How many cores do i need in 2019 - multimedia, gaming or workstation

The first question we face when we want to buy a new processor or PC will be: how many cores do I need ? Well, this question is the one we try to answer in this article.

2019 is leaving, and it is when our savings come to light, those that have cost us so much to make great to go thinking about buying a new PC. As is often the case in computing, all hardware progresses rapidly, and what seems most of the most to us today, may be overcome tomorrow by something even better. Perhaps we are exaggerating, but unless you are attentive to our news and current events, you will be able to verify that daily leaks of graphics card, processors, memories, etc. arise. that they could see the light soon.

But of course, we must be realistic, and always waiting for the latest of the latest to come out is not a good strategy, because in the end we never decided. Also, very few have an unlimited budget, so we have to find the processor that best suits our purpose, think of an SSD, a graphics card, or a motherboard. In the end it is about building a balanced and cheap set.

Index of contents

Cores aren't the only thing that matters

Today we will focus on the processor, that element that is responsible for performing all or most of the logical and arithmetic operations that make up the programs. Without the CPU, we could not conceive of what a computer is since we could not run applications, watch videos, surf the Internet or play games.

In the desktop and laptop market, we basically have two manufacturers, Intel and AMD, and at least we have made a little progress in the search. But now is when the problems begin, since we have a large number of models, with their own architecture, a certain number of cores, processing threads or cache memory. How can we clarify with all this? Well, above all, knowing what these elements are for and what numbers are currently handled.

Architecture and IPC

One of the most important factors when choosing a CPU is architecture. We understand by architecture the way in which the different components of the processor are installed. Each generation of processors has a different architecture, it is not only about varying cores or putting more cache, but about modifying the way each of these elements interconnect and work.

Each manufacturer assigns a name to its architecture, thus creating different generations of processor. The objective of creating a new architecture is to improve the performance of the processor, rather, its IPC or the number of instructions per cycle. The IPC measures the number of instructions that a processor is capable of executing in one clock cycle. The better the IPC, the faster it will be, and this does not have to do with the number of cores, but how they are made inside.

The general problem with changing the architecture is that other hardware like the motherboard may become obsolete. For example, if we have an Intel Core i5-6500 on our computer and want to buy an Intel Core i5-9400, then we absolutely need a new motherboard.

To make it easy; From Intel we have to focus on the Coffee Lake architecture, and the Core ix-8000 and ix-9000 processors, which are compatible with the same motherboards. The difference between them is not the manufacturing process, since they both have 14nm transistors, but the improvement of their IPC, in this way an i5-8400 will perform less than an i5-9400 despite being very similar. Regarding AMD, we have its Zen 2 architecture, with its Ryzen 3000, with 7nm transistors and an IPC that exceeds that of current Intel processors. For example, a Ryzen 3600 is better than a Ryzen 2600.

Cinebench R15 score to a Core

An example that well illustrates the evolution of architecture and also the increase in IPC, is with this graph. We see single core performance with rendering an image in Cinebench. Let's look at the three red painted processors, which are the Ryzen of 3 generations. We see that the core of the first generation is the worst, while that of the 3rd generation is the highest. This is mainly due to an improvement in architecture, thus increasing the frequency from 3.6 GHz in 1600 to 4.2 GHz in 3600. The same is true if we compare the Ryzen 7 2700X and 3700X.

Cores and clock frequency

And of course, if we are wondering how many cores I need, the least we can do is pay attention to them. If they have such an impact for something it will be, and indeed the number of cores affects performance, say 75% of the set, to put a figure.

Cores are the processing units of a CPU, the basic working entity. With the Intel Pentium 4 at almost 4 GHz, the blue giant reached its thermal limit, beyond that, its core burned and it could not do enough. So we thought about duplicating them, instead of processing one instruction at a time, two were processed, and then four, with four cores and so on. This is the way to create parallel processes to multiply the work in each clock cycle and be able to work with more programs and faster. We currently have 12-core processors like the AMD Ryzen 3900X or even 32-core processors like the AMD Threadripper 2990WX.

