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Best CPUs 2023
1. Intel Core i9-12900K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Alder Lake/8 x P-cores, 8 x E-cores, (24 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost P-core 3.2/5,2 GHz, E-core 2.4/3,9 GHz
-Manufacturing process 10 nm -Cache 30 MB L3, 14 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4 3200MHz and DDR5 4800MHz
-Packaging LGA1700
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD 770
-TDP 125W
-Features Turbo Boost Max Technology 3, Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI / BMI1 + BMI2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a, SSE4,SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best overall. With the 12th processor generation, Intel wants to usher in the turnaround in the desktop CPU market. The outdated 14 nm design is history, instead, the new chips are now manufactured in the 10 nm process, The high-end Core i9-12900K model consists of eight physical cores with a total of 24 threads. Eight cores are responsible for intensive computing work and boost up to 5.2 GHz. The rest is responsible for less complex operations and are primarily intended to keep energy consumption in check. In practice, the i9-12900K can even beat AMD's expensive high–end processor Ryzen 9 5950X. Once again, Intel is playing to its old strengths and is achieving enormous performance values, especially in single-thread applications. This is especially interesting for the gamers.
Pros
+ Efficient hybrid design with performance and energy-saving cores
+ Immense computing power at reference level
+ Compatible with DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 (PEG slot)
+ Good price
Cons
- CPU socket needs new cooler or adaptor
- Requires new motherboard
2. Intel Core i7-12700K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Alder Lake/8 x P-cores, 4 x E-cores, (24 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost P-core 3.6/5 GHz, E-core 2.7/3,6 GHz
-Manufacturing process 10 nm -Cache 25 MB L3, 12 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4 3200MHz and DDR5 4800MHz
-Packaging LGA1700
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD 770
-TDP 125W
-Features Turbo Boost Max Technology 3, Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI / BMI1 + BMI2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Runner-up. The Intel processor is equally well suited for gaming and content creators. Only in professional applications, AMD can still compete with the 12-core Ryzen 9 5900X. In order to exploit its full potential, however, a cutting-edge motherboard with the new socket 1700 must also be available.
Pros
+ Modern architecture with 8 performance and 4 efficiency cores
+ Very good performance in all application scenarios
+ Fantastic gaming performance
+ Faster and cheaper than Ryzen 9 5900X
Cons
- New socket and Windows 11 required for full potential
- Limited overclocking headroom
3. Intel Core i5-12600K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Alder Lake/6 x P-cores, 4 x E-cores, (16 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost P-core 3.7/4,9 GHz, E-core 2.8/3,6 GHz
-Manufacturing process 10 nm -Cache 20 MB L3, 9.5 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4 3200MHz and DDR5 4800MHz
-Packaging LGA1700
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD 770
-TDP 125W
-Features Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI / BMI1 + BMI2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best LGA1700 CPU. The i5-12600K has six power cores and four efficiency cores. In order for applications to be assigned the correct core type, Intel has also installed the so-called "Thread Director", which recommends the appropriate core for each application type to the operating system. For this to work, a modern operating system with appropriate capabilities must be available – currently this is only Windows 11. If you meet all the requirements, you can expect a processor performance that is considerable. The Core i5-12600K trumps the previous price-performance king Ryzen 7 5800X in almost every respect and is much stronger than the Intel predecessors.
Pros
+ Efficient hybrid design with performance and energy-saving cores
+ Compatible with DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0
+ Faster and cheaper than Ryzen 7 5800X
+ Very reasonable price
Cons
- New socket and Windows 11 required for full potential
- Core i7-12700K faster at multithreading
4. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Zen3/8 x physical (24 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.8GHz/4.7GHz
-Manufacturing process 7 nm -Cache 32 MB L3, 4 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging AMD Socket AM4
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 105W
-Features Precision Boost 2, Precision Boost Overdrive 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMI1 + BMl2, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a,SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE
Best AMD all-rounder. The performance of the Ryzen 7 5800X increases immensely compared to the eight-core Ryzen 3000 series. Particularly striking is the once again strongly increased single thread performance, which is especially important for gaming. With 8 cores and 16 threads, even complex programs, such as rendering software, run extremely fast. The 5800X surpasses even some Intel Core i9 processors in all disciplines.
