Best CPU for gaming in 2024 – top picks from AMD and Intel

The Intel i9 13900KS was our number-one pick for the best CPU for gaming, But that was before the Core i9 14900K came along. Like the 12900KS, this is still a true monster with 24 cores and 32 threads and has a max clock speed of 6 GHz. That’s a leap beyond the previous number one on this list, the 13900K. But it’s also a more efficient part than the 13900Ks, delivering the same speed for a lower TDP.

The Raptor Lake Refresh flagship utilizes the Intel 10nm process, proving that iterating on what worked with Alder Lake really did pay off. Simply put, you’re still getting a higher core count and unrivaled single-core and multi-core performance that will keep your machine relevant for years to come.

As with the regular ‘K’ variant, this is all down to the new hyperthreading that’s present in the E-cores of the Raptor Lake architecture. But the 14900K offers the same (appx) 5-6% performance increase over the 13900k as the KS does. A revised hybrid system in Raptor Lake CPUs means that Intel is able to push the most it can out of silicon twice the size of the competition. This remains true for the 14th gen refresh CPUs.

As an LGA 1700 socket CPU, this model is backward compatible with existing Z690 and alternative motherboards. You’ve also got the choice of both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, which could save you money in the building process. Also, despite the fact that the 13900Ks and 14900K are very similar, there’s a retail price differential of around $120. The 14900K wins that battle and so is even better value here.

AMD’s L3 cache-boosted X3D chips, a newer set of which has finally been fleshed out, are a testament to the continued efforts in innovation behind CPUs. It’s a great choice for content creators and gamers alike, making it arguably the best AMD CPU on this list. Our previous number two in this list was the mid-2022 release, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.

Our previous number two in this list was the mid-2022 release, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D platform. That processor marked AMD’s initial steps into 3D v-cache technology, allowing the firm to boost the L3 cache on the chip and hence make gaming all the more streamlined.

The 5800X3D is probably one of the least expensive chips you can get for a gaming build. But here’s the thing: it’s been superseded in performance by the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Yes, the 7800 X3D costs around $200 more but it’s…better for gaming.

When it comes to the difference between the 5800X3D vs 7800X3D, you can expect around a 10-12% performance increase, in part thanks to the 7800X3D’s 5GHz boost speed compared to the 4.5GHz of the 5800X3D. And let’s not forget generational efficiencies. Importantly too, the 7800X3D is future-facing in terms of PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support.

Released and debuted to some stellar reviews, AMD’s Ryzen 9 7900X3D is one of the best CPUs for gaming, as well as a ton of other additional tasks. The 7900X3D is a step above the 7800X3d, allowing users to gain the best of practically all worlds, harnessing powerful video editing and streaming capabilities. But it’s more pricey too, and we think that if it’s just gaming you’re after then the 7800X3D pips its bigger brother.

Generational and vs 7800X3D enhancements, of course, come with a heftier price tag. And these extend to the required additional components to make the 7900X3D run as well as possible. These components include the AM5 motherboard and a liquid water cooler, which may not be ideal for most people. That’s the same for the 7800X3D too, but the 7900X3D is an extra $50.

And this isn’t even the most expensive option, as the Ryzen 9 7950X3D proves to be even more capable, but far more difficult to find at a reasonable price. At around $600, though, the 7900X3D is a good option for increased productivity in tandem with exceptional gaming performance.

In terms of the middle ground that the vast majority of PC gamers are going to strive for, the Intel Core i7-13700K is more than up to the task.  This is all down to the innovations of Raptor Lake’s refinements, as the latest i7 CPU is 16-core (24 threads) and overclocks to 5.4 GHz. We’ve never seen an i7 that’s this capable, meaning it’s a real value proposition at $489.99, well under $500.

If you’re an existing Alder Lake user then there’s certainly an argument to be made about upgrading. You’re benefitting from four more cores and pushing well beyond the 5 GHz mark, too. The same is true of Z690 and other LGA 1700 motherboards, there’s an opportunity to save money while getting the best performance rates here.

And if you’re weighing up the Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Core i7 13700K, one of our CPU experts Camilo Delgado, writes that if you’re going for higher critical temperatures, the extra cores will have you covered – so if you’re a fan of overclocking, the i7 13700K is the one for you in the mid-range.