Following the rise of technology, the gaming industry also rapidly developed alongside. To keep up with the games’ continuous increase in quality and performance, having an excellent CPU to handle all its advanced capabilities is extremely vital.
Listed below are the best CPUs you can use to boost your gaming experience.
Best CPU for Gaming: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X comes with 16 cores and 32 processing threads and is unlocked for overclocking with a 4.9 GHz maximum boost. Aside from that, it also features DDR-3200 support which is recommended for a faster transfer rate of data to enjoy a better game streaming performance.
According to AMD, Ryzen 9 5950X was made from the same Zen 3 architecture. Having said that, the process node, chipset, and peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) 4.0 compatibility are the same as the previous model, 5900X. However, the 5950X is designed mainly for gaming and content creation.
Pros
- 500 series motherboard
- Excellent performance in multiple tasks
- Low thermal design power
- High compatibility with most microprocessor sockets
Things to consider
- No cooler included, tend to overheat
- More pricey than previous models
Best CPU for Streaming: Intel Core i9-9900K
Intel Core i9-9900K is the most ideal CPU for streamers. With its Turbo Boost 2.0 that can reach up to a maximum of five GHz and Intel UHD Graphics 630, a smooth streaming experience is guaranteed. Its Intel Optane Memory also helps in boosting and accelerating the system performance without overworking the processor.
Another reason for giving i9-9900K an edge is its ability to not overheat. Thus, an air cooler to cool it off will do and using a liquid cooler or external fan won’t be necessary.
Pros
- Lower price but significant improvement
- High performance especially in video editing and rendering
- Solder thermal interface materials prevents it from overheating
- Compatible with the last generation Coffee Lake 8th gen CPU
Thing to consider
- Gets hot easily
- No stock cooler included
- High power consumption on heavy tasks
Best Budget CPU for Gaming and Streaming: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 not only meets the high standard requirements of game streaming, but it’s also affordable for users. It includes six CPU cores and 12 threads. It also has a base clock frequency of 3.6 GHz which can be adjusted to its maximum boost of 4.2 GHz.
Another innovative feature of the Ryzen 5 3600 is AMD Wraith Stealth cooler. Its increased motherboard compatibility added direct contact to heat pipes which makes the cooling process more effective and more efficient. It can also accommodate a maximum temperature of 95 degrees Celsius.
Pros
- Significant improvement in gaming experience
- Low power consumption
- CPU cooler included
- Lower thermal design power
Things to consider
- No GPU integrated
- Exclusively works with an AM4 socket motherboard
Best Fastest Performance CPU for Gaming and Streaming: Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel’s 10th generation processors are made for the fastest application performance. Along with its innovative design, Intel integrated an intelligent, built-in feature that dynamically directs power to wherever it is most needed according to your activity.
It contains 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base speed of 3.7 GHz unlocked for overclocking up to a maximum of 5.3 GHz. Unlike other processors, i9-10900K has both Turbo Boost 3.0 Max and All-Core Thermal Velocity Boost. Its Turbo Boost 3.0 can go up to 5.3 GHz while its All-Core Thermal Velocity Boost has a maximum of 4.9 GHz.
Pros
- Excellent performance in both single and multithreaded applications
- Superior gaming experience
- Compatible with existing Intel coolers
- Upgraded networking
Things to consider
- High power consumption
- No cooler included
- Outdated processes for thermals
Best Average CPU for Gaming and Streaming: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has a base clock of 3.5 GHz that is unlocked for overclocking up to a maximum of 4.7 GHz, well enough for game streaming starters. Its 16 cores and 32 threads make it the best processor for mainstream desktops.
It can accommodate up to a maximum temperature of 95 degrees Celsius, which is why it is recommended to install a liquid cooler to regulate the heat.
Pros
- Compatible with some Socket AM4 motherboards
- Superior core base speed
- Significant improvements in gaming experience
- Fair thermal design power
Things to consider
- Overkill for average pc gamers
- CPU cooler not included in package
- High power consumption
