3 Great processor for gaming 4 Best price 5

Computers have entered our lives so tightly that we already consider them something elementary. But their structure cannot be called simple. Motherboard, processor, RAM, hard drives: all these are integral parts of the computer. You can’t throw away this or that detail, because they are all important. But the most important role is played by the processor. It’s not for nothing that they call it “central”.

The role of the CPU is simply enormous. It is responsible for all calculations, which means it depends on it how quickly you will complete your tasks. This could be surfing the web, composing a document in a word processor, editing photos, moving files and much, much more. Even in games and 3D modeling, where the main load falls on the shoulders of the graphics accelerator, the central processor plays a huge role, and with the wrong “stone” the performance of even the most powerful video card will not be fully realized.

At the moment, there are only two major processor manufacturers in the consumer market: AMD and Intel. We will talk about them in the traditional ranking.

The best inexpensive processors: budget up to 5000 rubles.

4 Intel Celeron G3900 Skylake

The most affordable Intel processor
Country: USA
Average price: 4,381 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.5

The rating opens with an extremely weak processor from the Celeron line. The G3900 model has two cores of the previous generation - Skylake, which, coupled with a frequency of 2.8 GHz, gives the lowest performance result. In synthetic tests, the processor shows a result that is approximately half that of the Core i3. But the price here is quite affordable - 4-4.5 thousand rubles. This means that this processor is perfect for assembling, for example, a simple office computer or a multimedia system for the living room. Overall, this model cannot be called bad. Still, the 14 nm process technology provides good energy efficiency, and the HD Graphics 510 graphics core is suitable for casual games.

Advantages:

• Lowest price in class
• Perfect for office PC or HTPC

Flaws:

• Does not support Hyper-Threading technology

3 AMD Athlon X4 845 Carrizo

Best price
A country:
Average price: 3,070 ₽
Rating (2019): 4.5

The processors of the Athlon line belong to the budget class, which is clearly evident from the cost of the bronze medalist. But for a little over three thousand rubles you will get a very interesting stone. There are 4 cores (2 logical cores for each physical) made using a 28 nm process technology. Thanks to this, power consumption is low, and heat dissipation is quite low for AMD - only 65 W. True, you don’t have to be particularly happy about this because the multiplier is locked - you won’t be able to overclock the processor. Another disadvantage is the lack of a built-in graphics core, which means that when assembling an office PC or multimedia system you will have to separately purchase a video card.

Advantages:

• Lowest price in class
• Great performance for the price

Flaws:

• Lack of built-in graphics core
• Unlocked multiplier

2 AMD FX-6300 Vishera

The only 6-core processor in its class
A country: USA (Produced in Malaysia, China)
Average price: 4,160 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.6

AMD's FX-6300 is the only processor in the category with six cores. Unfortunately, you can’t hope for high power in the budget class - the model is based on the 2012 Vishera core. In normal mode, the cores operate at a frequency of 3.5 GHz, but, like many AMD CPUs, it overclocks well. Yes, judging by user reviews, the performance is sufficient even for games, but there are still a lot of disadvantages.

One of the main ones is high energy consumption. Due to the use of inexpensive 32 nm process technology, AMD gets very hot and consumes a lot of electricity. We also note the lack of support for modern DDR4 RAM. Because of this, the processor can be recommended not for building a new PC, but for updating an old one without replacing the motherboard and other components.

Advantages:

• 6 cores. Perfect for performing several simple tasks at the same time.
• Good overclocking potential
• Low cost

Flaws:

• Poor energy efficiency
• Aging platform

At the moment there are only two players in the processor market - Intel and AMD. But this doesn’t make the choice any easier. To make the decision to purchase a CPU from one manufacturer or another easier, we have highlighted for you several main pros and cons of the products of these companies.

Company	pros	Minuses
	Programs and games are better optimized for Intel Lower power consumption Performance tends to be slightly better Higher cache frequencies	Work effectively with no more than two resource-intensive tasks Higher cost When the line of processors changes, the socket also changes, which means the upgrade is more complicated
	Lower cost Better price/performance ratio Work better with 3-4 resource-intensive tasks (better multitasking) Most processors overclock well	Higher power consumption and temperatures (not entirely true of recent Ryzen processors) Worse program optimization

1 Intel Pentium G4600 Kaby Lake

Better performance
Country: USA
Average price: 7,450 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.7

We can recommend the good old Pentium for purchase in this category. This processor, like previous participants, is made using a 14 nm process technology, LGA1151 socket. Belongs to one of the latest generations - Kaby Lake. There are, of course, only 2 cores. They operate at a frequency of 3.6 GHz, which causes the lag behind the Core i3 by about 18-20%. But this is not much, because the price difference is twofold! In addition to the core frequency, the relatively low power is due to the small size of the L3 cache - 3071 KB.

In addition to the excellent price-performance ratio, the advantages of this CPU include the presence of a built-in Intel HD Graphics 630 graphics core, which is more than enough for comfortable use of a PC without a discrete video card.

Advantages:

• Great price for this performance
• Generation Kaby Lake
• Good integrated graphics core

The best mid-class processors: budget up to 20,000 rubles.

5 Intel Core i3-7320 Kaby Lake

The most affordable processor with integrated graphics
Country: USA
Average price: 12,340 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.6

Let's open the rating with the most affordable processor in the i-core line. It is extremely difficult to call the model excellent in terms of price/quality ratio, because the cheaper Ryzen 3 even shows slightly better results in synthetic tests. However, the model that opens the TOP 5 can be safely chosen not only for an office system, but also for a gaming computer.

