When choosing the right CPU for your new PC build, ultimately, you want to select a processor from the latest generation that fits your budget. Of course, like any hardware, there are a few do’s and don’ts but what matters most is your personal requirements. What exactly are you looking to get out of your new PC? Unbeatable gaming performance? A steady runner for working from home? Answering some of these questions means we can quickly whittle out processors that don’t fit the bill.
The number one issue sometimes holding back new PC builders is compatibility, all of which can be avoided with our handy PC part picker tool. In this guide, we are here to assist you so you’ll never waste a single penny. Furthermore, we can explain the general jargon around CPUs and their specifications, so you will be ready when it’s time to upgrade.
The basics to know before choosing a CPU
Computer component manufacturers that produce CPUs and GPUs (graphics cards) tend to release new generation products every 2 years or so. This means our PC can quickly become obsolete – making PC gaming a rather expensive hobby over time. This isn’t bad news though, as new generation CPUs are released, we often see older generations go down in price, either through lack of demand or simply to get rid of stock.
This gives system builders a choice to make – do you want the absolute best performance, with money being no object, or, do you want to piece together components that offer a lot of value. Which you choose boils down to your budget, more on that later.
What is a CPU and its specifications?
The CPU, sometimes referred to as a processor, or central processing unit, is the most important component in any PC. It is responsible for turning data input into the information you see, storing and executing instructions at an astonishing pace. Modern CPUs multi-task, managing almost every aspect of your computer. While overseeing your day-to-day functions the CPU also manages power consumption, power resources, and much, much more. The inner workings of a CPU can get fairly complex but just understanding the specifications is a great place to start. Knowing what the difference cores, threads, and clock speeds make to your physical PC is going to go a long way when you try and purchase the right processor in the future.
Cores
CPU cores are the individual processors inside, each capable of handling different tasks at a time. So, the more cores your processor has, the faster it can process data while multitasking.
However, not all programs utilize all cores of a CPU. So you must check the software you wish to run and the optimal cores it requires, to determine how many cores will be ideal for you.
Modern CPUs can have 4 to 64 cores and you can choose the right number of cores for your needs as follows:
- 4-cores: For basic multitasking and work needs.
- 6-8 cores: For multitasking, medium workloads, and gaming.
- 16-32 cores: For heavy workloads, 3D rendering, and other processor-intensive tasks.
Threads
Threads within a CPU core determine how many processes it can handle once at a time. Along with the cores, they affect the overall CPU performance, so the higher, the better.
If a core has multiple threads (two or more, which is known as simultaneous multithreading or hyperthreading), it can execute two cycles simultaneously.
So, more threads allow better multitasking and are ideal for heavy-threaded programs such as transcoders, programming apps, video editors, etc.
Clock Speed & Frequency
It is the speed at which your processor operates. Every CPU has a base (minimum) and turbo (maximum) speed listed on it. The higher the clock speed, the faster and more cycles the CPU can process in a second.
However, the clock speed doesn’t individually determine CPU performance, as thread count and cores matter. A CPU with more cores and threads but less clock speed can outperform a faster CPU with fewer cores and threads.
- 2GHz – 2.5 GHz clock speed: Suitable for basic work requirements.
- 2.5GHz – 4GHz: Suitable for gaming
Does speed matter or more cores then? It depends upon your computing needs and usage. Higher clock speeds are best for single-threaded tasks such as gaming, offering faster responsiveness and less loading time.
To run high-end editing or programming apps with multitasking, you need more cores and threads with faster clock speeds (4Ghz or more). But if your needs are basic with casual multitasking & gaming, dual or quad cores with single/dual threads and 3-4Ghz clock speed will be fine.
TDP
Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the maximum heat dissipated by a processor (in Watts) at its stock speeds. The higher the TDP, the more powerful cooler, and PSU you need for your system to avoid overheating, so knowing it is always better. Some CPUs come with stock coolers, so you can save some bucks on the total budget.
Socket Compatibility
Not all CPU sockets on motherboards can fit your processor; thus, you must check the socket compatibility. AMD uses a single AM5 socket nowadays, which only works with the current-gen and the previous (Ryzen 7000). Whereas its previous AM4 socket was backward compatible with several generations. The same goes for some of Intel’s launches, in fact, it is common to see multiple CPU generations work on a single platform. Just ensure the socket or platform of the chosen CPU matches your chosen motherboard and there will be no compatibility issue.