The changes in architecture and the decrease in the size of transistors, has caused the clock frequencies to rise incredibly, reaching up to 5.00 GHz that the Intel Core i9-9900K has, and with the possibility of overclocking. Frequency is measured in Hz, and is the number of cycles per second of a processor. Ideally, an operation is performed on each cycle, so the more cycles, the more operations per second can be performed. A Ryzen 3900X is capable of about 400, 000, 000 operations per second.

Processing threads

Cinebench R15 Multi Core Score

Closely related to cores are threads, threads, and threads. If before we were talking about parallelizing processes, now we are talking about dividing them into threads, shorter tasks so that there are no dead times in the cores. Not all operations take the same time to be done, so to take advantage of the downtime in each core, it is logically divided (at the software level) into two threads, thus improving efficiency.

Currently the processors have one or two threads, in which case they will be using Hyperthreading multithreading technology in the case of Intel or SMT in the case of AMD. When we see in a CPU this: 6C / 12T, it means that they have 6 Cores (cores) and 12 threads (threads). Beware of this, it is a logical and not a physical division, we are taking advantage of the residual power of the physical cores, so a CPU with 4C / 4T will perform more than a 2C / 4T, in the same way a CPU with 6C / 6T will yield more than one with 4C / 8T. Except that it is an older architecture or I have less frequency or IPC.

Let's illustrate this with a performance benchmark in Cinebench, this time with all cores and threads working. Highlighted in red and orange we have a 6C / 6T i5-9400F, a 6C / 12T i7-8700K and a 6C / 12T Ryzen 5 3600, seeing how having the same cores and double the threads, the performance is much higher. The Ryzen 3400G has 4N / 8C and we see that the 9400 with only 6 physicists surpasses it.

Cache memory and I / O controller

Zen architecture 2

Cache memory is much faster memory than RAM and smaller, which is inside the CPU. It is SRAM type instead of DRAM, so you don't need constant refresh. Currently, a 3600 MHz RAM can reach speeds of 45 GB / s, while an L3 cache exceeds 350 GB / s, and an L1 cache 2, 300 GB / s. But it is measured by size and currently it is always recommended to have a CPU with 4 MB L3 or more.

The I / O controller is basically the RAM or PCIe memory controller, which was previously called the north bridge and which was inserted into the CPU from the Sandy Brigde architecture with the new era of the Intel Core. This element is what determines the number of PCIe Lanes that the CPU has and the amount of RAM that it supports, it is currently at 128 GB DDR4.

Minimum of cores that we must order in 2019

All of the above must be taken into account in addition to knowing how many cores I need. But there are users who do not want to complicate life as much and the truth is that the cores will be a very good guide when making the purchase.

How many cores do i need to work

Let's start by knowing in a reliable way how many cores we need to work, but we are talking about consistent jobs in office automation, finance, law, etc. What has been an office computer that could eventually perform multimedia functions such as 4K video playback.

Counting that they are programs that do not pull too much of a CPU for having few processes simultaneously, with four cores we will have enough. But of course, we will have to know which four cores, because in the case of Intel, we should not go down from the Intel Core i3, for example, the Core i3-9100 or 9300, and in the case of AMD we should opt for a Ryzen 3 3200G or higher. With these CPUs we have the complete pack, that is, 4 cores that exceed 4 GHz (even the Ryzen 5 3400G has 4C / 8T) and integrated graphics capable of playing 4K content, such as the AMD Radeon Vega and the Intel UHD Graphics. These CPUs are of the latest generation and have extremely good IPCs.

We are not going to recommend neither the Athlon from AMD nor the Pentium Gold and even less the Celeron from Intel, as they are not so cheap CPUs and very internal in performance to the commented models. Only if we have a very basic budget, we would opt for the Intel Pentiums.