There are only two physical cores, but these are modern 14 nm chips from one of the latest generations - Kaby lake. Frequency - 4100 MHz. This is a very shameful indicator. In addition, there is the possibility of overclocking. Considering the excellent energy efficiency and low heat generation - even with the supplied cooler, the temperature remains at 35-40 degrees when idle, and up to 70 degrees under load - you can safely increase the frequencies. Unlike competitors from AMD, Core i3 has a built-in graphics core, which allows it to be used in an office system without a discrete graphics card. But keep in mind that officially it only works on Windows 10

Advantages:

• Built-in graphics core
• Overclocking capability
• Low temperatures

Flaws:

• Poor performance for the price

4 AMD Ryzen 3 1200 Summit Ridge

Best price
A country: USA (Produced in Malaysia, China)
Average price: 6,917 ₽
Rating (2019): 4.7

Ryzen 3 is a low-cost new line of AMD processors, designed to once again impose a fight on Intel. And the 1200 does the job perfectly. For 7 thousand rubles, the buyer receives a 4-core processor. Factory frequencies are low - only 3.1 GHz (in high performance mode 3.4 GHz), but the multiplier is unlocked, which means enthusiasts can easily make the “stone” a little faster.

The transition to new chips not only improved performance, but also reduced power consumption, and also reduced temperatures to acceptable values. Due to the lack of a built-in graphics chip, we can only recommend this processor for budget gaming builds. Productivity is only slightly higher than the previous participant.

Advantages:

• Unlocked multiplier

Flaws:

• No built-in graphics chip

3 Intel Core i5-7600K Kaby Lake

Great processor for gaming
Country: USA
Average price: 19,084 ₽
Rating (2019): 4.7

Let's start with the fact that the i5-7600K is by no means an outsider. Yes, in terms of performance it is somewhat worse than the mastodons that you will see below, but for most gamers it will be enough. The processor has four Kaby Lake cores operating at 3.8 GHz (in reality up to 4.0 GHz with TurboBoost). There is also a built-in graphics core - HD Graphics 630, which means you can play even demanding games at minimum settings. With a normal video card (for example, GTX 1060), the processor reveals itself completely. In most games with FullHD resolution (most gamers have these monitors) and high graphics settings, the frame rate rarely drops below 60 fps. Is anything else needed?

Advantages:

• Best price
• Enough power for most gamers
• Excellent graphics core

2 AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Summit Ridge

Best price/performance ratio
A country: USA (Produced in Malaysia, China)
Average price: 11,970 ₽
Rating (2019): 4.8

The second line of the TOP 5 mid-level processors is occupied by one of the best processors in terms of price/performance ratio. With an average cost of only 12,000 rubles, in synthetic tests Ryzen 5 is able to compete with the well-known Intel Core i7-7700K at standard settings (PassMark 12270 and 12050 points, respectively). This power is due to the presence of six Summit Ridge physical cores, made using a 12 nm process technology. The clock frequency is not a record - 3.6 GHz. Overclocking is possible, but in reviews users claim that at frequencies above 4.0-4.1 GHz the processor behaves unstable and gets very hot. With factory settings, idle temperatures remain at 42-46 degrees, in games 53-57 when using a standard cooler.

Also, high performance is due to large cache volumes at all levels. The CPU supports the modern DDR4-2667 standard, which allows you to create excellent computers based on this processor for gaming at medium-high settings in FullHD.

Advantages:

• Excellent price/performance ratio
• Heats up a little

Flaws:

• Low overclocking potential

1 AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Summit Ridge

The most powerful processor in its class
A country: USA (Manufactured in Malaysia, China, China)
Average price: 17,100 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.8

As expected, the processor from the top-line Ryzen 7 has the best performance in its class. Once again, we cannot help but remember the cost - for 17 thousand rubles we get power at the level of the top-end Core i7 of previous years. The processor includes eight cores, divided into two clusters. The standard clock speed is only 3.0 GHz, Ryzen 7 is guaranteed to overclock to 3.7, and with a little luck, up to 4.1 GHz.

Like the previous representatives of the line, the leader is made using a 12 nm process technology, which allows for economical energy consumption. The situation with heat dissipation is good - in stress tests, temperatures remain at 70-75 degrees.

Advantages:

• High performance
• There is an overclocking option
• A fresh platform that will be supported for at least 4 years

The best top processors

3 Intel Core i7-7700K Kaby Lake

The most popular top processor
Average price: 29,060 ₽
Rating (2019): 4.6

More recently, the i7-7700K was the top processor in the Intel lineup. But technology is developing extremely quickly, and in 2018 it is difficult to recommend this particular chip for purchase. According to synthetic tests, the model clearly lags behind its competitors - in PassMark the CPU scores only 12 thousand points, which is comparable to modern mid-level processors. But these indicators are achieved on standard settings, when 4 physical cores operate at a frequency of 4.2 GHz, but the CPU can be easily overclocked to even higher frequencies, thereby increasing performance.

Yes, the bronze medalist lags behind its competitors, but it costs at least half as much, and given its popularity, it is quite possible to find a good used processor. Also, the high prevalence and long-standing presence on the market allows you to find an affordable motherboard with the LGA1151 socket. In general, we have an excellent basis for a powerful gaming system at a relatively low cost.

