Key findings
- 6 cores aren't what they used to be; high-end games can now easily utilize 8 cores and even more.
- Overclocking does not produce any significant improvements, as modern CPUs already have excellent performance out of the box.
- Pay attention to TDP and L3 cache, as these greatly affect cooling requirements and gaming performance respectively.
- Don't be a fanboy of a particular brand; buy what is best for you based on your existing needs.
If you're planning to build a PC, the CPU is undoubtedly one of the most important components that the entire system is built around. You might know the key CPU specs to look out for, how to match your CPU and motherboard, and what mistakes to avoid when pairing your CPU and GPU. These things are undoubtedly important, but they're also relatively basic.
Given the current evolution of desktop CPUs, the old rules no longer apply. You can't just stick with the brand you're more familiar with, ignoring SKU-level differences and fundamental issues of a particular CPU generation. There are a few other important factors to consider before purchasing a CPU.
6 The conventional understanding of the number of cores is changing
“6 cores for gaming” is no longer gospel
For a long time, you were advised to get a 6-core processor for a gaming-focused system. The logic behind this rule of thumb was that games didn't really use more than 6 cores, and single-threaded performance was much more relevant than more cores and threads. While the latter remains true, the former is changing rapidly.
Faster single-core performance will still win out, but even in those cases, “8 cores” is the new gold standard.
As we have seen with Cyberpunk2077 and other high-end games, CPU usage has been steadily increasing on the latest titles. If you monitor your CPU usage while playing these titles, you'll notice that the games make pretty heavy use of 8 cores, with many of them scaling pretty well as you increase the core count even further.
Faster single-core performance will still win out, but even in those cases, “8 cores” is the new gold standard when it comes to getting the most out of your processor. Specialized chips like the Ryzen X3D CPUs (which are 8-core models) are even better for gaming, but as a general rule, you should consider an 8-core CPU whether you're building a PC just for gaming or not.
5 TDP is a double-edged sword
More performance through thicker chip
TDP or Thermal Design Power indicates the maximum power in watts that a processor can consume under normal operating conditions. This does not mean that a 105W processor will always consume 105W when gaming, editing videos, or doing other activities, but it does provide you with a tool to compare the heat output of processors of the same generation or with the same power.
The 65 W Ryzen 7 7700 offers virtually the same gaming performance as the 170 W Ryzen 9 7950X or Ryzen 9 9950X.
If you choose a CPU with higher performance limits, you'll probably opt for a model with many cores, which will give you more CPU power but also have higher cooling requirements. If you need a 12- or 16-core processor for your professional workloads, you can't go past it – get a Core i9-14900K or Ryzen 9 9950X with a top-notch 360mm AIO.
However, if you don't need all that power and just want a capable chip for gaming, a power-efficient 8-core processor like the Ryzen 7 7700 might be the best gaming CPU for you. The 65W CPU offers virtually the same gaming performance as the 170W Ryzen 9 7950X or Ryzen 9 9950X.
4 Manual overclocking is no longer so important
Modern processors are already almost reaching their maximum
Today's processors from Intel and AMD aren't what they used to be. While you used to be able to get significant performance gains by overclocking your CPU, today's processors offer excellent performance right out of the box. They're designed to run close to their maximum operating temperature and have automatic boosting algorithms that always aim for maximum performance.
It's no longer so tempting to spend a little more on Intel's “K” series chip just to be able to overclock it and boost it by 100 MHz.
And if you want more, mechanisms like Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) on AMD's side can automatically optimize the CPU's performance and current settings to maintain the boost frequency for longer periods of time. Whether you're chasing the highest FPS or the maximum boost clock, modern processors can reach record frequencies with the default settings, provided you have a powerful CPU cooler.
Therefore, it is no longer so tempting to spend extra money on Intel's “K” series chip just to overclock it and boost it by 100 MHz. Just look at benchmarks from multiple publications and buy the processor with the best standard performance within your budget.
3 Focus on the L3 cache if you are only interested in gaming
L1 and L2 cache are faster, but the L3 cache is the measure of all things
Besides the number of cores, single-core frequency, and IPC, CPU cache is probably the most important factor in your CPU's gaming performance. Every CPU has three cache types – L1, L2, and L3. While the L1 cache is the fastest because it is closest to a CPU core, it is quite small. The L2 cache is relatively larger, slower, and shared across multiple cores.
