The best amd processor for gaming. Which processor is best for a gaming computer?

The world's leading PC processor manufacturer, Intel, unveiled a new line of high-performance desktop processors - the X-series - at the Computex exhibition in Taipei. The top-end chip has as many as 18 computing cores and a corresponding price tag: $2,000.

For extroverted gamers

In essence, a new platform is being introduced: X-series processors will work with a new chipset, X299. It is intended mainly for gamers (especially those who, along with the game, would like to broadcast it to their online audience in high resolution), professionals working with 3D graphics and video, software developers, as well as all those who are willing to part with substantial sums in exchange for owning the “most-very” productive hardware.

At the same time, it is important to understand: the entry-level solutions included in the line, most likely (it can only be said for sure based on the testing results), will not provide significant superiority in games compared to the more affordable regular Core i3 or i5 without the prestigious “X-series” sticker. At least, if you don’t combine them with the most powerful video cards available on the market today.

Watch your hands

The structure of Intel's new line of chips is not the most obvious. The “youngest” Kaby Lake-X processors i5-7640X and i7-7740X use the same seventh-generation Core cores as the previously released mainstream Core i5 and i7 with Kaby Lake architecture. There are also four cores and four (i5) or eight (i7) data processing threads, two memory channels and 16 PCIe channels directly on the processor. The new X-chips are distinguished by a “hotter” thermal package (up to 112 watts versus 91 watts for similar ones mass solutions) and the new socket 2066 - this is what the X299 chipset uses.

The clock speeds are also higher than ordinary members of the Core family: the i7-7740X has a base frequency of 4.3 GHz and a TurboBoost frequency of up to 4.5 GHz. The i7-7700K, at the same price of $399, has a base frequency of 100 MHz lower, although the overclocking frequency is the same. Equal prices should encourage gamers to prefer the new X-series because of their overclocking potential, which is more significant if only because of the lack of an integrated graphics core. Is it true that you will have to pay more for a motherboard based on the X299 chipset? than a mass solution.

In X-chips at a higher level, the Kaby Lake-X architecture is replaced by Skylake-X, but this is not just a 6th generation Skylake chip in a new socket: Skylake-SP cores are used, developed, among other things, for the future generation of Xeon chips. Chips with the Skylake-X architecture support Turbo Boost Max 3: the chip itself determines the cores capable of operating at the highest frequency, and when 1-2 cores are loaded, it loads them. The on-chip cache structure has been redesigned: the individual caches of each core have increased to 2 MB, while the chip cache common to all cores has been reduced. Intel says this will improve performance. At the same time, there will be a number of limitations compared to Xeon: for example, only 4 memory channels instead of six.

Entry-level Skylake-X will feature a 6-core, 12-thread i7-7800X (3.5/4.0 GHz) - starts at $389, but does not support Turbo Boost Max 3 and (officially, at least) memory clock speed above 2400 MHz. A step higher is the $599 8-core 16-thread i7-7820X (3.6/4.3 and up to 4.5 (in Turbo Boost Max 3) GHz) with support for memory frequencies up to 2666 MHz. Finally, the $999 10-core i9-7900X (3.3/4.3/4.5 GHz) has 44 PCIe lanes, Turbo Boost Max 3, and support for 2666 MHz memory. All three of these processors have a thermal package of 140 watts.

At the top of the new line are processors with a 165-watt thermal package and 12, 14, 16 or 18 cores (twice as many threads), operating frequencies for which Intel is not yet ready to announce, in contrast to prices starting at $1,199. It is known that the “best” processor in the line will be called i9-7980XE (not just i9, but i9 Extreme) and will cost $1,999.

Free multiplier and other joys

All new Intel X-series chips have an unlocked multiplier, that is, they are initially positioned as a solution for overclockers. The X299 chipset intended for them supports Optane non-volatile memory, which can act both as RAM and for data storage. You can connect up to three SSD drives with a PCIe or NVMe interface, 8 SATA devices and 10 USB 3.1 devices of the first generation. Support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 2nd generation was not built into the chipset; it will have to be implemented through additional controllers.

What about AMD?

Despite the fact that the new high-performance AMD Ryzen processors made a lot of noise this spring, Intel is not going to give up its position yet and still prices its chips more expensive. Thus, a 16-thread Intel X-series chip will cost $599, while a similar 16-thread AMD Ryzen chip will cost $499. Yes, they are not identical, the Intel processor has twice as many memory channels, but the motherboard + processor combination with Intel technologies will in any case cost more than a similar solution from AMD. At the same time, on the 18-core Intel Core AMD has no answer for i9 Extreme yet - the company has yet to achieve such scaling of the performance of Zen cores.

