2024-03-28 - tech

The best processor in 2024: AMD and Intel CPU will decide the winner

In 2024, the list of the best CPUs is more extensive than ever before.

 

AMD and Intel have been vying for dominance for decades, competing to create the best processors you can buy. The competition is fierce, which is a good thing for PC enthusiasts. In 2024, the list of the best CPUs is more extensive than ever before.

Intel's king of value for this generation is the 14600K, but its previous generation flagship, the 13900K, is still very much worth considering. If you are a gamer, the 7800X3D should be your top choice. Below is an overview of these chips and more.

Intel Core i5-14600K: The Most Valuable Processor

 

Why you should buy it: It is one of the fastest CPUs you can get for around $300.

For whom: Consumers seeking high value for money.Why We Chose the Intel Core i5-14600K: In terms of sheer value, it's hard to beat the Core i5-14600K. The slot was previously occupied by the Intel Core i5-13600K, and if you already own that processor, it's best to stick with it. However, if you're upgrading from an older product, you can opt for the Core i5-14600K.

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It features the same number of cores as the previous generation but with additional optimizations and slightly higher clock speeds. The result is a bit better productivity performance and significantly improved gaming performance. Most importantly, Intel has not increased the price of its Core i5 chips, so you can get better performance at roughly the same price. It has considerable overclocking capabilities, so if you don't mind pushing power consumption and temperatures higher, you can slightly close the gap with high-end CPUs.

As of the time of release, the Core i5-14600K is only about $30 more expensive than the Core i5-13600K. However, we recommend checking the prices of the previous generation chips, as they still offer most of the performance and may represent better value.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: The Best Gaming Processor

Why You Should Buy It: In terms of value and performance, it's undoubtedly the best gaming processor.

For Whom: Gamers who want top-tier performance without spending an arm and a leg.

Why We Chose the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: With the introduction of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the 5800X3D finally has a worthy successor. This CPU is currently the fastest gaming CPU, outperforming the Intel Core i9-13900K and even the 14900K in most games. In pure gaming scenarios, it can also match the more expensive Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D benefits from AMD's 3D V-Cache technology, which once again demonstrates the power of adding a significant amount of L3 cache on top of the chip. It comes with a total of 104MB of cache, marking a substantial upgrade from the 40MB cache equipped on the Ryzen 7 7700X.

In terms of core count, AMD seems to have stuck to its guns. The processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. The boost clock speed is much lower than the Ryzen 7 7700X, with the 7800X3D reaching a maximum frequency of 5GHz. However, it still leads by a wide margin in gaming tasks.This chip is crazy for gaming, but when you compare it to the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, its performance in productivity tasks drops sharply. However, for pure gamers, this should not be an issue. In our internal testing, the CPU's frames per second (fps) are nearly identical to more expensive components. If you're just looking for a stable gaming processor, save some money and go for this one.

Intel Core i9-13900K: The Best Intel Processor

Why you should buy it: It ranks near the top in almost all benchmark tests and is cheaper than AMD's competition.

For whom: Enthusiasts who need a high core count and extremely fast clock speeds to accelerate video editing, compression, and other demanding tasks.

Why we chose the Intel Core i9-13900K:

Intel's 13900K may no longer be the flagship it once was, but it is essentially the same as the 14900K, it's cheaper, and it consumes less power. Similar to the previous generation Core i9-12900K, the Core i9-13900K combines Performance (P) cores and Efficient (E) cores. However, this time there is an increase in the number of cores. You will get 8 P cores designed on the new Raptor Cove microarchitecture, along with 16 E cores using the previous generation Gracemont architecture.

These additional cores help to speed up demanding multi-threaded tasks, which is why the Core i9-13900K leads the Ryzen 9 7950X by 8% in Cinebench R23. The redesigned P cores also help the Core i9-13900K outperform AMD's best offering by 12% in Cinebench's single-core tests.

The Core i9-13900K tops almost all benchmarks, largely thanks to additional L2 cache and higher clock speeds. It is the fastest processor you can buy, but more importantly, it is cheaper than AMD's Ryzen 9 7950X.

