You may be looking for a new processor to upgrade to in this starting 2023 year.
Now you’re thinking what is the best processor for gaming, well look no fruther.
If so, you’re looking to build a new gaming rig and dominate your opponents with the perfect gaming machine. Alongside with a strong GPU, a pair of memory, the CPU is as critical and vitally important to your gaming experience.
So what is the best CPU for gaming of 2023?
The CPU is the heart of all of the parts running in your computer. You’ll need a strong processor with the latest up to date technology, capabilities, and features within it.
If you’re looking to max out your settings in your games, then you’ll need a fast processor to do that.
We’ve listed the top best CPU’s of 2023 when it comes to your gaming needs.
Table Of Contents
Top Performing CPU’s
Budgeted High Performing CPU’s
CPU Buyers Guide
Top Performing CPU's
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is one of the best CPUs for gaming that you can find on the market.
It has 6 cores and 12 threads and a base clock of 3.3 GHz that can be boosted to 4.6 GHz. It also has a decent TDP of 65 W, which means it won’t consume too much power.
In terms of performance, this CPU is on par with the Intel Core i5-9600K, but it costs less.
So if you’re looking for a good value-for-money CPU for gaming, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a great option.
Intel Core i9-12900K
The Intel Core i9-12900K is one of the best CPUs for gaming on the market.
The 12900K has a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.2 GHz, making it one of the fastest CPUs available.
It also has a very large cache size of 16 MB, which can help improve game performance.
In addition, the Intel Core i9-12900K is compatible with DDR4-3200 memory, which is the fastest type of memory currently available.
Overall, the Intel Core i9-12900K is an excellent choice for gamers who want the best performance possible.
One of the best processor available right now in the market. The Intel Core i9 delivers true computer power.
Running at 3.60 GHz to 5.0 GHz with eight cores and 16 threads, the Core i9 is a few steps ahead from the i7. Usually running at 3.60 GHz, you can easily overclock the i7 up to 5.0 GHz.
Thanks to its STIM (Solder Thermal Interface Material), when you overclock, the STIM will help maximize the transfer of heat from the processor to the cooler.
However, when overclocking to higher limits, you’ll begin to experience a bit of heat; however, this is normal. Make sure to have an efficient cooler or water cooling when OCing to the above settings.
The processor’s compatible for all motherboards based on the Intel 300 series chipsets.
If you’re thinking what is the best processor for gaming is, then the Intel Core i9 9900K is it.
The Core i9 may be a bit pricey; however, if you want to save money and if you’re on a budget, then you’ll have to go with the Core i7.
The Intel iCore i7 is one of the top CPU’s out there in the market.
With its runner up the i9, the i7 still delivers you excellent processing capabilities and outstanding gaming performance.
The i7 allows you to play games, record videos, listen to music and much more at the same time without compromising the i7’s speed.
Thanks to its eight physical cores, there’s no slowing down for the i7, no matter what gets thrown at. If you want even more speed, you can easily overclock this to 5 GHz.
With the CPU running at 4.9 GHz with eight cores and eight threads, you can run a lot of big programs in the background, and the CPU will still run fast.
Without a doubt, the iCore i7 performs faster than the Rzyen series in games.
You’ll have the ability to overclock the CPU to new limits.
The only con is that it doesn’t come with a bundled cooler, that means you’ll have to invest in an original cooler.
If you have the budget for this beast of a CPU, by all means, the Core i7 is the right choice.
The AMD Ryzen 7 is another beast of a processor. Running at 4.3 GHz with eight cores and 16 threads, you’ll be able to game and multi-task at the same time, with ease without compromising performance and speed.
However not as fast as the Core i7, you’ll still be able to get top, solid performances within your games.
You’ll also to overclock the Ryzen 7 to its limits without any overheating issues.
Thanks to AMD’s Wraith Prism Cooler, you’ll have no problems overclocking and playing games for hours. It also has cool LED lights as well.
The Ryzen 7 is also backward compatible with the x370 and the B3530 motherboards.
With the Ryzen 7, you’ll be able to game, stream, do video editing and more, it can handle anything that gets thrown at it.
The Ryzen 5 is another counterpart of the Ryzen 7. The Ryzen 5 delivers you reliable performance and capabilities. If you’re looking to save and invest 165 dollars on a high-performance CPU, the Ryzen will provide that to you.
Although the Ryzen is up there with its counterpart, and the other high-performance CPU’s, you’ll still be able to game and work without no sign of compromisation in speed.
Running at a frequency of 3.9 GHz with six cores and 12 threads, you’ll have no problems gaming with ease.
With AMD’s Wraith Cooler, you’ll have no problems with overheating issues, and you’ll be able to game in silence thanks to its quiet fans.
This processor is worth your investment, and you’ll be able to achieve top performance while saving money.
Budgeted High Performing CPU's
If you’re looking for a high-performance processor and don’t mind spending 259 dollars, the Core i5 9600K is for you.
Running at 4.6 GHz with six cores and six threads, you’ll be able to game with ease and speed. Still be able to keep CPU temperatures at low levels.
Pair the i5 with a decent graphics card, and you’ll be able to game at max settings with beautiful, responsive, and clear graphics.
And you won’t compromise speed when running programs in the background. The Intel Core i5 can handle anything that gets thrown at.
The Pentium G4560 is one of the high range gaming processors out there if you’re on a tight budget.
Running at 3.50 GHz with dual cores of hyperthreading, you’ll still have great performances on games and still be able to multitask in the background without compromising your speed.
You can still max out your game settings and still be able to get 60 FPS at 1080p, without compromise.
Pair the G4560 with a great graphics card; it’ll beat any console out there.
If your budget is your primary concern and is willing to invest in an excellent CPU for an affordable price, the G4560 is CPU for you.
If you’re looking for a real budget gaming processor and a med to high performing processor, then the Core i3 is right for you.
Running at 3.6 GHz with four cores, and four threads, the Core i3 still delivers you fantastic performance, including running some games on max settings.
All of this running only at 65 watts, the i3 is a great energy saver.
You can run programs simultaneously, thanks to its four cores, and the two hyperthreaded cores, you’ll still be able to obtain some of the performances that the higher end processors deliver.
The i3 doesn’t come with a bundled cooler, so you’ll have to invest in a separate cooler.
If you pair the Core i3 with a decent graphics card, let’s say the GTZ 1050 Ti, these two combos will deliver you excellent quality gaming.
The only competition the Core i3 faces is with the Ryzan 3 1300X. But if you’re looking for a decent performing processor, the i3 is it.
However, if you’re a real hardcore gamer and want that full gaming experience, then you’ll have to go with the i5 or the Ryzan 5 series and above.
Running at 3.7 GHz with a quad-core, you’ll still be able to get excellent gaming quality.
If you do decide to get the Ryzan 3, it’s also equipped with the Wraith Stealth cooler, which is proficient in maintaining temperatures.
You’ll also be able to game or work in silence. And thanks to the stock cooler fans, they are extremely quiet.
For overclockers, the Ryzan 3 allows you to unlock the multipliers.
The Ryzan 3 can run your games at 1080 at 60 fps with ease. Not only that, you’ll still be able to game, enjoy music, while you have other programs running in the background.
The Ryzan 3 won’t slow down, thanks to its quad cores.