As a rule, processors are tested in tandem with top-end video cards of the 1080 Ti or Titan X level. They show well the capabilities of the “stones”, but do not answer the question of what to use for simpler systems. We ordered at "Citylink" three “stones” based on Coffee Lake and prepared a computer for the 1070 Ti Strix.

Test stand

Let's start with the computer. It is based on ASUS TUF Z730-Pro, a board from the mid-segment, but with the right system power supply, a good set of ports and a flexible BIOS. Why TUF and not Strix? We wanted to take a break from the backlight and get a decent set of technologies, high-quality sound chip hardware, DTS support and fan control.

A DeepCool MAELSTROM 120K air cooler was installed to cool the “stones”. It is suitable for both top-end i5 and i7, as well as i3. Intel turned it out hot and reaches 71°C under load.

The case is spacious, with a pair of turntables, and is designed for dual liquid cooling radiators. Note that the standard fans are installed on the front panel and that for assembly without a cooling fan you will have to either rearrange one of the fans or buy an additional one.

1070 Ti was taken by ASUS Strix. This series has been talked about more than once, so we will only note the important points. The card is cooling aluminum radiator with three turntables, the main elements are glued with thermal pads, and the processor takes 1962 MHz versus 1683 from the reference and stays within 53°C.

And finally, Seasonic was sent to provide power at 650 W - cold and with enormous efficiency. Anticipating comments in the spirit of “why such an expensive power supply?”, let’s say right away. The computer would run on FSP for 2500 rubles, but we rely on reliability and stability. If you don't like this option, we don't insist.

CPU

And now about the tests. We ended up with a pre-top system with a budget of approximately 100 thousand rubles. “Approximately” because the price for the video card is recommended, and if you don’t focus on quality, flexibility and maximum frequencies, you can save on the chipset, memory and power supply. But that's not the point. Let's see which processor is suitable for such a computer.

So, there are three “stones” on hand - i3-8350K, i5-8600K and i7-8700K. All of them were tested in stock and in total passed seven gaming and thirteen processor tests, including both synthetic and real applications. The result is interesting.

There's not much difference in gaming with the 1070 Ti. This means that for the first time in a long time, i3 can be purchased for purely gaming systems, even with powerful video cards.

The conclusion from this is simple. For a gaming computer up to 80-100 thousand rubles, a Core i3 is enough. Older processors are worth buying if you are interested in work tasks. Which model to take - decide for yourself, we have given the processor tests and breakdown.

Let us repeat once again that the choice in favor of i3 applies only to systems with 1080-level video cards. With Ti or Titan X, older Core i5 with i7 will go ahead. However, this can be compensated for by overclocking. All processors are overclocked, and from the same i3 we squeezed 4.4 GHz, and from the i7 - 4.7 GHz.

Choosing the right components when purchasing or upgrading a personal computer - important step, which needs to be approached wisely. This primarily applies to computers and laptops used for gaming. The fact is that the computer entertainment industry is developing very quickly, demanding more and more performance from computer hardware. The processor plays a special role in a gaming computer, since its speed determines how long you will enjoy new products without slowdowns or freezes. How to choose the right gaming processor will be discussed below.

Despite the rapid growth of computer technology and the demands of new products in the gaming industry for high performance, processors suitable for gaming can be purchased in different price categories. Conventionally, they are divided into:

• Budget CPUs for games that won't put a dent in your pocket. Such processors support most new games, with rare exceptions;
• Representatives of the middle price category. They perform well with any games, including the latest ones;
• Expensive models that suit everyone modern requirements and even superior to them;

The main difference, besides performance, between all price categories is the duration of their use. Budget versions are good, but after six months or a year they will begin to sag noticeably, not allowing the user to fully enjoy the gameplay. The average price segment lasts longer and lasts from one and a half to two years, without noticeable loss in performance characteristics. Top representatives are able to maintain their shape for a long time without sacrificing power.

Note! Unfortunately, every year the development of the gaming industry accelerates more and more, and new models lose relevance faster than what happened before.

Let's look at each category in more detail and decide which processor you should choose in the store in 2018, so as not to throw money away upgrading the hardware for your gaming computer.

