These are the top gaming CPUs available for your money.
You need to consider the budget when shopping for the best gaming CPU. These tips and picks will help you select the best gaming CPU. Our CPU Benchmarks Hierarchy also shows how these processors stack up. For more information on choosing the right processor for your gaming system, check out our 2022 CPU Buyer Guide. If you are still unsure about which CPU company you should choose, our Intel article will help you make a decision.
Intel recently launched the Core i9-12900KS, but its price-and-power-be-damned approach to attempting to stay at the top of our gaming performance charts isn’t worth the premium. AMD’s new AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is now on our list of Best Gaming CPUs. It has been named the fastest gaming CPU and the best AMD CPU for gaming.
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D delivers a gaming performance increase equivalent to that we would expect from a new microarchitecture. The 58000X3D may not be as fast as similar chips for multi-threaded and single-threaded work, but it is faster than comparable chips in gaming. Before you buy this chip, it is important to understand the pros and cons. Its $449 price tag is higher than what we recommend for gaming-centric builds.
The Alder Lake six core 12-thread Core I5-12400 is the best gaming CPU at a reasonable price. This chip is now a great deal at $160. It can even be faster than the $549 Core I9-11900K flagship. With the right tuning it can also play games faster than that flagship. This chip is also more affordable than other AMD chips in the same price range. These price reductions are only the tip of the iceberg.
Our review of the Core HTML9-12900K and Core Core i5-12600K will show you the best combination of gaming and application performance. The Intel Core i9-12900K is $589 and often beats the Ryzen 9 5950X (599). The $380 Core HTML7-12700K provides almost the same gaming performance and a fraction of the $589 flagship core i9-12900K, but at a cost of $200 more. Core i7-12900K offers extra cores and speed boosts for those who want the best in productivity. However, the Core i7-12700K provides impressive pricing and performance for both gaming and other applications.
The $280 Intel Core i5-12600K CPU is the most powerful for gaming within its $260-300 price range. The Ryzen 5 5600X has 38% threaded speed, while the 12600K has 7% more. The Core HTML3-12100 is the most affordable gaming CPU available, offering a great combination of performance and price.
The Ryzen7 5700G and 5600G AMD APUs offer the fastest integrated GPUs available, nearly twice as fast as Intel’s iGPUs. The Ryzen 5 5600G is the most affordable processor, at $259, and offers a performance level that is within 4% of the $359 Ryzen7 5700G. It also costs 30% less, making it the best AMD APU for gaming.
You can quickly see the chips in our latest faceoffs by looking at their head-to-head comparisons.
- Intel Core I9-12900K vs Ryzen9 5900X and Ryzen9 5950X: Alder Lake Face Off
- Intel Core i5-12600K vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and 5800X Face Off: Ryzen Has Fallen
- Intel Core I7-12700K vs AMD 9 5900X & 5800X Faceoff: Intel Rising
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Faceoff: The Gaming Value Showdown
This AMD Zen 3 Ryzen 500 article provides all the information you need to decide which AMD CPU is best for gaming.
The Best CPUs for Gaming (more information below:
The Best CPU for Gaming:
Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in new window)
Alternate AMD Ryzen5 5600X (opens in new window)
Best Gaming CPU:
Intel Core i9-12900K (opens in new window)
Alternate AMD Ryzen9 5950X (opens in new window)
Best Gaming CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D(opens in new tab)
Alternate: Intel Core i7-12700K (opens in new window)
Gaming CPU:
Intel Core I5-12600K (opens in new window)
Best Gaming CPU:
Core i3-12100(opens in new tab)
Gaming’s Best Entry-Level CPU:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G(opens in new tab)
How to Choose the Best Gaming CPU
Check out our CPU Hierarchy Benchmarks Hierarchy to see a complete list of processors by performance. For those who are involved in high-end content creation or other tasks that require high core counts, we also keep a list best workstation CPUs. The best Thermal Paste is most beneficial to higher-end chips. Please refer to our guide if youre looking for a new processor. If you are looking for the best gaming CPU, then you have come to the right place.
