CPU Buying Guide – February 2024

Budget Gaming - Intel

Core i3 - 12100(F)

Coming in at the bottom of the 13th gen lineup is the Intel i3 12100(F). Intel has decided to keep this as a 4-core/8-thread CPU, but it still performs adequately in newer games, thanks to its improved single-core performance. The i3 12100(F) still suffers in productivity due to having a limited number of cores, but as an inexpensive entry-level CPU, it is great. The 12100(F) has support for DDR5 memory, though the pricing, performance, and availability of DDR5 memory are not worth the upgrade over DDR4. If you have the budget for DDR5, spend it on getting a better CPU like the 12600K(F).

Mainstream Gaming - AMD

Ryzen 5 - 5600G

A competitor in this price range is the 5600G, another 6-core, 12-thread CPU in the Zen 3 architecture. Better known for its iGPU performance rather than its CPU performance, the 5600G's Vega 7 iGPU is close to being the best iGPU on a desktop CPU. This is perfect for those with needs of an inexpensive, good-performing system, or those needing a temporary graphics card in times of GPU shortages.

Gaming + Streaming - Intel

Core i5 - 12600K(F)

With 6 Performance-cores and 4 Efficiency-cores for a total of 10 cores and 16 threads, the 12600K is a great choice in this price range. It has great gaming and productivity performance at a decent price. It also offers PCIe Gen 5.0 and support for DDR5.

Productivity and Gaming - Intel

Core i7 - 12700k(F)

Yet another Alder Lake CPU making it onto the list, with 8 P-cores and 4 E-cores for a total of 12 cores and 20 threads. Like the 12600K(F), it has great overall performance for both gaming and productivity at the expense of requiring a more expensive motherboard, more expensive and effective cooling and possibly having to pay extra for DDR5.

Gaming - AMD

Ryzen 5 -7600

Sticking to the tried and true 6-core 12-thread design, the Ryzen 5 7600 is a great choice that does not disappoint. While having fewer physical cores compared to the i5 13400F or 12600K, the Ryzen 5 7600 manages to maintain a competitive standpoint in games due to having fewer but mightier cores. The Ryzen 5 7600 is fully unlocked and has an integrated iGPU that works great as a simple display-out for troubleshooting and basic office use.

Productivity and Gaming - Intel

Core i5 - 14600K(F)

At the bottom of the 14th gen K lineup. The i5 14600K is very similar to it's 13th gen counterpart with only slightly higher clocks being the main difference. Still a powerful CPU in both gaming and productivity with 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores, nice little CPU if you want a 14th gen CPU but don't want to pay an extra 33% on the 400$ 14700K.

Gaming + Streaming - AMD

Ryzen 7 - 5800X3D

AMD's flagship gaming processor, the 5800X3D packs as much of a punch as it has cache. The 5800X3D doesn't fare too well in productivity performance but it excels in gaming performance, matching Intel's flagship at a much lower price.

Core i7 - 14700k(F)

The only 14th gen CPU with more cores than it's 13th gen counterpart. The Intel i7-14700K fits into a nice middle ground between 14600K and 14900K with 8 P-cores and 12 E-cores. Do not get the wrong impression that this CPU is slow however, it is still a beast that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.

Gaming + Streaming - AMD

Ryzen 7 - 7800X3D

AMD's flagship gaming processor, the 7800X3D packs as much of a punch as it has cache. The 7800X3D doesn't fare too well in productivity performance but it excels in gaming performance, matching Intel's flagship at a much lower price.

Workstation and Gaming - Intel

Core i9 - 14900K

The newest Flagship Intel CPU that still is not in a gold box. The Intel i9-14900K with it's 8 P-cores, 16 E-cores and 6GHz single core boost clock is a monster. Whether you are doing heavy duty code compiling or struggling to get your first victory royale in Fortnite, this thing will not disappoint as one of the fastest CPUs in both situations.

Workstation and Gaming - AMD

Ryzen 9 - 7950x

After milking AM4 for all it has, AMD has decided enough is enough and brought out the new AM5 socket with DDR5 support. At the top end of this new socket is the Ryzen 9 7950X. With 16 cores and 32 threads, It can clock to an unheard of before from ryzen at 5.7GHz boost. The main problems of the CPU is the high price of not only the CPU, but also AM5 motherboards and DDR5 RAM. If you have the money for it however, it can be well worth your while. Also nice new box.

Ryzen 9 - 7950x3d

A shock that surprised a lot of people. AMD brought out a two CCD CPU with 3D V-Cache, but only on one of the CCDs. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is very much like 7950x, but with more gaming performance and lower power comsumption in multi core workloads. Really hard to justify this though as while you get a nice performance bump in gaming, are you really going to buy a 700usd+ CPU for just gaming? Use that money on a better GPU like a 4080.