Processors

How to choose a processor

The processor sets your computer's speed, and the socket decides which motherboard and memory you have to buy. Choose it first and check five things.

• Socket and platform. AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000/8000/9000) uses DDR5; AM4 (Ryzen 5000) runs on cheap DDR4 and is the best budget upgrade. Intel LGA1700 (12th–14th gen Core) takes DDR4 or DDR5 depending on the board, LGA1851 (Core Ultra) DDR5 only.
• Cores and threads. 4 cores / 8 threads (Core i3) is enough for office work, 6 cores / 12 threads (Ryzen 5, Core i5) is the gaming standard, 8 cores (Ryzen 7) handle gaming and streaming at once, 12–24 cores (Ryzen 9, Core i9, Core Ultra 9) are for video editing and rendering.
• Cache. In games, single-core speed and L3 cache matter more than core count: the 96 MB 3D V-Cache on Ryzen X3D models delivers 10–20% more frames in many games.
• Integrated graphics. Ryzen 7000/9000 and Intel models without an F output a picture with no graphics card. F models (7500F, 8400F, 8700F, 12400F, 14100F) are cheaper but need a graphics card.
• Power and cooling. A 65 W chip (Ryzen 5 7600, 9600X, Core i5-12400) runs on a quiet air cooler; 120–170 W (9800X3D, 9950X) and Intel K models need a serious tower or a 240–360 mm liquid cooler.

Processors in our range

The shelf leans AMD: AM5 Ryzen covers the whole ladder from Ryzen 5 7500F, 7600, 7600X, 8400F and 9600X through Ryzen 7 7700, 7700X, 8700F and 9700X to Ryzen 9 7900X, 9900X and 9950X. The gamers' X3D models: Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 9800X3D, Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D. AM4 Ryzen for a cheap upgrade: Ryzen 5 5600 and 5600X, Ryzen 7 5700X, 5800X and the 5700G with graphics, topped by Ryzen 9 5950X. Intel: the LGA1700 Core i3-14100/14100F, i5-12400/12400F and i9-12900K/KF, plus the LGA1851 flagship Core Ultra 9 285K (24 cores). Filter by maker, socket and core count.

Brands: AMD or Intel

AMD Ryzen currently offers the best price-to-performance: AMD has promised AM5 will live until at least 2027, so you can upgrade the chip later without changing the board. The X3D series is the fastest in games, and the 9000 series Zen 5 cores are efficient. Intel Core i5-12400 and i3-14100 are dependable budget picks for an office or first gaming PC, and the i9-12900K gives 16 cores. The Core Ultra 9 285K is the Arrow Lake flagship: 24 cores, an NPU for AI and DDR5-6400.

Compatibility: motherboard, memory and cooling

Chipset: AM5 = B650/B850/X670/X870, AM4 = B450/B550/X570, LGA1700 = B660/B760/Z690/Z790, LGA1851 = B860/Z890; an older board may need a BIOS update. Memory: AM5 and LGA1851 take DDR5 only, AM4 DDR4 only, LGA1700 either. Cooler: AM5 uses the same mount as AM4 and LGA1851 the same as LGA1700, so an old cooler usually fits a new board; apply fresh thermal paste when swapping.

Related products

Pick an AMD motherboard or Intel motherboard by socket, add a CPU cooler, RAM (DDR4 or DDR5) and thermal paste. All build parts are in PC components.

Frequently asked questions

Intel or AMD for gaming? Purely for games, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 9800X3D are currently fastest; if you mix gaming and editing, a 12–16 core Ryzen 9 or Core i9 is more versatile.

How many cores does a gaming PC need? 6 cores and 12 threads are plenty for today's games; 8 cores leave headroom for streaming. More cores do not add frames.

What does X3D mean? An extra layer of L3 cache is stacked on the die (96 MB in total). Games gain 10–20% speed; in everyday work there is no difference.

Is AM4 still worth buying in 2026? As an upgrade, yes: a Ryzen 5 5600 or Ryzen 7 5700X in an old B450/B550 board is the cheapest way to speed up a gaming PC. Build a new PC on AM5.

Is a cooler included in the box? The Ryzen 5 5600, 7600, Ryzen 7 7700 and the Intel i5-12400 and i3-14100 ship with a cooler. X, X3D and K models do not.