Gaming is your primary goal, so you must consider the graphics card. Your GPU’s performance and/or age will make it difficult to get the best gaming CPU. To ensure you get the best possible graphics card, make sure to visit Best Graphics Cards and GPU Benchmarks Hierarchy.
CPU Gaming Benchmarks
Based on our extensive CPU benchmarks, we rank all Intel and AMD processors. You will see some of these numbers in the charts, including benchmark results in Windows 10 or Windows 11, and overclocked performance results (marked PBO for AMD processors).
This group includes only chips that passed our latest test suite. The CPU benchmark hierarchy tables include rankings based upon past CPU benchmarks and include breakdowns of single and multi-threaded performance across multiple processors. Be aware that pricing shown in the charts can change.
Quick Shopping Tips
Consider these factors when choosing the best gaming CPU for 2022:
- AMD and Intel are the only options: We have highlighted in our AMD Vs Intel feature that Intel tends to produce the best CPUs for mainstream computers.
- Gaming requires a faster clock speed than the number cores. Faster CPU clock speeds will result in more efficient gaming and more time-consuming tasks. The fastest CPUs in any family have the highest clock speeds.
- A full system budget: Do not pair a powerful CPU with weak storage, RAM or graphics.
- Overclocking may not be for everyone. If you are just looking to get into gaming, it may make more sense to spend $20-60 more to buy a better-end chip than to spend money on a cooler.
The Best CPUs for Gaming in 2022
(Image credit: Amazon, Shutterstock)
1. Intel Core i5-12400
The Best Gaming CPU
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: LGA1700
Cores/Threads: 6 (6P + 0E) / 12
Base Frequency:
Top Boost Frequency – 2.5
TDP: 65W
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AMAZON
REASONS to BUY
+Excellent gaming performance+Strong single and multi-thread+Unique pricing+PCIe5.0 and DDR5 Memory+Supports memory Overclocking
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Requires LGA1700 motherboard-2-3
The mid-range Alder Lake six core 12-thread Core CPU i5-12400 is the best choice for gaming. This chip has been reduced to an amazing $160. It’s faster at gaming than the $549 Core I9-11900K flagship. This is why it’s cheaper than the $230 Ryzen5 5600X.
Six P-cores support hyper-threading and operate at a base speed of 2.5 GHz and a boost speed of 4.4 GHz. The 12400 supports leading edge connectivity and can support DDR4-3200 memory or DDR5-4800 memory. There are 16 lanes PCIe 2.0, four additional lanes PCIe 4.0 from the chip for M.2 SSDs.
Core i5-12400 delivers solid performance in threaded productivity applications. Its single-threaded speed beats Ryzen 5000 processors. The Core i5-12400 also delivers exceptional gaming performance at a lower price than comparable AMD processors, setting a new standard for budget gaming chips.
The Core HTML5-12400 has a powerful cooler that can handle the 65W/117W peak/base power rating. However, you will also need a new 600 series motherboard. DDR4 will be the most popular choice for gamers due to its lower cost and comparable performance. However, you can upgrade to DDR5 if your needs require more memory throughput. Intel’s partners now offer B- and H series motherboards. A B660 motherboard and Core i5-12400 CPU make for a powerful gaming combination.
Read More: Intel Core CPU i5-12400 Review
(Image credit: AMD)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Alternative Pick: Overall Best CPU for Gaming
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture Zen 3
Socket: AM4
Cores/Threads: 6 / 12
Base Frequency: 4.15GHz
Top Boost Frequency : 4.8GHz
TDP: 65W
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView at Adorama WWView at Adorama WW
REASONS to BUY
+Excellent gaming performance+Strong single- and multithreaded workloads+Relatively simple to cool+PCIe4.0+Bundled cooler+Power efficacy+Works well with existing 500-series motherboards
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Higher gen-on-gen pricing
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the best AMD CPU for gaming. It offers a solid mix of Intel-beating gaming performance and high-performance application workloads. This six-core 12-thread chip is often available at $230. This discount is due to Intel’s competitive pressure. It even beats the Intel Core i9-10900K in gaming, which is a remarkable feat considering its price. It’s also one of the most powerful desktop processors we have ever tested.
