Looking to get the best possible gaming performance so you can play all the AAA titles we’ve been spoilt with this year? Well, you’re in luck as we’ve put together this list of the best gaming CPUs that are currently available in 2023.
Split between entry-level, mainstream, and high-end gaming, with options from both Intel and AMD, you are sure to find the best gaming CPU that your budget can buy.
Entry-level Gaming
Intel Core i5 12600KF Processor:
The Intel i5 12600KF is the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy powerful entry-level gaming utilising the innovative generation of hardware. Built with Intel’s hybrid core architecture featuring ten cores and sixteen threads, all your workloads are evenly spread for an optimised performance. You can game and multitask with ease thanks to the integrated Intel Thread Director, which ensures the best core is assigned to the task.
- Intel 12th Gen CPU
- LGA 1700 socket
- 10 cores and 16 threads
- 4.9GHz single core max speed
- 125W TDP
- No onboard graphics
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Processor:
Designed with gaming in mind, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X harnesses cutting-edge Zen 4 architecture and boost speeds of up to 5.30GHz to deliver ultra-fast performance in all your favourite games. Equipped with six cores and twelve threads, this processor will effectively manage any workload you throw its way. What’s more, with support for DDR5 RAM and AMD EXPO overclocking, enjoy near-zero latency and no slow in-game loading times interrupting those critical moments.
- AMD Ryzen 7000 series
- AM5 socket
- 6 cores and 12 threads
- Up to 5.30GHz boosted clock speed
- Compatible with DDR5 RAM
Mainstream Gaming
Intel Core i7 13700KF Processor:
For high-powered mainstream gaming, there is the Intel i7 13700KF. Engineered with Intel’s advanced hybrid P- and E-core architecture, all your workloads are effectively managed and spread across each of the cores. This is further enhanced by the integrated Intel Thread Director to ensure the right core is assigned to the task to deliver the best possible performance. What’s more, with boosted clock speeds of 5.4GHz, you can play your favourite games at blisteringly fast speeds, all whilst chatting to your teammates or streaming the latest TV shows with ease.
- Intel 13th Gen CPU
- LGA 1700 socket
- 16 cores and 24 threads
- 5.4GHz single core max speed
- 125W TDP
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 Processor:
Armed with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, you’ll have everything you need to dominate the virtual battlefield. Packed with eight cores and sixteen threads, up to 144MB onboard memory, and boosted clock speeds of up to 5.7GHz, unlock lightning fast performance in both mainstream gaming and streaming alike. Plus, thanks to a suite of integrated features including support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0, enjoy near-zero latency with virtually no in-game loading times.
- AMD Ryzen 7000 series
- AM5 socket
- 8 cores and 16 threads
- 5.30GHz boost clock speeds
- Supports DDR5 RAM
High-End Gaming
Intel Core i9 14900K Processor:
The i9 14900K is the flagship processor in the brand-new Intel 14th Gen line up. It’s the perfect CPU for all your high-end gaming, streaming, or content creation. Built utilising Intel’s performance hybrid architecture, the combination of eight P- and sixteen E-cores along with thirty-two threads effectively manages all your intensive workloads with ease at ultra-fast speeds. In addition to this, there is support for Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) for simple easy-to-do overclocking that allows you to better fine-tune this processor to suit the demands of your workload.
- Intel 14th Gen
- LGA 1700 socket
- 24 cores and 32 threads
- 6.0GHz single core boost speeds
- 125W TDP
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D Processor:
For high-end gaming, we also recommend the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. Cutting-edge Zen 4 architecture along with sixteen cores and thirty-two threads deliver you blisteringly fast performance in single- and multi-threaded tasks alike. No matter if you are enjoying some intensive AAA gaming, streaming, or even 3D rendering, this processor can handle it all! This is further backed up thanks to compatibility with high-speed DDR5 RAM and AMD EXPO overclocking. You can easily configure your PC’s memory to ensure optimum performance, fast speeds, and no input lag.
What’s more, the integrated 3D-V cache has been designed with gamers in mind. This powerful stacked cache results in even faster fetch rates, increased cache capacity, and even more efficiency whilst in-game.
- AMD Ryzen 7000 series
- AM5 socket
- 16 cores and 32 threads
- 5.70GHz boosted clock speeds
- 3D-V cache
In Need of More Cores and Threads?
Still struggling to find the best processor for your gaming needs? Why not shop our entire range of Intel and AMD CPUs to give your PC a worthy upgrade?
- 5 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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