when it comes to multicore performance, making a well-rounded productivity-centric CPU that also manages to game quite well, coming in a close second to its competition.
It does, however, require significant cooling, power delivery, and power supply investment to ensure it truly shines, especially in the productivity department, where the chip can routinely cross 400W of power usage when under maximum loads.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
16-Core Efficiency Play
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is the flagship processor of AMD's Ryzen 7000 series. It can boost up to 5.7Ghz and delivers unheard-of efficiency while taking the multi-threading performance crown for a 16-core processor
- Socket
- AMD AM5
- Brand
- AMD
- TDP
- 170W
- Cores
- 16
- Threads
- 32
- iGPU
- Yes, RDNA2
- L3 Cache
- 64MB
- Base Clock
- 4.5Ghz
- Boost Clock
- 5.7Ghz
- Offers competitive productivity to 13900K at a lower cost
- Has excellent overclockability support
- Attempts to smartly determine what thermal limits it can be pushed to in order to maximize performance
- Much more efficient than the competition for productivity workloads
- Not one of the best CPUs in the market for gaming
- Some of its direct competitors have slightly better multi-core performance
If gaming is not a prospective buyer's only play when using a processor, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is an excellent choice that outperforms even the more expensive option, i.e., the Ryzen 7950X3D. This is because the latter gets restricted in overclocking and higher boost clock speeds due to the die design, unlike the 7950X which offers significantly higher clock speeds and enjoys overclocking support.
It has the highest boost clocks for an AMD processor to date out of the box, which allows it to retain a workload-based performance crown, replacing AMD's previous 16-core offering in the same space, the Ryzen 9 5950X, offering more performance on tap while trading at a decent discount over its last MSRP.
When all is said and done, the Ryzen 9 7950X is a 16-core, 32-thread processor at its core and a very capable one at that. It can also harness some of the latest tech that comes bundled as part of its tech offerings: PCI-Express 5.0 and DDR5 memory support. It is also much more efficient than the competing Intel Core i9 13900K when it comes to multithreaded performance and consumes around 40-50W less at stock clock speeds. But that's not all! It is pretty competitive with the latter in media encoding, rendering, and other CPU-intensive workloads.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Hexacore Value Play
Gamers interested in upgrading to a newer CPU from Team Red will find the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X to be of spectacular value thanks to its high single-core performance, efficient hexacore architecture, and compatibility with newer technology such as PCI-E 5.0 and DDR5 memory. It also abandons AMD's AM4 design, going for a pin-less processor offering by moving them to the motherboard instead.
- Brand
- AMD
- CPU Model
- Ryzen 5 7600X
- CPU Socket
- AMD AM5
- Cores
- 6
- Threads
- 12
- PCIe 4.0 Support
- PCI-E 5.0 and lower
- Base Clock Speed
- 4.7 GHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 5.3 GHz
- Cache
- 6MB L2 + 32MB L3 Cache
- RAM
- Up to 128 GB DDR5 5000 MHz
- TDP
- 105W
- UserBenchmark Ranking
- 27th
- iGPU
- 2-Core AMD Radeon Graphics
- Is a true upgrade to the excellent value AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor with support for PCI-E 5.0, DDR5, and the new AM5 socket
- Offers decent gaming and productivity performance gains over its last-generation sibling
- Highly efficient compared to its direct competitors when it comes to power draw
- Offers no stock cooler out of the box unlike its predecessor
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is an excellent hexacore CPU for gaming that is AMD's mid-range play for a gaming processor that offers overclockability, decent gaming performance, and superior efficiency in a sub $200 package. It allows users to experience the AM5 platform without having to spend an arm and a leg in the process making it an excellent, well-rounded offering from Team Red.
Also included with the 7600X is an entry-level 2-core integrated graphics chip that allows end-users to use it for productivity without needing a secondary display option like its predecessor. While AMD's offering is somewhat limited in terms of core count thanks to its hexacore offerings, it does offer significantly more leeway in terms of efficiency, even if it comes considerably short of production workloads.
All in all, if one is going AMD and is on a budget, the 7600X has them covered when it comes to delivering an efficient, gaming-centric performance that doesn't break the bank while offering considerable value to the end user.
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X has seen a massive uptick in pricing in September, which makes it a relatively less desirable purchase for some users. It does, however, deliver on its promise of a very fast hexacore CPU that offers an efficient, gaming-centric AM5-based alternative for gamers looking to go AMD this round.
Intel Core i7-12700K CPU
Value Alder Lake Proposition
The Intel Core i7-12700K is the last-generation Intel Core i7 processor from Intel. This CPU is near the top range of options in the Intel Core series of processors. It has a clock speed of 3.6 GHz and offers more cache, including 25 MB of L3 cache, and a hyper-threading feature, which allows it to deliver better performance in demanding apps and games. The graphics performance is provided by the built-in Intel UHD graphics controller. The processor is compatible with both previous and current Socket LGA-1700 motherboards.
