Recommended CPUs and ordered by price range
Table of contents:
- A stop on the composition of this article
- The ranges of processors
- What use are you going to give your team
- Some common uses and activities
- Video rendering .
- Videogames and emulation .
- Live broadcast .
- Office and multimedia .
- Features common to all processors
- Architecture as the basis
- Frequencies and nuclei as differentiator
- Featured CPUs based on their price range
- Recommended high-performance processors (> € 1, 000)
- Intel Core i9-9980XE
- AMD Threadripper 2990WX
- Recommended enthusiast range CPUs or processors (€ 1, 000 - € 500)
- Intel Core i9-9960X
- AMD Threadripper 2950X
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Recommended high-end CPUs or processors (€ 500 - € 350)
- Intel Core i9-9900K
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Intel Core i7-8700K
- Recommended mid-range CPUs or processors (€ 350 - € 200)
- Intel Core i5-9600K
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700
- Recommended and affordable CPUs (> € 200)
- Intel Core i5-9400F
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
The processor is an essential component of any computer. Not only does it determine its capabilities when facing different situations, but it also defines the general composition of the team. Given its importance, there is a wide catalog of processors on the market, from which we have selected our recommended CPUs according to their price, in order to help you with your next purchase.
Index of contents
A stop on the composition of this article
Before continuing, we would like to give a slight explanation of how we have distributed this text. All with the aim of making your reading more peaceful.
The ranges of processors
Comparing processors from different architectures and generations in a single list can be a tedious process for both the reader and us, the editors. Because of this, and to structure the different processors that make an appearance in this article, we have chosen to distribute them in ranges according to their price. These ranges vary from the following prices:
- High performance: prices above 1000 euros. Enthusiast: prices that fluctuate from 1000 to 500 euros. Domestic high-end: prices ranging from 500 to 350 euros. Domestic mid-range: prices ranging from 350 to 200 euros. Affordable processors: prices below 200 euros.
What use are you going to give your team
The question that every user should ask themselves before setting up a new computer is what use will it give to it, and the processor is one of the components that have the most to say in this regard.
The qualities and specifications of this component can vary greatly between ranges, in the same way as its price, so it is important to be very clear about what we should look for for the different activities that we want to carry out. Few users would take advantage of the immense number of cores of a TR 2990WX, and its price is around 2000 euros; while if we want to dedicate ourselves to video editing we will not get very far with an i3-9100, to give two examples.
Some common uses and activities
During this text, we will give some guidelines on how suitable the listed processors are for carrying out various activities. This classification will take place at the end of each range and will vary between " overkill" and "highly upgradeable" depending on that estimate. The activities considered as general use categories are:
Creative video, audio or image editing.
For this type of work, the processor is a key piece in defining the time in which you will be able to carry out your activity and the fluidity with which you can operate with the relevant programs. Preference will be given to a good number of nuclei - at least six - and, to a lesser extent, the frequency at which they operate. Ryzen 3000 series processors are a good overall choice for this use.
Video rendering.
In this activity, unless the majority of the rendering work is carried out through the CPU, the heaviest component in our team will be the graphics card. Despite this, we can benefit from high frequencies or a good number of cores. Both Intel and AMD offer good alternatives.
Videogames and emulation.
In the case of quintessential interactive entertainment, the almost indisputable protagonist is the frequency at which the processor operates. As long as we stay in a number of cores similar to that used by current titles —currently around the six cores—, we can cut back on the processor to invest in a better graphics card.
Live broadcast.
An increasingly common activity between players and users. A greater number of nuclei have preference, but without neglecting the high frequencies if we do all our activity through a single team.
Office and multimedia.
These two activities are widely applied among different users and, luckily, one of the least demanding when it comes to purchasing a processor. Any current processor could carry out these activities with ease, so it rewards the efficiency with which they can carry out these activities.
Features common to all processors
Of the multiple numbers and terms that thicken the characteristics of a processor, there are three names that we must especially take into account to get a general idea of the overall performance of this part: the architecture, the number of cores available and the frequency at which they operate. these nuclei.
Architecture as the basis
The architecture is the internal configuration of each processor that delimits the total capacities of the same. Generally, the leap from one architecture to a more modern one always implies a qualitative leap of some kind, whether significant or not. It is usually a good idea to go for products with recent architectures when we choose to buy a new processor.
Frequencies and nuclei as differentiator
The architecture also defines, to a certain extent, the number of cores that each processor has. To make a simple analogy: if the processor were a factory, the cores would be the number of similar production plants that the factory has. The greater the number, the more simultaneous processes you can carry out without affecting its performance. On the other hand, the aforementioned frequencies are at what speed the processor cores work, so the higher, the faster.
