Which processor to choose for my new pc?

It is time to get a high-performance or Gaming PC or your budget is very tight and you want a PC that compensates. Where do I begin? The key is to start with the processor (although we will change it later) and then readjust all our equipment.

Index of contents

Which processor to choose for my new PC?

Do you want the best processor for your budget ? We bring you our recommendations by ranges! In it you will see that CPU offers the highest performance for the money you can spend.

The cheapest processors

You can assemble a PC for little money using Intel Pentium G4560. With a low budget this CPU can perform admirably. With this processor you can play World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Diablo III, CS: GO and many more without any problem.

AMD A Series A10-9700 3.5GHz 2MB L2 Enclosure - Processor (AMD A10, 3.5 GHz, Socket AM4, PC, 28 NM, A10-9700) Processor speed 3.5 GHz; Computer memory type DDR4 SDRAM; 2 MB processor cache 72, 69 EUR

For a few euros more, you could go with the AMD A10-9700 APU (although the new AMD APUs with IGP VEGA will arrive soon). You would get slightly higher CPU and graphics performance. For those who want to prioritize CPU performance instead of graphics, the option would be the Pentium G4560 that we have already mentioned.

Intel Pentium G4600 - Processor with Kaby Lake technology (Socket LGA1151, Frequency 3.6 GHz, 2 Cores, 4 Threads, Intel HD Graphics 630) Cach: 3 MB Cache, bus speed: 8 GT / s DMI3; Memory support type DDR4-2133 / 2400, DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.35 V 130.24 EUR

If you choose an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), be sure to use a dual channel memory configuration as it greatly improves performance. APUs only make sense on low budgets and you can even always upgrade your PC with an AMD Ryzen, by sharing the same AM4 socket.

For users who build their teams

If you are about to assemble your PC, it is recommended to choose a quad core Intel Core i3 processor such as the i3-8100 or the fantastic AMD Ryzen 3 1200.

The Coffee Lake Intel i3-8100 has fantastic single-core performance, low power consumption, and four cores instead of the previous generation's two cores. It is a good choice for a cheap gaming PC. Also, the i3 has pretty good integrated graphics performance. This can be used to play World of Warcraft, League of Legends, and even Overwatch by making certain downward adjustments.

CPU AMD AM4 RYZEN 3 1200 4X3.4GHZ / 10MB Box Processor Base Frequency: 3.1 GHz. Processor Turbo Frequency: 3.4 GHz; Number of processor cores: EUR 4 49.99

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is another good option. You could go with the 1300X, although the 1200 will achieve the same performance with a simple overclock. Overall, we still feel like the Coffee Lake processor is the best gaming processor here. However, there is an argument for a considerably cheaper R3 1200.

Coffee Lake i3 processors are compatible with Coffee Lake Z370 series motherboards only. Therefore the above 1151 options will not work.

Processors with assured performance

The best bet here is to go with the i3-8350K (it's an i5 highlighted to i3). Alternatively, you could go for the Ryzen R5 1400. If you are looking for a CPU for workstations, choose the AMD Ryzen R5 option. If it's for gaming, the i3-8350K will surely suit you.

Intel Core i3-8350K - Processor (4.00 GHz, 8 generation Intel Core i3 processors, 4 GHz, LGA 1151 (Socket H4), PC, 14 nm) Frequency 4 GHz; Number of processor cores: 4; Cach: 8 MB SmartCache EUR 173.69 AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Processor, Socket AM4, 8 GB, 500 GB, Windows 10 Pro EUR 110.43

The Ryzen 5 1400 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, up from Intel's 6 cores (without hyperthreading) i5-8400. AMD also has the Ryzen 5 1600 which has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Accessible game processors

If you already know the Ryzen 5 1600 or Ryzen 7 1700, you will know that these new AMD options definitely have some advantages.

AMD's Ryzen 5 1600 is a fantastic 6-core, 12-wire option that can be overclocked with its included Wraith Cooler. For advanced users who also need workstation functions, it may be their best option. Alternatively, you have the Coffee Lake Core i5-8400 which has a maximum turbo frequency of up to 4.0 GHz.

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz Box - Processor (AMD Ryzen 5, 3.2 GHz, Socket AM4, PC, 32-bit, 64-bit, 3.6 GHz) Processor Base Frequency: 3.2 ghz. Processor turbo frequency: 3.6 ghz; Number of processor cores: 6 163, 60 EUR

The i5 is arguably the winner in most gaming benchmarks as few games can take advantage of the Ryzen 5 1600's 12 threads and the i5-8400 has a faster IPC overall.

So if you're a gamer the i5-8400 is a great option if you can get it. However, you will need to take into account the price of motherboards which is much higher right now when you choose Intel.

