Choosing the right gaming CPU for your PC can be a challenging task, but we’re here to help. After benchmarking numerous processors, we have found the best gaming CPU currently available: AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D. While this chip takes the top spot, there are still several other excellent options on the market.
Regardless of your needs and budget, we have options from both AMD and Intel that will deliver outstanding performance. While our focus is on gaming, we also have a list of the best processors for productivity tasks.
Get your weekly breakdown of PC gaming tech
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The ultimate gaming CPU
Pros
- Top-tier gaming performance
- Great value
- Strong multi-core and productivity performance
- Affordable AM5 pricing
Cons
- Weak single-core performance
Why you should consider this: It is the fastest gaming processor available.
Who it’s for: Gamers seeking top-notch performance without compromising on value.
Why we chose the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D:
AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D has taken the gaming throne, surpassing even the flagship Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Through rigorous testing, we have found that the Ryzen 7 delivers exceptional gaming performance, often outperforming even AMD’s top-of-the-line CPUs and leaving Intel’s offerings far behind.
The Ryzen 7 boasts the unique advantage of 3D V-Cache, enhancing cache performance and boosting gaming speeds. Our testing revealed a 13% performance lead over Intel’s Core i9-13900K and a remarkable 20% improvement over the previous-gen Ryzen 7 5800X3D, making it the fastest gaming CPU on the market.
While productivity performance is solid, it falls short of flagship options from both AMD and Intel. Additionally, single-core speeds are slightly compromised due to the lower boost clock. However, these trade-offs are easily overlooked by gamers due to the Ryzen 7’s exceptional gaming performance.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The ultimate gaming CPU
…
When selecting a gaming CPU, it’s essential to consider its impact on game performance. Once you’ve made your decision and made the purchase, be sure to review our CPU installation guide for a smooth setup process.
Editors’ Recommendations