The remarkable 19% increase in IPC achieved by AMD’s Zen 3 microarchitecture is a boon for gamers, single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The chip’s gaming performance is comparable to its $330 Ryzen7 5800X sibling. The 5600X is a very versatile chip, capable of handling all types of gaming including streaming and competitive-class performance with high-resolution monitors. It also has enough power to handle daily application tasks.
The Ryzen 5 5600X’s base clock is 3.7GHz and the boost clock is 4.6GHz. However, with the right motherboard and cooling, you can get higher short-term boosts. It also boasts a 65W TDP rating. This means it is extremely quiet and cool considering its capabilities. The previous-generation model was 95W. The 5600X can be installed directly into 500-series AMD motherboards. The chips can also be dropped into motherboards of the 400- or 300-series. AMD’s AM4 motherboards can be used to support the chip. They are affordable and plentiful, while the B-series motherboards offer the highest overall value.
Read: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Review
Intel Core i9-12900K (Image credit to Intel)
2. Intel Core i9-12900K
High Performance Value CPU Best for Gaming
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: LGA1700
Cores/Threads: 16 (8P+8E) / 24
Base Frequency:
Top Boost Frequency : 5.2
TDP: 125W
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView at Adorama WW
REASONS to BUY
+Fastest gaming processor you can buy+Competitive pricing+DDR5 and PCIe 5.0+Leading single-threaded performance+Multi-threaded performance+Overclockable
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-No bundled cooler-Requires LGA1700 motherboard platform pricing
The Intel Core i9-12900K was once the fastest gaming processor in the world. It costs $589 and is even faster than AMD’s Ryzen9 5950X in gaming, as well as heavy-threaded content creation tasks. This makes it an excellent choice for high-end streaming of games. It is also undisputed leader in single-threaded x86 performance.
The 12900K supports leading-edge connectivity, with DDR4-3200 memory support or DDR5-4800 memory up to DDR5-4800. There are 16 lanes PCIe 2.0 and four additional lanes PCIe 4.0 from the chip for M.2 SATAs.
There are eight P-cores with hyper-threading and eight single-threaded, E-cores. The total number of threads is 24. Turbo Boost Max 3.0 allows for peak frequencies of 5.2 GHz and a base frequency of 3.2 GHz. This feature is only available to P-cores. The E-cores, on the other hand, have a 2.4 GHz base speed and can reach speeds of up to 3.9 GHz using the Turbo Boost 2.0 algorithms. It also has 30MB L3 cache and 14MB L2 memory.
The 12900K’s power rating is 125W (base) and 241W (peak), but it has significantly lower power consumption than its predecessor. You get industry-leading performance in exchange.
A capable cooler will be required for the chip. You’ll also need a new motherboard 600-series. There are many high-end motherboards available that can support DDR5 memory. However, you won’t find any motherboards with DDR4 memory at the lower end or mid-range. DDR4 will be preferred by most gamers due to its lower cost and comparable performance. However, DDR5 is available if you require more memory throughput.
Read: Core i9-12900K Review
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (Image credit: Future/Shutterstock)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
High Performance Value Best CPU For Gaming – Alternative Pick
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture Zen 3
Socket: AM4
Cores/Threads: 16/32
Base Frequency: 3.0GHz
Top Boost Frequency – 4.9GHz
TDP: 105W
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView at Amazon
REASONS to BUY
+Class-leading 16 cores & 32 threads+Overclockable+Higher boost frequencies+Reasonable price-per-core+Power efficiency+PCIe Gen 4.0
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Requires strong cooling-No bundled cooler -Higher pricing for gen-on gen-no-gen pricing -No integrated graphics
The best desktop processors offer the highest performance and are available at a high price, provided you’re willing to pay for it. The chips come with high MSRPs but also require costly accommodations such as large motherboards and quad-channel memory controllers that can be fully populated. The inevitable trade-offs such as reduced performance in light-threaded apps and games mean that most users who are looking for HEDT chips will settle for mainstream options.
AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. This Ryzen 9 5950X expands on the predecessors’ efforts to bring HEDT-class performance onto mainstream motherboards. It also lowers the entry barrier. Although the 5950X is priced at $550, it’s still very affordable when compared to other HEDT processors.
