Best Processors for Gaming in 2023

The upcoming year promises to be rich in new processors. In addition to the products already presented by Intel and AMD, we can expect additional presentations. They will supplement the range of novelties with more budget options and models for mobile platforms. The devices that have already been released definitely provide a good foundation for all gamers, demonstrating significant performance gains in both single-core and multi-core computing.

"Blue" and "red" have presented more than worthy stones of the new generation, among which there are both relatively budget and high-performance "monsters". All the pros and cons of the novelties will undoubtedly be revealed in independent tests. For now, let's consider in this article the ranking of the best processors for gaming in 2023.

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Best high-performance processor for gaming

In the fall of 2022, Intel and AMD presented their high-performance CPUs. They demonstrate excellent performance gains, as befits flagships.

Among the new processors for gaming from "blue":

• Intel Core i9-13900K;
• Intel Core i9-13900K(F).

They have 24 cores and 32 threads, as well as working frequencies up to 5.8 GHz. Thanks to the "performance + energy-efficient cores" architecture, the chip switches excellently between resource-intensive tasks. This reduces power consumption by up to 15% when idle.

The presence of an unlocked multiplier allows the processor to be overclocked further, but with a very good cooling system. Due to its high power, the device turned out to be quite hot.

Among the advanced solutions from AMD, the Ryzen 9 7950X is the gaming "monster". It has 16 cores and 32 threads on board. The CPU loses to the Intel Core i9-13900K solely because of the difference in cores. In single-core tasks, the Ryzen 9 7950X performs almost on par with the competitor, and in some places even surpasses it. The multi-core chip demonstrates lower power consumption and temperature than the opponent. Quite unusual, as "red" has always been hotter.

Thanks to the doubled cache memory per core, it is capable of executing more instructions and costs slightly less than the Intel equivalent.

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Best budget processor for gaming

If the price of flagships is too high, you can pay attention to more budget options for gaming CPUs. In 2023, these will be products from the previous series, both from Intel and AMD, namely: Core i5-12600K(F) and Ryzen 5 5600X.

However, in the future, updating the system will be problematic as AMD has already changed the platform, and Intel also plans to change the socket in the near future.

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Best processor for streamers

Streaming always requires more powerful computing centers than just gaming. After all, their potential is used not only in working with the game itself, but also in its transmission. Therefore, the "brain of the computer" for streaming must have high multicore performance.

Since Intel's cores are divided into productive and energy-efficient ones, and AMD has all productive cores, the 16-core and 32-thread AMD Ryzen 9 7950X will be the best choice. This "monster" can easily cope with the game on ultra settings and its streaming transmission at the same time. However, you should worry about the cooling system, because under load the temperature can rise above 88°C.

Advantages

• high performance in single-core / multi-core tasks;
• high potential for overclocking.

Disadvantages

• will require a complete system update as it comes on a new socket;
• does not support DDR4;
• requires a good cooling system;
• high price.

Also, the latest generation Intel processors are great for streaming. In particular, the 24-core and 32-thread Intel Core i9-13900K(F). Thanks to the 5nm process technology and a larger number of cores, it will handle video software encoding better. This explains its considerable cost.

Advantages

• high clock speed and power reserve.

Disadvantages

• requires a powerful cooling system;
• "weighty" price.

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Best processor for gaming with integrated graphics

All devices in the 7000 series from "red" come with integrated graphics, while the 13th line of "blue" has only one option in each series (i5, i7, i9). Naturally, the best integrated graphics will be on the flagship model, but this solution may seem expensive. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to the leaders of the previous generation of Intel with integrated graphics, in particular the Core i7-12700K.

Advantages

• maximum power up to 5.0 GHz;
• 12 cores and 20 threads;
• affordable price;
• 3rd level cache size of 25 MB.

Disadvantages

• heat output can reach 190 W.

AMD has a similar model, the Ryzen 7 5700G from the previous generation. It is suitable for those who do not plan to play demanding games and spend money on a video adapter. The processor offers good performance thanks to the clock frequency of up to 4.6 GHz, 8 cores and 16 threads. The integrated GPU with a frequency of 2 GHz can handle most games in FullHD.

Advantages

• energy efficiency;
• low temperature;
• good performance;
• support for FSR;
• additional overclocking.

Disadvantages

• "thermal shock" at 100% load;
• low L3 cache size (16 MB).

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Processors for gaming, which one to choose?

Among the top silicon crystals for gaming in 2023, the Core i9-13900K(F) and Ryzen 9 7950X are definitely the way to go. Both are from new product lines and demonstrate improved performance in key benchmarks and popular gaming titles. We previously discussed this in articles about Intel's 13th generation and AMD's 7000 series.

Advantages

• Significantly improved performance;
• High clock speed, which increases FPS in games;
• Long platform lifespan.

Disadvantages

• Expensive;
• Requires quality cooling system;
• High energy consumption.

These processors are optimized for gaming and offer more performance than regular office processors disguised as top-of-the-line solutions. When choosing a CPU, pay attention to the performance-to-price ratio.

If you're interested in high-end gaming with 2K and 4K resolution, the flagship models from the new product lines are definitely the way to go. If you're satisfied with medium settings and aren't chasing after the latest gaming trends, there are plenty of options from previous series.

What do the letters "K" and "F" mean in processor names?

For Intel semiconductor devices, the "K" and "F" indexes in the name indicate the following:

• K - an unlocked multiplier that allows for factory overclocking. It adds 5-10% power to the CPU, which can be crucial in competitive games;
• F - absence of an integrated graphics core.

For AMD desktop products, similar designations include:

• G - presence of integrated graphics (for models before the 7000 series);
• E - increased energy efficiency;
• X - factory overclocking.

Which processors are better for gaming right now - Intel or AMD?

While AMD processors may lose out slightly in performance, they are more energy-efficient. However, if you need higher performance, Intel processors continue to lead the way with better optimization and stability. They are also more productive when paired with NVIDIA graphics cards.

The difference in power between the flagship models does not exceed 10%, but at the same time, the “blue” solutions demonstrate better optimization and stability. Plus they are more productive in conjunction with NVIDIA cards.

"Red" (AMD) processors support the socket lineup for longer, and future upgrades on the AMD platform will be cheaper. A few more generations and the performance gap between Intel and AMD will disappear, but for now, Intel is still in the lead.

To keep up with gaming trends in 2023, choose from the latest products:

• AMD Ryzen 9 7950Х;
• AMD Ryzen 5 7600X;
• Intel Core i9-13900K(F);
• Intel Core i5-13600K(F).

These processors offer high performance and gaming potential that will last for the next 2-3 years. You'll be able to play demanding AAA projects on high-ultra graphics settings and in FullHD, 2K, and 4K resolution with a graphics card of the necessary level. It all depends on your gaming preferences.

At HYPERPC, gaming computers are built with the latest components so users aren't limited by system requirements for games. Build your ideal system in our flexible configurator or choose from the ready-made solutions we have available.

Our managers are always ready to help with selection and answer any questions!