Advantages:

• Good price for this class
• High performance
• Great overclocking capabilities
• High popularity

Flaws:

• Not entirely relevant in 2018

2 Intel Core i9-7900X Skylake

The most powerful processor in the Intel line
Country: USA
Average price: 77,370 RUR
Rating (2019): 4.7

Until recently, Intel's top line was the Core i7 series. But modern realities require more and more power. If you are not familiar with solutions, pay attention to the Core i9-7900X. The processor, already at a standard clock frequency, is capable of entering the TOP 10 most powerful CPUs. For example, in PassMark the model scores almost 22 thousand points - this is twice as many as the bronze medalist of the rating. At the same time, in reviews, users talk about trouble-free overclocking to 4.2-4.5 GHz with high-quality air cooling. Temperatures do not exceed 70 degrees under load.

Such high performance is due to the use of 10 cores made using a 14 nm process technology. The model supports all the necessary modern standards and commands, which allows it to be used for any task.

Advantages:

• Highest performance
• Excellent overclocking potential
• Acceptable temperatures

Flaws:

• Very high cost
• No solder under the cap.

1 AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

The leader of the rating is crazy in everything - from the price of 65 thousand rubles to the incredible performance. In terms of power in synthetic tests, the model is slightly ahead of the previous participant. The internal structure is significantly different. Threadripper uses 16 (!) cores. The clock speed is comparable to the Core i9 - 3400 MHz - but the overclocking capabilities are more modest. The “stone” operates stably at a frequency of 3.9 GHz; as rates increase, the necessary stability is lost.

Such a large number of cores performs well in all tasks. But using a monster for games is not entirely reasonable - not all projects can reveal its potential. AMD will be useful for professional video editors, 3D designers, etc. - in professional software, an increase in cores gives a noticeable increase in rendering speed.

Advantages:

• Relatively low price tag
• High power
• Excellent performance in professional programs

Considering the best processors of 2017, it is worth noting that the performance of each is sufficient to run gaming applications.

Even budget versions, together with suitable memory and a video card, can easily handle running a modern game with good resolution.

And you can choose the model that suits you based on several parameters - cache memory, frequency, number of cores and threads, power consumption and, of course, price.

Features of choice

The processor frequency, which is an important parameter of this device, is at the level of 3–4 GHz in modern models. And although some of them can increase this characteristic when overclocking or turning on turbo mode, this does not matter much.

Much more important for running games and applications are the characteristics of the video card working together with the central processor.

Another important parameter is energy consumption during operation, which determines the power of the computer power supply and cooling cooler. This figure is significantly lower for Intel brand models and higher for AMD processors. However, the greater the performance of the device, the smaller the difference in power consumption between the top versions - regardless of the manufacturer, they have a power of about 90 W.

The number of cores and threads determines the speed of data processing. The higher these numbers, the higher the likelihood of running not only a modern and resource-demanding game on your computer, but also any applications over the next few years. Most modern processors have from 4 to 8 cores. And dual-core ones are considered almost obsolete - especially if you use them for games.

Ryzen 7 1800X - the best gaming processor

The Ryzen 7 series of processors, released in 2017, includes a number of top models, the oldest of which is the 1800X. The performance of each thread and core is inferior to the capabilities of the similar Intel Core i7 model, but the device benefits due to their number. The eight-core processor processes a large amount of information and can be overclocked from 3.6 to 4 GHz.

Additional advantages of purchasing a processor include Neural Net Prediction technology, which is actually built-in artificial intelligence to speed up data processing. And among the disadvantages we can note the lack of “boxed versions”, that is, models immediately equipped with a powerful cooler. The cooling system for Ryzen 7 will have to be purchased separately.

Model characteristics:

• socket: AM4;
• Frequency (normal/turbo): 3.6/4.0 GHz;
• L3 cache: 16 MB;
• cores/threads: 8/16;
• power: 95 W;
• price: from 28,000 rub.

Rice. 1. Ryzen 7 1800X.

Core i7-7700K - maximum performance from Intel

The Intel processor lineup also has its leader - the i7-7700K, characterized by high performance and clock speed. At the same time, the device consumes a relatively large amount of electricity - almost as much as a top-end AMD. And the processor frequency can vary within 4.2–4.7 GHz - enough to support any, even the most demanding games of 2016, 2017 and, most likely, 2018.

Although, in order for the device to run resource-intensive applications, it should be used together with a suitable memory and video card (from 8 GB and from 4 GB, respectively). The capabilities of the built-in graphics processor will not be enough for the game, but it will be enough to play video in the best resolution to date.

Main parameters:

• energy consumption: 91 W;
• socket: 1151;
• frequency: 4.2 GHz (4.5 GHz in turbo mode);
• L3 cache: 8 MB;
• number of cores/processes: 4/4;
• average price: 25,000 rub.

Rice. 2. i7-7700K.

Core i5-7500 - fast gaming processor

If prices above 20 thousand rubles seem too high to the user, he can buy an Intel processor from the previous series - Core i5-7500.

The price will be half that of i7 models, and the performance and size of the third-level cache memory are almost as good as the “older” versions. If you have a good video card and 8–16 GB of RAM, you can run any game released today using this processor.

The advantages of the model include the built-in graphics core Intel HD Graphics 630, which supports videos with 4K resolution. And support for DirectX 12 technology provides even better interaction with games, allowing the processor to be called both fast and gaming-ready.

Model characteristics:

• power, W: 65;
• frequency, GHz: 3.4–3.8;
• socket: 1151;
• threads and cores: 4/4;
• L3 cache, MB: 6;
• prices, rub.: from 11,600 rub.

Rice. 3. Intel Core i5-7500.