We don’t recommend HEDT CPUs to gamers who are only passionate about gaming. Gaming enthusiasts are better served by mainstream processors with fewer cores, faster clocks, and more power. The Ryzen 9 5950X falls under the same category. AMD’s lower 5000-series models offer better value for gamers. The Ryzen 9 5950X is a great choice if you are looking for a platform and chip that can do serious fast work, but also be agile enough to deliver high-refresh gaming at the end the day.
Read: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Review
3. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Overall Value Best CPU for Gaming
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture Zen 3
Socket: AM4
Cores/Threads: 8/16
Base Frequency: 3.0GHz
Top Boost Frequency – 4.5GHz
TDP: 105W
TODAY’S BEST DEALSCHECK AMAZONView at Newegg
REASONS to BUY
+The fastest gaming CPU money can buy+Competitive price+Support for PCIe 4.0+Compatible with AM4 motherboards+Passable single- and multi-threaded performance+Low power consumption
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-No overclocking support -No bundled cooler -No integrated graphics -Not as powerful as other desktop PC applications.
The $449 Core i9-12900KS ‘s 3D Virtual Cache tech is an innovative engineering effort. It overcomes the technical challenges of bringing the first desktop computer chip with 3D-stacked RAM to market. The result is an extremely low-power, high-performance chip that surpasses Intel’s $589 Alder Lake Core Core i9-12900K and $739 Core .
The $449 Ryzen7 5800X3D runs at 1080p 9% faster that the $589 Core I9-12900K (which costs 30% more) and 7% quicker than the $739 Core I9-12900KS (which costs 64% more). The Ryzen 7 58000X3D is the fastest AMD gaming processor in our testing suite, and it’s also faster than any Intel model for gaming.
You must be aware of the tradeoffs that come with this highly-specialized chip. The 3D V-Cache does not boost performance in all games. However, we found it to have an impact on almost every game we tested. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D was optimized for gaming but can’t compete with similar-priced chips in productivity apps. The Core i9-12900K is 29% quicker in single-threaded work, 62% faster for threaded applications and the 12900KS even faster.
The $385 Core I7-12700K is a good choice if you are looking for a chip that excels at both games and applications. Core i7-12700K runs 28.8% faster single-threaded and 40% faster multi-threaded than the 5800X3D. This makes it the best all-rounder at this price.
The 5800X3D fits into socket AM4 motherboards, which date back to the 300-series in 2017. It will be a great upgrade for Ryzen users. AM4 will soon be gone to make way for the 5nm Ryzen Zen 7000 ‘Raphael” Zen 4 CPUs within the AM5 socket. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D doesn’t support Alder Lake’s cutting-edge connectivity options like DDR5 or PCIe 5.0.
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s power consumption is lower than that of the Core i9-12900KS or 12900K. This makes it a cooler processor and won’t need as many expensive accommodation, such as a powerful cooler, motherboard and power supply. The 5800X3D offers top-quality gaming performance and a quieter, more affordable system than a Core i9.
This chip is great for upgrading to AMD systems, especially if you are willing to accept a lower, but still capable, performance in desktop applications. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a great chip that offers top-of-the-line gaming performance with room for future GPU upgrades.
Read: Ryzen 7 5800X3D Review
Intel Core i7-12700K
Overall Value Best CPU For Gaming- Alternative Pick
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: LGA1700
Cores/Threads: 12 (8P+4E) / 20
Base Frequency: 3.0 GHz
Top Boost Frequency – 4.9 GHz
TDP: 125 / 190W
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView at Adorama WWView at Overclockers
REASONS to BUY
+Price+Matches 12900K gaming performance+Single- and Multi-threaded performance+Class-leading gaming performance+PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory+Overclockable+Power efficiency improved
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
Ryzen has more power than any bundled cooler-Platform pricing
The 12700K is $385 cheaper than the $330 Ryzen7 5800X and the $550 Ryzen9 5900X. It also delivers essentially the same gaming performance, if not better, as the $589 flagship Core .
