▷ What processor to buy for your pc? 【 tips 】

The market offers a lot of options and finding which processor to buy for your PC could be a rather complex task. It is not difficult to identify the manufacturers, since there are only two, Intel and AMD, but it is difficult to choose the model that best suits us and thus pay the fair and necessary to obtain the best experience.

In this article we will try to know the keys to find the best processor, for this we will know the main characteristics that we must take into account and know, in addition to what the manufacturers provide us.

Index of contents

Keys to choosing the best processor What is the CPU?

At this point we believe that no one will have doubts about the role of a processor in our computer. The CPU is the central processing unit of a computer, a small chip on which there are thousands of integrated circuits and transistors that are capable of executing the instructions necessary to operate the operating system and the applications and drivers installed on it.

In a processor many elements intervene that we must take into account to obtain the best performance and quality. Some of the main ones will be, the architecture, the core configuration, the cache memory, the connection socket and the frequency. Let's see all of them little by little to get to know them better.

The architecture and manufacturing process. Intel and AMD

Well, if we must start with something, it is what each of the manufacturers can provide us with. We could understand architecture as the way in which a processor treats the instructions that pass through it. In this case we have little doubt about the architecture of the current desktop processors, since all of them work according to the x86 instructions, since Intel invented this and AMD implemented it too.

Another factor that intervenes in the architecture is the data bus or the word width with which a processor is capable of working. There is not much to say either, since 100% of PC processors work on a 64-bit bus, that is, in each work cycle, instructions with 64 ones and zeros of information pass through it. Previously, these were 32-bit, so for practical purposes, the processing power will be double.

The other factor to know is the manufacturing process, and here we do have great differences between AMD and Intel. The manufacturing process is about the miniaturization of the integrated circuits inside the processor, its cores and encapsulation. It is normally defined as the measurement of the transistors that form their logic gates and the material with which they are manufactured.

In the current era, Intel is manufacturing 14 nanometer (nm) processors that have already undergone several updates, called generations. Those that we must know are the 7th with the name Kaby Lake, and the 8th with the name Coffee Lake. These will be the processors currently for sale from this manufacturer.

On the AMD side we find the AMD Ryzen of the architecture called Zen, in which we have the Zen 1 and Zen 2 with a 12 nm process, and it is expected that in June Z will arrive in 3, reducing the transistors to only 7 nm.

Cores, threads and frequency, how many do I need?

Until a few years ago, a processor had only one core inside. The nucleus is the one in charge of carrying out the operations requested by the system. Herein comes the concept of processing frequency, which is measured in Hz or cycles per second. In each cycle, the processor performs an operation, so if for example a processor is 1 GHz, or 1, 000, 000 Hz, then it will do all those operations every second.

As the current processors have several of these cores, also called Cores, we can understand them as subprocessors that are inside the same encapsulation of the CPU. Each of these cores is capable of performing operations on their own, thus multiplying the effectiveness of the processor. If for example we have a 6-core CPU, we can do 6 operations in each cycle.

Related to cores are threads, threads, or processing threads. Threads control the flow of control and the times assigned to tasks. for practical purposes, it makes the CPU believe that it is executing more than one task in each cycle, since it subdivides them into chunks.

For more information on what processing threads are, visit our article.

Currently, for a desktop computer, we cannot order less than 4 processing cores. Desktop systems are heavy and even more so when we start opening applications and games. With a quad-core CPU we will get a good experience and fluidity for almost any user in multitasking. If we work with design, programming, and rendering programs, it is recommended to have 6 cores or more.

How much cache do I need from a processor?

We will all know RAM, a random access memory where all the instructions of the programs that are running are stored, as well as the processes that will be sent to the CPU. To lighten the matter, CPUs have their own memory, much faster and much smaller, to hold instructions that will be imminently processing.

The cache is divided into three levels L1, L2 and L3, ordered from fastest to slowest and from smallest to largest capacity. We will almost always attend to the L3 cache. A processor with a L3 cache of 6 MB will already be considered a good match, and with figures above 8 MB they will be more than recommended for multitasking and to have a fluid system in large workloads.

Remember, the motherboard must be compatible

Another aspect that many overlook when looking at which processor to buy is the compatibility with the motherboard and the socket. It is an easy subject to understand, the processor that we buy must be connected to the motherboard through a socket. For starters, Intel will have their own and AMD theirs, so the first difference is to buy a board suitable for each manufacturer.

Here comes the chipset game, which is much more complex to explain, because there is enough for each case. Let's focus on the socket.

