Best Processor

We’ve put the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X through its paces, and it’s clear why it’s a favorite among PC enthusiasts. This 8-core, 16-thread processor zips through tasks with ease. We noticed snappy performance in everyday use and smooth gameplay in the latest titles.

In our tests, the 5800X shone brightest when tackling demanding workloads. Video editing and 3D rendering felt quick and responsive. We loved how it handled multiple apps at once without breaking a sweat.

The lack of a bundled cooler is a bit of a letdown. We had to buy a separate cooling solution, which added to the cost. But once we got it up and running, the performance gains were worth it. Just keep in mind that this chip can get toasty under heavy loads, so good airflow in your case is a must.

For gamers and content creators on a budget, the 5800X hits a sweet spot. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but the power it delivers for the price is hard to beat. We think it’s a solid pick for anyone looking to build or upgrade a high-performance PC without breaking the bank.

We’ve been using the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X in our test rig for a while now, and we’re blown away by its speed. This chip flies through tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Games run super smooth too – we saw frame rates well over 100 FPS in many popular titles.

The 12 cores and 24 threads make this CPU a multitasking champ. We had no trouble running lots of apps at once. It handled streaming, gaming, and video encoding without breaking a sweat. That said, it can get toasty under heavy loads. You’ll want a good cooler to keep temps in check.

One thing to note – there’s no cooler in the box. Plan to buy a beefy air cooler or AIO liquid cooler. Despite the extra cost, we think the 5900X is worth it for power users. The performance boost over cheaper options is huge. Just make sure your power supply and motherboard can handle this beast.

We’ve been using the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X in our test rig for a while now, and we’re impressed with its capabilities. This six-core processor packs a punch, handling both gaming and productivity tasks with ease. We noticed smooth framerates in popular games and quick render times for video editing projects.

The 5600X runs cool and quiet, even under heavy loads. We didn’t need to upgrade our cooling system, as the included Wraith Stealth cooler did a good job keeping temperatures in check. This efficiency is a big plus for those who want a powerful system without the extra heat and noise.

We found the overclocking potential of this chip to be pretty good. With some tweaking, we squeezed out extra performance without pushing the limits too far. It’s nice to have this headroom for future-proofing our setup. The AM4 socket compatibility means upgrading from an older Ryzen chip is straightforward, though new buyers should check their motherboard compatibility.

The Ryzen 7 5700X packs a punch with its 8 cores and 16 threads. We found it handled demanding games with ease, pushing out high frame rates in popular titles. It’s a beast for multi-tasking too – we could game, stream, and run background apps without breaking a sweat.

One thing to note: this chip doesn’t come with a cooler. We paired it with a good aftermarket cooler and saw great results. The temps stayed low even under heavy loads. Keep in mind you’ll need a separate graphics card, as this CPU doesn’t have integrated graphics.

For its price, the 5700X offers amazing value. We saw it outperform pricier chips in some tasks. It’s perfect for budget-conscious builders who want top-notch performance without breaking the bank. The unlocked multiplier is a nice bonus for those who like to tinker and squeeze out extra performance.

We put the i9-14900K through its paces, and it’s clear this CPU means business. The 24-core design (8 performance cores + 16 efficiency cores) tore through our benchmarks. Games ran butter-smooth, and we saw a real boost in frame rates compared to older chips.

What really stood out was how quickly the i9-14900K handled demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Projects that used to take ages finished in a snap. The ability to hit 6.0 GHz on two cores is no joke – it makes a real difference in apps that rely on single-threaded performance.

We did notice this chip runs hot and hungry. You’ll want a beefy cooler and power supply to get the most out of it. It’s not the best pick if you’re on a tight budget or just doing basic computing. But for power users who need serious horsepower, the i9-14900K delivers in spades.

We’ve been testing the Intel Core i7-12700K, and we’re really impressed with its speed. This chip flies through games and heavy workloads. We noticed how smooth everything felt, even when running multiple programs at once.

The integrated graphics are a nice bonus. While not as good as a dedicated GPU, they let us play some lighter games without needing a separate graphics card. This saved us money and space in our build.

One thing to keep in mind is that this CPU can get pretty warm. We had to use a beefy cooler to keep temperatures in check during long gaming sessions. It’s also a bit power-hungry, so make sure your power supply is up to the task.

We like that it’s unlocked for overclocking. With some tweaking, we squeezed out even more performance. Just be careful not to push it too far without proper cooling.

For the price, we think this processor offers great value. It’s fast enough for most users and should last for years. If you’re building a high-end gaming PC or workstation, the i7-12700K is definitely worth considering.

We’ve been testing the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, and it’s a capable processor for everyday tasks and gaming. Its 6 cores and 12 threads handle multitasking well, and we noticed smooth performance in most games we tried.

The chip runs cool, even under load. We didn’t see high temperatures during our stress tests, which is good news for system stability and longevity. The included Wraith Stealth cooler does a decent job, but we’d suggest a better cooler if you plan to overclock.

One drawback is the lack of PCIe 4.0 support. For most users, this won’t be a big deal, but it might matter if you want the fastest SSDs or GPUs. Still, at this price point, we think the Ryzen 5 5500 offers great bang for your buck. It’s a solid option for budget builds or upgrades from older systems.

We’ve been testing the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, and it’s clear this CPU packs a punch. In our gaming tests, it delivered smooth framerates in popular titles. The 8 cores and 16 threads handled multitasking with ease.

One thing to note is that this chip can get toasty. We saw high temps during intense workloads, so a good cooling solution is a must. An air cooler might struggle, so think about getting an AIO liquid cooler.

The 7700X shines in its price range. It offers great value for those who want top-tier performance without breaking the bank. Just remember, you’ll need a new AM5 motherboard and DDR5 RAM to use this CPU. Despite the extra costs, we think it’s worth it for the performance boost.

We’ve been testing the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, and it’s a solid choice for a mid-range desktop CPU. This 6-core, 12-thread chip packs a punch with its high clock speeds and strong multi-tasking abilities. We were impressed by how smoothly it handled our usual workloads and gaming sessions.

In our tests, the 7600X showed its gaming prowess. It kept up with demanding titles without breaking a sweat. We noticed a big jump in frame rates compared to older CPUs, especially in CPU-heavy games. For everyday tasks like web browsing and office work, it felt snappy and responsive.

One thing to keep in mind is that this CPU runs on the new AM5 socket. You’ll need a new motherboard if you’re upgrading from an older AMD system. We also noticed it can get a bit toasty under load, so a good cooling solution is a must. Despite these minor points, we think the Ryzen 5 7600X offers great performance for its price point.

We’ve been testing the Intel Core i7-12700KF, and it’s impressed us with its speed. Games run smoothly, and we can have lots of apps open at once without slowdowns. It’s great for people who do more than just gaming, like video editing or 3D rendering.

The processor has 12 cores, which helps with multitasking. We noticed how quick it was when we switched between games and other programs. It didn’t miss a beat, even when we pushed it hard.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need a separate graphics card. This chip doesn’t have built-in graphics. Also, it can get pretty warm when working hard, so good cooling is a must. We recommend a beefy air cooler or water cooling setup to keep temps in check.