The Core i7-12700K is 12% faster than the Ryzen 7 7800X in 1080p gaming. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which costs $449, is 13% faster at 1080p gaming than the Core i7-12700K. However, it’s only 3.6% faster over an overclocked 12700K configuration. The Core i7-12700K, however, is a better all-rounder if productivity is your goal. If you are only looking for gaming performance, you can choose the 5800X3D, while the 12700K will do if the price range is $400 to $475.
The 12700K excels at productivity work. In light-threaded apps the 12700K is 17% faster than the 5800X or 5900X. The Core i7-12700K threaded work is 2.5% faster that the Ryzen 9 5900X. However, the 5900X can win a few victories in highly-threaded applications. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is not even close –The Core i7-12700K performs 28.8% faster single-threaded and 40% faster multi-threaded, making it the best all-rounder at this price.
For a total of 20 threads, the Core i7-12700K includes eight P-cores for high-performance and four E-cores for efficiency. The P-cores operate at a 3.6 / 5.0 GHz boost/base speed, while the Ecores are 2.7 / 3.8 GHz. The chip also has 25MB L3 cache and 12MB L2.
The 12900K supports leading-edge connectivity. It can support DDR4-3200, up DDR5-4800 memory and 16 lanes PCIe 5.0. Four additional lanes PCIe 4.0 are available from the chip to allow for M.2 SSDs. The power rating of the 12700K is 125W (base) and 180W (peak). Despite this, the 12700K’s power consumption was significantly lower than its predecessor-gen counterpart. This allows for ultra-competitive exchange performance.
A capable cooler will be required for the chip. You will also require a new 600-series motherboard. There are many high-end motherboards available that can support DDR5 memory. However, you won’t find any motherboards with DDR4 memory at the lower end or mid-range. DDR4 will be preferred by most gamers due to its lower cost and comparable performance. However, DDR5 is available if you require more memory throughput.
Read: Core i7-12700K Review
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Overall Value Best CPU For Gaming – Alternative Pick
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture Zen 3
Socket: AM4
Cores/Threads: 12/24
Base Frequency: 3.0GHz
Top Boost Frequency : 4.8GHz
TDP: 65W
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AMAZON
REASONS to BUY
+Support for PCIe 4.0+Unlocked multiplier+Compatible with 500-series motherboards+Excellent gaming performance +Excellent single- and multi-threaded performance
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-No bundled cooler -Higher pricing for gen-on-gen -No integrated graphics
Intel Core i5-12600K (Image credit to Intel)
4. Intel Core i5-12600K
Gaming’s Best Mid-Range CPU
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: LGA1700
Cores/Threads: 10 (6P + 4E) / 16
Base Frequency:
Top Boost Frequency : 4.9
TDP: 125W
TODAY’S TOP DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView Adorama WWView At OverclockersSee all Prices (4 Found)
REASONS to BUY
+Exceptional gaming performance+Competitive pricing+PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory+Overclockable+Outgames the Ryzen competition
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-No bundled cooler-Requires LGA1700 motherboard platform pricing
The $280 Core I5-12600K offers superior gaming performance for its price, surpassing the $230 Ryzen5 5600X. The Ryzen 5 5600X has 38% threaded speed, while the 12600K is 7% faster than the Ryzen 7 5800X. This CPU is fast and has a single thread. It is one of our top-rated gaming CPUs.
Six threaded P cores operate at 3.7 / 4.9 GHz while four E-cores run at 2.8 / 3.6 GHz. The total number of threads on the 12600K is 16. This is paired with 20MB L3 cache and 9.5MB L2 cache.
The chip supports 16 lanes on the PCIe 2.0 interface, and four additional PCIe 4.0 lanes for a fast M.2 SSD port. However, the Core i5-12600K supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. DDR4 will be the most popular choice for gamers, with comparable performance and a lower price. However, DDR5 memory is available for those who need more memory throughput.
The maximum power rating for the 12600K is 150W. However, it consumes much less power than its predecessor and delivers better gaming performance. This chip can be used with a variety of standard water and air coolers. However, you will need to ensure that your model is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket.
You’ll need a new 600 series motherboard to power the processor. Z690 models are your only choice. There are many high-end models available that support DDR5 memories. However, you won’t find any motherboards with DDR4 memory at lower prices.