Ryzen 5 1600X - Mid-range AMD

A more economical option, but practically not inferior in terms of capabilities to the top model, is also available in the Ryzen 5 line from AMD. The 1600X processor is one of the five best offers from the manufacturer. However, it costs almost 40% less.

The operating frequency and cache of the model are fully consistent with the Rysen 7 series, and the only important difference is the smaller number of cores. However, if you do not use the processor at full capacity, the difference will be almost unnoticeable. Moreover, the speed of the device increases thanks to the same built-in “artificial intelligence”.

Technical specifications:

• socket version: AM4;
• frequency: 3.6 (4.0 in turbo mode);
• L3 cache: 16 MB;
• cores/threads: 6/12;
• energy consumption: 95 W;
• cost: from 16,000 rub.

Rice. 4. Ryzen 5 1600X.

Intel Core i3-7100 is a good gaming processor

Users who prefer to build their computer based on Intel processors and not pay more than $1000 for a system unit should pay attention to the Core i3-7100 model.

A device with two cores but four threads will be able to run even those games whose minimum requirements include Core i5 or i7. To do this, the processor should be installed on a PC with sufficient RAM and graphics memory. Although this model already has built-in support for DirectX 12 and integrated video, which allow it to work even without a discrete video card.

Main characteristics:

• frequency and socket: 3.9 GHz, 1151;
• L3 cache: 3 MB;
• number of threads/cores: 4/2;
• CPU power consumption: 51 W;
• cost: 6300–9700 rub.

Rice. 5. Intel Core i3-7100.

AMD FX-6300 - profitable and fast

Manufacturer AMD, whose products have always been less expensive than Intel models, allows you to choose an excellent alternative to a budget gaming processor.

For example, the FX-6300, which may come with an inexpensive motherboard and 8 GB of RAM.

This set will work with most modern games and applications. Moreover, using the FX-6300 processor, it is quite possible to watch two different films on two monitors, record streams and process video.

Model features:

• socket: AM3+;
• power consumption parameters: 95 W;
• processor frequency: 3.5 GHz;
• cache memory level 3: 8 MB;
• cores and threads: 6/6;
• prices online: from 4400 rub.

Rice. 6. AMD FX-6300.

Pentium G4560 - cheap gaming processor

Another budget Intel model is the Pentium G4560, which you can buy when building an inexpensive gaming PC.

If you use this processor for assembly, the cost of the kit (without monitor) will not exceed $500. And the resources of the resulting computer will be enough either to run modern games at minimum settings, or for older gaming applications.

The best match for such a processor is an RX 460 or GTX 7xx video card that matches its price and performance (for example, Nvidia 750 Ti).

Processor Features:

• slot: Socket 1151;
• frequency: 3.5 GHz;
• power consumption: 54 W;
• cache memory level 3: 3 MB;
• cores/threads: 2/4;
• prices: from 3500 rub.

Rice. 7. Pentium G4560.

Athlon X4 860K - budget processor from AMD

If processor power consumption is not important to the user, it is advisable to pay attention to the X4 860K model, which differs in its optimal performance-to-price ratio.

For only 2800–3000 rubles, the user gets a device without a built-in graphics processor, but with a silent cooler and four cores. Moreover, another advantage of the processor is its compatibility with inexpensive motherboards for the FM2+ socket, although they do not support either modern memory or new video cards.

Characteristics:

• CPU socket: FM2+;
• frequency: 3.7 GHz;
• number of cores and threads: 4/4;
• L3 cache: no;
• power: 95 W;
• price: from 2800 rubles.

Rice. 8. Athlon X4 860K.

AMD A10-7890K – great capabilities and savings on video

For users who prefer to use integrated graphics, the AMD A10-7890K processor is a good option. Among its advantages is the ability to run many modern gaming applications even without using a powerful video card.

The characteristics of the device are approximately comparable to RX460 GPUs, which means they are suitable for most eSports games like DOTA2 and CS:GO with high image quality.

Subsequently, you can purchase a discrete video card for the A10-7890K, expanding the possibilities of using your computer. This is often what gamers do, buying parts for a budget gaming PC in stages - according to their financial capabilities.

Part parameters:

• Socket: FM2+;
• processor frequency: 4.1 GHz;
• cores/threads: 4/4;
• power consumption: 95 W;
• average price: 8000 rub.

Rice. 9. A10-7890K.

A10-7860K - the most profitable gaming processor

If you want to buy a processor with good capabilities and an inexpensive processor with integrated graphics, you can pay attention to the A10-7860K - the “junior” model of the A10-7890K.

The operating speed and most characteristics of the devices differ little from each other. But by choosing a more affordable option, the cost of assembling a computer is reduced by another $30–35, practically without noticing a decrease in performance.

Processor parameters:

• number of cores/threads: 4/4;
• socket: FM2+;
• frequency: 3.6 GHz;
• power: 65 W;
• cost online: 6000 rub.

Rice. 10. A10-7860K.

conclusions

Based on the results of a review of the best-in-class modern processors, we can draw conclusions about a good range of options on the modern market.

Depending on financial capabilities and computer requirements, any user can find a suitable chipset.

For example, Intel i7 and Ryzen 7 for powerful games and graphics work. Or Athlon X4 860K and Pentium G4560 for gaming applications with less serious requirements. And gamers who want to save money and run more or less modern games should give preference to the i5 series from Intel or Ryzen 5 from AMD.

As for office applications, there are no suitable models for them in 2017 - all these programs run perfectly on PCs with processors released several years ago.