However, facing the raw numbers of each processor regardless of its architecture is a mistake. Comparing processors of different architectures is, in general, a complicated task that does not consist only of facing numbers. A dilemma that we have already deepened with a little more emphasis in another of our articles.
Featured CPUs based on their price range
Following the guidelines defined in previous sections, we will investigate the most interesting models in each price range, highlighting those highlights of each and providing a brief description that helps us understand their qualities.
WE RECOMMEND YOU An Athlon 200GE processor with two cores and four threads appears along with Vega graphicsRecommended high-performance processors (> € 1, 000)
The processors in this range have the highest gross numbers on the market, and are usually intended for the professional sector. They deviate greatly from the traditional domestic range in both physical and technical factors;, fact that is reflected in the use of its own socket, or the inclusion of specific set of instructions that we did not find in other series. Due to all these features, they are also the highest priced desktop processors on the market, which is why they appear in this section.
Intel Core i9-9980XE
- Supports intel optane memory 3 GHz basic processor frequency Memory types ddr4-2666 Intel turbo boost max 3.0 technology Intel smart cache
If we focus on gross performance and do not blame ourselves for its monstrous price, the top-of-the-range processor from the Mountain View company is the ideal choice. It belongs to the HEDT family of Intel, the company's high-performance processors, and has 18 cores and 32 threads, which can reach frequencies of up to 4.4 GHz in turbo and give it excellent performance in any activity.
- I9-9980XE in-depth review
AMD Threadripper 2990WX
- AMD Ryzen processor with 32 cores 3MB cache memory L1, 16M L2, 64M L3 4.2 GHz CPU speed
AMD's monstrous processor is the processor with the highest number of threads on this list, with 32 cores and 64 threads in total that destroy any task that takes advantage of these capabilities. It belongs to the Zen + family of processors - specifically to the TR4 socket processors of this architecture - for which we are still waiting for a successor in this range, until then the 2990WX is our recommended reference.
- Thorough review of the TR 2990WX
Recommended enthusiast range CPUs or processors (€ 1, 000 - € 500)
Although in our first section we have shown the best that the high-performance platform of AMD and Intel has to offer us, if we are not going to take advantage of the enormous power of these models, we can afford to step back and acquire some of these processors. They all retain the features we have seen in the previous section - mainly a large number of cores, extensive cache and specific instructions - although somewhat more decaffeinated, as well as its price.
Intel Core i9-9960X
- none
An interesting alternative to the two proposals that have already appeared in the previous section within HEDT processors. In this case, the i9-9960X has a configuration of 16 cores and 32 threads, reaching frequencies similar —4.4 GHz in turbo— that its superior ranges. All this at a much lower price.
AMD Threadripper 2950X
- 4.4 ghzCache 40 mbTdp 180 w
Without leaving the Zen + family of Threadripper we have the TR 2950X, a processor with characteristics very similar to the immediately previous Intel processor in this list, but on the AMD platform and at a somewhat lower price. With half the cores of the TR 2990WX, because of how the architecture of the Threadripper processors works, it also has half the cache.
- Thorough review of the TR 2950X
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- DT RYZEN 9 3900X 105W AM4 BOX WW PIB SR4Es of the AMDEs brand of great quality
The first general-purpose home processor appears on this list, and it does so for its sheer number of cores - 12 cores and 24 threads - in the Zen 2 architecture at 7nm. With this architecture come important novelties, such as better support for system memory, or better frequencies; giving even better performance to Ryzen's first-generation high-performance processors without leaving the AM4 platform.
- R9 3900X in-depth review
Recommended high-end CPUs or processors (€ 500 - € 350)
Going down to a flatter terrain, as far as prices are concerned, we fully entered the domestic range processors intended for general consumption. Although, a few years ago, these processors could not compete with what the extreme range provided for certain activities, today the situation has changed dramatically. We can find very valid options at more affordable prices than in other ranges. In the case of the high-end, these CPUs are one of the best options for gamers due to their price-performance ratio in video games.
Intel Core i9-9900K
- Ninth generation intel core i9 9900k processor with eight cores With intel turbo boost max 3.0 technology, the maximum turbo frequency this processor can reach is 5.0 ghz. Having 8 cores allows the processor to run multiple programs simultaneously without slowing down the system. Memory Specifications: Maximum memory size (depends on the type of memory): 128 GB; Memory types: DDR4-2666; Maximum number of memory channels: 2; Maximum memory bandwidth: 41.6 GB / s; Compatible ECC Memory: No
The self-proclaimed “best processor to play” is also one of the most interesting options in this price range. With an 8-core and 16-wire configuration, the greatest virtue of the i9-9900K is found in its frequencies, capable of reaching 5 GHz in specific scenarios —such as through overclocking— that give it spectacular performance.
