Searching for the perfect processor can be a difficult task, especially when faced with so many options at your fingertips. In the past, you would only find Intel on offer – they were highly successful until AMD came back to give them some competition with their new line of Ryzen motherboards (X570). Nowadays, it seems like there are too many details and specifications available to make an informed decision without knowing exactly what kind of PC user you are and what kind of games you plan on playing.
Today, we’re going to walk you through a guide that will help you in picking out the perfect CPU for gaming purposes. We’re focusing on gaming because it’s what we specialize in – and trust us when we say this device isn’t easy to find but once it has been located, it can’t be beaten!
Now that we know what we need to keep in mind before buying, let’s explore how you would go about purchasing the perfect CPU for gaming. And while we’re at it don’t forget to take a look at our round-up of Best CPUs for Gaming.
Outlining the Budget
Figuring out your budget before shopping is key- without this knowledge you’ll find yourself aimlessly wandering around stores with no real idea of what you’re looking for, which will lead to buying things that won’t fit within your budget. But before we go into detail about the different pricing categories, let’s talk about why having a set budget plan is so important.
- $50 to $100: This is probably one of the first things people think about when they ask themselves what computer should I buy? This range usually includes processors which are not high-end, so you’ll be able to use them on tasks such as browsing the internet or watching videos without lag or issues. You may also find that games won’t run at maximum speed (i.e. 60fps) if they were designed for high-end processors – something many gamers try to avoid because it lessens their gaming experience
- $150 – $250: This is the point at which gaming becomes truly affordable and enjoyable. In this range of prices, you can get some really awesome processors for gaming that will give you all the power needed to satisfy your needs and what you’re looking for from a computer game.
- $250 to $350: While this bracket is mainly for gaming purposes, the added benefit here is that you can overstock your CPU and be able to do things such as render videos or other sorts of heavy productivity tasks.
The aforementioned price brackets are those to keep in mind when purchasing a CPU, I can assure you that it will be less stressful and difficult for you to find one of the CPUs that has been on your list of potential purchases.
Intel or AMD
Choosing between an Intel and AMD processor is a difficult task due to the vast range of choices each company offers; however, it does not need to be daunting. To decide which one will work best for you please see our step-by-step article which covers all aspects of this decision in detail: How Much Should You Spend On A Motherboard?
At first, AMD’s new Ryzen CPUs were not as successful in terms of gaming performance as many would hope. Yet after some time, AMD has been able to perfect these CPUs along with their most recent and successful B450 motherboard line-up and it has made them even more effective than before. Intel has always been consistent, being able to maintain its consistency even today.
Whatever the situation, I can tell you that no matter which CPU option you choose, they will perform well together if used with other compatible components such as motherboards. For example, pairing an Intel 9th Gen Core i9-9900K CPU with a Gigabyte Z390 motherboard; or pairing an Intel 10th Gen processor with a MSI Z590 motherboard.
Know What Type of Games You Want to Play
It is true that you can buy a high-end CPU for less than 500 dollars and still be able to play almost any game out there. What’s the point of buying such an expensive CPU when you could just as easily buy one for less money?
Whenever you are shopping for a CPU, it is vital to understand what types of games you plan on playing. If the games you would like to play require a powerful CPU, it would be wise to invest in an upgrade. However, if the games that you choose tend not to be graphic intensive or can run smoothly on an affordable CPU, then there is no point investing heavily into gaming hardware.
Avoid Bottlenecking
When it comes to buying a computer processor, one of the main factors you must keep in mind is avoiding being bottlenecked. If this happens, then your PC will not be able to use its hardware optimally. The best way to avoid this problem is by making sure there are no bottlenecks present on your system.
How would one go about doing this? It is quite simple really. If you are purchasing a CPU and GPU, then the GPU should be two times more expensive than your CPU. In other words, if the CPU you purchase is $250, then the GPU should be anywhere from $500-$600+.
For example, avoiding bottlenecks can be made easier if you know how to do so. This rule is not always perfect and can result in inconsistency; however, it still takes care of most cases fairly well.
Conclusion
Finally, it is important to know that purchasing the best CPU can be a very tricky process. There are many aspects which need to be taken into consideration, and it would be easy to mess up the order or quality of your purchase if you’re not careful. What we recommend is doing research on all available products before committing yourself to anything. Another option would be checking out this list of available options for even more information. For those who want a quick and easy way to buy games, this guide offers plenty of information.
