Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023

cpus

by Perfect Tech Reviewer


If you have a high-end processor for gaming then it is like your treasure box, and all of the components you have purchased with a significant amount will surely satisfy you with game frames, and you can guarantee its performance to its full potential.

No doubt your investment for any innovative work, streaming, or rescripting you might desire to do with your lovable PC, and it means you don’t need an appliance to grasp a stream on it. With additional vital than ever available, you don’t need to be worried about multi-tasking, forcing your gaming PC to the limitation anymore.

At A Glance:


Best pick

Best Fastest Intel Processor for Gaming


Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023

Intel Core i7 10700K


Comparatively latest


Turbo boost max 3.0


All-inclusive Hyperthreading


High-end overclocking headroom


Reaches highest stock performance

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Staff Pick

Intel’s Best Processor for Gaming


1713342458_292_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023

Intel Core i5-10600K


Packed with 6 cores


Supports overclocking


Boost gaming performance


Excellent thermal performance


Excellent in multi-core performance

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Budget Pick

Best Budget-Friendly Intel Processor for Gaming


1713342459_529_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023

Intel Core i5 9400F


Easily manageable TDP


Pocket-friendly price range.


A cooler is included in the package


Excellent single-core performance

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Before going to decide which is the best Intel processor for gaming, there are few things you should consider: Should you go for Intel or AMD processor? What will be the upgrade path and generation? Your motherboard should be compatible with the option you go for, as they are interactive. As we know, AMD made things pretty easier on the go, and its processors on this list open into an AM4 socket and are reinforced by 300, 400, or 500-series chipsets.

Intel processors are a little bit trickier, as the advanced Comet Lake reveals the new LGA 1200 socket, or either you should go for Z490 or cheaper B460 motherboard at this step. Meantime, the 9th gen CPUs are compatible with LGA1151 motherboards and are reinforced by a 300-series chipset. If you are going for a complete upgrade, your old motherboard may not be compatible with your latest CPU.

The selection of a new processor is not as simple as it may be considered; we can rank them based on cores and frequency; buying the most powerful may not be worth it. Below is the list of the best ones.

Our Recommendations For Best Intel Processor for Gaming



Intel Core i7 10700K


Best pick



1713342460_139_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023


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Cores: 8, Threads:16, Base clock: 3.8GHz, Turbo clock: 5.1GHz (single-core), Overclocking: Yes 5.1 GHz typically all-core, L3 cache: 16MB, PCIe 3.0 lanes: 16, TDP: 125W,configurable TDP-down: 95W, socket type LGA 1200.

The 10th generation Intel Core i7 10700K unlocked the desktop processor that is optimized for passionate gamers and advanced users. It helps deliver high-end performance overclocking for an additional boost. It is only compatible with 400 series chipset based motherboards because of featuring intel turbo boost leading technology 3.0.

It wasn’t the chip that found its way into the earlier Comet Lake testing as Intel demanded to emphasize either the 10-core 10900k or 6-core 10600k, but for our money, this is the best gaming chip. You will feel a better performance in the costly Core i9 CPU, but not as much as you would have noticed it in-game.

Comparatively, with AMD’s 3700X, another 8-core, a 16-thread processor of the 7nm Zen 2 variety delivers an extensive gaming performance lead. It is also closed in product testing too; even so, the Ryzen chip will generally have the margin there, but not anything observable.

Then comes the overclocking. Usually, AMD processors don’t have many high up in them. The single-core frequency neither does the Comet Lake CPUs, but 10700K promises you to reach over the 5GHz mark on all cores and not getting melted through the heat spreader either. So it is proved that this will be a good option for overclocking priorities.

The Pros


Comparatively latest


Turbo boost max 3.0


All-inclusive Hyperthreading


High-end overclocking headroom


Reaches highest stock performance

The Cons


No cooler in the package


No transactional synchronization extensions

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Intel Core i9 10900K


1713342460_592_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023


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Cores: 10, Threads: 20, Base Clock: 3.7GHz, Turbo Clock: 5.3GHz, Overclocking speed: 5.0-5.3GHz typical, L3 Cache: 20MB, Configuration TDP down: 95W, TDP: 125W, PCIe: 3.0, Lanes: 16.

