Best Processors for Gaming in 2024
For many years, Intel released the best processors for video games, but since AMD gained momentum, it's difficult to name a clear leader. Today, we will thoroughly review the current CPUs from both companies, compare them with each other, and determine which central processors are better for video games in 2024.
Entry Level Processors
This category includes 4-core Intel Core i3 processors:
- i3-12100;
- i3-13100;
- i3-14100.
Despite the small number of computing blocks, these central processors excellently handle modern games even with the use of outdated DDR4 standard memory. In almost all projects, these CPUs provide stable 60 and more FPS on high and ultra settings of graphics.
The only exceptions are poorly optimized games, such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Cities: Skylines II. Even top and the most powerful CPUs like AMD Ryzen 9 7950X or Intel Core i9-14900 struggle with such projects.
AMD does not have current processors in this category, so Intel definitely leads in the budget segment. Their 4-core CPUs are perfectly suited for inexpensive computer builds when the budget is severely limited.
Moreover, motherboards on the LGA 1700 socket are inexpensive. For example, boards with the H610 chipset are 1.5-2 times cheaper than the most budget motherboards on the AM4 and AM5 sockets.
Mid-Level Processors
This category includes Intel Core i5 processors:
- i5-12400;
- i5-12500;
- i5-13400;
- i5-13500;
- i5-14400;
- i5-14500;
As well as AMD Ryzen 5 processors:
- Ryzen 5 5600;
- Ryzen 5 7500F;
- Ryzen 5 7600;
All these CPUs have 6 performance cores and are considered the most optimal in terms of price and performance ratio. In other words, despite the relatively low cost, the power of these processors is sufficient for everything, including modern games, streaming, and professional work in heavy programs. Buying one of these CPUs will provide you with excellent gaming performance for the next 4-5 years.
To find out which of the mid-budget processors is better, we will divide them into two price groups. First, we compare Intel Core i5-12400 and 12500 with AMD Ryzen 5 5600. Then we compare Intel Core i5-13400, 13500, 14400, and 14500 with AMD Ryzen 5 7500F and 7600.
Comparing Intel Core i5-12400 and 12500 with AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The gaming performance of Intel Core i5-12400, 12500, and AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processors is the same. So, in this price category, there is no clear winner.
It can be noticed that AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is slightly cheaper than its competitors from Intel, but this difference is compensated by the cost of motherboards. Even budget boards on the AM4 socket are unreasonably expensive. Their price is almost twice as much as that of motherboards for Intel on the LGA 1700 socket. So, if comparing CPUs separately, indeed, AMD is cheaper, but if taking into account the price of motherboards, then it's a draw between the platforms.
Comparing Intel Core i5-13400, 13500, 14400, and 14500 with AMD Ryzen 5 7500F and 7600
Comparing these processors, the winner is AMD Ryzen 5 7600. Its power in games is about 10-20% higher than that of the competitors from Intel. But when it comes to performance in work programs, the situation changes significantly.
In terms of multi-threaded performance in Cinebench R23, Intel Core i5-13400, 13500, 14400, and 14500 processors are about twice as powerful as AMD Ryzen 5 7600. Such a huge difference is achieved due to a greater number of cores in the design of the processors at the "blue" company. For example, Intel Core i5-13500 has 12 cores, half of which are performance and the other half are energy-efficient.
If you need a gaming processor exclusively in the mid-budget price category, consider buying AMD Ryzen 5 7600, but remember that this CPU is significantly inferior to its competitors from Intel in multi-threaded performance, which is very important for professional programs. If you plan not only to play but also to work, it's better to choose a CPU from Intel.
High-Level Processors
This category includes AMD Ryzen 7 7700, as well as Intel Core i5-13600 and 14600. These CPUs provide the highest performance in games and can unleash the power of even such top-end video cards as AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.
When comparing AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with Intel Core i5 13600 and 14600, the processor from the "red" company emerges as the winner. On average, it is 10% ahead of the competitors in gaming performance, but when it comes to work tasks, it significantly loses. In Cinebench R23, AMD Ryzen 7 7700 is 50% inferior to Intel Core i5-13600.
Top-Level Processors
This includes the latest Intel Core i7 and i9 processors:
- i7-13700;
- i7-14700;
- i9-13900;
- i9-14900.
As well as AMD Ryzen 7 and 9 processors:
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D;
- Ryzen 9 7900X3D;
- Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
These processors provide the maximum possible performance in modern games. Their power will suffice for the next 5-7 years.
In this category, there is no clear winner. In some games, the most powerful Intel processors lead, and in others, AMD. For example, in Starfield and Far Cry 6, the victory goes to Intel processors, while in Microsoft Flight Simulator and Cyberpunk 2077, the victory goes to AMD.
In work tasks, the winners again are Intel processors. Due to a greater number of cores, they significantly outperform AMD CPUs in performance.
How to Choose a Gaming Computer in 2024: Conclusions
The best processor lines for gaming in 2024 are:
- In the budget segment, Intel Core i3-12100, 13100, and 14100;
- In the mid-budget segment, Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and 7600;;
- In the high price segment, AMD Ryzen 7 7700;
- In the top price segment, Intel Core i7-13700, 14700, i9-13900 and 14900, as well as AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 9 7900X3D, and 7950X3D.
What processors are installed in HYPERPC gaming computers
When creating computers, we focus not only on video games but also on professional activity. Considering that Intel processors unequivocally lead in work tasks and applications, we prefer them.