Best CPU for gaming 2019

The greatest CPU for gaming is that processor which is cable of providing a heady mixture of highly effective single-threaded efficiency, some tasty multi-threaded chops, and a price ticket that doesn’t immediately nuke your financial institution steadiness.

Despite the dominance of quad-core CPUs – or above – in at the moment’s gaming rigs, the problem in coding for multi-core processors has meant we’re nonetheless not seeing many fashionable game engines taking full benefit of the highly effective CPUs many people now have in our machines. In truth, since AMD has determined to take the struggle to Intel by way of core-count, even six cores is changing into an increasing number of widespread.

But games are gradual to catch up. We had hoped that the rise in DirectX 12 games, and AMD’s promise of burgeoning Vulkan API assist from builders, that the CPU would grow to be an increasing number of vital for good gaming efficiency. That hasn’t come to move, and the GPU continues to be crucial element of your gaming rig… however that doesn’t imply any outdated processor will do – you continue to want a top quality chip to get probably the most out of your graphics card.

AMD has usurped the highest spot for the perfect CPU for gaming with its Ryzen 2 processors, nevertheless it nonetheless has fierce competitors from Intel’s Coffee Lake chips. At least till 3rd Gen Ryzen processors flip up on the scene. Take a glance under to search out the processor that matches you greatest.

Also, should you want a refresher course on techie-phrases, right here’s our processor glossary of terms.

The greatest CPUs for gaming are:

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Winner: Best CPU for gaming

AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Approx. – $165 | £159

Pros
 Great worth
 Decent single core efficiency…
 …with real multi-threading tempo

Cons
 You have to overclock to match 2600X

 

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 isn’t only a nice gaming CPU with severe multi-threading chops, it’s additionally an extremely good-value chip, too. We had initially pegged the 2600X because the go-to gaming chip on account of its high-end efficiency, however struggled somewhat with how far more costly it was in contrast with the Core i5 8400.

The 8400 nonetheless retains a slight gaming efficiency lead, however the truth the Ryzen 5 2600 prices significantly lower than the rival Intel chip implies that there’s solely going to be one winner on this battle for the title of greatest CPU for gaming. With somewhat even handed overclocking, at a degree which isn’t going to place any undue pressure in your silicon, you may get the identical degree of efficiency because the 2600X. That places it only some fps decrease than the Core i5, however with an enormous quantity extra multi-threading capability for manner much less money.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 5 2600 review.

Runner-up

AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

Approx. – $210 | £218

Pros
 Great computational efficiency
 Decent high-end gaming prowess
 Cheaper than Intel choices

Cons
 Not a lot faster than the 2600

 

The 2600X has double the thread depend of its closest Intel rival, the Core i5 8400, which makes it a genuinely spectacular computational chip – as quick because the far dearer i7 8700Ok. And although we’re speaking in regards to the 8400 being faster in gaming body charges it’s solely ever by a number of frames per second on common. And that’s at 1080p. Push the decision as much as a extra GPU-intensive 1440p or 4K and the distinction turns into primarily zero.

But it’s the straight 2600 CPU from AMD that will get the perfect CPU for gaming crown, pushing the X-series variant down into second place. It’s a less expensive chip that simply wants a really small quantity of overclocking effort to get operating on the similar velocity. If you’ll by no means trouble, and have the spare money, go for the 2600X, however everybody else could be higher off with the non-X Ryzen 5 2600.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 5 2600X review.

Runner-up

Intel Core i5 8400

Approx. – $216 | £200

Pros
 Six Intel cores
 Great gaming body charges

Cons
 Much dearer than AMD’s 2600
 No HyperThreading weakens compute energy

 

I’ve been fighting which chip to select from the i5 8400 and the brand new Ryzen 5 processors as to the perfect CPU for gaming. While the 8400 does have marginally higher gaming efficiency I’d battle to essentially suggest it as an total bundle. The mainstream H370 and B360 chipsets imply the non Ok-series Coffee Lake SKUs have an inexpensive platform, however the 14nm manufacturing points imply the CPUs are nonetheless dearer than AMD’s competing Ryzen.

When the 8400 was cheaper it was a tempting choice, because of its conventional Intel gaming efficiency lead, however as it’s you’re paying extra for much less CPU energy. And that would hobble your rig going ahead.The future-proofing, multi-threaded chops, and near-as-dammit gaming efficiency, means the Ryzen 2 CPU is the higher total CPU.