However, it cannot keep up with the X3D CPU in gaming, so if you opt for this powerful Intel alternative, you will be a bit behind in this area, so keep that in mind. The upgrade path is also somewhat limited, as you only have the 14th generation chips to upgrade to, and there are no chips that can compete with the 13900K except for the top-tier chips.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X: The Best AMD ProcessorWhy You Should Buy It: It's incredibly fast, and it's set up to support the AMD platform.

Target Audience: AMD enthusiasts who want the best product and don't mind spending a little extra.

Why We Chose the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X:

Although it may not outperform the 13900K or 14900K in gaming or productivity, there's no denying the raw capabilities of the Ryzen 9 7950X, which is nearly on par with the Core i9-13900K in most tests. This processor delivers on its promise, with a 31% improvement in single-core performance and a 36% improvement in multi-core performance compared to the previous generation. While it lags slightly behind the Core i9-13900K in certain tasks, the gap is negligible. In some games, such as Far Cry 6, the Ryzen 9 7950X is actually faster.

Beyond the processor itself, the Ryzen 9 7950X also introduces AMD's brand-new AM5 platform. It used to be much more expensive, but fortunately, new motherboards and the decreasing price of DDR5 make upgrades more affordable. Additionally, AMD has stated that it will support AM5 at least until 2025 (and possibly longer). This means that upgrading to future Ryzen generations can be done easily without having to purchase a new motherboard.

Although the Ryzen 9 7950X has not yet reached the pinnacle of performance, it is only a step behind. With features such as Smart Access Memory and remote platform support, it remains an extremely attractive flagship CPU.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D: The Latest Generation Processor Best Suited for Gaming

Why You Should Buy It: Even with current generation options available, it remains a pleasant surprise among gaming CPUs.Applicable Audience: Gamers who do not require substantial CPU processing power to execute other tasks.

Why We Chose the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D:

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the fastest AM4 gaming processor ever and will maintain this title for the foreseeable future, as there are no new AM4 chips to compete with it. It outperforms all other products in its generation and stays competitive in gaming through an updated processor. Why? A peculiar technology known as 3D V-Cache.

In terms of specifications, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is slightly inferior to the base Ryzen 7 5800X. It comes with the same 8 Zen 3 cores, but with a 200MHz slower clock speed and no overclocking capability for the 3D stacked portion. The difference lies in the additional 64MB of L3 cache that the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has, stacked on top of the processor.

It may not sound like much, but the extra L3 cache makes a significant difference in gaming. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D outperforms everything in gaming, including the Core i9-12900KS, which is twice its price. Compared to new CPUs from Intel and AMD, it remains competitive.

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs, lagging only behind AMD's new 3D V-Cache products, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Remember, this is a pure gaming CPU. If you plan on performing intensive video encoding or other productivity tasks, it's better to opt for an AMD or Intel chip with a higher core count.

Intel Core i3-12100: The Best Processor Under $100

Why You Should Buy This: It remains a powerful quad-core processor and is very affordable.

Applicable to: PC builders on a tight budget who want a reliable processor for gaming and work without overspending.

Why We Chose the Intel Core i3-12100F:In 2024, it's hard to find a CPU for under $100, but the Core i3-12100F stands out among them. It's part of the Alder Lake series, and while it does have newer generation counterparts in the 13100 and 14100, they are more expensive and don't offer a significant performance boost, making the 12100F a hot commodity for budget gaming PCs.

The Core i3-12100F is a quad-core CPU, ranking among the best Intel processors you can buy. It doesn't feature a hybrid architecture but opts for four performance cores, which doesn't significantly impact performance. It also lacks integrated graphics, so you'll need a dedicated graphics card.

Gaming is certainly possible, although it falls slightly behind the six-core Ryzen 5 5600X, and it's also excellent for everyday use. Without a doubt, this is an entry-level processor, but the Core i3-12100F's price still hovers above its suggested retail price.

AMD Ryzen 5 8500G: The Best Processor with Integrated Graphics

Why you should buy this: It's one of the few good APUs you can buy right now, and it's relatively affordable.

For whom: PC builders on a tight budget who want a reliable processor for gaming and work without overspending.

