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CPU for Gaming

All processors

34 CPU for gaming from Intel and AMD. Most cost $195 to $469, and half cost less than $370.

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.

AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7, Yes

+3D V-Cache technology for larger cache
+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Integrated graphics for use without a graphics card
$372.00-17%List: $449.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.1

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, No

+10 cores with 6 performance and 4 efficiency cores
+16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock between 4.0 and 4.9 GHz
−No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
$161.08-10%Was: $178.97
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM5, AMD, Ryzen 7

+X3D model with extra cache for gaming
+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+AM5 socket supports the newer platform
$444.00-7%List: $479.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.1

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, Yes

+10 cores with 6 performance and 4 efficiency cores
+Boost clock up to 4.7 GHz
+16 threads for multitasking
$196.50-6%Was: $208.39
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM5, 120W, AMD

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+3D V-Cache design listed
+Runs at 4.7 GHz on AM5 socket
−Sold without a cooler
$529.99
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$194.86
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+3D V-Cache technology for larger cache
+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$369.75
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+8 cores and 16 threads for heavy multithreaded workloads
+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz for fast single-threaded performance
+Uses the LGA1151 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a discrete graphics card is required
$409.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
No current price. Check it at the store.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
No current price. Check it at the store.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM5, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM5 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
No current price. Check it at the store.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Integrated Radeon graphics for systems without a discrete GPU
+Uses the AM4 socket platform
No current price. Check it at the store.
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM5, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for heavy multitasking
+Unlocked desktop processor for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM5 socket for current motherboards
No current price. Check it at the store.
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1200, 125W, Intel

+Eight cores with boost up to 5.1 GHz
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Sixteen threads for multitasking
−High 125W thermal design power needs robust cooling
$340.11-8%Was: $369.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.1

10 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i5

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Turbo boost up to 4.6 GHz
+LGA1700 socket for compatible motherboards
−No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
$234.59
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.1

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, No

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
+20 MB cache
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$234.29
as of 11/04/2026 13:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+3D V-Cache technology for larger cache
+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$469.99
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+8 cores with 16 threads for multithreaded work
+Integrated graphics included for use without a discrete GPU
+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz
−Uses the older LGA1151 socket
$419.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+8 cores with 16 threads for multithreaded work
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz
−Uses the older LGA1151 socket
$419.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1200, 65W, Intel

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for multitasking
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
+Low 65W thermal design power
−No integrated graphics, requires a discrete GPU
No current price. Check it at the store.
IntelSpec score 8.1

10 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i5

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock between 4.0 and 4.9 GHz
+LGA1700 socket for compatible motherboards
$188.54
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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
$317.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1200, 65W, Intel

+Eight cores and sixteen threads for multitasking
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
+Low 65W thermal design power
$379.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.0

8 Cores, LGA1151, 65W, Intel

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz for demanding tasks
+65W thermal design power for lower heat output
$322.02
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 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
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.

Compare specs

processorCoresSocketMakerProcessor lineSpec scorePrice
8AMDRyzen 78.0$372.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
10IntelCore i58.1$161.08
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
8AM5AMDRyzen 78.0$444.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
10IntelCore i58.1$196.50
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
8AM5AMDRyzen 78.0$529.99
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
8AM4AMDRyzen 78.0$194.86
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
8AM4AMDRyzen 78.0$369.75
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
8LGA1151IntelCore i98.0$409.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
8AM4AMDRyzen 78.0No current price
8AM4AMDRyzen 78.0No current price

Before you buy

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