CES2017: Processors of 2017

Everything that was shown at #CES2017 about central and hybrid processors: Intel Kaby Lake, AMD Ryzen Summit Ridge, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835.

We reviewed the “top” worst gaming video cards. Now, after the release of Coffee Lake, we can make a list of the worst processors, since nothing particularly important is observed on the CPU market until the end of the year. Of course, I will only consider the relevance of buying such processors now: if you already own one of the “stones” below, then you clearly had your reasons for buying it.

Intel Core i7-7740X and Core-i5 7640X (Kaby Lake-X) - welcome to 2010

It's mid-2017. AMD introduces the first honest eight-core desktop processor - Ryzen 7. Intel introduces new processors for its high-performance platform, now called Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X. This may include solutions with 16 or even 18 cores, and the simplest representatives have... wait, 4 cores?! Hmm, how then do they differ from the simple i5-7600K and i7-7700K? The frequencies are the same, the number of memory channels and PCIe lanes is the same, as are the instruction sets. Except that the X-line does not have a built-in video core, but this is more a minus than a plus. Taking into account the fact that these processors are more expensive than their non-X counterparts, and motherboards based on the X299 chipset are expensive, there is absolutely no point in buying these “stones”, and it is difficult to explain the point of their release - well, unless Intel has a lot of unnecessary 4-core ones lying around crystals.

AMD FX - goodbye gaming bulldozer


The FX line, which was the top line before the release of Ryzen for almost seven years, can now safely retire. To tell the truth, even at the time of its release it was not top-end: and although the programs showed that the FX-8000 line had as many as 8 cores, in reality these were 4 APUs, and according to tests, the top FX was at the level of the best i5s, while the i7s were are not achievable - that is why Intel did not “itch” then, continuing to release new processors with a 5% increase in performance per generation. Before the release of 4-thread Pentiums at the beginning of this year, it made sense to buy the FX-4000 line - they were extremely cheap, but at the same time they made it possible to create a basic gaming system with video cards of the GTX 750 Ti and even GTX 950 level. But, alas, the new Pentiums turned out to be so good for leaving junior FX without work. Well, AMD “finished off” the older representatives, FX-8000, themselves by releasing the younger Ryzen 3 at the same price and with higher performance and lower heat generation. So the FX line, which was once a good choice for building mid-budget gaming builds, is now finally time to retire.

But still, these processors can be taken in one case - for the sake of an upgrade: for example, if you have an FX-4000 line, then now is the time to upgrade to the FX-8000 - you will get double the performance for quite little money. Considering that the 8000 line pulls out video cards of the level of GTX 1060 or RX 580, you will be able to play comfortably for another couple of years.

Most of the representatives of the Skylake and Kaby Lake lines - Intel is strangling the “old stuff”

Rumors that Intel should release desktop processors with a large number of cores have been floating around for a long time, and now it has happened, and since October 5th the Internet has been flooded with their tests. And, alas, they clearly show that the previous lines no longer have a place in the Sun: why buy an 8-thread processor for 19 thousand rubles, if the youngest 12-thread one costs only 20.5 thousand, and even when overclocked, the previous generation is at least 20% worse? It’s the same with the i5, and even more so with the i3 of the 6th and 7th generations - the latter were already meaningless processors on the market after the appearance of the new Pentiums, but now, after the release of the 4-core i3 of the 8th generation, i3 Skylake and Kaby Lake can definitely be written off as scrap.

By the way, now the line of processors from Intel looks quite logical: the very, very low-level are 2-core Celerons: they are quite enough for comfortable browsing the Internet and watching movies, and even simple games like Dota, WoT and CS:GO. The next step is Pentium, which still has the same 2 cores, but already 4 threads, and slightly higher frequencies - on their basis you can already assemble a low-middle level gaming system. Core i3, which is now 4-core, goes one step higher, allowing you to create a middle-level assembly. Well, for the top, there are 6-core i5 and i7 - for those who want to get the best gaming solution on the market.

But, however, there is one reason why “old” processors are worth taking, and it is still the same - an upgrade. For example, a couple of years ago you got yourself a junior i5-6400. And now there is a good opportunity to upgrade it to the i7-7700K and get a twofold increase in performance, and not too expensive (especially if you sell the i5).

Haswell-E and Broadwell-E line - oldies at top prices


Let's see how much the 8-core processor of the new Skylake-X line costs - Intel Core i7-7820X. In Moscow retail, the price tag for it is about 40 thousand rubles. Expensive, you say? Well, here for this price we get 8 cores on a new architecture with a frequency of 4 GHz - quite good for a high-performance PC. Still expensive? Hmm, okay, let's look at the previous generation processors - they should be cheaper, right? So, the analogue from Broadwell-E is the i7-6900X: also 8 cores, but on the previous architecture, and the frequency is about 3.5 GHz. And the price... 70 thousand rubles?! Where? Why? Let's look for the advantages of the old processor. And yet, yes, we find one - it’s solder under the lid, which allows it to be overclocked better than the Skylake-X representatives with “mayonnaise” instead of solder. But even if you are very lucky and overclock the i7-6900X so that it is at the level of the i7-7820X, this will not eliminate the almost twofold difference in price.

As a result, Intel killed two old lines at once this year - Broadwell-E and Kaby Lake, and the latter is not even a year old. That's what it is, a monopoly...