- I9-9900K in-depth review
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- System memory specification: 3200MHz; system memory type: DDR4; memory channels: 2 Max Boost Clock: 4.4GHzCMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET
Jumping onto the AMD platform, we stepped down a price level - not necessarily performance - to find one of the most interesting processors in the Ryzen 3000 series. The R7 3700X has 8 cores and 16 Zen 2 threads, capable of reach 4.5 GHz in turbo for all its cores. An unattainable feat with the previous generation of these processors and one that gives this processor excellent performance in many fields.
- R7 3700X in-depth review
Intel Core i7-8700K
- 3.70 GHz frequency Number of processor cores: 6Cach: 12 MB SmartCache Maximum memory size (depends on memory type): 128 GB Memory types: DDR4-2666
Giving us a choice between the ninth and eighth generation of Intel Core processors for its high-end range, we believe that the i7-8700K is the best option for its greater number of threads - 12 in total compared to 8 of the ninth generation— and its best overclocking ability. All this makes it, with the permission of the i9-9900K, the socket 1151 processor that performs best in as many scenarios as possible.
- In-depth review of the i7-8700K (2017)
Recommended mid-range CPUs or processors (€ 350 - € 200)
In this price range we find the best-selling processors of all the listings so far. This is due to its good price-performance ratio in most scenarios and its price tag, more affordable than the views so far. They are, without a doubt, the best option for the majority of users on this platform.
Intel Core i5-9600K
- 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9600k processor with six cores 9600k 3.7GHz base speed and up to 4.6GHz turbo from factory Compatible with Intel Z390 and Z370, H370, B360, H310 motherboard
Unlike our last dilemma between the eighth and ninth generation, in the case of the Intel Core i5 we prefer to opt for the ninth iteration of the brand. The i5-9600K is an excellent choice for gamers due to its good performance per core throughout its 6 cores, as well as its good overclocking capacity, for when we need more than the power that its 3.7 GHz turbo can give us.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Default tdp / tdp: 65 w Number of cpu cores: 6 Max boost clock: 42 ghz Thermal solution: wraith stealth pci express version: pcie 40 x16
The undisputed protagonist of the third generation of Ryzen processors could not miss this list. It has been our favorite option in our articles on processors of the brand dressed in red both for gaming and for video editing, mainly due to its affordable price and what we get for it: 6 cores and 12 threads, at frequencies of 3.5 GHz in turbo and with very good performance.
- R6 3600 in-depth review
AMD Ryzen 7 2700
- Power: 65 W8 cores Frequency: 4100 MhZ
Despite belonging to a higher range just a year ago, the output of the third generation of Ryzen processors has done very well at the sale price of this model, which we can find for just over 170 euros. For that price we get an 8-core and 12-wire processor that, although they do not have as much power as the other two members of this section, equal or exceed both in some tasks that take advantage of their existence.
- R7 2700 in-depth review
Recommended and affordable CPUs (> € 200)
Finally, we have processors in the price range below 200 euros. We could consider many of those that appear here as mid-range, especially those from previous generations; but if we drop excessively in price we would enter directly into the low range of this component, where it is more common to find some limitations.
Intel Core i5-9400F
- Compatible CPU for the z390 and few z370 chipsets (after BIOS update)
The Core i5-8400 is a processor with currently limited availability, but if it's ready for purchase, we can find it for less than 150 euros. For that price, its 6 cores and good single-core performance make it a much more interesting option than the current i3 that we can find in the market, even despite the absence of integrated graphics.
- I5-9400F in-depth review
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Power: 65 W8 cores Frequency: 3900 MhZ
In a league very similar to our previous selection we have the AMD R6 2600, as with its older brother - the R7 2700 - we find a product with a greatly reduced price after the exit of its generational review. Currently it is easy to find it below 140 euros, price for which we acquired a 6-core and 12-wire processor with very good performance in many activities.
- R6 2600 in-depth review
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
- Default tdp / tdp: 65 w Number of cpu cores: 4 Max boost clock: 4 ghz Thermal solution: wraith stealth pci express version: pcie 30 x8
To close this list, we opted for the R3 3200G, a humble 4-core processor with an exceptional asset: integrated Vega graphics. A feature that allows you to do without a dedicated graphics card to perform light tasks, such as consuming multimedia; even going so far as to perform adequately in undemanding video games.
With that we end our article on the recommended CPUs and what is the ideal use of each one of them. How about? Which would you add and which would you remove?
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