The Best Gaming PC Demands the Best Gaming Processor
Feel my power
When building a Gaming PC, the first piece of hardware most builders get is the CPU. The type of CPU you will use sets the tone for the other pieces. While most popular modern games require better and more than one graphics card to reach their best visual performance, that does not mean you can cut cost and get a weak CPU. Your weak CPU will bottleneck your high end graphics card and thus give you a bad gaming experience. The same can be said if you wish to do other things while you are gaming. If you want to stream while you game, or do commentary while gaming, you need as much cores and threads as possible.
The CPU or Central Processing Unit is the brains of the computer. The CPU controls the other parts in the computer. The CPU takes the instructions that are in the programs and processes them then it starts doing what are in the instructions. This is why the CPU is so important and why you should buy a good high end quality CPU.
The top ten best high end gaming processors that will not bottleneck your gaming PC.
10: Intel Core i7-4790
- Average Price: $311.65
- Architecture: Haswell
- Cores: 4
- Cache: 8MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.6GHz
- Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600
- RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
- Max RAM: 32GB
- Socket: LGA 1150
Starting off is the Intel Core i7-4790. This CPU doesn’t offer anything new when it came out, but what it does offer is a good quality CPU for a good cost. With most modern games you really dont need more than a quad core unless you are doing multitasking or 4k gaming. This processor proves that a good high end CPU doesn’t have to cost you five-hundred dollars or more to get a good gaming experience.
09: Intel Core i7-4770K
- Average Price: $365.54
- Architecture: Haswell
- Cores: 4
- Cache: 8MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
- Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600
- RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
- Max RAM: 32GB
- Socket: LGA 1150
With Intel and AMD always trying to come up with a better CPU year after year, what is “high end” now might not be high end six months or even a year from now. The Intel Core i7-4770K was a good high end CPU back in 2013 and it is still a good CPU now. Many gamers bad mouth this CPU due to its lower processing speed then others in its class, but this CPU comes fully unlocked and that 3.5GHz speed can easily become 3.9GHZ with the right CPU cooler to keep it cool.
08: AMD FX-9590
- Average Price: $246.15
- Architecture: Vishera
- Cores: 8
- Cache: 8MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 4.7GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR3 1866MHz
- Max RAM: 32GB
- Socket: AM3+
Number eight on this list was very hard. It’s easy to say Intel is the king when it comes to gaming rigs. For number eight I went with the AMD FX-9590. Intel was the first to come up with the dual core and quad core processors. AMD however was the first to give us a high end six core and eight core processor. For this reason alone AMD has made it on this list. On paper the AMD FX-9590 looks impressive and the 4.7GHz that can be cranked up to 5GHz sounds like AMD finally beat Intel. Sadly this is not the case. AMD Vishera Architecture has not been upgraded or replaced in years. While this CPU has a eight core processor that goes up to 5GHz, Intel’s Haswell lines are just better optimized and more energy efficient. Because of its eight cores and high speeds this processer can compete with Intel's line of high end CPU and still make second place with most of them.
07: Intel Core i7-4790K
- Average Price: $339.65
- Architecture: Haswell
- Cores: 4
- Cache: 8MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 4GHz
- Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600
- RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
- Max RAM: 32GB
- Socket: LGA 1150
High gaming performance. This CPU destroys any AMD CPU on the market. The only downfall I see in this CPU is that it’s only a Quad-Core Processor. This CPU offers better performance and low power consumption then AMD.
06: Intel Core i7-3930K
- Average Price: $480
- Architecture: Sandy Bridge
- Cores: 6
- Cache: 12MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.2GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR3 1066/1333/1600
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Socket: LGA 2011
An older CPU, that still has enough processing power to outperform some of its newer counter parts. Sure the specs on not that impressive now, but in 2012 this was an impressive CPU. three years later this CPU is still turning heads even though the i7-4770K is still considered a better value.
05: Intel Core i7-5820K
- Average Price: $391.32
- Architecture: Haswell-E
- Cores: 6
- Cache: 15MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.3GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR4 1333/1600/2133
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Socket: LGA2011-v3
The go to Processor for Alienware. The name Alienware says it all. Alienware is known for using the best Processors, so it’s a no brainer why Alienware chose this processor for their cheapest Gaming Desktop. This processor destroys anything AMD has right now. It is the processor gamers choose when they are building a gaming PC. There is nothing this processor can do.
04: Intel Core i7-4930K
- Average Price: $595.11
- Architecture: Ivy Bridge-E
- Cores: 6
- Cache: 12MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.4GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR3 1333/1600/1866
- Max RAM: 64GB
One word “Raw Power”. Ok that is two words but it says it all. This CPU for its age still performs better in terms of raw power. It evens fits the 5GHz mark. But for an overall performance you can find better for cheaper.
03: Intel Core i7-5930K
- Average Price: $592.68
- Architecture: Haswell-E
- Cores: 6
- Cache: 15MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR4 1333/1600/2133
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Socket: LGA2011-v3
A faster version of the i7-5820k with full 40 Lanes PCI-Express 3.0 available for you to use. This the go to Processor for Alienware’s premium Gaming Desktop line. Do I need to say more?
02: Intel Core i7-4960X
- Average Price: $1030.00
- Architecture: Ivy Bridge
- Cores: 6
- Cache: 12MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3.6GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR3 1333/1600/1866
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Socket: LGA2011
The Intel Core i7-4960X is the runner up for the best high end CPU. Sure the price is high. The technology is a bit date. This bad boy can still out perform any CPU on this list when it comes to sheer power.
01: Intel Core i7-5960X
- Average Price: $1030.00
- Architecture: Haswell-E
- Cores: 8
- Cache: 20MB
- Processor Base Frequency: 3GHz
- Integrated GPU: No
- RAM Support: DDR4 1333/1600/2133
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Socket: LGA2011-V3
The King has arrived. If you want the best of the best than this processor is for you. This cpu is at the bleeding edge of performance. AMD holds the record as the first eight core CPU maker, but Intel shattered AMD with this CPU. Hands down the most powerful CPU out right now. This processor doesn’t give much in the form of gaming because franticly its overkill. But this CPU handles multitasking perfectly. Your GPU will not be bottleneck ever. Multitasking is a breeze. Imagine gaming at 4K, streaming at 4K, handling 4K video editing. This CPU will help you do it all and then some.
Is this truly the best of the best? Comment below and voice your opinion on what CPU you think is the very best.