AMD Ryzen with X - the company is stepping on the same rake

Those who remember AMD FX processors know that there was no point in overpaying for the older processors in the line - all processors could be overclocked, so the younger “stone” turned into the older one with one easy wave of the hand. And for some reason AMD continued this in Ryzen, and here it reaches the point of absurdity: for example, the junior Ryzen 7 1700 costs about 20 thousand rubles. The older 7 1800X already costs 30 thousand - one and a half times more expensive. And their overclocking potential is the same - about 4 GHz. Is it worth paying extra for the 1800X? I think the answer is obvious. And so in all Ryzen lines - 3, 5 and 7 - it makes sense to take a junior processor, without the X index, and overclock it to the level of the older one.

AMD Bristol Ridge - for those who don't have money for Ryzen


AMD, with the same tenacity, continues to develop its APUs - two-in-one systems, where an average CPU includes full-fledged graphics from AMD, only with a lower number of computing units and frequency than in full-fledged video cards. In principle, it’s a pretty good solution for those who need a simple home PC - the processor performance is enough to make the OS, browser and movies work quickly, and the GPU will even allow you to play new games, albeit in HD resolution and with low graphics settings. Well, and most importantly, the new APUs are compatible with AM4, that is, in the future, no one is stopping you from replacing such a processor with some kind of Ryzen 7, which is good for those who are building a PC in stages.

But, on the other hand, yes, this is a budget solution, but why is it based on the Excavator architecture, which is 7 years old at lunchtime, and even at 28 nm?! Was it really so difficult to make these “stones” on Zen, which would also allow the heat dissipation to be reduced from 65 to 30 W, acceptable for such a system? In general, APUs are strange - on the one hand they are new, on the other they are ancient. But, in principle, they can find their buyers.

But we started talking about desktops, it’s time to move on to mobile processors, because they are also full of strange “features”.

Intel Celeron N3050 and N3350 - worse than Atom for the same money

For some reason, branded laptop manufacturers have one trick - we install Celeron and Pentium in netbooks/laptops, and Atom in tablets. It would seem that everything is correct, Celeron should be better than Atom, but no - Intel thinks differently: the architecture of these processors is similar, but Atom has 4 computing cores, while Celeron has only 2. Taking into account the fact that we are considering the lowest -level (10-15 thousand rubles), a couple of cores will not be superfluous here, and while laptops on Celeron may well start to freeze with 3-4 tabs in Chrome, Atom is quite capable of simultaneous surfing and watching a PiP movie. And taking into account the fact that for $150 you can simply remain silent about the quality of branded netbooks, it makes sense to take a solution from any Digma or iRu, but with Atom, and get seriously better performance for the same money.

Intel Core i3-6006U and Pentium 4405U - i3 is worse than Pentium


After Atom, which is better than Celeron, it would seem much worse. However, they knocked on the bottom - quite widespread in the segment of 18-25 thousand rubles i3-6006U... worse than its brother in the same segment, but from the Pentium camp! Let's take a closer look at these processors: both have 2 cores and 4 threads, the same set of instructions, however, the Pentium has a 100 MHz higher frequency, but at the same time the integrated graphics are twice as bad: HD 510 versus HD 520 for i3. It would seem that 100 MHz frequency (+5%) will definitely not outweigh twice the worst graphics, but there are two nuances here:

1. If the laptop has discrete graphics (and often it does - this is the Nvidia GT 920M), then it makes no difference at all to the integrated graphics - it’s the “discrete” graphics that will work in games, so here a slightly higher-frequency Pentium is better.
2. If a person has chosen a laptop without discrete graphics, it means that he does not need games, and both integrated video cards cope equally well with GUI rendering and playback, including 1080p60, which means, again, there is no point in taking an i3.

As a result, Pentium turns out to be a little better and often even a little cheaper. But, alas, the i3 sounds prouder than the Pentium, so laptop manufacturers create the first processor, but if you have the opportunity to buy a Pentium for the same amount, it’s better to take it. The cheaper it is, the more you take it.

Mobile processors from AMD - Intel still won the war

The fact that AMD did not really update its mobile processors for a couple of years, and Intel even increased the number of cores to 4 in low-voltage solutions, led to the fact that it simply does not make sense to buy laptops with AMD processors - analogues on Intel processors will be more productive, and more autonomous. Yes, the “reds” do not want to lose the mobile market, and are actively making mobile Ryzen, but so far the only thing that is on the Internet is a couple of tests, where AMD processors again do not perform in the best light. Of course, when they come out, everything may change, but for now Intel reigns in the mobile segment. You can read more about this.

What's the result? But in the end, the same confusion and vacillation as with video cards - there are excellent solutions, there are good ones, and there are those that, when you see them, you think - what was the manufacturer guided by when releasing this?! But what’s good is that the processor market has been seriously moving lately, and mainly thanks to AMD: Intel rolled out 6-core desktop processors in response to 8-core Ryzen processors, and in the mobile segment the number of cores in the same lines has also increased. So those who wanted to upgrade or build a new PC - IMHO, it's time to get started.

Just before the start of the school year and throughout it, the need for new computers increases, and many will ask the question - which processor is better for games?

To answer this question, let’s look at the variety of modern models, and what parameters and criteria are used to select a chip for modern games.

PC processor price

When assembling a gaming computer, the main thing is not the processor, but the video card; the main expenses will be on it. You can naturally spend money and put together the best of everything, but such a system unit will be very expensive, which is not affordable for everyone.

If you don’t want to spend very much, but get a fairly good gaming PC, you’ll have to save on something. One option is to save money on the processor, which does not always play such a decisive role in the performance of toys.