Gamers wondering how to choose a budget processor for a gaming computer should pay attention to the following models:

1. Gaming components from Intel with 2 cores and support for Hyper-threading technology;
2. Quad-core gaming computer processors from AMD;

Processors from Intel will cost gamers between 6.5 and 7.5 thousand rubles, and at such a low price they have decent characteristics that can curb modern games. There are two groups of budget components:

• 7th generation processors, among which stand out models: Pentium G4560, G4600, G4620. They are designed on the basis of 1151 sockets, and the operating frequency ranges from 3500 to 3700 MHz;
• 8th generation processors represented by the Pentium G5400, G5500 and G5600 line of models. They support the 1151-v2 socket, having slightly higher frequencies of 3700 – 3900 MHz;

An interesting detail is the fact that 8th generation processors, according to data for the second half of 2018, are cheaper than their predecessors. Such components handle modern toys confidently, without any brakes. Advantages of inexpensive models:

1. Low price;
2. Meets the requirements of modern gaming applications;

The downside is the lack of power reserve. It will no longer be possible to play new 2019 games at full capacity.

According to test results, most games produce a stable 60 FPS, which is considered excellent result for budget models. There are only a few video games that experience a slight drop in FPS, and the game can produce numbers in the region of 30 – 55 frames per second. These include:

• PUBG;
• Assassin's Creed Origins;
• Kingdom Come;

However, if you have a limited budget and still want to play them, the listed models will be the best possible options.

AMD does not lag behind its competitors and offers gamers equally powerful budget models, the purchase of which eliminates all questions about which processors for a gaming PC are worth considering. These include models from the Ryzen3 and Ryzen 5 series. Among the three, the following are considered worthy options:

1. Ryzen3 1200;
2. Ryzen3 2200G;

Both versions differ from Intel in the presence of 4 cores instead of two and the ability to overclock the base frequency, provided that your system supports such a function. motherboard. The price ranges from 6,000 to 7,500 thousand rubles, and the clock frequency is from 3,100 to 3,700 when overclocked. It is thanks to the ability to increase the clock frequency that AMD products look preferable to Intel and will allow the owner to enjoy their favorite games longer at maximum quality settings.

The fifth model is represented by Ryzen5 1400 and, according to experts, is considered the priority choice, combining maximum performance with a low price. So, for only 7,800 rubles, the user gets a processor with a clock frequency of 3200 MHz, supporting 8 threads simultaneously and having the ability to overclock to 3400 MHz. This model, combined with a decent GeForce Nvidia video card, is still capable of a lot, pleasantly surprising its owner.

• Core i3-8350K;
• Core i3-8100;
• Core i3-8300;

Unlike their budget counterparts, the models are equipped with 4 cores instead of 2, which allows you to enjoy entertainment at high settings without loss of performance. The 8100 and 8300 do not have an overclocking option, while the 8350K is capable of exceeding 4000 MHz, provided you have the appropriate motherboard. They cost 11 – 14 thousand rubles and for this money they show the best possible result.

AMD fans also have plenty to choose from. There are 2 decent options on the computer hardware market that fit perfectly into the average price category:

1. AMD Ryzen 5 2600;
2. AMD Ryzen 5 1600;

Both models have 6 working cores and support as many as 12 threads simultaneously. They cost less than Intel analogues, but they lag behind in frequency, even with the possibility of overclocking. So the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 model has only 3900 MHz in the overclocked state.

If you are wondering which mid-range gaming processor is best to choose, consider the following nuances:

• For regular gamers, it is preferable to buy an Intel Core i3-8350K. It shows best results when there are a small number of processes running on the PC at the same time;
• If the user streams games to the network, running many tasks simultaneously, choose AMD, which takes the lead in performance in such conditions;

In combination with these gaming processors, it is recommended to use the following video cards:

1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, 1070;
2. AMD Radeon RX 580;

They combine harmoniously with each other, showing the best results at high graphics settings.

Important! Due to the fact that more and more models with 6-8 cores are appearing on the computer hardware market, video game developers are adapting their products specifically for them. Accordingly, models with 4 cores are becoming less relevant every day and the feasibility of purchasing them is decreasing.

High-end processors

Gaming processors in 2018, which fall into the category of expensive purchases, are considered the most profitable investment, allowing them to meet the requirements of developers for a long time. Intel's products include:

• Core i5-8600K;
• Core i5-8600;
• Core i5-8500;

Their cost is in the price range from 18.5 thousand rubles for junior versions to 21.5 for top models. These gaming processors have a frequency overclocking function and peak values ​​​​are 4300 MHz. All versions are equipped with 6 cores.

