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Processors: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Best Overall CPUs Best CPUs for Gaming Best Budget CPUs
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Deep Dive: Understanding Desktop Processors By John Burek
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'Alder Lake' and the New Z690 Chipset: Is This Intel's Most Innovative Platform in a Decade? By Michael Justin Allen Sexton
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'Raptor Lake' 13th Gen Laptop CPUs Launch By Brian Westover
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How to Shop for the Right Motherboard By Michael Justin Allen Sexton
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Apple M2 vs. M1: All You Need to Know About Second-Generation Apple Silicon By Tom Brant
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The New Threadripper Boards: All the TRX40 Boards You Can Buy By Michael Justin Allen Sexton
Our 9 Top Picks
Best Mainstream CPU (AMD)
3.5
Good
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
If gameplay on a budget is your main PC use, AMD's Ryzen 5 7600 is a reasonable and affordable CPU choice. With minimal cooling required, it will handle mainstream computing and gaming needs.
Pros
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Most affordable Ryzen 7000 chip to date
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Includes stock cooler in the box
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High-efficiency operation
Cons
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Close to same street price as higher-binned 7600X
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Bundled Wraith cooler is a step down from the one with the 7700 and 7900
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Beat in testing by lower-priced Core i5
Read Our AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Review
Best Mainstream CPU (Intel)
3.5
Good
Intel Core i5-13400F
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The Intel Core i5-13400F is a well-priced processor that's a fine fit for a budget gaming PC, but don't expect it to pair well with a high-end graphics card.
Pros
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High core count for the money
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Competitive multi-threaded performance
Cons
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No integrated graphics in "F" version
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Lackluster single-threaded performance
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Somewhat loud stock fan
Read Our Intel Core i5-13400F Review
Best Budget CPU (AMD)
4.0
Excellent
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
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With performance rivaling the Ryzen 7 5800X at a lower price, AMD's Ryzen 7 5700X is arguably the best value in the Ryzen 7 5000 series, but it can't quite stand up to Intel's new "Alder Lake" processors.
Pros
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Strong performance
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Better value than Ryzen 7 5800X
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Compatible with most AM4 motherboards
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65-watt TDP
Cons
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Falls behind the more affordable Core i5-12600K
Read Our AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Review
Best Budget CPU (Intel)
3.5
Good
Intel Core i5-10400
Upgrading to any "Comet Lake" CPU (and its new platform) has its budget implications, but for a six-core chip with gaming chops, the Core i5-10400 is as good as it gets in Intel's 10th Generation stack.
Pros
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Decent frame rates for a midrange CPU in gaming runs
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Low TDP
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Workable bundled cooler
Cons
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Slower than comparatively priced AMD options in nearly every CPU-centric test
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LGA 1200 adoption is mandatory
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Integrated graphics are there, but still Intel UHD Graphics
Read Our Intel Core i5-10400 Review
Best High-End CPU (AMD)
4.5
Outstanding
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
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AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9950X has the 16-core muscle to fight Intel's 14th Gen Core i9 CPUs and win. Plus, it's cheaper than AMD's last-gen equivalent, the 7950X.
Pros
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16-core design
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Runs significantly cooler than its 7950X predecessor
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Marked performance gains
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Cheaper than last-generation flagship
Cons
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Power-hungry
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At launch, a little pricier than the Core i9-14900K
Read Our AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Review
Best High-End CPU (Intel)
3.5
Good
Intel Core i9-14900K
Intel's Core i9-14900K processor is essentially the Core i9-13900K with a slight clock boost, but a bit more prone to overheating and throttling. If you can find a 13900K for less money, opt for it, as the 14900K is much the same chip in practice.
Pros
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Fast multi-threaded performance, and field-leading single-core performance
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6GHz peak boost clock speed
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Capable integrated graphics
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Same launch price as Core i9-13900K
Cons
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Runs hot under load, at times hitting thermal limit
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Same design as last year's 13900K, with only minor upticks to base and boost clock
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Power-hungry
Read Our Intel Core i9-14900K Review
Best Gaming CPU (AMD)
4.0
Excellent
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X desktop CPU is better than its 7000-series predecessor, mostly on power consumption and heat generation—it's only slightly faster. A lower list price gives it added AM5 appeal.