Integrated Graphics /APU
A lot but not all CPUs come with “Integrated graphics”. All this means is that when you build and plug in your PC to the monitor, you will be able to use it. This does not mean the performance will be good enough for gaming, or in some cases even entertainment. Integrated graphics are ideal for work machines, for example, if you are just using it to browse the web or write in MS Word, then you don’t really need a graphics card or APU. If, however, you plan on gaming or video rendering, a dedicated graphics card is going to be required.
An alternative to an expensive GPU is the APU (accelerated processing unit). These offer a bit more power in the graphics department at a lower cost, making them ideal for gamers on extreme budgets.
Generation & Labels
With new generations, AMD and Intel release new features and updates, making the latest chipsets faster and better than their predecessors. You should go for the latest-gen processor if you have a good budget and require the latest features with the fastest performance.
However, old processors are still okay as, in most cases, the performance difference is not very significant.
In the latest models of AMD and Intel CPUs, there are a few letter designations (labels) that help you understand them better, like:
For Intel:
- K – The CPU is unlocked for overclocking
- F – The CPU lacks integrated graphics
For AMD:
- X- The CPU features an extended frequency range to offer higher clock speeds at a higher price range
- G- Has an integrated graphics
Budget is important
When choosing a new CPU, you need to understand exactly what your budget can get you. Like anything, there is a wide range of price options, with the more expensive often being reserved for enthusiasts who require every single bit of power.
Basic Work: $50-$150 Range
For basic data entry, presentations, web browsing, productivity tasks, and entertainment needs, you can look for entry-level chipsets with dual (or more) cores, like AMD Ryzen 5 (or 3) or older Intel i5 CPUs and some newer Intel i3.
Some of the best ones you can find under this price range from AMD are the Ryzen 5 5600X, Ryzen 5 3600, and Ryzen 5 5500. Some of the best you can find from Intel are the Core i5-12600K, Core i5-12400F, and Core i3-14100F.
Gaming: $150-$300
If your primary need is gaming, you can consider mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 (or 7) or Intel i5 offering high clock speeds. For a high-end gaming experience, GPU matters more than CPU so you can save some bucks here.
Under this budget, AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, Intel Core i7-13700K, and Intel Core i5-13600K are some of the best processors for gaming needs offering high clock speeds, cores, and threads.
Content Creation and Overclocking: $200-$350
For high-end content creation and multitasking needs, invest more in the latest AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel core i7 chipsets with four or more cores to handle more tasks simultaneously at a faster speed.
Some of the best processors you can get for this are the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, and Intel Core i7-14700K.
Workstation: $400-$1000
For heavy workloads and extreme multitasking, you need a workstation CPU with more cores (12 or more).
You can consider an Intel core i7 or i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 (or Threadripper if you have sever-level needs), designed for extreme multitasking and processor-intensive tasks.
Some of the best ones you can consider are the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, Intel Core i9-14900K, and AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D.
PC Builder Parts List| Type | Item |
|---|---|
| CPU | |
| Motherboard | |
| CPU Cooler | |
| Case | |
| RAM | |
| Storage | |
| GPU | |
| Power Supply | |
| Generated by PC Builder 14-Aug-2024, 04:05 PM | | |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends upon what type of titles you wish to play. For moderate gaming needs, you can go for AMD Ryzen 3/5 or Intel core i5 (with two or more cores). For high-end gaming, go for advanced chipsets like AMD Ryzen 7/9 or Intel i7/i9 with four or more cores and clock speed between 3-4 Ghz.
For basic requirements, look for a processor with integrated GPU with single-threading (dual core). You can consider Intel Pentium, Celeron, and AMD’s Athlon series for low-budget needs. For advanced needs, choose a stronger CPU with multithreading capabilities and a discrete GPU, like Intel i5, i7, i9 or AMD Ryzen 5 or above.
You must contact your motherboard manufacturer to know which CPU upgrade will be compatible with your system and needs. They are more familiar with various upgrade options available for your system and motherboard, so they can guide you better. Or else, you can use a reliable online PC builder to find an upgraded CPU version per your motherboard’s compatibility.
The three types of CPUs are Mobile, Desktop and Server CPU. The mobile CPU is the smallest one designed for laptops and mobile devices. Similarly, the desktop CPU is designed for regular PCs, while the server CPU is for enterprises to work 24×7 for large data processing.
Conclusion
So, to choose the right CPU for your PC, first, determine its workload and budget. Then review all the above mentioned specs, and check its motherboard compatibility and performance benchmark score. After buying your CPU, you must buy a motherboard (if you haven’t bought it before CPU), RAM, Storage, PSU and discrete GPU (if required).