AMD in the high price category is represented by the following candidates: Ryzen 7 1700X, 1800X, 2700X and 2700. All gaming processors are equipped with 8 cores capable of supporting up to 16 threads simultaneously. Peak frequency indicators, like Intel ones, fluctuate around 4300 MHz, and the cost is 16,300 - 23,000 rubles.

Preferences:

1. The Core i5-8600K is chosen as a gaming processor intended exclusively for games. Performance is higher than AMD, which allows you to produce better results;
2. For streamers who care not only about performance, but also about multitasking, it is preferable to buy the Ryzen 7 2700X, which performs more confidently in situations where several other applications are running in parallel with the game;

To increase the power of a personal computer, purchase one of the following video cards in tandem with the gaming processor:

• GeForce RTX 2070;
• GeForce GTX 1070;
• GeForce GTX 1070 I;
• GeForce GTX 1080;

They are optimally combined with the processors presented above, increasing the already considerable performance characteristics.

Best processor for gaming 2019

It is difficult to give a definite answer which processor is better in 2019, since several gaming processors are vying for this role:

1. Core i7 9700K; A powerful processor consisting of 8 cores supporting up to 8 data streams simultaneously. The operating frequency of the core in the basic configuration is 3600 MHz, which can be overclocked to 4900 MHz. The indicator is impressive and is sufficient for any modern game with a large margin.
2. Core i9 9900K;An even more powerful gaming processor from Intel, equipped with 8 cores of 3,600 MHz, which simultaneously process up to 16 information streams. The frequency accelerates to 5,000 MHz. It is a pleasure to work and play on, but the product is not yet available on Russian market and it can be obtained with great difficulty.
3. Intel Core i7 8700K; 8-core gaming processor supporting up to 12 threads. The maximum operating frequency is 4700 MHz. You can buy it for a gaming laptop or PC for only 30,000 rubles.

Note! Prices may change to higher or lower prices next year, so check with the retailer for price information before purchasing.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the computer hardware market offers gamers a lot of components to improve PC performance. When purchasing, try to purchase the newest model from the selected price segment. This will allow you to meet longer requirements, which developers are constantly increasing, forcing them to abandon outdated parts.

On this moment The following disadvantages of AMD in comparison with Intel can be cited:

• An older technical process, as a result, increased heat generation.
• Excessive number of cores that are not always used.
• Lack of support for new DDR4 RAM

Eight-core AMD processors require a heatpipe cooler for cooling

Other points can be considered insignificant and accusations of other “sins” are nothing more than nit-picking. And in the budget (up to 10 thousand) segment, even these 3 accusations cannot be called significant. Problems with cooling processors with a power of up to 100 W are a thing of the past back in the days of the Pentium 4; not a single best budget processor of 2016 is equipped with eight cores, and DDR4 RAM is still a bit expensive.

After brief overview All comments towards AMD, you can go straight to the point. The AMD FX-6300 review is intended to prove that the best budget processor for gaming in 2016 may well be a representative of the AMD brand. Of course, the newer FX-6330 could be considered instead, but there is no significant difference between them. At the same time, the “old man” is supported by a much larger number of motherboards, so preference was given to it.

AMD FX-6300 Review

AMD FX-6300 Key Features

AMD FX-6300 packaging

The AMD FX-6300 comes in the Tray package, that is, without coolers, in a regular box. It costs from 8 thousand rubles. There are also boxed modifications with a cooler, but they are about a thousand rubles more expensive. The characteristics of the AMD FX-6300 are as follows:

• 3 dual-core units with 2 cores each (6 cores in total), operating at a frequency of 3.5 to 4.1 GHz;
• 3 L1 cache blocks, 96 KB each;
• 3 L2 cache blocks of 2 MB each;
• Shared 8 MB L3 cache;
• Up to 128 GB of supported DDR3 RAM, frequency up to 1866 MHz;
• Bus with an effective frequency of 5200 MHz;
• Process technology 32 nm;
• Heat dissipation at 95 W.

Characteristics of AMD FX-6300 in the CPU-Z program

The AMD FX-6300 is installed in the long-known AM3+ socket, which may please owners of PCs purchased up to 5 years ago. Many AMD AM3 motherboards, after updating the BIOS to the latest version, begin to support bulldozers and piledrivers. And replacing 2 cores of some Athlon II X2 270 with 6 new ones is not a bad idea.

The processor case is traditional, with 942 legs and a cover that protects the crystal from chipping and improves heat dissipation. It contains the marking of the chip, the year the production of cores on this architecture began, data on the country of origin and a QR code.