For example, Intel processors of the i3, i5, i7, i9 families differ in price, but all four can be used in gaming systems. The best processor for gaming is, of course, the i9 series, but the price of the youngest of them starts at $1,000 (60,000 rubles). Another thing is the i3, which costs several times less - $150 (9,000 rubles), but it can also be installed in a gaming computer.

If you choose the AMD platform, it has traditionally always been cheaper than Intel. The junior version of the top-end Ryzen Threadripper 1920X processor, which is on par with the most powerful Intel chips in performance, will cost $800 (48,000 rubles), which is already cheaper. If you choose the junior AMD Ryzen 3 1200, then its price is only $110, and yes, it can also be used for a gaming computer.

This price range raises many questions, which we will try to answer below.

Which processor should you choose for gaming?

Let's divide all the processors listed below into some subgroups: premium, fast and good. The latter will be the best option when the budget is not very large. Premium ones are of course very productive, but are designed for buyers who often want to highlight their high social status.

Premium processors

Fast processors

Good processors

There are many models of processors that can be used in a gaming computer. We chose purely for our own subjective reasons. This does not mean that you cannot use even cheaper and low-performance chips, but if you want to unleash the full potential of a gaming video card, then choose at least from the last four.

Characteristics of processors for games 2017

Now let’s take a little look at some of the main characteristics and nuances by which you should choose a gaming processor. Modern chips of the latest generation, such as AMD Ryzen, are equipped with a more advanced architecture, allowing for previously unprecedented multiprocessing and multi-threading, along with intelligent functions that independently optimize power. Although not all games or applications can reveal all these possibilities, everything is moving in this direction. Let's consider the main selection criteria.

Frequency

This is one of the parameters by which a processor for gaming is most often chosen. Usually, anything below 2.8 GHz is not considered a gaming processor, so we try to select it in the 3-4 GHz range. The fact that above this threshold are usually overclocked “stones” for overlocking. Such models have an unlocked multiplier and can significantly increase the frequency provided there is good cooling. Both Intel and AMD often denote them with the letters K and X, for example, we have the Intel Core i7-7700K on our list.

True, most modern processors independently regulate the frequency within certain limits (2.9-3.9 GHz), if required by the task being performed. The Intel Core i7-7700T processor from our list is just like that.

Cores and threads

More and more modern games require a minimum of 4 cores (GTA V, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Far Cry 4 or Assassin’s Creed Unity) in order to provide acceptable performance when paired with your gaming video card. True, multi-cores do not always affect performance; multithreading often plays a key role. All modern Intel processors support Hyper-Threading technology, which implements twice the number of threads per core, resulting in higher performance. The new AMD Razen is also equipped with similar technology. All processors with such parameters can be safely designated as gaming processors.

Cache

The size of the cache generally does not affect gaming performance, but it will be noticeable if you run many programs at the same time or surf the Internet like crazy, opening many tabs at the same time. This parameter definitely cannot be excluded in the rapidly developing world of technology. Some processors, such as the premium AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X, are equipped with simply a huge amount of this memory (38 MB in total). There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd level caches.

Intel or AMD?

Traditionally, AMD processors have always been cheaper than their competitor Intel, and did not have the same performance capabilities, so they were often purchased because of their budget. However, the latest generations of AMD Ryzen, thanks to the introduction of the latest technologies (including intelligent ones), have even surpassed many models of Intel chips. This despite the fact that their prices are significantly cheaper.

The time has passed when AMD trailed behind Intel, now the company is gaining more and more momentum and will most likely overtake its eminent brother. Moreover, over the past few years the latter has not offered anything fundamentally new.

Which processor to choose for 4K games?

Although many top video cards support 4K resolution, getting fairly acceptable performance (at least 60 FPS) at maximum settings will only allow you to create a system of two or even three video cards. Accordingly, such a configuration requires a fairly powerful central processor.

For these purposes, choose from fast processors, or better yet premium ones. Expensive, yes, but you will get a completely different gaming experience with ultra-high resolution.

Which processor is suitable for VR games?

To comfortably use a VR helmet, any chip from the good processors section is sufficient. Even expensive headsets provide a resolution of no more than Full HD, which any mid-level gaming video card can handle, providing good performance and high frame rates (FPS).

If you can buy an expensive VR headset like an HTC Vive or PlayStation VR, you can probably build a very decent system unit with an expensive processor.

Conclusion

So, which processor to choose for gaming? If you are not strapped for money and want to surprise your friends and pamper yourself, then the answer is obvious. And if your budget is small, but you really want to play comfortably, then choose a processor with at least 4 threads. An Intel Core i3-7320 from our list or an AMD Ryzen 3 1300X will do. But it’s better to install an Intel Core i5-7600, which will be the best option with a small margin for the future, because the gaming industry offers more and more interesting games that require high power.

If you don't have time to study benchmarks, or if you need help choosing the right processor for your gaming machine, you'll need a simple list of the best processors for gaming.

There were two major desktop updates in the first quarter of 2017. First, Intel released the seventh generation of Core processors, known as Kaby Lake, which are manufactured using an improved 14-nanometer process technology. Optimization of the technical process allowed us to achieve a slight increase in frequency compared to the microarchitecture of the previous sixth generation Skylake.

AMD then made its biggest processor release in five years with the introduction of the Ryzen 7 family. After spending so many years battling 32nm and 28nm process nodes based on Bulldozer microarchitectures, AMD unveiled not only a new core design, but also a new process node (14nm GlobalFoundries ) with FinFET based technologies.