Pros
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Significant improvements to efficiency versus Ryzen 7000 series
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Excellent operating temperatures, conducive to air cooling
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Mild performance improvements versus Ryzen 7700X series
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Reduced TDP suits this chip well for compact desktops
Cons
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Fewer cores than competing Intel chips
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Lesser multi-threaded performance than competition
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No bundled cooler
Read Our AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Review
Best Gaming CPU (Intel)
4.0
Excellent
Intel Core i7-14700K
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The Core i7-14700K is the best value of Intel's refreshed "Raptor Lake" CPUs, bringing marked improvements at no extra cost. It's an attractive upgrade for older LGA 1700 systems.
Pros
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Excellent performance
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Four more E-cores than predecessor
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Increased cache
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No price increase
Cons
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Power hungry
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Overheats with 240mm water cooler
Read Our Intel Core i7-14700K Review
Best HEDT Platform CPU (AMD or Intel)
4.5
Outstanding
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
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AMD's 32-core Ryzen Threadripper 7970X delivers superior value for professional users who need supercharged multi-threaded performance and the platform's high lane counts.
Pros
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Excellent multi-threaded performance
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32 cores with 64 threads
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Faster clock speeds than Threadripper 7980X
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Solid price-for-performance equation
Cons
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Runs hot
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Needs registered RAM
Read Our AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X Review
Latest Processor Top Picks
The Best CPUs for 2024
The Best CPUs for Gaming in 2024
The Best Budget CPUs for 2024
Latest Processor Reviews
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Review
4.0
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X Review
4.0
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Review
4.5
Editors' Choice
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Review
3.0
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Review
4.0
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G Review
4.0
Editors' Choice
Intel Core i9-14900KS Review
2.5
Intel Core i5-13400F Review
3.5
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Review
3.5
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X Review
4.5
Editors' Choice
Latest Processor News
Apple Reportedly Ready to Start Mass Production on M4 MacBook Air ByJibin Joseph
TSMC Chip Found in Latest Huawei AI Processor, Sparking Action Against Buyer ByKate Irwin
Nvidia's CEO on Creating the Next Big Thing: Just Get Started ByMichael J. Miller
Arm Ramps Up Qualcomm Legal Battle, Moves to Cancel Licensing Deal ByJibin Joseph
New Quantum Computing Chip Deals Could Aid US, Canadian National Security ByKate Irwin
Qualcomm Moves to Ease Windows on Snapdragon Compatibility Concerns ByRob Pegoraro
Qualcomm Steps Snapdragon 8 Up to Elite Status With Custom Cores and Powerful AI ByEric Zeman
AMD: Next-Gen X3D Chips Slated to Launch Nov. 7 ByMichael Kan
Qualcomm Cancels Windows Mini PC in Blow to Arm Developers ByWill McCurdy
TSMC Under US Investigation Over Chip Sales to Huawei ByKate Irwin
Latest Processor How-Tos
How to Choose the Best Laptop Processor in 2024 ByCharles Jefferies
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Latest Processor Stories
Apple Reportedly Ready to Start Mass Production on M4 MacBook Air
The entry-level MacBooks will retain the design but get a chipset upgrade.
23 hours ago By Jibin Joseph
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Review
4.0
Intel's flagship "Arrow Lake" CPU, the Core Ultra 9 285K, delivers reduced power consumption, dedicated AI silicon, and promising platform improvements. The one big question mark: Its performance is superb in some tasks but subpar in others, though this may improve with software updates.
1 day ago By Michael Justin Allen Sexton
TSMC Chip Found in Latest Huawei AI Processor, Sparking Action Against Buyer
TSMC is investigating how Huawei has obtained its chips after one was found in the Huawei Ascend 910B.
1 day ago By Kate Irwin
Nvidia's CEO on Creating the Next Big Thing: Just Get Started
How do you replicate Nvidia's blockbuster success? At the Gartner Symposium, Jensen Huang talks up the benefits of experimentation and having a long-term perspective.