The 10TH Gen Intel core i9 10900K disclosed desktop processing unit. It has a feature of Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and is enhanced performance of smart users especially energetic gamers. It also helps deliver high-class performance overclocking for an extra boost. It is only compatible with 400 series chipset motherboards.

If you want the best and great CPU for gaming, then the Core i9 10900K is the best option in all that you want. It is almost the complete package in most cases, aside from maybe at the very high-end, consoling to be had in the world’s fastest gaming processor. You probably don’t need this processor, but it won’t be the chip that belongs to you back if you set up a device around it.

The core i9-10900K is the first Intel that has managed to compress ten processing cores into its established line-up and is capable of reaching 5.3GHz; it indeed performs a magnificent outing for the 14nm technology Intel has been holding up for a long time. Gaming is beneficial from high clock speeds, and that fact keeps Intel in the front row for now.

You need to pay for the Z490 motherboard to go further with this chip, and some higher cooling system. Don’t be fooled with the affordable 95W TDP, specifically if you will explore overclocking specs.

The Pros


Supports advanced gaming


Overclocking at highest potential


Upgraded networking in the chipset


Strong in single and multi-threaded applications

The Cons


GPU has a greater impact on fps


Cooling requirements and thermal output is needed

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Intel Core i5-10600K


Staff Pick



1713342461_913_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023


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Cores: 6, Threads: 12, lithography: 14nm, base clock: 4.1GHz, peak turbo(single-core): 4.8GHz, peak turbo(all-core): 4.5GHz, L3 Cache: 12MB, TDP: 125W, PCIe Lanes: 16.

Intel i5-10600K Core is the 10th Gen of desktop processors optimized for productivity, overclocking, and gaming purpose. It is only compatible with 400 series chipset based motherboards.

The Intel Core i5-10600K is not known as the world’s fastest gaming processor, but this six-core, the 12-thread chip will possibly be a better CPU as compared to Core i9 10900K for most of the customers. And, in the interest of surety, there are no unwanted shocks in these unsettled times.

The key spec for i5-10600K is the thread count and core. With a lot of CPU cores in conventional processors having skyrocketed since AMD got the acceptance, the i5 core has seen its success. There is no other good option if you want the remarkable best gaming performance than you should go for the best intel processor for gaming. The intel core i5-10600 is the best among all of them. It is comparatively cheaper than $500+Core i9 the fact that it is taking a step in the gaming world is quite impressive.

There are even times when i5-10600K beats the outgoing fastest gaming CPU, which was the hell of an i5 processor achievement. It’s a world-class gaming CPU that can outrun anything AMD can put in its way and stands high to its Comet Lake brethren too. Historically they have been my recommendation for PC gaming on a reasonable budget.

The Pros


Packed with 6 cores


Supports overclocking


Boost gaming performance


Excellent thermal performance


Excellent in multi-core performance

The Cons


The CPU cooler is not contained in the package.

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Intel Core i7 9700K


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Cores: 8, Threads: 8, turbo clock: 4.9GHz, base clock: 3.6GHz, L3 cache: 12MB, Price: $374-$385, lithography: 14nm socket, LGA: 1151, TDP: 95W.

Intel Core i7 9700K has commonly been the quality messenger for high-end, high-performance PCs, frequently landing at the top best CPU charts. However, it enters a new enclave as a middle ground between the Core i9 and the I5 lines. It does hold a few benefits over the powerful i9-9900K, though. It does not have much power consumption, which in turn doesn’t make it hotter.