In our processor guide, we look at specific segments and budgets and present you with the best selection of processors available.

Don't forget to save extra money with the cashback service, which returns from 5% to 10% of the purchase price.

Recommended processors for gaming in 2017
AMD	Segment	INTEL
	Premium Gaming/VR
	Fast Gaming/VR
	Good gaming
	Cheap gaming
	Hybrid/eSport	–

Premium Gaming Processor/VR

The leader is . It boasts the highest performance and high frequency. Kaby Lake on its own won't offer anything more that Skylake didn't have. But the Core i7-7700K's four cores with a base frequency of 4.2 GHz and a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.5 GHz are great for gaming. In addition, the architecture's additional operational headroom and unlocked multiplier enable overclocking to 5 GHz. And these are, by far, the best characteristics for VR. Plus a good cooler and a decent motherboard, the i7-7700K processor should provide a premium gaming system for several years to come.

If you want to experience AMD, then the latter is a good option. It doesn't quite match the single thread performance of an Intel processor, but it does offer twice as many threads, which may become more important as games become more complex. A good 1700 processor can also overclock to 4.0 GHz, saving you money on a more expensive one. As an added benefit, the 1700 price also includes an AMD Wraith Spire cooler suitable for high-temperature environments and RGB lighting.

Fast gaming processor / VR

For users looking for a better price, let's move to another segment of the processor market that can retain a significant portion of the expected performance and save a significant amount of money. These processors won't give you the fastest frame rates, but the money you save can be used to purchase a more powerful graphics card.

For this segment from Intel, the choice was made in favor of . It provides four full cores clocked at 3.4GHz, turbo up to 3.8GHz, and also has 6MB of L3 cache enabled. Without Hyper-Threading technology, each thread gets full use of all essential resources, reducing potential bottlenecks.

There could be another option, but the difference in frequency (400 MHz in base mode, 300 MHz in turbo mode) is in favor of the i5-7500. The Core i5 will easily handle the most powerful graphics cards on the market; only the most demanding games at maximum settings may run a little strained.

As far as AMD is concerned, the Ryzen 5 1600X is the best choice. is a six-core processor with Hyper-Threading technology, providing a full twelve threads, and runs at the same frequencies as its big brother 1800X, namely 3.6 GHz/4.0 GHz. Performance/price projections put this processor ahead of any other AMD offering and should be highly competitive with lower-end Intel Core i5 models in terms of single thread performance.

Good gaming processor

For users who want to build a computer under $1000 or something more conservative around $700, here are our recommendations. In this segment, CPUs will push almost maximum performance with a single graphics card at high resolutions and medium settings. However, eSports games will perform just as well with these processors.

I'm starting with Intel again and suggesting . This is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading technology, operating at a frequency of 3.9 GHz. At this rate, it climbs up the per-thread performance ratings, getting much closer to the more expensive overclockable Core i7 and Core i5 processors. For Direct X9, Direct X10 and Direct X11 games, where single thread performance helps drive a good GPU, the i3-7100 delivers best-in-class results.

AMD has something to play with in this segment. At this level of performance, AMD's strength is price, as FX processors are sold at low prices, for example, and a cheap AM3 motherboard can be had for very little. The FX can't compete with Intel's single-thread performance, but with three modules and six threads, it does a good job of multitasking while gaming, like watching videos on a second monitor or streaming esports.

Cheap gaming processor

For those on a tight budget, i.e. Trying to get a decent gaming system for $300 to $500 is a must, we'll have to look at entry-level processors. These processors are often paired with cards like the RX 460 or a used GTX 700 series card, a standard hard drive, a small amount of memory, and a case with an integrated power supply. The base level of performance in such systems is low, so you can play either indie games or games that are already several years old.

Let's start with Intel again, and to be fair, they recently launched something unexpected for this market segment. is essentially a Core i3, just with a different name, given that it has two cores and four threads, but a slightly reduced L3 cache. The G4560 has an estimated price of $55 and clocks at 3.5GHz, a dual-core Kaby Lake processor clocked just 900MHz lower than the top-end Core i7 for less than a fifth of its price. Previous Pentium processors didn't have Hyper-Threading technology, but this one does.

The Intel Pentium is hard to beat in many ways, AMD doesn't have much of an answer. The closest competitor we can suggest, until we see what price the Ryzen 3 comes out with, is the 3.7GHz. This is one of AMD's APUs with a disabled graphics subsystem and a proprietary silent cooler for processors up to 100 W. While the latest version, called Excavator, performs well in the context of AMD's APU lineup, there are still significant performance jumps of up to 40% that Intel can use to its advantage. The potential benefit in this case is the ability to buy a cheaper motherboard.

Hybrid processors/eSport

Not many users love integrated graphics because graphics cards like the RX460 are relatively cheap and usually outperform what's on offer. However, almost all mainstream processors come with integrated graphics for those who want to: invest in a good processor now and buy a graphics card later, or have limited space in a small case, or to run features like QuickSync or OpenCL.

The champion among built-in GPUs is . Technically, Intel has better performance devices in its Broadwell-based eDRAM processors, but they are 3 times more expensive and hard to find due to limited release. Thus, the AMD A10-7890K is at the top of this segment, offering near RX460 performance levels that are quite suitable for eSports games such as League of Legends, DOTA2, CS:GO or Rocket League at very decent settings.

Users looking to save a few more bucks from the A10-7890K may want to look instead. This APU takes a slight step back in performance, but it is one of the latest A10 devices to be released, aimed entirely at PC builders trying to get a good performance/price option.