Why we chose the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G:

Gaming without a GPU is possible, but it's not an ideal experience. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is an exception because its integrated RDNA 3 GPU is capable of running most games at 1080p with medium settings and 30 frames per second (fps), and at higher rates in casual games. It won't replace dedicated graphics chips, and the CPU speed isn't as fast as non-APU counterparts, but it's an excellent choice for GPU-less gaming.

It features 6 Zen4+ cores, giving it stable CPU performance and support for 12 threads. However, its boost clock speed is limited to 5GHz, which is lower than Ryzen 7000 counterparts. Nonetheless, its lower TDP makes the 8500G a great choice if you're building a budget gaming machine, looking to save money for a larger graphics card later, or assembling a compact machine for light gaming.If you're looking for more powerful features, you might opt for the 8700G, but the price is approximately double that of the 8700G, and the performance improvement is not significant.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600: The Best Value AMD Processor

Why you should buy it: This is a well-rounded CPU with an affordable price tag.

Intended audience: Gamers and other users seeking a good deal.

Why we chose the AMD Ryzen 5 7600:

AMD ensures that it doesn't fall too far behind with the Ryzen 5 7600. It is quite similar to its predecessor in some aspects, with the exact same number of cores, but it does offer several generational upgrades that make it a great choice for keeping your computer future-proof.

The Ryzen 5 7600 comes with 6 cores and 12 threads. Its maximum clock speed is 5.2GHz. It is a very comprehensive processor with stable gaming performance and ample productivity capabilities. It won't outperform some of the heavy hitters of this generation, but it is more than sufficient even for AAA games.

Its downside lies in the additional cost compared to the previous generation's chips, all thanks to AMD's new AM5 platform. This means that if you're upgrading, you'll need to use a new motherboard, and unfortunately, due to the lack of DDR4 support, you must stick with DDR5 memory.This is why the previous generation of chips remains a very attractive option—overall, if you stick with the last generation of chips, you will see a considerable amount of savings. On the other hand, switching to AM5 now means there is a lot of room for future upgrades.

Intel Core i5-13400F: The Most Value-For-Money Intel CPU

Reason to buy: This is a CPU that offers exceptional performance at an affordable price.

Suitable for: Gamers and other users seeking a good deal.

Why we chose the Intel Core i5-13400F:

The Intel Core i5-13400F might be the last of its generation, and it may be slightly slower than the new 14400, but opting for this slightly older model comes with a significant discount. It works on the same motherboard, supports the same DDR4 or DDR5 memory, and has the same (albeit limited) upgrade potential.

It is the cheapest Intel 13th or 14th generation CPU with efficient cores, so its productivity performance is very impressive, comparable to the high-end CPUs of the previous generation, and provides reliable competition for high-end AMD CPUs. Paired with a mid-range graphics card, this is a chip that is very well-suited for gaming.

As for upgrades, you can only switch it to higher-end 13th and 14th generation chips, which does provide you with an upgrade path, but that's about it. After this generation, you will need to change the motherboard to switch to new ones.

Which processor is the fastest?

The fastest processor you can buy now is the Intel Core i9-14900K. It comes with 24 cores and high clock speeds, enabling it to run games and intensive productivity applications quickly. However, it faces stiff competition from the AMD 7800X3D and 7950X3D in gaming, both of which are much more efficient and consume less power than the 14900K. They cannot compete in productivity, but the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is not lagging behind and is no slouch in gaming either.Is the i7 better than the i5?

Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors are both excellent choices. As the names suggest, the i7 processor is faster and more powerful than the i5 processor, and it also comes at a higher price. However, they may not be the best choice for everyone.

Over several generations, Intel has designated 6 cores for Core i5 processors and 8 cores for Core i7 processors. The additional two cores can improve performance, but if you are gaming on your computer or running basic applications, they are not as significant.

Which type of processor is the best?

AMD and Intel are the main CPU manufacturers, and they often surpass each other every few years. Currently, Intel processors are the best choice for overall raw performance but have higher power consumption. However, in terms of absolute gaming performance, AMD's X3D CPUs (such as the 7800X3D and 7950X3D) are the fastest.

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