Read our full Intel Core i5 8400 review.

Runner-up

Intel Core i5 8600Ok

Approx. – $270 | £245

Pros
 Serious overclocking – 5.1GHz secure
 Classic Intel gaming efficiency

Cons
 Comparatively excessive worth
 Lacks compute energy in opposition to 12-thread Ryzen

 

I genuinely thought that, after what occurred with earlier Intel generations, the Ok-series Core i5 could be the go-to chip for the perfect CPU crown. But as a result of the Ryzen 5 2600 has the multithreaded chops, and the Core i5 8400 is simply so damned good in the case of pure gaming efficiency, there’s virtually no have to spend the additional on the 8600Ok.

Where the 8600Ok does have relevance is its overclocking abilities. Running at a snug, secure, 5.1 GHz the Coffee Lake chip is able to delivering the identical degree of multi-threaded CPU efficiency because the competing 12-thread Ryzen 5. To be sincere, that appears to have been this processor’s raison d’être – beating Ryzen in any respect prices, however you want a high-end Z370 board to get there.

Read our full Intel Core i5 8600K review.

Winner: Best high-end CPU for gaming

Intel Core i9 9900Ok

Approx. $539 | £525 

Pros
 The quickest gaming processor round
 Perfect CPU for RTX 2080 Ti

Cons
 Hard to search out at its already excessive MSRP
 In most games an AMD 2700X is as succesful

 

The Intel Core i9 9900Ok is the world’s quickest gaming CPU, however its painfully excessive price ticket means it doesn’t get our nod because the outright greatest CPU for gaming. But if cash actually isn’t a factor for you then the octa-core from Intel is the perfect processor to pair together with your high-end graphics card. But it’s inevitably in brief provide proper now, that means costs are completely prohibitive.

When it involves GPU-bound games, that are nearly all of titles, even with a correct high-end graphics card there isn’t an enormous quantity of distinction between the in-game efficiency of Intel’s prime chip and AMD’s greatest octa-core CPU, the 2700X, particularly at 4K. It is a good chip from a technical and efficiency standpoint, however as a price proposition – particularly within the face of fierce competitors from AMD – it’s a little bit of a tricky one to suggest.

Read our full Intel Core i9 9900K review.

Runner-up

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

Approx. – $309 | £341

Pros
 Serious multi-threaded efficiency
 Great worth for a 16-thread CPU
 Comparable gaming body charges

Cons
 Limited overclocking potential

 

If you’re after a mixture of nice multi-threaded computational chops, first rate gaming efficiency, and nice worth then look no additional than the brand new 2700X. It’s a well-priced Ryzen CPU that’s the top-chip within the newest vary, and but prices manner lower than the 1800X did when it first launched. Importantly it’s additionally significantly cheaper than both Intel’s 8700Ok or eight-core i9 9900Ok.

But it’s nonetheless acquired gaming efficiency that’s comparable with Intel’s prime chips whenever you’re gaming at 1440p or 4K. That makes it an important chip in productiveness phrases and a CPU with gaming efficiency that’s virtually indistinguishable from the Intel competitors in any GPU-bound game.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 7 2700X review.

Runner-up

Intel Core i7 8700Ok

Approx. – $370 | £400 

Pros
 Higher gaming body charges than Ryzen
 Extra overclocking potential

Cons
 Much dearer than AMD’s octa-core
 Gaming lead evaporates at 1440p or 4K

 

Intel’s prime first-gen Coffee Lake Ok-series continues to be a top quality gaming processor, providing high-end body price efficiency and first rate multi-threaded energy for computational duties. It has now been outdated by Intel’s new ninth Gen CPUs, however good luck both discovering them in inventory, or at near their MSRP.

The challenge for the 8700Ok, nevertheless, is that the second-gen AMD Ryzen 7 processors provide one other two cores and 4 threads of computational energy, and gaming body charges which might be proper up there whenever you game on the larger resolutions. Combine that with its personal comparatively excessive worth and it’s powerful to see past the AMD CPUs.

Read our full Intel Core i7 8700K review.

Runner-up

AMD Ryzen 7 1700X

Approx. – $194 | £178

Pros
 Great worth for an octa-core CPU
 High-end multi-threading energy
 Affordable AM4 platform

Cons
First-gen Ryzen gaming weak point

 

At this worth the first-gen Ryzen 1700X is a good shout as a CPU should you weight the computational energy of your rig barely above its gaming efficiency. That’s to not say it’s not a good CPU for a gaming rig – whenever you’re enjoying GPU-bound titles it’s nonetheless a mighty succesful processor – however it’s undoubtedly behind the second-gen Ryzens.

