Different CPUs in the market come in an array of specifications. To ensure that you get the best gaming experience possible, you need a CPU system that can meet your needs.
With the gaming PC technology evolving, newer CPUs are being developed that deliver faster clock speeds and larger cache sizes. Below is a quick guide on choosing the right gaming CPU for you.
Here are the steps on how you can choose the right gaming CPU:
How to Choose the Right CPU
- 1 – List down what you need in a CPU.
- 2 – Understand how the CPU system works.
- CPU Core Count
- CPU Clock Speed
- 3 – Check for the CPU’s additional features.
- Integrated Graphics
- Overclocking
- 4 – Find the Right Processor for your CPU.
- 5 – Check the requirements.
1 – List down what you need in a CPU.
Before you go around looking for a CPU to buy, you need to consider where you want to use your gaming CPU. Are you going to use it for gaming alone, or will you use it for video editing or streaming? List down everything that you need in a CPU.
Keep in mind that the things you will list down will impact the choices for the CPU’s components. Plus, there are other factors that you will need to consider, including the CPU’s core count and clock speed. These are the things that we will discuss in the next part.
2 – Understand how the CPU system works.
Once you know what type of gaming CPU you want to buy, the next thing is to understand the fundamental factors in a CPU system that can affect its overall performance. For example, there is the CPU core count and the CPU clock speed. Both of these factors can affect your gaming experience.
CPU Core Count
CPU Core Count refers to the number of cores installed in a CPU. The core is a small processor built into a larger chipset, each capable of independent computations. Each of these cores acts like an additional processor. These cores enable your CPU to process multiple instructions synchronously.
The higher the number of cores, the better handling multiple workloads. For example, you can efficiently play more games and stream simultaneously on a CPU with a multiple core count.
CPU Clock Speed
CPU clock speed refers to the clock rate, which is the number of cycles a CPU can run in a second. It is one of the important considerations you should know when buying a new CPU. Most modern gaming CPU designs can execute billions of cycles per second, so the clock speed is measured using gigahertz or GHz.
Similar to core count, the higher the clock speed per core, the better your CPU is for running high-end games and programs.
Step 3 – Check for the CPU’s additional features.
Aside from the clock speed and core count of your CPU, there are other features that you should consider:
Integrated Graphics
Most CPUs have integrated graphics which means they can display graphics on the screen without any GPU installed. Integrated graphics are handy, especially if any problems suddenly occur with your GPU.
Overclocking
Another feature you want to consider when buying a CPU is whether it can be overclocked or not. Overclocking can increase the clock speed of your CPU, which can speed up your PC’s performance.
Just make sure that if you want to overclock your gaming CPU, it should have a proper cooling solution as overclocking can generate a lot of heat. You also need a motherboard that can support overclocking.
4 – Find the Right Processor for your CPU.
Now that you have knowledge of the basics, you need to know what level of CPU performance will meet your needs.
The processor and chipset are categorized by the CPU’s generation. And when it comes to your CPU, the higher the number, the more features the CPU has, including core, thread counts, clock speeds, and cache sizes. Look at these performance tiers to find the balance of features you are looking for.
The two known manufacturers of CPUs are AMD and Intel. When choosing between the two brands, you need to consider both the value and pricing. Intel CPUs deliver the best gaming performance and are capable of overclocking. It is also great for content creation and has good drivers and software. On the other hand, AMD CPUs are known for their architecture, process node, and security.
Step 5 – Check the requirements.
The fundamental features above will allow you to choose a CPU. But remember that a specific CPU model will offer you the performance you need within your budget.
The best way to find the proper specifications for your gaming PC is to look for benchmarks that mirror how you want to use your gaming PC. You can start by searching for a game you want to play, then check its minimum and recommended specifications. Check the CPU model you are considering buying and see if it matches your needs and expectations. Always double-check the system’s GPU and RAM specifications, as these are the top factors you must check to determine if the CPU is right for you.
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