Photo of AMD FX-6300 cover

AMD FX-6300 Features

The capabilities of the AMD FX-6300 are more than enough for operation. But since the chip is nominated for the title of “best budget gaming processor,” games should be the measure of its capabilities. A gaming video card was used for measurements. high level GeForce GTX 680 2 GB (a little outdated, but not inferior modern solutions middle level). Random access memory it was 8 GB, it worked at a frequency of 1866 MHz. Screen resolution is 1680x1050 pixels, graphics settings in games are the highest. Windows 7 x64 system and games were installed on a Kingston SSD. The already slightly outdated Core i3 -3240, which costs a little more (in comparison with it, the successors of the 4th or 6th series have become more economical, but their performance has hardly increased), and the quad-core AMD FX-4300 were also selected for the test.

Intel Core i3-3240 is the main rival of the FX-6300 in the test

Let's start with the mega-popular online RPG World of Tanks. The brainchild of Wargaming is distinguished by the fact that it was developed on the ancient BigWorld engine, which cannot work properly with big amount cores. The platform was created back in 2006, when dual-core chips were just spreading their wings, and quad-core chips were a novelty.

At maximum graphics settings, at a resolution of 1680x1050, the FX-6300 demonstrates from 31 to 61 FPS. For comparison, the Core i3 3240 produces from 37 to 60 frames per second (due to the powerful two cores), and the AMD FX-4300 from 27 to 45 FPS. That is, even taking into account the far from modern engine, the performance in World of Tanks is good and does not fall below the conventional comfort limit of 30 fps.

The popular Elder Scrolls game, Skyrim, is also doing well. With the same high settings and monitor resolution, the processor allows you to develop from 50 to 80 FPS. The FX-4300 shows from 41 to 72 frames per second, but the Intel Core i3 is noticeably ahead, showing a maximum of 106 FPS (minimum 70).

But in Prototype 2, the FX-6300 fully justifies the title of “best budget processor for games.” It demonstrates from 54 to 80 FPS, which is 5% more than the Core i3-3240 (older and costing around 10 thousand). The junior model of the FX series, number 4300, produces from 40 to 66 frames per second.

In Hitman Absolution, the best budget processor for games in 2016, the FX-6300, is also good. It produces from 45 to 56 FPS, versus 39-48 for the mentioned i3 and 33-41 for the FX-4300 model.

In Far Cry 3, the hero of the review once again had the last word. It allowed us to squeeze out from 64 to 80 FPS from the game. The competitor from Intel showed 60-75 frames, and the quad-core “little brother” - from 50 to 65.

The last game in the test was the notorious GTA V. This game is often considered the standard of a heavy application, in addition, it is a cross-platform project. The fifth part of the Grand Theft Auto series gains from 30 to 42 FPS, which is quite good. The Core i3 3240 shows parity, delivering between 32 and 41 frames per second. But the quad-core FX-4300 is not far behind: the minimum 25 frames per second is not particularly attractive, but tolerable, and the maximum is 36 FPS.

Minimum FPS values ​​in games

Average maximum FPS

Conclusion

The best budget processor for gaming in 2016, represented by the AMD FX-6300, fully justifies this honorary title. It demonstrates results that slightly exceed the average capabilities of the slightly more expensive and aging Intel Core i3 3240. The junior model in the line, called FX-4300, in principle also shows acceptable results, but in FullHD resolution the potential of this CPU will seem small. However, all 3 models are great for a budget gaming PC.

Just before the start of the school year and throughout it, the need for new computers increases, and many will ask the question - which processor is better for games?

To answer this question, let's look at the diversity modern models, and by what parameters and criteria a chip is generally selected for modern games.

PC processor price

When assembling a gaming computer, the main thing is not the processor, but the video card; the main expenses will be on it. You can naturally spend money and put together the best of everything, but such a system unit will be very expensive, which is not affordable for everyone.

If you don’t want to spend very much, but get a fairly good gaming PC, you’ll have to save on something. One option is to save money on the processor, which does not always play such a decisive role in the performance of toys.

For example, Intel processors the i3, i5, i7, i9 families differ in price, but all four can be used in gaming systems. The best processor for gaming is, of course, the i9 series, but the price of the youngest of them starts at $1,000 (60,000 rubles). Another thing is the i3, which costs several times less - $150 (9,000 rubles), but it can also be installed in a gaming computer.