- Brand
- Intel
- CPU Model
- Core i7 12700K
- CPU Socket
- LGA 1700
- Cores
- 12 (8P + 4E)
- Threads
- 20 (16P + 4E)
- PCIe 4.0 Support
- PCI-E 5.0 and 4.0 Support
- Process
- Intel 7 (10 nm Enhanced SuperFin)
- Boost Clock Speed
- 5.0 GHz
- Cache
- 12 MB L2, 25MB L3 Smart Cache
- RAM
- Upto DDR5 4800 MT/s
- TDP
- 125 Typical, 190W Turbo
- iGPU
- Yes, Intel UHD 770 Integrated
- Offers 8 Performance Cores and 4 efficiency cores
- Supports up to 20 threads simultaneously
- Considerably better value than certain 13th-generation CPUs due to its aggressive price cuts
- Works with both, 12th and 13th-generation Intel motherboards
- Offers no stock cooler out of the box
- Requires an adequate motherboard to max out its overclocking potential
- Has a slightly worse onboard memory controller than its 13th-generation alternatives
The now-aging Intel Core i7 12700K CPU still packs a powerful punch and is back in the limelight as one of the best CPUs on a budget as a result of Intel's extensive price cuts on Alder Lake. It comes overclocked out of the box unlike the comparable Core i5 13500 CPU, while also offering 2 more performance (P-cores) cores while offering 4 less efficient (E-cores) cores as a result.
It does skip on a stock cooler like all unlocked Intel CPUs do, adding significantly to the net cost for most users looking to max out the CPU while having limited memory compatibility, especially at higher clocks, requiring a higher-end motherboard to be able to push it significantly.
At the same time, the price tag, the better gaming and productivity performance, and the overclocking potential are strong proponents of what was a favorite CPU when Alder Lake launched. The fact that it runs on both Intel's 12th and 13th generation motherboards, in addition to DDR4 and DDR5 memory depending on the motherboard of choice, makes it an appealing and balanced choice to consider. It also offers significant productivity use cases, housing 16 performance and 4 efficiency threads for a total of 20 threads for power users looking to eke out some extra performance from Intel's most balanced Core i7 chip from 2021.
How Important Is Single-Core CPU Performance For Gaming?
Single-core performance in a CPU is often touted, and rightly so, as an important metric to track when ascertaining a CPU's performance potential. This is because of how video games work in general, a practice that stems from older video game engines being primarily single-threaded or not handling most of their logic across multiple threads. Most current video games also tend to be exceptionally reliant on a single thread (even those built on modern game engines at times), which also gives credence to this notion.
It is true that faster single-core performance more often than not does translate to significant performance uplifts for most modern titles. This is both due to a speedier single-core somewhat limiting the performance bottleneck that game engines experience where threads 'wait' on the primary thread to proceed before they can move to the next frame or render more objects. As a result, faster single-core performance allows for fewer resource 'locks' on a processor. At the same time, this is not the complete story.
Modern games attempt to increasingly leverage the extra horsepower that multicore CPUs give us. This is due to a multitude of factors but can be condensed down to a few simple factors;
- Considerably more powerful game consoles: Since the last generation consoles from both Sony and Microsoft went for custom AMD x86 chips and the current generation has followed suit, much of the target platform development has been centered around an octa-core processor with the latest generation using custom AMD Zen 2-based APUs. This has allowed modern games to push for better use of limited resources on consoles, which translates to better, more optimal use of multicore CPUs in a bid to eke out more performance for game consoles and PCs alike.
- Better, more optimized game engines: Game engines have come a long way and offer powerful optimization techniques and more fine-grained control to developers now than ever before to ensure better gaming performance on multicore CPUs which they previously couldn't exploit as well as possible relative to potential performance.
- Higher core counts in entry-level CPUs: Possibly one of the most important factors that have led to multicore CPUs receiving increasing amounts of optimization is that entry-level CPUs from Intel and AMD offer a minimum of 4 cores, with most offering 6 or more cores, allowing developers to assume a larger thread and core count than they previously could as a minimum specification, making it easier for them to assume a larger core count from the get-go when designing their games.
While it isn't incorrect to say that multicore performance is a secondary factor to performance, it has increasingly become more relevant since the turn of the century and will continue to grow in terms of relevance as new titles continue to be released. Single-core performance in a way can be seen as the maximum cap of what potential a CPU can exhibit in modern games that otherwise have their multicore requirements met, making it a crucial benchmark for most modern games.
This is also why Intel & AMD focus on single-core performance for gaming-centric CPU offerings with higher clocks offered at the higher, multicore CPU tiers, which are normally reserved for enthusiast-tier gamers and creators such as the Intel Core i9 14900K.
The Bottom Line
More cores and higher clocks do not always equate to more performance and 16-core processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X have a far smaller gap in terms of productivity workloads with the Core i9 14900K than raw core counts would suggest. At the same time, the current king of the hill for gaming is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D which decimates all of its competition with ease thanks to its 3D V-Cache implementation allowing it to work with larger amounts of data thanks to the extended L3 cache.
If one wishes to get the best value for money, both Intel's Core i5 and AMD's Ryzen 5 are where one needs to look in terms of an excellent price-to-performance ratio. If their plans are more centric on getting the best of the best, AMD's Ryzen 9 7950X and Intel's Core i9 14900K are excellent options. At the same time, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes its case for the best gaming CPU available despite being an octa-core processor in a segment that has plenty of cores to go around for high-end processors.
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest CPU For gaming?
The Fastest CPU for gaming currently is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D with an octa-core layout that is backed by AMD's 3D V-Cache with AMD's own Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel's Core i9 13900KS coming in a close 2nd and 3rd place respectively.|
Q: What is the Fastest AMD CPU For Productivity?
The fastest consumer-grade AMD CPU for productivity is the 16-core, 32-thread Ryzen 9 7950X which is slightly faster in most productivity benchmarks compared to its more expensive Ryzen 9 7950X3D sibling due to a higher clock speed and TDP rating that help it perform better in non-gaming benchmarks.
Q: What is the Best CPU for Productivity?
As of September 2023, the fastest CPU for work is currently the Intel Core i9-14900KS which can do 6000MHz on single-core clocks while having 24 cores handling 32 threads that allow it to crunch numbers beyond most of its competitors.