Our picks below will show you the best CPU for gaming. Of course, when shopping for the best CPU for gaming, you'll want to balance performance and features with your PC budget. You can also see how all of these processors stack up in our CPU Benchmarks hierarchy, but for detailed help on picking the best processor for your gaming rig, you can check out our 2022 CPU Buying Guide. And if you're on the fence about which CPU company to go with, our AMD vs. Intel article dives deep into the topic and comes up with a winner.

If you're planning a new system now, be aware that the market is in a state of flux. We recently tested the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 7 7600X, and both of those Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 CPUs delivered impressive performance. However, Intel's 13th-Gen Raptor Lake retort arrives on October 20, so if you're not in a hurry, it might be best to wait to see how Intel's new chips stack up.

If you're looking for the best AMD CPU for gaming, the new Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the fastest gaming CPU on the market. This chip and its 3D V-Cache isn't as fast as comparable chips in other types of work beyond gaming, though, so you'll need to be aware of the pros and cons. Also, its $449 price point is a bit higher than we typically recommend for gaming-centric builds.

If you're looking for the fastest blend of gaming and application performance on the market, you need to look at the Ryzen 9 7950X. The Ryzen 9 7950X is the reigning overall performance champ for mainstream PCs, delivering unprecedented levels of performance on a mainstream platform. Intel's Raptor Lake seems to be a strong counter, though, so you might wait before pulling the trigger.

If you're looking for the overall best gaming CPU at an accessible price point, the six-core 12-thread Core i5-12400 is hands-down the best CPU for gaming. Recent price cuts have made this chip an even better deal, catapulting it to the top of our list. 

The Ryzen 5 5600 is the best AMD CPU for gaming for ~$175, but Intel still holds the overall lead in this price range. If you're upgrading a first-gen Ryzen system there isn't a better deal because the 5600 brings the best of Zen 3 to even the oldest Ryzen systems.

The $589 Intel Core i9-12900K delivers incredible levels of threaded performance. However, the $380 Core i7-12700K offers essentially the same gaming performance as the flagship Core i9-12900K — but for ~$200 less. Meanwhile, the $280 Intel Core i5-12600K is the best CPU for gaming in its $260 to $300 price bracket.

The list below is for the best CPUs for gaming, while our list of best CPUs for workstations is for those who frequently tackle high-end content creation or professional work. Processors benefit from the best thermal paste, so check out our guide if you're shopping for a new processor. But if you're after the best CPU for gaming, you're in the right place.

Best CPU for Gaming at a glance (more info below):

Overall Best CPU for Gaming:
Intel Core i5-12400(opens in new tab)
Alternate: AMD Ryzen 5 5600(opens in new tab)

High Performance Value Best CPU for Gaming:
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X(opens in new tab)
Alternate: Intel Core i9-12900K(opens in new tab)

Overall Value Best CPU for Gaming:
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D(opens in new tab)
Alternate: Intel Core i7-12700K(opens in new tab)

Mid-Range Best CPU for Gaming:
Ryzen 5 7600X(opens in new tab)
Alternate: Intel Core i5-12600K(opens in new tab)

Budget Best CPU for Gaming:
Core i3-12100 and Core i3-12100F(opens in new tab)

Entry-Level Best CPU for Gaming:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G