1 day ago By Michael J. Miller
Arm Ramps Up Qualcomm Legal Battle, Moves to Cancel Licensing Deal
Arm sends Qualcomm a 60-day notice of cancellation for an architectural license agreement that—if executed—could throw the chip and smartphone industries into disarray.
2 days ago By Jibin Joseph
New Quantum Computing Chip Deals Could Aid US, Canadian National Security
North America's semiconductor industry gets a boost as Nord Quantique taps an R&D center to produce custom quantum computing chips in Quebec. But the quantum industry is still trying to solve its biggest technical challenge.
2 days ago By Kate Irwin
Qualcomm Moves to Ease Windows on Snapdragon Compatibility Concerns
At this week's Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm and Microsoft work to stamp out worries about apps or drivers not working on Qualcomm’s Arm-based processors.
2 days ago By Rob Pegoraro
Qualcomm Steps Snapdragon 8 Up to Elite Status With Custom Cores and Powerful AI
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform features custom-designed cores in the CPU, GPU, and NPU to dramatically improve speed, efficiency, and AI for next-generation flagship smartphones.
3 days ago By Eric Zeman
AMD: Next-Gen X3D Chips Slated to Launch Nov. 7
Pricing and specs were not announced, but AMD confirms that its rumored 9000X3D chips for desktops will be landing soon.
4 days ago By Michael Kan
Qualcomm Cancels Windows Mini PC in Blow to Arm Developers
The device 'has not met our usual standards of excellence,' Qualcomm tells developers.
10/19/2024 By Will McCurdy
TSMC Under US Investigation Over Chip Sales to Huawei
The US Commerce department is reportedly examining whether TSMC is selling chips to China-based Huawei. TSMC says it will take action to ensure compliance if needed.
10/18/2024 By Kate Irwin
Chinese Cyber Group: Intel Harms China's National Security With CPU Flaws
A Chinese cybersecurity group accuses Intel of spying on users and acting 'irresponsible' in handling known CPU exploits.
10/16/2024 By Kate Irwin
Rivals Intel and AMD Create Alliance To Defend x86 Architecture
The x86 advisory group from Intel and AMD arrives as the threat of Arm-based computing continues to advance.
10/15/2024 By Michael Kan
AMD 'Strix Point' Hits the Office With Ryzen AI Pro 300 Series Laptop CPUs
The new AMD Ryzen AI Pro 300 series of mobile processors brings increased speed, higher efficiency, and all the latest AI features to business laptops.
10/10/2024 By Brian Westover
Intel Unveils Next-Gen 'Arrow Lake' Desktop CPUs: They're All About Efficiency
Intel's new Core Ultra 200S family follows the power-sipping lead of its "Lunar Lake" mobile chips and brings the chipmaker's AI ambitions to its desktop processors.
10/10/2024 By Rob Pegoraro
Samsung Apologizes for AI 'Crisis' As it Falls Behind Major Rivals
One of the world's largest chipmakers reports troubling financials as it cedes ground to competitors in legacy and advanced technologies.
10/08/2024 By Emily Dreibelbis Forlini
Latest M4 Leak Tips Several Apple MacBook Pro Upgrades
An image posted online reportedly shows a box for the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, but as with all rumors, take it with a grain of salt.
9/30/2024 By Joe Hindy
Intel Preps Another Patch to Stop Raptor Lake CPU Voltage Bug
The company has completed a 'root cause diagnosis,' which isolated the bug to a vulnerable clock tree circuit in Intel's architecture.
9/26/2024 By Michael Kan
The Best CPUs for 2024
Whether you're upgrading your desktop PC or building a new one, choosing the right processor is the most crucial and complex choice you will make. Let's simplify it! Here's how to make sense of AMD's and Intel's lines, backed by dozens of our deep-dive reviews.
9/20/2024 By John Burek & Michael Justin Allen Sexton
The Best CPUs for Gaming in 2024
Buying the right processor for PC gaming might seem complicated—especially with AMD's multiple Ryzen families and Intel's many Cores and "Lakes." Here's everything you need to know, plus our top picks based on PC Labs' deep-dive CPU reviews.
9/20/2024 By Michael Justin Allen Sexton
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