Now let us talk about the gaming performance; as usual, the Core i7 9700K is just a step behind the Core i9 9900K. I did experiment with a few games on 9900K, and the results are compatible. Routine wise, 9700K is one percent slower than the 9900K, the 9700K even declares a few wins, and with an edge of errors of 1-2 percent in most of the games, one should not worry about the gaming performance.

Looking at other CPUs, distinction in gaming performance with a GTX 1080Ti has some limits. Dropping the Ryzen APUs comparatively, there is still only a 20 percent advantage for running the fastest CPU as compared to a more simple solution. By moving up to 1440p, the gap will be lessened than 10 percent. Only multi-GPU users would have an advantage from the faster CPUs, and even there, both the 9700K and 9900K should be close.

Moreover, the Core i7 9700K is a few steps faster than the 8700K, and slightly more than 10 percent faster than the 2700X. If you are constructing a primarily gaming PC, I’d still recommend one of the Intel CPUs.

The Pros


Supports overclocking


Low power consumption


Integrated Intel Graphics


High boost, but no Hyper-Threading

The Cons


Cooler isn’t included


Comparatively expensive

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Intel Core i9 9900K


1713342462_132_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023


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Cores: 8, Threads: 16, Turbo clock: 5.0GHz, Base clock: 3.6GHz, L3 cache: 16MB.

The AMD vs. Intel CPU war has been going on for decades. Intel has not let go of the crown for the best consumer processor, and for a long time, it held a noticeable performance lead that always came with a price on the processors and the chipsets and motherboards.

This is, no doubt, a PC gamer. So firstly, we will start with gaming performance. Intel has generally held the top performance in the gaming zone. Even when it stands against AMD’s new Ryzen processors, the Intel Core i9 9900K persists with the trend and expands a bit in a few cases. If you are using a GTX 1080 Ti or faster graphics card, you must be running games at 1440p or 4K, in which case there will be a meaningless difference between the CPUs. Still, theoretically, the Core i9-9900K is about 5 percent faster than i7-8700K and 15 percent faster than Ryzen 2700X in gaming performance.

Now let’s talk about the individual gaming result; about half of the games show a minor change in performance. Deus Ex Mankind Divided, Ashes of the singularity, Tomb Raider, and Shadow of War are within 3% of the 8700K.

A Core i5-8400 is still commonly within 10 percent of the i9-9900K in standard gaming performance. And that is when working settings that are likely to focus differences between the CPUs. If you have a 6-core AMD or Intel processor, then you are better on gaming performance.

The Pros


8 cores and 16 threads


Fastest consuming CPU


Supports up to 128GB memory


Per core performance is excellent

The Cons


Overclocking limitations


High power consumption

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Intel Core i5 9400F


Budget Pick



1713342463_532_Best-Intel-Processor-for-Gaming-in-2023 Best Intel Processor for Gaming in 2023


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Cores: 6, Threads: 6, Base Clock: 2.9GHz, Turbo Clock: 4.1GHz, Overclocking: no, L3 cache: 9MB, TDP: 65W, PCIe: 3.0, Lanes: 40.

Intel Core i5 9400F is a great budget-friendly option for Intel customers. It is an exciting offer and is a little bit faster than the previous-gen Core i5-8400, but leaves behind the Intel combined graphics completely. But that is not a severe problem for gamers; however, if you want to go for Quick Sync, you are on edge. Nvidia NVENC on Turing is no doubt a better option anyway. Overall, it is a pocket-friendly choice that doesn’t cost much more comparatively than a Core i3 part.

But there are some other terms you have to compromise like no overclocking and the locked multiplier. But you can get an H370 motherboard. Additionally, you will get a cooler inside the box, which is the main requirement for every CPU. Most of the motherboards will happily work for 9400KF at 3.9GHz, so you need not worry about the lower base clock.

Meanwhile, the i5-9400F may not be as rapid as other CPUs in multithreaded tests, in our gaming zone, it’s bound with AMD’S 3900X. Games in the future may start to leave behind its 6-core capacity, but likely before that, you should be ready for an upgrade. Currently, i5-9400F is much faster and incredibly affordable to purchase.

