Choosing a CPU is all about finding the perfect balance between yourbudget and needs. You definitely wouldn’t want to compromise performance just for a slight difference in price.
It’s essential to understand thebasic processor specifications, at the least.Generation,clock speed,cores,threads,cache, andTDPall play crucial roles in determining CPU performance.
Along with that, getting to know thememory and graphics supportis also important. Only then should you consider whatRAID levels,USB versions,PCIe lanes, and other features the processor supports.
When choosing a CPU that has the best price-to-performance ratio, it mainly depends onwhat you’re going to do.
Here are my general recommendations on the processor specs that would be ideal for the specified tasks:
First, Understand Your Needs
The first question is—are youbuilding a new PCor just trying to upgrade to the latest CPU generation?
Your option is further narrowed if you’re already equipped with a motherboard. The processor you choose should becompatible with all the other components—primarily the motherboard.
But if it’s the other way around, choosing the appropriate CPU is the first thing to do. Based on this choice, you now need to shop for other compatible components (motherboard, RAM, graphics card, etc.).
The next question is—what are you going to do with your rig?Gaming,streaming,multi-tasking,editing, or acombination of these tasks? You’ll likely find a range of products that matches your demand.
Take a quick peek at the below chart on how I have chosen the best processor for different builds.
As you may see, there’s no compulsion in choosing the most recent CPU. If it satisfies your demands and comes at the planned budget, you may go for it!
However, if you’re looking to build a server or workstation, there are dedicated CPUs for that as well. For instance, Intel offersXeonprocessors and AMDs haveThreadrippers.
Also, there areAMD Athlon,Intel Celeron, andIntel Pentiumprocessors. All are popular among budget users but are comparatively slower than Ryzen and Core.
Compatibility With Motherboard
Your processormust fit perfectlyinto the respectivemotherboard slot/socket. If you choose one that’s incompatible, it won’t get sufficient power to operate.
In fact, there’s a chance you may damage/bend the pins during theCPU installation.
The thing is—custom PC build isn’t just about fitting the components to the right place.It’s more about compatibility!That’s the reason I recommend purchasing the motherboard and CPU together.
Firstly, understand that there aretwo socket types.LGA (Land Grid Array)indicates pins in the motherboard, whilePGA (Pin Grid Array)refers to pins in the CPU.
Almost all Intel processors follow LGA packaging while a majority of AMD sockets are PGA.
Picking the right brand is a separate topic in itself. Just understand that manufacturers designdifferent motherboards for Intel and AMD.
The CPU sockets have a naming convention. Understanding this will give you an idea of which processor can fit into your motherboard.
For example, mostAlder Lake (12th Gen)andRaptor Lake (13th and 14th Gen)go with LGA1700 sockets. So, you need to pair anappropriate LGA1700 motherboard. Note that only a handful ofmotherboard chipsetssupport the latest processors.
When shopping for a motherboard, I always check the manufacturer’sProduct Catalog pageonline.
But if you’re trying to upgrade the CPU in the existing system, you’ll likely findCPU/Memoryin the model’sSupport section.
Since the listed products are properly tested, you may choose one that best satisfies your demands.
Beginners may evenget help from online utilities. Sites likePCPartPicker,PC Builder, andPCspecslet you choose compatible components in a matter of seconds!
Check General Specifications
Before purchasing any product, I advise developing a habit of checking the specifications.
The same goes for the CPU—this doesn’t justdetermine the compatibilitybut even itsperformance capabilities.
Depending on what processor brand you’re going for, you may inspect the official website for full specifications. Don’t worry even if you don’t know what they mean.
I’ll briefly explain the most basic ones here.
Platform
AMD Ryzen and Intel Core aren’t just available for desktops. These companies produce CPUs for laptops and mobile devices too.
For AMD, inspect theProduct Linefield, and for Intel, look forVertical Segment. They clearly tell you whether the CPU you’ve chosen is for desktop use.
Suffix
Understanding the naming scheme gives you an additional idea when shopping for the right CPU.
The suffix in the product model specifies whether a processor supportsintegrated graphics, hasunlocked cores, ispower-optimized, etc.
For example,G series AMD processorsare calledAPUs (Accelerated Processing Units)as they come with graphics cores.
Likewise,Intel’s K and F seriesare the most common.Kare unlocked CPUs, whileFdoesn’t support integrated graphics.
Cores, Threads, and Clock Speed
All modern processors have multiplecores and threads. The question is—how many are required for you, and should it necessarily be higher?
As a content creator myself,I would say YES—they are important! On mydual monitor setup, I’m always multi-tasking, which involves rendering, writing, editing, running tests, and designing.
This is only possible with a high number of cores and threads. So, for me, speed is secondary.
But if you only play games, these specifications do not matter so much! It would rather be a smart move togo for a higher clock speed.
In fact, for most older games,2 to 4 coresare more than enough. However, fast-paced video games now take advantage of multiple cores, involving6 to even 8.
Thus, it really depends on what you’re trying to play!
Moreover, the processor is responsible for basic tasks (mainly involving physics calculations, game logic, etc.). Therefore,it certainly can impact the FPS, especially when the games are CPU-intensive.
For extreme gamers, it’s essential that you pair your CPU with the best graphics card.
The chart below shows thebenchmark scores (both single and multiple cores)of different Intel and AMD CPUs at our office. The higher the number, the better the expected performance.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
This specification tells us how much power a CPU may consume when it’s under the highest load.
Note thatTDP is just a rough figureportrayed by the manufacturer and might not always relate to the real-world scenario.
Keep TDP as your baseline when purchasing the right cooler for your build. If the cooling solution can’t handle the power consumed by the CPU, you might end up damaging the chip.
If you’re only going to use the processorfor basic tasks, a lower TDP should suffice. But for gamers and enthusiasts,overheating is definitely a concern.
