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CPU for Gaming

All processors

177 CPU for gaming from Intel and AMD. Most cost $130 to $591, and half cost less than $305.

Desktop processors whose title names a Ryzen 3, 5, 7 or 9, a Core i3, i5, i7 or i9, or a Core Ultra line. Threadripper, Celeron, Pentium and Athlon chips are left out.

We do not pick by hand: a processor is here because its listed specs pass the checks.

IntelSpec score 7.7

6 Cores, LGA1200, 65W, Intel

+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+65W TDP for a standard cooling setup
+Uses the LGA1200 socket on the 400 Series platform
$340.60
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 7.7

6 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+6 cores with 12 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz
+Integrated graphics included
$245.83
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 7.5

6 Cores, LGA1151, 65W, Intel

+6 cores and 6 threads for everyday desktop tasks
+65W TDP for a moderate power envelope
+LGA1151 socket for 300 series motherboards
$129.57
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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AM4, AMD, Ryzen 5

+Built for the AM4 socket for compatible AMD motherboards
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 5 family
+Second generation Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 model lineup
$125.98
as of 11/04/2026 21:25 PST - Details
AMD

AMD, Ryzen 3

+Runs at 4 GHz clock speed
+8 MB L3 cache for faster data access
+AMD Ryzen 3 family processor for desktop builds
$303.00
as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details
AMD

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores for demanding multitasking workloads
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
+Base clock of 3.40 GHz for steady performance
$179.54
as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details
Generic

24 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i9

+24 cores for heavy multithreaded workloads
+Uses the LGA1700 socket
+Core i9 family for high-end desktop performance
$629.95
as of 11/04/2026 22:57 PST - Details
Intel

6 Cores, Intel, Core i7

+Six cores for heavier multitasking workloads
+Hyper-Threading Technology supports additional simultaneous threads
+15MB cache for faster access to frequently used data
$169.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

LGA1200, Intel, Core i7

+Sixteen threads for heavy multitasking
+16MB cache for faster data access
+Socket LGA 1200 compatibility
$349.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

LGA1200, 95W, Intel, Core i7

+16MB cache for faster data access
+Sixteen threads for multitasking
+3.8 GHz base clock speed
$443.43
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

LGA1200, 95W, Intel, Core i7

+16MB cache for faster data access
+Boost clock up to 5.1 GHz
+Sixteen threads for multitasking
$741.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

24 Cores, 65W, Intel, Core i9

+24 cores, with 8 performance and 16 efficiency cores
+Boost clock of 5.5 GHz and up
+Low 65 W TDP for a high-core-count chip
$600.57
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Uses the AM4 socket platform
+Includes Wraith Spire LED cooler
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Includes Wraith Prism LED cooler
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for heavy multitasking
+Uses the AM4 socket for AM4 motherboards
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, 65W, AMD

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
+65W TDP for moderate power draw
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for heavy multitasking
+Unlocked desktop processor for manual overclocking
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM5, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for heavy multitasking
+Uses the AM5 socket for current motherboards
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for multitasking workloads
+Ships with a Wraith Spire LED cooler included
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for multitasking workloads
+Uses the AM4 socket
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 7.7

6 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 5

+Integrated graphics for use without a discrete GPU
+6 cores and 12 threads
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
No price recorded yet.
AMDSpec score 7.7

6 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 5

+Integrated Radeon graphics included on the chip
+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+AM4 socket for compatibility with AM4 motherboards
No price recorded yet.
IntelSpec score 7.4

4 Cores, LGA1151, 65W, Intel

+Four cores and four threads for everyday computing
+Boost clock listed up to 4.9 GHz
+65W TDP for a standard cooling setup
No price recorded yet.
AMD

6 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 5

+6 cores at 3.6 GHz
+Uses the AM4 socket
+Sold as a boxed desktop processor
No price recorded yet.
AMD

6 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 5

+Integrated graphics included on the chip
+Six cores for multitasking and everyday workloads
+AM4 socket for compatibility with AM4 motherboards
No price recorded yet.
Intel

Intel, Core i5

+Intel Core i5 processor with a 3.7 GHz base clock
+Boosts up to 4.9 GHz for faster single-task speed
+Box version includes the processor for retail installation
No price recorded yet.
Intel

14 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i5

+14 cores for heavy multithreaded workloads
+LGA1700 socket for compatible motherboards
+Sold boxed with a retail package
No price recorded yet.
Intel

LGA1700, Intel, Core i7

+Core i7 family for high-performance desktop use
+LGA1700 socket for modern Intel motherboards
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
No price recorded yet.

Compare specs

processorCoresSocketMakerProcessor lineSpec scorePrice
6LGA1200IntelCore i57.7$340.60
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
6LGA1151IntelCore i57.7$245.83
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
6LGA1151IntelCore i57.5$129.57
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AM4AMDRyzen 5n/a$125.98
as of 11/04/2026 21:25 PST - Details
AMDRyzen 3n/a$303.00
as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details
8AMDRyzen 7n/a$179.54
as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details
24LGA1700IntelCore i9n/a$629.95
as of 11/04/2026 22:57 PST - Details
6IntelCore i7n/a$169.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
LGA1200IntelCore i7n/a$349.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
LGA1200IntelCore i7n/a$443.43
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details

Before you buy

Spec scores, pros and cons, and prices are explained in the How it works section of the About page.