CPUs - Processors for Desktop PCs

CPUs / Processors

The CPU is one of the components that significantly contributes to your PC's performance. We offer a wide selection of desktop processors. In the dominant x86 architecture used in gaming PCs and workstations, two CPU manufacturers dominate the market: AMD and Intel.

Both processor brands have models in different price ranges, making them suitable for various applications. Which processor is best for you depends on what you want to do with it and how much you are willing to spend.

Which CPU is the Best?

Are you looking for the best CPU? Then it is important to know how you want to use it. Different applications place different demands on your processor, not only in terms of intensity but also in how they utilize the CPU.

While some programs prefer to heavily load individual processor cores and do not benefit from a larger number of physical and virtual CPU cores, there is also software that works multi-threaded and uses all available cores simultaneously. Therefore, depending on the application (and software version), a particular processor may have an advantage.

Generally, with AMD and Intel, the higher the numbers in their processor names, the more CPU cores, L2 and L3 cache, and multi-core performance you get.

How to Assess Processor Performance Based on Names

AMD divides its Ryzen family processors into product lines Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, and Ryzen 9, with Ryzen 3 being the CPUs with the fewest and Ryzen 9 the CPUs with the most cores. The generation can be identified by the first digit of the four-digit number sequence. For example, a Ryzen 9 5950X belongs to the Ryzen 5000 generation, while a Ryzen 9 7950X belongs to the Ryzen 7000 generation.

AMD CPUs

• Ryzen 3: Entry-level segment
• Ryzen 5: Mid-range CPU
• Ryzen 7: High-end processors
• Ryzen 9: Maximum performance for enthusiasts

Intel divides its Core family processors into product lines Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9, with Core i3 being the CPUs with the fewest and Core i9 the CPUs with the most cores. The generation can be identified by the first digit of the five-digit number sequence. For example, a Core i9-12900K belongs to the 12th generation, while a Core i9-13900K belongs to the 13th generation of Intel Core CPUs.

Intel CPUs

• Core i3: Entry-level segment
• Core i5: Mid-range CPU
• Core i7: High-end processors
• Core i9: Maximum performance for enthusiasts

Which CPU is the Best for Gaming?

Desktop processors from AMD and Intel are excellent for gaming. The relevant product families currently are Intel Core and AMD Ryzen. For gamers, AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 CPUs as well as Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors are particularly interesting because they offer high gaming performance in most game genres.

Which is Better for Gaming - Ryzen or Intel?

With the current generations, AMD Ryzen 7000 - Zen 4 - Raphael and Intel Core i-13 - Raptor Lake, powerful gaming PCs can be built in all price ranges.

How Many CPU Cores Do Games Use?

Games typically use at most 8 CPU cores, as they need to run on various gaming PCs. AMD Ryzen 9 and Intel Core i9 processors are aimed at prosumers and enthusiasts. They currently offer maximum performance, but this is not utilized by every PC game.

Therefore, these CPUs are an excellent choice for streamers who run other applications alongside gaming, such as a livestream and video recording.

How Important is the CPU in Gaming?

The CPU is an important factor for your gaming PC's performance in games, but other PC components also play a crucial role: Graphically demanding games often benefit more from a gaming graphics card than from a fast processor.

What is More Important - GPU or CPU?

Generally, the performance of the CPU and GPU must harmonize with each other, otherwise, a so-called bottleneck occurs. This means that one component slows down the other, preventing it from reaching its full performance. A fast graphics card can be slowed down by a slow processor, resulting in a CPU bottleneck.

RAM: Which RAM Fits My CPU?

AMD uses DDR4 for Ryzen 5000 (Vermeer) and DDR5 for Ryzen 7000 (Raphael). Intel's 12th generation (Alder Lake) and 13th generation (Raptor Lake) offer the option to choose between DDR4 and DDR5, depending on the memory standard supported by the motherboard.

CPU Overclocking: Overclocking CPUs for Maximum Performance

Overclocking involves increasing the factory-defined clock frequencies of the processor via BIOS/UEFI or software to achieve a performance boost. Some CPUs from AMD and Intel offer an adjustable multiplier, allowing for overclocking without raising the base clock (FSB), which would also affect other hardware components besides the processor.

All current AMD Ryzen processors have an open multiplier. With Intel, you can recognize Core CPUs with an open multiplier by the suffix "K" or "X" at the end of the name. For example, the Intel Core i9-12900K offers an open multiplier for overclocking, but the Intel Core i9-12900 does not.

At the same time, you need a motherboard whose chipset allows overclocking (Intel Z and X series (e.g., Z790), AMD B and X series (e.g., AMD X670E, AMD X670, AMD B650E, and AMD B650).

Pretested CPUs for Maximum Overclocking

Many factors during the manufacturing of a processor influence its quality and performance. Therefore, a CPU series can handle more or less performance in clock rates. The clock rates specified by the manufacturer are achieved by every CPU of a model, but those hunting for OC records require an superb processor. Since it is not known in advance what maximum OC clock rate a particular CPU can achieve, this is often referred to as the "silicon lottery."

To avoid having to buy and test dozens of processors at home, we offer pretested CPUs together with overclocking guru Roman "der8auer" Hartung. These processors are extensively tested here at Caseking and offered with a maximum guaranteed OC value. As an additional service, Caseking exclusively offers the der8auer editions, where the CPU is further refined.