Intel Core i3-9320 - Processor (Intel Core i3-9xxx, 3.7 GHz, LGA 1151 (Zcalo H4), PC, 14 NM, i3-9320) AMD Ryzen 5 3400G, Wraith Spire Heat Sink Processor (4 MB, 4 Cores, 4.2 GHz Speed, 65W) Default Tdp / tdp: 65 w; Number of CPU cores: 4; Max Boost Clock: 42ghz; Thermal solution: wraith spire 199.99 EUR

How many do I need to play amateur or e-sport level

In this aspect, the most normal thing will be to resort to 6-core processors. New generation games that use graphics engines such as Unreal Engine, Frosbite with RTX or the like, require at least 6 cores to efficiently process the large amount of physics and particles.

It is not just about looking for a powerful GPU, we can see in the previous screenshot of the latest processors that we have tested, that the 6-core CPUs are one step above processors such as the Ryzen 5 3400G + RTX 2060 or even the Threadripper whose utility lies more in rendering. In fact, we appreciate how a 99C with 8C / 16T or 3900X with 12C / 24T barely gets 1 FPS out of the much cheaper Ryzen 5 and 7.

Another factor to take into account is that the higher the resolution, the more the GPU matters and the less the CPU, which is also demonstrated in the previous graphics. If we have a high budget ahead with your purchase, but the best option today may be an Intel Core i5-9400F, i7-9600K, or an AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 3600X or Ryzen 7 3700X.

Intel CPU CORE I5-9400F 2.90GHZ 9M LGA1151 NO GRAPHICS BX80684I59400F 999CVM CPU compatible for those with z390 and few z370 chipsets (after BIOS update) 146.90 EUR Intel bx80684i59600k - CPU Intel Core i5-9600k 3.70ghz 9m l11 984505, Gray Six-core intel core i5 9600k processor with six cores; Base speed of 9600k from 3.7ghz and turbo up to 4.6ghz from the factory 243.17 EUR AMD Ryzen 5 3600 - Processor with Wraith Stealth heat sink (35MB, 6 cores, 4.2GHz speed, 65W) Default Tdp / tdp: 65 w; Number of CPU cores: 6; Max Boost Clock: 42ghz; Thermal Solution: wraith stealth EUR 168.13 AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, Wraith Prism Heat Sink Processor (32MB, 8 Core, 4.4GHz Speed, 65W) Max Boost Clock: 4.4GHz; CMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET 317.08 EUR

How many cores do I need for design and rendering (advanced level)

Rendering time test Blender Robot

Perhaps you think that because it is graphics and image treatment we are in the same conditions as a gaming computer, but far from it. Here what prevails is the gross yield, something that can be seen in the previous graph where a program like Blender. This allows rendering 3D objects, and gives us the time it takes the CPU to do it, the less, because it will be faster.

Look who are in the first positions, avoiding processors of more than 100 euros. Indeed all the AMD Ryzen 3000, whose increase in the IPC makes them real beasts in these works, especially the 3800X or the 9700K for about 500 euros that we will have to pay for them. But if we are not so demanding, the Ryzen 3800X, 3700X or 2700X are an excellent option for 400 euros or less.

Intel BX80684I79700K - INTEL Core I7-9700K CPU 3.60GHZ 12M LGA1151 BX80684I79700K 985083, Gray Eight Core 8th Gen Intel Core i7 9700K Processor, 404.74 EUR AMD Ryzen 7 3800X, Wraith 8 Prism Heat Sink (32 Cores, 4.5 Ghz Speed, 105 W) DT RYZEN 7 3800X 65W AM4 BOX WW PIB SR4; It is from the AMD brand; It is of great quality 354.00 EUR

And how many do I need for design and rendering (professional level)

If we want to dedicate ourselves to this professionally or build a workstation only for such a function, then we could consider mounting processors of the X and XE series of Intel, such as the i7-7820X or the Ryzen 3900X or the next 3950X, for being Cheaper than the Threadripper 2950X and higher performance today.

Regarding the Intel i9-9900X and others, we see them too expensive for these purposes, and more server-oriented. Although of course, they have a great asset for having a large number of PCIe lanes for Thunderbolt 3.