• Intel: This manufacturer currently has processors that are installed in two types of socket for desktop computers, the LGA 1151 and the LGA 2066. The first of them is the most generic, for Intel Core i, oriented to desktop PCs for daily work, games, and almost everything that a normal user does. The second is intended for the most powerful processors of the brand, the so-called WorkStation that would be the Intel Core X.

• AMD: in AMD almost the same thing happens, we have the AM4 socket that is intended for computer-oriented processors is a general-purpose desktop, for normal and high workloads and users who play, its name is AMD Ryzen 3, 5 or 7. Then we have the TR4 socket, much larger and which are basically two Ryzen united in one, processors oriented to WorkStation where multitasking capacity prevails and very heavy processes. Its name is AMD Ryzen Threadripper.

The smart buy is definitely Intel socket LGA 1151 and AMD socket AM4 processors. In addition, the next generation of AMD 7nm CPUs will be compatible with this same socket, although it remains to be seen whether it is also on current boards.

At this point you will be able to say: I have a LGA 1151 socket board with a 6th generation Intel processor. Can I then buy an 8th grade and place it? And the truth is that no, since, despite being the same socket, neither chipset nor pins are compatible with the operating architecture of a 7th and 8th generation processor.

CPU vs APU

You've probably heard of APUs (not the Simpsons). Today's processors have a graphics processing unit inside. If you have noticed, a motherboard has video connectors on the rear panel. These processors are called APU (Accelerated Processor Unit). In this way, an Intel or AMD processor has a core to process graphics, yes, oriented to multimedia content and very basic games, since its power is not too much.

So we can understand that current CPUs really are APUs with integrated graphics. But be careful, because the WorkSatation range of processors do not have a graphics processor integrated in them, neither the Ryzen Threadripper nor the Intel Core X.

Intel is also now launching LGA 1151 desktop processors without a graphics processor, aimed at users who want to build a gaming PC. We will distinguish these processors with a letter " F " in their model, for example, Intel Core i5-9400F.

Overclocking capability

Overclocking a processor means raising its clock rate or GHz so that it is able to perform more operations per second. It is not a very positive thing for a processor, but in small increases or in gradual moments, we will not have major problems.

The good thing about AMD is that practically all Ryzen Range processors allow overclocking, which we understand to be unlocked processors. On the part of Intel, we must look in its model code for the letter "K" to know that they are also unlocked.

These processors are usually intended for mounting enthusiastic or gaming equipment, where good cooling systems are installed that allow the integrity of the processor to be preserved even when overclocked.

Which processor to buy according to my needs

We come to the moment in which we review the current market situation to find out which is the best processor according to our needs. Obviously we will take into account the best from AMD and the best from Intel, today.

Economical PC and for browsing and viewing multimedia content

Here we will go to the basic processors, but they have at least two cores. Small workloads are anticipated and an APU that can play multimedia content is required. This is the basics, and we recommend going to the next point.

Intel - Pentium G4560 Processor - Dual Core -… 123.00 EUR Buy on Amazon

AMD Athlon 200GE 3.2GHz 4MB L3 Box - Processor… 45.99 EUR Buy on Amazon

PC to study, office automation and basic work

We raised the bar a little to find quad- core processors with better L3 cache and of course integrated graphics. With these processors we can also mount a basic gaming PC.

Intel Core i3-8100 3.6GHz 6MB Smart Cache Box -… 116, 45 EUR Buy on Amazon

AMD Ryzen 5 1500X - Processor (AMD Ryzen 5, 3.5… 116.00 EUR Buy on Amazon

Gaming Processors

Because it is an especially interesting topic, we advise you to view our article specially dedicated to this topic. And you know the best gaming processors by range and prices.

Recommended best gaming processor models

Processors for professional design teams and Workstation

These are the brands' highest-performing processors, with the all-powerful 32-core Threadripper and 18-core Intel Core XE leading the way.

AMD 2950X Ryzen ThreadRipper - Processor (4.4 GHz… 463.00 EUR Buy on Amazon

Intel Core i97980X E2, 6GHz 18Core Processor… 2, 200.00 EUR Buy on Amazon

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX - Processor (32… 1, 802.45 EUR Buy on Amazon

Conclusion and recommendations to complete the purchase

So far our article on which processor to buy for your PC. With the purchase of any of these processors you must surely buy a motherboard at the height of the circumstances and also RAM and heatsink, we leave you with our updated guides on hardware:

You can also directly see our complete guide to the best processors on the market. You will find more models and more price range to choose from.