3D V-Cache delivers exceptional FPS gains, but at the expense of frequency degradation in some non-gaming applications.
The L3 cache is the largest and is available to all CPU cores. This “last level cache” brings the greatest benefits, especially in gaming, as we've seen with processors like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and other X3D chips from AMD. These CPUs have unusually large amounts of L3 cache, also known as 3D V-cache, stacked vertically on compute chiplets.
3D V-Cache delivers exceptional FPS gains at the cost of a frequency hit in some non-gaming applications. So while they may not be the fastest CPUs across the board, they are undoubtedly the best for gaming. I'm waiting for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to see what kind of gains we'll see compared to the 7800X3D.
2 Platform longevity may not be important to everyone
Many gamers don’t touch their CPUs for 5 years or even longer
One big advantage AMD has over Intel is that you can probably keep the same motherboard if you want to upgrade to a newer processor on the same socket. AMD's AM4 socket spanned four generations of processors, from the Ryzen 1000 series to the Ryzen 5000 series. The same could happen with the current AM5 socket, as AMD continues to support it with newer CPU generations.
If you only upgrade your CPU every 5 years or more with a new PC build, the longevity of the platform may be meaningless to you.
Compare that to Intel, where no socket lasts more than two CPU generations – the 12th, 13th, and 14th generation CPUs on LGA 1700 are exceptions. If you're someone who wants to upgrade their processor every year, every 2 years, or even every 3 years, or at least have the option to do so, then AMD may be a better fit for you.
However, if you only upgrade your CPU every 5 years or more with a new PC build, platform longevity may not be important to you. Many PC builders choose a flagship or high-end CPU of one generation and stick with it for years, only considering switching when their processor is outdated by all standards. If you take a similar approach, a long-lasting AM5 socket may already be outdated by the time you're looking to upgrade anyway.
Therefore, it might make more sense to just buy the better performing chip that fits your budget at the time and reassess the market several generations later. If the best processor for you at that time happens to be compatible with your existing motherboard, that's just a bonus. If not, that's fine for most people too.
1 You should not chain yourself to brand loyalty
Companies don't try to make you happy
Companies like Intel, AMD, and Nvidia don't make products hoping you'll praise them on Reddit. They work for shareholders and will continue to do what's best for business. If that means meeting demand for AI chips instead of the gaming market, they'll do it without hesitation. So you're not doing yourself any favors by blindly buying one company's products over another's.
The point is that every manufacturer goes through cycles of rapid progress and inevitable stagnation, so don't create favorites, buy what best suits your needs and call a spade a spade.
You should objectively evaluate the market and choose the product that works best for you. When AMD was struggling before the launch of Ryzen CPUs in 2017, Intel was basically the only option for the best desktop CPU. When AMD launched more cores, lower cost, more efficiency, and eventually better single-threaded performance, the market naturally rewarded their CPUs.
Intel struggled for years to get its 10nm process off the ground — sticking with 14nm for seven CPU generations — and is now embroiled in a major CPU scandal, so there's no point putting blind faith in Intel now. Even the Ryzen 9000 CPUs have delivered basically the same performance as the Ryzen 7000 series, so there's no reason for AMD fans to buy the latest CPUs.
The point is that every manufacturer goes through cycles of rapid progress and inevitable stagnation, so don't create favorites, buy what best suits your needs and call a spade a spade.
Don't believe the hype; buy the best CPU for yourself
Choosing a CPU is a big decision – it determines the platform you'll use for many years, the motherboard you can buy, the RAM support you'll get, and the type of cooling hardware you'll need. So it's only natural that you'll spend a lot of time before you buy. In addition to the basics, pay attention to some of the deeper questions surrounding this purchase.
Companies praise themselves in their marketing materials, present basically false benchmarks (both Intel and AMD are guilty), and have no qualms about selling flawed products until it becomes a huge PR nightmare. So don't be a fanboy, do your research, and buy the product that is the best (for you) at the moment.