Read: Core i5-12600K Review
(Image credit: Intel, Shutterstock)
5. Intel Core i3-12100
Gaming CPUs at a Budget
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: LGA1700
Cores/Threads: 4 (4P + 0E) / 8
Base Frequency:
Top Boost Frequency : 4.3
TDP: 60W
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AMAZON
REASONS to BUY
+Superb price/performance+Leading gaming and single-thread performance+Capable bundled cooler+Supports DDR4 and DDR5+PCIe 5.0+Low power consumption+Supports memory overclocking
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-There is no Turbo Boost 3.0 (only 2.0). -Core frequency cannot be overclocked
The $130 Core I3-12100 is available at disruptive prices, just like the other Alder Lake products. A $104 F-series Core i3-12100F Core i3-12100F is also available. This chip ships with deactivated integrated graphic for $25 less than full-featured models. The Core i3-12100 is our CPU benchmark hierarchy leader in the $105-$130 range, thanks to its lack of AMD competitors and outstanding performance. The quad-core i3-12100’s powerful combination of price, performance and an improved stock cooler is a strong contender in the $100 to $130 price bracket, while also beating out more expensive rivals.
Core i3-12100 is now the fastest budget gaming CPU. It’s also quite fast in light-threaded applications. For its price, the Core i3-12100 also excels in threaded productivity workloads.
Core i3-12100 has a 60W power rating (base) and an 89W peak (peak) power rating. It has a base clock speed of 3.3 GHz and a boost to 4.3 GHz. The chip also has 12 MB L3 cache. The Intel Alder Lake is now available Socket1700 motherboards starting with the 600-series models, such as Z690, Z670, H670 and H610. The Core i3-12100 chip is locked, which means it can’t be overclocked. Intel does support memory overclocking on Z690 motherboards, B660, and H670 (Z690 is not appropriate for this type of chip).
AMD doesn’t offer a Core i3-12100 at a comparable price. It still delivers impressive generational performance gains, despite the lack of competitors. The $129 Core I3-12100 is able to deliver 88% of the performance of the $299 Core II5-12400 in 1080p gaming. However, it costs 56% less. This is a winning combination of price , performance.
Read Intel Core I3-12100 Review
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G (Image credit: AMD)
6. AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Gaming CPUs for Entry-Level Use
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture Zen 3
Socket: AM4
Cores/Threads: 6/12
Base Frequency: 3.0GHz
Top Boost Frequency – 4.4GHz
TDP: 65W
TODAY’S TOP DEALSVIEW AT AMAZONView Adorama WWView on AmazonSee all prices (7 Found)
REASONS to BUY
+Faster Zen 3 CPU cores+Passable at 1080p and solid at 720p+Excellent overclocking headroom+Bundled cooler+Compatible to some AM4 motherboards
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-PCIe 3.0 connectivity
The Ryzen 5 5600G is released at a time of severe GPU shortages. Many users will be upgrading to this chip to take advantage of its powerful integrated graphics and gaming capabilities until the prices drop. The Ryzen 5 5600G is also a value chip for APUs. These chips have strong enough integrated graphics to not require a discrete GPU, but at lower quality settings.
The Ryzen 5 5600G costs $259 and offers 96% more gaming performance than its $359 sibling Ryzen 7 5700G. However, it costs 30% less. This makes it the most affordable APU on market. The Ryzen 5 5600G’s Vega graphic’s gaming performance is remarkable, provided you are willing to compromise resolution and fidelity. While the 5600G’s Vega graphic provided a surprisingly good 1280×720 gaming experience across many titles, options are limited at 1080p. You can still enjoy 1080p gaming but you will need to limit the fidelity settings for most titles.
The Ryzen 5 5600G has eight cores and 16 threads, which operate at a 3.9 GHz basis and a boost up to 4.4 GHz. This chip is also very affordable for standard desktop applications. A Wraith Stealth cooler is included with the chip, which sweetens the price. It can be used on existing 500-series or 400-series motherboards. However, support for the latter will vary from vendor to vendor.
Read: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G Review
Our Best Cheap CPUs feature is a good option if you have a tight budget and are looking for a system that can handle moderate gaming. These chips are affordable at $55 (PS40) and can provide decent gaming performance.