Pros
+ Strong performance in professional applications and Games
+ Eight cores and 16 threads
+ better performance than many Intel Core i9s (Gen. 10)
Cons
- Overclocked Intel CPUs faster in some games
- High temperatures
5. Intel Core i5 11600K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Rocket Lake-S/6 x physical (12 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 4.1GHz/4.8GHz
-Manufacturing process 14 nm
-Cache 12 MB L3, 6 x 215 KB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging LGA 1200
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel Iris Xe Graphics 32
-TDP 125W
-Features Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI I BMl1 + BMl2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES,SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best value. It is remarkable how much power Intel tickles out of the six cores despite the inefficient manufacturing method. Especially in the gaming sector, the i5 is very well positioned. Intel also supports PCI Express 4.0 for the first time, allowing you to squeeze out a little more speed from fast SSDs. A great CPU for the money.
Pros
+ Great Gaming performance
+ PCIe 4.0
+ Price to performance ratio
+ Solid multithreading
Cons
- Low energy efficiency
- No bundled cooler
6. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Zen3/12 x physical (24 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.7GHz/4.8GHz
-Manufacturing process 7 nm
-Cache 64 MB L3, 6 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging AMO Socket AM4
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 105W
-Features Precision Boost 2, Precision Boost Overdrive, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMl1 + BMl2, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a,SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE
Best gaming CPU. With the Ryzen 5000 series, AMD crashes Intel from the throne after years of duel – and not only in applications, as has often happened before, but this time even in Intel's prime discipline: gaming.
Pros
+ Excellent performance in games and applications
+ 12 cores and Multithreading
+ Good single-threaded performance
+ Support for PCIe 4.0
+ Compatible with 500-series motherboards
Cons
- Not cheap
- High power consumption
- No bundled cooler
7. Intel Core i9-10850K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Comet Lake/10 x physical (20 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.6GHz/5.2GHz
-Manufacturing process 14 nm
-Cache 20 MB L3, 10 x 256 KB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 2933MHz
-Packaging LGA1200
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD Graphics 630
-TDP 125W
-Features Thermal Velocity Boost, Turbo Boost Max 3, Turbo Boost2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMl1 + BMl2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES,SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best Intel CPU for gaming. In games, the decathlete shines again. Here, the very strong turbo boost of 5.2 GHz is particularly decisive, which ensures very good frame rates in games with a high single-core load. In turbo mode, the Core i9 consumes quite a lot of power, but in other operations, it is quite frugal in view of its performance data.
Pros
+ 10 Cores and SMT with 20 Threads
+ Very high turbo clock
+ As fast as Core i9 -10900K, in most tests
Cons
- No PCl-E 4 support
- High power consumption
8. Intel Core i9-11900K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Rocket Lake-S/8 x physical (16 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.5GHz/5.3GHz
-Manufacturing process 14 nm
-Cache 16 MB L3, 8 x 512 KB L2
-Memory controller Dual- channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging LGA 1200
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD Graphics 750
-TDP 125W
-Features Thermal Velocity Boost, Turbo Boost Max Technology 3, Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C,SHA, BMI/BMl1 + BMl2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best Intel all-rounder. Intel has returned from the energy-efficient 10 nm manufacturing process to the dusted 14 nm process in this iteration, but has retained the essential architecture of the 10 nm processors. As a result, the processor equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads achieves higher clock rates than the previous generations.
Pros
+ PCI-Express 4.0
+ As fast as Intel's 10-core CPUs
+ Excellent performance
Cons
- Very high energy requirement
- High temperatures
- Can't beat Ryzen 9 5900X outside games
9. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Zen3/16 x physical (32 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.7GHz/4. 9GHz
-Manufacturing process 7 nm
-Cache 64 MB L3, 8 MB L2
-Memory controller Dual- channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging AMO Socket AM4
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 105W
-Features Precision Boost 2, Precision Boost Overdrive 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMl1 + BMl2, AVX2, AVX, AES, SSE4a,SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE
Best AMD Performance. The top of the line model offers performance values in both single and multithreading that currently no other mainstream CPU can match. Especially for professional applications that are able to use so many threads and cores, the Ryzen 9 is a blessing. At games, the advantages over the Ryzen 7 5800X are present, but not groundbreaking. The same applies to overclocking capabilities.