You are leaving a few of your GPU’s potential body price within the field when pairing it with a first-gen Ryzen processor. But with the multi-threaded efficiency on provide, at this worth, should you’re inquisitive about utilizing your PC for something outdoors gaming this OG Ryzen is a good choice.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 7 1700X review.

Winner: Best low cost CPU for gaming

AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

Approx. – $94 | £89

Pros
 Bargain worth
 Integrated Vega graphics
 Impressive overclocking chops

Cons
 Lower cache ranges than straight Ryzen

 

The combine of great quad-core CPU efficiency with the addition of surprisingly efficient Vega GPU silicon make the this APU a winner whether or not you’re plumbing a graphics card into your rig or not. As the premise for a funds gaming rig the 2200G can ship first rate 720p gaming efficiency as long as you’re not too formidable in regards to the game settings that’s. It’s the perfect CPU for gaming on a funds.

The Ryzen 5 2400G does have extra about it on that entrance, nevertheless it’s a great chunk dearer and the efficiency distinction can largely be made up by overclocking the interior GPU. And, as a result of AMD has additionally managed to jam a full quad-core Ryzen CPU into the bundle it performs admirably whenever you plumb in a discrete GPU. It loses somewhat in opposition to the 1300X on straight CPU efficiency, doubtlessly as a result of it’s acquired half the L3 cache, however in gaming phrases it’s shut sufficient that it doesn’t actually make a distinction.

Read our full AMD Ryzen 3 2200G review.

Runner-up

AMD Ryzen 3 1300X

Approx. – $127 | £103

Pros
 Quad-core CPU for dual-core cash
 Solid gaming efficiency…

Cons
 …however nonetheless suffers from first-gen Ryzen weak point
 More costly than 2200G

 

I like funds equipment. No, scratch that, I like funds equipment that turns up providing the identical form of efficiency you’ll usually need to pay by the nostril for. Loving your work, AMD. The 1300X was the perfect funds gaming chip round when it first launched, packing 4 overclockable Zen cores right into a dual-core price ticket. And it’s solely been overtaken by the marginally cheaper Ryzen 3 2200G.

The total Ryzen Three platform is superb too. When you may choose up the overclockable 1300X and a robust B350 motherboard for a similar worth as a multiplier-locked Core i5 by itself – it turns into mighty laborious to make a case for Intel. That pricing means you may construct your self a Ryzen Three gaming rig powered by the GTX 1060 for a similar worth as you’d pay for a locked down Core i5 rig with only a GTX 1050 Ti. And which one’s going to be successful the benchmarking battle there, proper?

Read our full AMD Ryzen 3 1300X review.

So these are attention-grabbing instances, then. Where for many of our PC gaming lives we’ve been recommending whichever Intel processor suited your funds it’s not that straightforward. And that’s all the way down to the engineering efforts AMD has put into creating its newest Ryzen lineup of CPUs.

AMD has made it very troublesome to suggest an Intel processor as the general greatest CPU for gaming, given the truth that you get a lot extra to your cash with an AMD chip proper now. That and the gaming efficiency delta between them is now so small as to be fully inconsequential.

At the mainstream finish it’s the six-core, 12-thread Ryzen 5 2600 for the win. It’s a great-value, processing monster that also has a good quantity of overclocking potential inside it – sufficient that the 2600X is nearly irrelevant should you’re completely happy to overclock.

The Intel i5 8400 comes shut, however because of Intel’s 14nm manufacturing woes, it’s pricing continues to fluctuate. And, should you’re doing severe PC work alongside your gaming passion, it’s six-core, six-thread design sits behind the AMD chips in pure multithreaded computational phrases.

At the high-end the model new eight-core, 16-thread Intel Core i9 9900Ok has taken the win over the Ryzen 7 2700X. But it’s laborious to trace down, and even when yow will discover one, they’re significantly dearer and solely actually gives a tangible efficiency distinction in CPU-bound games. Of which there are few. But over time, as GPU energy will increase, that can change and the efficiency differential displayed by the 2 chips will improve.

And for funds chips, the Ryzen 3 2200G will ship a good degree of CPU efficiency and has a Vega GPU baked into it which can permit for 720p gaming with out the necessity for a graphics card. A bona fide discount.