While graphics cards receive much attention, the most excellent processors are more crucial than ever, especially in the windows 11 era. While any CPU can get you through your daily activities, you’ll want one that can multitask well, especially if you’re gaming or creating content. The processor for a PC responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer.
What will you see here?
Intel Core I9-12900K
The Intel Core i9-12900k is a mighty processor for PC representing a significant return on investment for Intel. The new chip layout combines traditional “performance cores” with “efficiency cores” for background tasks. This means that heavy workloads, such as gaming or video editing, can continue uninterrupted, and you can focus your performance on what matters. Intel has completely reclaimed its CPU crown with the core i9-12900k, which it had lost when Ryzen hit the market in 2017.
Whether you want to do some PC gaming or video editing, this chip is up to the task. Just make sure to use it in conjunction with a powerful CPU cooler. If you want to get your hands on one of these processors, the 12900k will be available for around $589, though this is only a suggestion. At the time of writing, retailers were charging around $616 / £569 / au$949 for this high-end processor for PC.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900x Processor
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900x delivers the most significant performance jump in years, making it a fantastic upgrade. This latest AMD release is more than just a faster processor all around. It’s also a tremendously powerful processor for gaming and creative work in general. You won’t need to buy a new motherboard is just a bonus.
The Intel Core i9-12900k has since dethroned it in terms of pure performance, but this processor is nothing at all to scoff at. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900x has the potential to change all of that. This CPU may be the best option available. It can handle single-threaded tasks just as well as multi-threaded ones. AMD’s Ryzen 5000 presentation made that abundantly clear, as the product prioritized gaming over creative applications. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900x is now available for $549 (approximately £420, au$760). That is a $50 (about £30, au$40) price increase from the 3900x, released in July 2019 for $499 (approximately £390, au$720). That 10% price increase is difficult to swallow, mainly due to intel’s lack of competition.
Intel Core I5-12600K
It’s not often that you come across a CPU that destroys everything else in its class, but that’s exactly what the Intel core i5-12600k does. This is one of the most powerful CPUs available for anyone who does not want to spend nearly a thousand dollars on a single component. It has ten cores, six of which are multi-threaded performance cores.
The first four cores are traditional CPU cores, while the remaining four are efficient. That means that even in a cheap chip, you get cutting-edge technology. This chip layout allows your computer to focus on essential tasks such as gaming without worrying about a windows 11 update interfering with your enjoyment (and your frame rate). If you want a more mid-range Intel core i5-12600k, the suggested price is $289. On the other hand, this processor costs around $299 / £279 / au$499. This brings it much closer to Intel’s suggested pricing than the higher-end processor, making sense given the two chips’ vastly different target markets.
AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Processors
Budget-conscious consumers who missed out on all the 3rd-generation Ryzen excitement the first time around will appreciate AMD’s latest entry-level attempt. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is undeniably inexpensive, but it does so without sacrificing performance. This chip delivers performance that rivals that of processors twice its price without consuming much power. It’s also an excellent choice for budget gamers looking for something capable of 1080p gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 will be possible in May 2020. However, no specific date has been set. The AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is the first Ryzen 3 processor built on the same Zen 2 architecture as the rest of the AMD Ryzen 3000 lineup. Previously, users looking for a Ryzen 3 CPU had to choose between the AMD Ryzen 3 2300x or the AMD Ryzen 3200g, both of which were based on the 12nm Zen+ architecture.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
Intel has dominated the gaming processor for the PC market by always prioritizing the high clock speeds required by pc games. AMD completely redesigned its Zen 3 architecture to compete. So, while it uses the same 7nm manufacturing process as its predecessor, AMD changed the core die (CCD) design to allow only one core complex per die.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800x costs $449 (approximately £340, AU$620) compared to $399 (about £349, AU$645) for the Ryzen 7 3800x. While we haven’t tested that particular processor, we’re confident that the Ryzen 7 5800x easily outperforms it. At the very least, you won’t need to purchase a new motherboard. AMD isn’t releasing a new chipset this time around, so if you already have an x570 motherboard, you already have a compatible board – you need to update the bios.
INTEL CORE i7-12700K Processor
The Core i7-12700K costs the same as the previous-generation Core i7-11700K, but it has 33% more threads. For 20 lines, the Core i7-12700K has eight P-cores (high-performance) and four E-cores (efficiency). The P-cores have a base/boost speed of 3.6 / 5.0 GHz, while the E-cores have a 2.7 / 3.8 GHz rate. Furthermore, the chip is fed by 25MB of L3 cache and 12MB of L2 cache.
The 12900K also has cutting-edge connectivity, with DDR4-3200 or up to DDR5-4800 memory support and 16 lanes of PCIe 5.0 and four lanes of PCIe 4.0 from the chip for M.2 SSDs. The 12700K has a power rating of 125W PBP (base) and 190W MTP (peak).
Nonetheless, we recorded significantly lower power consumption than its predecessor, and you get ultra-competitive performance in exchange. You’ll also need a capable cooler for the chip and a new 600-series motherboard. There is a large selection of high-end motherboards that support DDR5 memory, and there is also a large selection of lower-end and mid-range DDR4 motherboards. Most gamers will appreciate DDR4’s lower price and comparable performance, but if you require more memory throughput, you can upgrade to the more expensive DDR5.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Processor
With a solid blend of Intel-beating performance in gaming and application workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X takes the top spot in the gaming PC market. The six-core 12-thread chip costs $299, a $50 price increase over its predecessor, but it provides more than enough extra gaming and application performance to justify the premium. In gaming, the Ryzen 5 5600X even outperforms the Intel Core i9-10900K, which is an incredible feat given its low price. Not to mention it’s the most energy-efficient desktop PC processor we’ve ever tested.
The chip also has a TDP of 65W, which means it runs exceptionally cool and quietly given its capabilities (the previous-gen model was 95W). Existing AMD 500-series motherboard users will be relieved to learn that the 5600X is fully compatible with their current motherboards. If you need a new motherboard to support the chip, both the 400- and 500-series motherboards are available and reasonably priced, with the B550 lineup providing the best overall value for this class of chip.
Conclusion
When AMD vs. Intel CPU specifications are compared, it is clear that intel provides options with lower pricing, higher performance, and a more modern platform that supports both ddr5 and precise 5.0. It is less expensive than intel processors in a comparable price range. AMD processors for PC rank 5-10 on a scale of 1-10.