Pros
+ Extreme 16 cores with 32 Threads
+ Usable with older AMD boards (AM4)
+ Record breaking single and multithread performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited overclocking potential
10. Intel Core i5-10600K
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Comet Lake/6 x physical (12 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 4.1GHz/4.8GHz
-Manufacturing process 14 nm
-Cache 12 MB L3, 6 x 256 KB L2
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 2666MHz
-Packaging LGA 1200
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/Intel UHD Graphics 630
-TDP 125W
-Features Turbo Boost2, FMA3, F16C, SHA,BMI/BMl1 + BMl2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES,SSE4a, SSE4, SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best budget Intel CPU. The six-core offers a high bar and thus a strong single-thread performance, which many games currently still benefit the most. In practice, the frame rates here are even slightly higher than the already very strong AMD Ryzen 7 3700X. However, when it comes to applications with good hyperthreading use, the i5 is lagging behind.
Pros
+ Six cores
+ High clock
+ Strong Performance in Games
Cons
- No PCl-E 4 support
11. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Zen2/6 x physical (12 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3.8GHz/4.4GHz
-Manufacturing process 7 nm
-Cache 32M B L3 cache, 3 MB L2 cache
-Memory controller Dual-channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging AMD Socket AM4
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 9SW
-Features Precision Boost 2, Precision Boost Overdrive, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMl1 + BMl2.AVX2. AVX, AES. SSE4a. SSE4, SSE3. SSE2, SSE
Best budget AMD CPU. AMD's inexpensive representative of the 3000 series offers a lot for the money and is a good choice for all those who want to have as much power for the money as possible. It does not matter whether you need the performance primarily for computing work such as rendering or gaming: in both disciplines, the six-core performs very well.
Pros
+ Low energy requirement
+ Very good price-performance ratio
+ Good cooler included
Cons
- Slower in some games than equivalent Intel CPUs
12. Intel Core i9-10980XE
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Cascade Lake-X/18 x physical (36 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 3GHz/4.8GHz
-Manufacturing process 14 nm
-Cache 24.75 MB L3 cache, 16 x 1 MB L2 cache
-Memory controller Quad-channel DDR4, up to 3000MHz
-Packaging LGA2066
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 165W
-Features Turbo Boost Max Technology 3, Turbo Boost 2, FMA3, F16C, SHA, BMI/BMI1 + BMI2, AVX-512, AVX2, AVX, AES,SSE4a, SSE4, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX
Best Intel CPU if money is not a problem. With its 18 cores, the i9-10980XE appeals primarily to professional users who need maximum performance. It has more overclocking headroom than the AMD CPUs, and its platform offers far more PCI-E lanes than X570, as well as quad channel memory support.
Pros
+ Great application performance
+ Lots of PCI-E lanes
+ Huge all-core overclock
Cons
- Expensive
- High power consumption
13. AMD Threadripper 3990x
Specifications
-Core/Number of cores Zen2/64 x physical (128 threads)
-Frequency base/max boost 2.9GHz/4.3GHz
-Manufacturing process 7 nm
-Cache 256 MB L3, 32 MB L2
-Memory controller Quad-channel DDR4, up to 3200MHz
-Packaging AMO SocketTRX4
-Simultaneous Multithreading/IGP Yes/No
-TDP 280W
-Features Precision Boost 2, Precision Boost Overdrive, FMA3, F16C. SHA. BMI/BM11•BMl2,AVX2.AVX.AES,SSE4a.SSE4, SSSE3. SSE3. SSE2. SSE
Best AMD if money is not a problem. The AMD Threadripper 3990X is primarily used for video editing, rendering, and CAD applications. Its high core and thread count make it a great multitasking CPU, but it isn't ideal for gaming.
Pros
+ Extremely high working speed
+ Most powerful desktop CPU ever
+ 64 cores !!!
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- No integrated graphics chip
- Very high power consumption