A graphics card and a processor determine the performance of a gaming PC. Both the offer from Intel and that of its direct competitor AMD is becoming more and more diverse.
The best gaming processors 2022:
There is no general answer to the question of which processor is the best. Benchmark results are just one of many aspects to consider before buying a CPU. In most cases, it’s more about getting the maximum performance out of your budget. The specific area of application is also important since not every processor is equally suitable for certain purposes. We are therefore introducing you to several processors from Intel and AMD that are suitable for both budget-friendly builds and absolute high-end computers.
Intel: Core i5-12600K
benefits
- Top price
- Integrated graphics unit
- Ideal for gaming and productive use
disadvantage
- No cooler included
The Intel Core i5-12600K has received some innovations in the latest generation. First and foremost is the distribution of the 10 cores – however, only 6 of them are so-called “performance cores”, whereas the remaining 4 cores are efficiency cores intended for less demanding tasks. However, this does not detract from the overall performance, because with a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a maximum turbo clock of 4.9 GHz, the CPU can easily handle just about anything. The K suffix also means that the processor can be overclocked again if necessary using the free multiplier.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (BOX)
€269.90
The price may be higher now.
benefits
- Top price
- Radiator included
- Good all-rounder also apart from gaming
disadvantage
- No integrated graphics chip
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a very powerful processor. The model has 6 cores with 12 threads and a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a maximum turbo clock of 4.6 GHz. According to AMD, compared to the previous generation, the single-core performance is said to have improved, which was one of the biggest weaknesses compared to Intel. Where the CPU clearly outperforms its competition: the average power consumption (TDP) is given as just 65 watts. The Core i5-12600K, on the other hand, requires almost twice as much power on average.
Entry-level CPU Intel: Core i3-12100
€148.90
The price may be higher now.
benefits
- Good entry-level CPU
- Radiator included
- Integrated graphics unit
- Ideal for older or less demanding games
disadvantage
- Little future proof
- Only conditionally suitable for AAA games
The Core-i3 12100 represents an inexpensive entry into the latest Alder Lake series from Intel and is therefore also ideal for price-conscious gaming computers. Anyone who is also annoyed by the delivery difficulties of the current generation of consoles and is currently looking for an alternative could also find what they are looking for here. With 4 cores and rather low clock frequencies of 2.2 GHz and 4.1 GHz respectively in Turbo, the CPU is not on the high-end level, but the performance should definitely be sufficient for indie games or older games. Another advantage is the included fan, which theoretically saves you additional costs. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730 can also serve as an interim solution until you have found a suitable graphics card.
Intel Core i7-12700K (BOX)
Now from €419.98
The price may be higher now.
When it comes to getting the maximum FPS out of your games, the Intel Core i7-12700K is definitely a good choice. The CPU has 12 cores and clocks at 3.6 GHz each – or 5.0 GHz in the turbo clock. The K suffix at the end of the model designation also signals an open multiplier, which, among other things, allows the processor to be overclocked. Incidentally, there is no cooler included in the scope of delivery, but this is bearable. Due to the enormous performance, you should invest in a potent air or water cooling anyway.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (BOX)
Now from €352.77
The price may be higher now.
Benefits
High multi-core performance
Outstanding performance in games
Best suited for computationally intensive applications
Disadvantage
No integrated graphics chip
No cooler included
If you also use other computing-intensive applications such as streaming or video editing in addition to gaming, then the Ryzen 7 5800X would be another alternative in this price range. Here you get a total of 8 cores with a slightly higher base clock than the Intel version, but a slightly lower turbo clock of 4.7 GHz. This model also does not have a cooler, which should be taken into account before making a purchase.
Intel Core i9-12900K (BOX)
Now from €609.90
The price may be higher now.
Benefits
Best overall performance in games
High overclocking potential
Ideal for gaming and professional applications
Disadvantagehigh price
You want enough performance? How about the Intel Core i9-12900K with a total of 16 cores and 24 threads? The base clock of this model is 3.2 GHz, the maximum turbo clock is 5.2 GHz. Although this processor costs a small fortune, there is currently hardly any other mainstream CPU that delivers so much performance, especially in games.
In contrast to the competition from AMD, the processor is only at a disadvantage in computing-intensive applications such as video encoding or rendering. The alternative below would probably be the better choice here.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (BOX)
Now from €709.00
The price may be higher now.
Benefits
Excellent performance in games
High overclocking potential
Ideal for compute-intensive applications and gaming
DisadvantageExtremely expensive
If money is not an issue, then you are well served with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X . You have 16 cores and a total of 32 threads at your disposal – each with a base clock of 3.4 GHz and a maximum turbo clock of 4.9 GHz. So if you want to keep the option open of editing or streaming videos in the future, the Ryzen CPU would be an excellent choice. Those who are only interested in the maximum FPS in games, on the other hand, will use the counterpart from Intel.
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