Intel Bx80684I99900K Intel Core I9-9900K - Processor, 3.60Ghz, 16MB, LGA1151, Gray 8th Gen Intel core i9 9900k processor with eight cores 479.22 EUR BUY Ryzen 9 3900X

How many cores do I need for programming or virtualization (amateur level)

Before we talked about basic jobs that can be performed in an office, and now we raise the level to the use of programs that can consume more than 4 threads. We are talking about programs that use large volumes of information such as SQL databases, or professional compilers.

In this case, answering how many cores I need here could be somewhat complicated, because perhaps we could design programs that need 8 cores and 16 threads, even more. In any case, starting from the 6 cores would be a logical option, where the 9th generation Core i5-9600 or i7-9700 would be a good option, or the Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 7 3800X on the AMD platform.

The same can be said about virtualization, several systems with VMware or Virtual Box will perform well with 6, 8 or 12 cores and 16 or 32 GB of RAM.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 - Wraith Stealth Heatsink Processor (35MB, 6 cores, 4.2 GHz speed, 65 W) Default Tdp / tdp: 65 w; Number of CPU cores: 6; Max Boost Clock: 42ghz; Thermal Solution: wraith stealth EUR 168.13 AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, Wraith Prism Heat Sink Processor (32MB, 8 Core, 4.4GHz Speed, 65W) Max Boost Clock: 4.4GHz; CMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET 317.08 EUR Intel Core i5-9600 Processor 3, 1 GHz (Coffee Lake) Sockel 1151 - Boxed BX80684I59600 Intel Core i7-9700, 8X 3.00GHz, Boxed EUR 384.99

How many cores do I need to virtualize (professional level)

And if what we want is to virtualize at a professional level, then we must invest in something superior, especially if it is hardware virtualization. In this case, we should raise the bar to Intel X299 platforms with the Intel Core i7-7740X as more discrete, down to the brutal 18-core I9-9900X or 9980XE with sublime performance. We must not forget the Threadripper 2990WX 32 cores and 64 threads.

We are talking about server-oriented computers, not a simple desktop computer to virtualize a few machines.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX - Processor (32 Core, 4.2 GHz, 3 MB Cache, 250 W) AMD Ryzen processor with 32 cores; 3MB cache L1, 16M L2, 64M L3; 4.2 GHz CPU speed 1, 802.45 EUR Intel Core i7-7740X X-Series Cach Processor: 8 MB SmartCache, Bus Speed: 8 GT / s DMI3; 4-core, 8-wire processor; 4.3 GHz frequency. 4.5 GHz turbofrequency EUR 280.00 Intel Core I9-9900X - CPU Processor (3.50 GHz, 19.25M, LGA2066) Color Gray 995.00 EUR Intel 999Ad1 Processor 24.75 MB Smartcache with 18 3 GHz cores, Speed del Bus 8 GT / S Dmi3 Y Litografa Compatible with intel optane memory; 3 GHz basic processor frequency; Memory types ddr4-2666

Most recommended processors

All the most recommended processors for this 2019 we have collected in our hardware guide, so we strongly recommend going to it. We will not only see the CPUs listed, but a complete explanatory theory of their characteristics.

Conclusions and near future

As we commented at the beginning of the article, being focused on always getting the latest of the latest is not a good strategy, since every year we have new models and increasingly expensive we must say. A wise tip is to identify the need and know our budget, and move in that range with these guidelines that we have given you.

The future looks quite promising, this year we have released Zen 2 generation with the new AMD processors and it seems that they are willing to continue with Zen 3 in 2020 to continue "bugging" Intel that has rested on its laurels. But stay tuned to the blue giant, because its 10th generation is on the decline, and we know that what it does, it does very well, and it could get real beasts out of the hat with its new 10nm architecture.

We leave you with some interesting tutorials:

What CPU do you have and which do you plan to buy? Intel or AMD, do you have a favorite? If you think that we have left any particularly good model behind, let us know in the comment box and we will include it.