Processors for overclockers

Whether you're buying a CPU for a photo or video game-editing team, you'll want to use the Ryzen 7 1700 8-core, 16-wire, or the i5-8600k 6-core (no hyperthreading) with overclocking capabilities.

Both processors offer fantastic overclocking potential that is driven substantially by faster RAM speeds.

AMD RYZEN 7 1700- 3.7 GHz processor, AM4 socket with Wraith Spire fan included Processor frequency: 3.7 GHz; Number of processor cores: 8; Processor socket: Socket AM4 210.11 EUR Intel Core i5-8600K - Processor (up to 4.30 GHz, 8 generation Intel Core i5 processors, 3.6 GHz, LGA 1151 (Socket H4), PC, 14 nm, 9MB Smart Cache) Made of good quality material; Designed for easy use; Intel processor; Compatible with Intel B360, H370, H310, Q370 and Z370 Chipset 244.99 EUR

In terms of games, the edge here will go slightly alongside Intel. However, if both processors are overclocked, they both defend themselves.

That being said, you will need a CPU cooler. If you want something cheap, it is highly recommended to buy a good heatsink (Noctua, Cooler Master) or a liquid one (Corsair, Enermax, Arctic…). You can also overclock a CPU like the i5-8600k at around 5 GHz (if you delid).

For those who want additional cores

In this range we can find the 8th generation of Intel i7-8700k and the Ryzen 7 1800X. The i7-8700k is a 6-core, 12-wire processor that is easy to overclock at approximately 5 GHz. The i7-8700k does not come with a CPU cooler, so you will have to purchase one separately.

Intel Core i7-8700K - Processor (8 generation Intel Core i7 processors, 3.7 GHz, 12MB Smart Cache, PC, 14 nm, 8 GT / s) 3.70 GHz frequency; Number of processor cores: 6; Cach: 12 MB SmartCache; Maximum memory size (depends on memory type): 128 GB EUR 485.00 AMD RYZEN 7 1800X 16 MB 4.0GHz Octa Core AMD Processor frequency: 4 GHz; Number of processor cores: 8; Processor socket: Socket AM4 135.00 EUR

The Ryzen 7 1800X is an 8-core, 16-wire processor with turbo speeds of up to 4 GHz. Unfortunately, the Ryzen 7 1700 is much better if you're just willing to overclock.

Which one should you buy? For performance through a wide variety of gaming and proof of work, the i7-8700k is truly a beast. You could consider, for a lower price, overclocking with the Ryzen 7 1700; however, for this price point, the i7-8700k is king right now.

High-end photo editing processor

Even on these types of processors, the i7-8700k is so good that we have to mention it. With a few euros less in price compared to the i7-7820X, it includes several advantages. The i7-7800X, however, doesn't really have a place and we don't see much point to it, except that you want to migrate to a ten core in the future.

First of all, it has slightly better game performance and overclocking potential. Second, you can use a much less expensive Z370 motherboard to work with this processor.

Intel Core i7-7820X X-Series Cach Processor: 11 MB SmartCache, Bus Speed: 8 GT / s DMI3; 8-core, 16-wire processor; 3.6 GHz frequency. 4.5 GHz turbofrequency 699.90 EUR

Still, the i7-7820X has a place for those who need the extra 2 cores and 4 threads. It's still a very good gaming CPU, it has a super fast IPC, it has four-channel memory up to 128GB (NON-ECC only), more PCIe tracks, and some considerably better benchmarks in everything to do with tasks. For example, if you do a lot of photo editing and rendering, the i7-7820X definitely suits you.

For those who need more cores regardless of price

With the Ryzer Threadripper you get a few cores with 16 cores and 32 threads compared to the 10 cores and 20 threads of the Intel i9-7900X.

Intel BX80673I97900X Processor Core i9-7900X X-series Cach: 13.75 MB SmartCache, bus speed: 8 GT / s DMI3; 10 Core 20 Thread Processor EUR 975.00 AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X Box sTR4 - Microprocessor, Black Color Up to 16 cores and 32 threads for amazingly fast creative workloads; Processor frequency: 3.4 GHz 300.00 EUR

Which one should you buy? So, depending on what you plan to do, you can go with one or the other.

• For gaming, the i7-8700k is probably better than any of these. For streaming, the same would be said.To transmit from multiple sources, the Ryzen Threadripper would be better (although a second revision will be released soon and it is not known if the motherboards will continue to release many BIOS updates). If you want to heal yourself in health, I always recommend Intel Skylake-X (LGA 2066).For long working times of intensive work, a Threadripper would be better too.

Intel has the advantage at the moment, but AMD is recovering during this 2017 with its Zen processors. Tell us what your processor is and with which graphics card you accompany it! Do you play all your games full? Do you play 4K? We want to know your opinion!