The Pros


Easily manageable TDP


Pocket-friendly price range.


A cooler is included in the package


Excellent single-core performance

The Cons


Missing one-chip graphics


Do not support overclocking

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Caching

The term is used for a small division of high-speed memory devoted to keeping and accomplishing frequently used commands/orders to speed up software implementation. CPU nominated levels as 1, 2, and 3, with L1 being the smallest and fastest and L3 being the largest and slowest.

Core

Advanced CPUs can consist anywhere from two to 70+ cores(in supercomputers), while CPUs in most purchaser machines will commonly stay between four and eight, along with AMD’s latest CPUs that support up to 16 cores.

Clock speed

The speed at which a CPU can implement instructions, which is measured in hertz. A processor with a clock speed of 3.7GHz can process 3.7 billion commands per second. Clock speed is one of the most critical terms for measuring performance in games and workload activity.

Heat sink

The heat sink is a cooling factor for PCs that either use fans or liquid cooling(active) or sometimes aluminum radiators(passive) that depends on activity to balance and adjust a component’s temperature.

**Hyper-Threading(STM)

Intel language for tech authorizes a processor to manage two sets of instructions “threads” simultaneously. SMT is called Simultaneous multi-threading by AMD and other CPU vendors.

**Socket type LGA (Land Grid Array), PGA (Pin Grid Array), or BGA (Ball Grid Array)

The CPU communicates with the socket on a motherboard. LGA works on Intel sockets along with the pins as part of the socket. AMD’s AM4 solution, PGA, has pins over the processor, and these get fixed into the holes of the socket. AMD’S Threadripper CPUs also use LGA sockets. The processor is permanently connected to the motherboard with the BGA socket, commonly on a laptop.

**TDP (Thermal design power)

The maximum quantity of heat a setup or chip can produce that an assistant cooling system is designed to deal with under work pressure. This term can be applied to PCs entirely, CPUs, GPUs, or any other performance element that produce heat, or on a large scale, indicate how much power a component consumes.

Thread

A thread gives a reference to a series of commands for a specific program. SMT disabled and older CPUs run one thread per core, but the most advanced and latest Intel and AMD CPUs can run for two threads per core simultaneously, for example, cache.

Turbo boost

Intel allows processors to run at higher clock speeds under demanding workloads. AMD also supports boost and turbo clocks, and we use the factors replaceable anyhow of CPU vendors.

How should you choose a perfect processor for a gaming PC?

When you realize that your recent Intel processor isn’t up to date and requires new functions to your current desktop, you are often assaulted with technical jargon. Unhappily, when there comes a selection of Intel CPU, the details like Quad-cores, Hyper-Threading, Turbo-Boosting, Cache size matters a lot. Without considering these features while getting a processor is not a reliable option.

So before buying a new processor, you should look at your current Intel CPU for a quick overview to get a clear picture of where your PC’s power and performance level currently stands. The fastest way to do this is to open up your control panel, go to the “system and security” subheader, and click on the system.

From here, you will get an overview of the CPU, OS, and RAM currently installed on your PC. Under the processor, there will be a full title for your current Intel CPU. Intel Core i7 processors are better than i5, and so is i5 better than i3 processors.

But they are not beneficial for heavy workloads and gaming, at their best. On the other hand, core i7 is the cheap option you can get away with having. In the context of laptops, they are beneficial for primary duty, like checking emails and web browsing.

Intel Core i5 processors commonly have the highest base clock speeds; besides this, Intel core i7(and beyond) tend to increase the higher core count. If you are anxious to run graphically concentrated games and apps, the i7 will probably be the worth for extra flair. If your needs are more simple, you should spend money on core i5 with high clock speeds compared to Intel Core i7 with extra processor cores.

Finally, if you are looking for the powerful well-built processor Intel can build, you should go for Intel’s current Core i9 processors. They are not cheap and generally more than enough for most users, but they produce remarkable performance payloads.