If you choose AMD platform, then it has traditionally always been cheaper than Intel. The junior version of the top-end Ryzen Threadripper 1920X processor, which is on par with the most powerful Intel chips in performance, will cost $800 (48,000 rubles), which is already cheaper. If you choose the junior AMD Ryzen 3 1200, then its price is only $110, and yes, it can also be used for a gaming computer.

This price range raises many questions, which we will try to answer below.

Which processor should you choose for gaming?

Let's divide all the processors listed below into some subgroups: premium, fast and good. The last ones will be the most the best option when the budget is not very large. Premium ones are of course very productive, but are designed for buyers who often want to highlight their high social status.

Premium processors

Fast processors

Good processors

There are many models of processors that can be used in a gaming computer. We chose purely for our own subjective reasons. This does not mean that you cannot use even cheaper and low-performance chips, but if you want to unleash the full potential of a gaming video card, then choose at least from the last four.

Characteristics of processors for games 2017

Now let’s take a little look at some of the main characteristics and nuances by which you should choose a gaming processor. Modern chips of the latest generation, such as AMD Ryzen, are equipped with a more advanced architecture, allowing for previously unprecedented multiprocessing and multi-threading, along with intelligent functions that independently optimize power. Although not all games or applications can reveal all these possibilities, everything is moving in this direction. Let's consider the main selection criteria.

Frequency

This is one of the parameters by which a processor for gaming is most often chosen. Usually, anything below 2.8 GHz is not considered a gaming processor, so we try to select it in the 3-4 GHz range. The fact that above this threshold are usually overclocked “stones” for overlocking. Such models have an unlocked multiplier and can significantly increase the frequency provided there is good cooling. Both Intel and AMD often denote them with the letters K and X, for example, we have the Intel Core i7-7700K on our list.

True, most modern processors independently regulate the frequency within certain limits (2.9-3.9 GHz), if required by the task being performed. The Intel Core i7-7700T processor from our list is just like that.

Cores and threads

More and more modern games require a minimum of 4 cores (GTA V, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Far Cry 4 or Assassin’s Creed Unity) in order to provide acceptable performance when paired with your gaming video card. True, multi-cores do not always affect performance; multithreading often plays a key role. All modern Intel processors support Hyper-Threading technology, which implements twice the number of threads per core, resulting in higher performance. The new AMD Razen is also equipped with similar technology. All processors with such parameters can be safely designated as gaming processors.

Cache

The size of the cache generally does not affect gaming performance, but it will be noticeable if you run many programs at the same time or surf the Internet like crazy, opening many tabs at the same time. This parameter definitely cannot be excluded in the rapidly developing world of technology. Some processors, such as the premium AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X, are equipped with simply a huge amount of this memory (total 38 MB). There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd level caches.

Intel or AMD?

Traditionally, AMD processors have always been cheaper than their competitor Intel, and did not have the same performance capabilities, so they were often purchased because of their budget. However, the latest generations of AMD Ryzen, thanks to the introduction of the latest technologies (including intelligent ones), have even surpassed many models of Intel chips. This despite the fact that their prices are significantly cheaper.

The time has passed when AMD trailed behind Intel, now the company is gaining more and more momentum and will most likely overtake its eminent brother. Moreover, over the past few years the latter has not offered anything fundamentally new.

Which processor to choose for 4K games?

Although many top video cards support 4K resolution, getting fairly acceptable performance (at least 60 FPS) at maximum settings will only allow you to create a system of two or even three video cards. Accordingly, such a configuration requires a fairly powerful central processor.

For these purposes, choose from fast processors, or better yet premium ones. Expensive, yes, but you will get a completely different gaming experience with ultra-high resolution.

Which processor is suitable for VR games?

To comfortably use a VR helmet, any chip from the good processors section is sufficient. Even expensive headsets provide a resolution of no more than Full HD, which any mid-level gaming video card can handle, providing good performance and high frame rates (FPS).

If you can buy an expensive VR headset like an HTC Vive or PlayStation VR, you can probably build a very decent system unit with an expensive processor.

Conclusion

So, which processor to choose for gaming? If you are not strapped for money and want to surprise your friends and pamper yourself, then the answer is obvious. And if your budget is small, but you really want to play comfortably, then choose a processor with at least 4 threads. An Intel Core i3-7320 from our list or an AMD Ryzen 3 1300X will do. But it’s better to install an Intel Core i5-7600, which will be the best option with a small margin for the future, because the gaming industry offers more and more interesting games, requiring high power.