So, the best bet would be to go for a higher Watt along with sufficient cooling that matches the rated TDP.
AMD CPUs with the‘X’ and ‘X3D’suffixesare the ones with the highest TDP. Such processes do not get shipped with aWraith Prism, which is often included with the ones having lower TDP.
This is because even the manufacturer wants you to use the bestliquid or air coolers. Interestingly, this is even included in the CPU specifications.
Not all lntel processors provide the exact TDP rating. Instead, you need to look forProcessor Base PowerandMaximum Turbo Power.
The former tells you the average heat generation during complex workloads (at the base frequency). The latter represents the heat generation when the CPU runs inTurbo Frequency.
Additional Tip:When performing intensive tasks or overclocking,CPU temperaturecan rise more than expected. To keep a baseline, I suggest noting the maximum temperature from theSpecifications.
Total Cache
Not all processors access data from the RAM. CPU stores some of these in their own volatile cache memory to execute tasks faster.
There are three levels of cache (namely, L1, L2, and L3). Among these, the first level is the fastest, and the third has the highest capacity.
The more the CPU can store data in the cache, thebetter the performance. The latest processors now come with32 to even 128 MBL3 cache capacity.
So, yourprimary focus should be on L3. In fact, this level is shared by every CPU core and is responsible for feeding the other two.
Memory Support
Whether you want to runmultiple memory channelsor future-proof your rig withDDR5 support, the CPU must support them.
Besides, other factors, includingmaximum memory capacity,RAM speed, andECC supportare also determined by the processor.
Understand Generation and Brand Modifier
Both Intel Core and AMD Ryzenbring improvements to every new generation. Thus, you may expect better performance, more cores, and overall better specs on their latest CPUs.
Going for the brand modifier wouldn’t be a bad idea when comparingCPUs from the same generation.
For instance, every desktop CPU fromIntel Core i9 12th genwill outperform those from thei7 12th gen.
But what if we compare alower generation from a higher Intel Corewith ahigher generation from a lower one?
Let’s see the difference below:
The CPUs from thei9 and i7 have the better specsdespite the lower generation. But it’s worth mentioning that the10th-gen i7processor slightly beats the9th-gen i9in every aspect.
However, the CPU generation matters if you’re planning for better RAM specifications.
As you may see, thehigh-generationi5 and i3 support better memory speed. In fact,if you have a DDR5 motherboard, only thei2-12100would be your option.
The case is identical for Team Red users. Let’s check the comparison on Ryzen 7 and 5 AMD CPUs from different series:
you may clearly see thatRyzen 7 beats Ryzen 5in terms of number of cores and threads. But when it comes to speed and memory specs, the higher the generation, the better.
For instance, the7000 series from Ryzen 5 is way ahead of 2nd gen Ryzen 7.
Integrated Graphics and PCIe Support
‘Integrated graphics’ is another important thing to consider when choosing a CPU. As discussed earlier, most Intel processors (except the F suffix) andAMD APUssupport built-in GPUs.
It’s mostly the ones with the‘G’suffix for Team Red. However, there are exceptions!
For instance,all Ryzen 7000 series(exceptRyzen 5 7500F) have graphics cores in the processor chip.
You certainly canadd a discrete graphics cardanddisable the iGPU optionfrom BIOS.
But if you’re really planning to install a GPU, it’s better topick the base variant(for basic use)or the one with the ‘X’ suffix(for enthusiasts).
When looking for the best CPU with integrated graphics, it’s essential to consider the relevant graphics specs. These includecore counts,frequency,number of displays supported, etc.
Also, here’s a guide to help you choose the best motherboard with integrated graphics.
Users who plan to install an add-on card along with an M.2 SSD are advised to choose a CPU that supportsenough usable PCIe lanes.
Also, to get the maximum benefits, I suggest matching thePCIe version (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0).
Don’t get too stressed about this, though! All PCIe revisions are forward and backward-compatible.
Thesetup will work but use the lowest specsand may even lead toperformance bottlenecks.
That’s exactly what happened to us when pairingRTX 4080withRyzen 5 5600. We couldn’t get the benefits of PCIe 4.0 as the graphics card ran at the CPU-supported PCIe 3.0 specs.
Additional Features and Future Proofing
While most factors have now been covered, there might be additional features you might want to look up. These include support for advanced technologies, like,
These features are actually secondary. What matters is future-proofing.
If you do not wish to upgrade your build for the next few years, I suggest goingfor the latest CPU.
Amidst the popularity of crypto trading, we have got you covered with the best CPUs for crypto mining. For such, you’ll need to go for high specs—more cores and threads, faster speed, higher TDPs, and better cooling.
Research, Compare, and Find Deals
Considering the latest generation, the number of cores, threads, power delivery, and total cache are all important.
But as I stated earlier, it comes down to your needs—and most essentially if it fits into your budget.
Through this guide, I believeI have done the groundwork for you. Now, it’s your turn to compare the different CPUs through your own research.
For demonstration, I have comparedi3-8100withRyzen 3 2200Gfor a budget build office setup:
Here,Ryzen 3has a slight edge over theIntel Core i3processor.Specifically, the memory and graphics are much better.That’s probably why it scored higher during the benchmark usingCinebench R23.
The better one always costs more—and the above example shows it all. But here’s a surprise—we got this Ryzen CPU in theBlack Friday deal(with 33% off).
So, you see, a smart move would belooking for such offers online. I am not recommendingAmazon—you may find deals anywhere, even in the nearest brick-and-mortar stores.
And during your research, just don’t stick with one YouTube video or a guide from a single tech site.
Take your time and check reviews and benchmarks from multiple sources.
List down the pros and cons, and try to seehow you may tackle the drawbacksthat you find.