How to check your processor’s compatibility?

If you are looking to upgrade your computer equipment without spending a lot of money, it will be better to upgrade your CPU chips without upgrading the rest of the computer. While the best way to check your CPU’s progress is to consider your motherboard specs, we have four potential incompatibility sections.

1- Manufacture compatibility

CPU chips for desktop computers consist of two manufacturers – Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, as of January 2013. There is no significant difference between the two chips for a user with a typical business: they both offer a wide range of CPUs with various speeds and capabilities. They both can work for similar operating setups. These two chips are entirely conflicting from a hardware outlook, though, they need different motherboards.

2- Physical Socket Compatibility

Even in the same company, different processors have different physical sockets. If your motherboard has an Intel LGA 1366 socket, it’s impossible to go with the latest model Core i7 chip that contains an LGA2011 socket. The earlier 1366-pin socket materially cannot assist with the new 2011-pin chip. Although some AMD sockets are agreeable with multiple chips, others are not.

3- Memory compatibility

As we all know, different processors need another type of memory. Ancient computers usually use Double Data Rate 2 memory, although DDR3 is more famous in newer computers. CPUs are generally optimized to handle one type of memory or the other simultaneously, or you can not merge them on a motherboard unless they need completely different sockets. Moreover, even within the same group, RAM modules usually get faster, and the older one may not work with a new CPU.

4- Chipset compatibility

Even if you can get a CPU that can come over the previous three difficulties, you still may not be able to use it with an earlier motherboard. As the CPUs work faster, the features that support the motherboard, and controlled by its chipset, also need to increase its speed. Above all, if it can not transfer data between the CPU processor and the memory or the graphics card related to the new CPU’s speed, you do not want to take advantage of the new CPUs extra speed.

Summary For Best Intel Processor for Gaming

Conclusion

So we end up with this list, and there are some final points related to the best intel processor for gaming. I would recommend you go for intel core i5-9400F if you want a budget-friendly product, but you might have to compromise with some features that intel core i7-9700K offers. If you have a vast budget and enjoy the best gaming performance, you should go for i9-10900K. Overall these all are the Intel products, and Intel does not compromise overall quality and performance. It gives you a wide range of selection and compatibility so that you can manage your required processor according to your budget and other perimeters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is i5 good for gaming?

Intel Core i5 is a high-class processor made for the users who prefer speed, performance, and graphics. The Intel Core i5 1060 is acceptable for many tasks, even for the heavy-duty games. But meanwhile, the Intel Core i7 is a better option specially made for passionate and high-end gamers. We gave you the two options now; it’s up to your preferences whether you go for i5 or i7.

Is Intel still better for gaming?

The answer is definitely YES to this question. Intel holds the endmost in gaming performance with its most expensive desktop processor, both the Intel core i5 10600K and Intel Core i9 10900K is not far behind. We look forward to most manufacturing in the mid-range to release with lower GPUs, which probably supply checks and balances in CPU performance.

What type of processor is good for gaming?

The answer is i5. If you prefer gaming performance, then you should go for i5. Even so, Intel Core i7 9700k carry all before one – or Ryzen 5 range will be suitable enough. But if you are working for a high-end system or you do an outstanding amount of extra, demanding tasks, you are generally going to need a high-class chip like Intel 9th gen Core i9s.

What is the best processor for gaming 2020?

When shopping for the best gaming CPU, you will have to balance performance and specs with your PC budget. The options we have discussed earlier in this article will help you choose the best processor according to your priorities. Intel Core i9 9900K is currently the best CPU in the gaming world. At the same time, the Intel Core i9 10900K is the Comet Lake flagship and overall the fastest gaming CPU, which has the highest overclocking speed.

Perfect Tech Reviewer

I write about PC gaming hardware and tech gadgets for gamers and professionals. My mission is to help you build individualized and unique high-performance PCs for your special needs and budget.

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