What processor to take for games. What is the best processor for a gaming computer

When assembling a high-performance computer for resource-intensive dynamic games, a potential buyer always faces a choice: which processor to prefer. Indeed, in addition to several branded manufacturers, there are many platforms on the market, each of which has its own flagship.

The focus of this article is the gaming processor. The reader will get acquainted with the offer of manufacturers, find out which product is better in each price category, and also see the test results clearly.

Weak link

It's better to start with the fact that all processors that are based on the same physical core will not be considered. The fact is that there has long been evidence of the low efficiency of single-core platforms. Any attempt by the buyer to purchase such a gaming processor will not lead to anything good.

Firstly, most modern games are created for multi-core platforms (2-4 cores). The second criterion for the insolvency of a low-performance crystal is the inability to unlock the potential of a gaming video adapter. Naturally, the user has a lot of questions regarding the inoperability of an expensive graphics accelerator.

Also, experts in their reviews recommend potential buyers not to consider crystals operating at low frequencies as gaming solutions. It is better to set the minimum mark at the threshold of 3000 MHz. This condition affects not only personal computers, but also mobile devices, albeit with increased power consumption.

Pricing policy and games of manufacturers

There has long been an opinion on the market that the AMD gaming processor has the best value, and in terms of performance, nothing can be found more powerful than an Intel chip. There is some truth in this, if you look at the problem from one angle, when comparing the number of cores and their operating frequency, but IT experts recommend focusing on the needs of the end user.

Almost all AMD chips are superbly overclocked, which attracts the attention of potential buyers who want to save money. But for some reason, there is no information about the heating of the crystals and the necessary cooling in the reviews and tests. On the other hand, they attribute too many advantages that the modern gamer does not need at all. Therefore, a buyer who wants to purchase a sufficiently productive device at minimal cost will have to get to know the processors on the market closer.

Crystals of the past generation

It's no secret that Intel processors based on 4 cores are still in demand among many fans of resource-intensive games. True, such a solution is useful only to those users who own a full-fledged ATX format motherboard that supports 8 GB of RAM (4 bars of 2 GB each). It is also recommended to pay attention to processor support. Very often, manufacturers of cheap motherboards do not work with powerful multi-core crystals.

A budget Core Quad gaming processor or a Xeon server solution paired with a gaming video adapter and an SSD solid state drive can handle any existing game in the world. Only now it will not be possible to achieve ideally realistic quality - there is a serious limitation on medium graphics settings. But such an inexpensive solution suits many users, so crystals for the socket 775 platform will be in demand for a long time to come.

Don't forget that the presence of two and four cores based on Xeon does not limit the performance of the old platform. There are still ultra-fast Extreme Edition crystals on the market, which can double or even triple the performance of the corresponding system (we are talking about Socket 775).

Available segment

The entry-level class of modern components is opened by AMD gaming processors with two cores of the A4 line. It would seem that it could be better than 2 physical cores operating at a frequency of 3200 MHz! In addition, the chip has an integrated graphics core AMD Radeon HD7480. However, during testing, it turns out that the processor has obvious problems with mathematical calculations. This is due to the small amount of cache memory (and the processor has only two levels).

In the price category up to 2000 rubles, the A4 line has only one competitor - the 4th generation Intel Celeron. As practice shows, this budget crystal also has integrated graphics, but, unlike AMD products, it cannot be overclocked.

Both budget products are clearly not among the top gaming processors, however, fans of low-power games (for example, World of Tanks) will like them, because using integrated graphics at a resolution of 1600x900 dpi, the user will be able to achieve 50 FPS at medium quality settings.

Manufacturer's distraction

Readers have already had to deal with Intel Pentium G-series processors for the platform more than once. The manufacturer claims that the new chip can surprise any buyer. Yes, there will be no limit to the owner's surprise when he decides to purchase such a product to replace the obsolete one. Intel processor Core 2 Duo. Any testing (synthetic or gaming) will confirm that there is no difference in performance between both processors.

In fact, this is the same crystal, which has been slightly improved. After all, the best gaming processor under simply could not disappear from the market. However, the transition of the buyer to a new platform opens up more opportunities for the player. Over time, you can increase the amount of RAM, change the processor or video card, which could not be done with an old motherboard.

Hot Selling

In the initial gaming class, AMD X4 series crystals with 4 physical cores are in great demand. The fact is that this particular product has become for many users a real golden mean in terms of price-performance ratio.

For many potential buyers who wished to have 4 physical cores on hand on one platform, the choice of a gaming processor ended with just one manufacturer - AMD. The fact is that in the price category up to 10,000 rubles, Intel has nothing to offer.

V given class The processors of the FX series, which have 4 and 8 cores on board, have also proven themselves well. The manufacturer tried to saturate the demanded market with interesting and affordable products. Here it is better for the buyer to focus on the first level cache and choose a crystal with the highest core frequency. Indeed, for AMD processors, these parameters primarily affect the performance of the entire platform.

Winged swing

Intel gaming processors are also present in the entry-level class, but they are all limited to only two physical cores. Naturally, the buyer will obviously not like such an offer, but you should not rush to conclusions. As practice shows, Core i3 crystals are capable of a lot, and even outperform all competitors in performance.

Intel processors have a large amount of cache and do an excellent job with mathematical calculations, but they have serious problems with working with RAM. This is exactly what competitors use when they select special tests that require the speed of information exchange between the processor and memory. In resource-intensive toys that require a large amount of memory (for example, GTA 5), you can notice the difference in the work of two processors (Intel and AMD), but not all games are so dependent on the memory frequency.

Higher, faster, stronger

A powerful gaming processor in the price range up to 15,000 rubles is not so easy to choose. On the one hand, Intel offers its Core i5 solution, which is able to cope with any resource-intensive games that exist on the market. On the other hand, the AMD team has prepared a surprise for all its fans by providing the crystal with a powerful gaming video adapter integrated directly into the processor.

Naturally, many buyers prefer the "2 in 1" system, because discrete graphics accelerators are not cheap and users simply do not want to overpay. But there is also back side medals - the integrated video card "steals" the RAM for its needs, and the speed of this memory exchange between the GPU leaves much to be desired (DDR3 vs. DDR5).

How to deal with things?

In the middle price category, it is not so easy to choose a gaming processor for yourself. "Which one to choose - Core i5 or A10?" - almost every second buyer is interested. Experts in their reviews recommend that beginners take their time and prioritize, having determined their needs.

A powerful multi-core Intel crystal will be of more interest to owners of high-performance gaming-level video adapters, because only it can unlock the full potential of a graphics accelerator. Also, the Core i5 should be looked at by people who are not only fond of games, but also professionally work with 3D graphics, modeling or video editing.

But for owners of budget video adapters that use all the resources of a personal computer for games, it is better to give preference to the AMD A10 series processor. And do not get too carried away with overclocking such a crystal, because a thermal package of 95 watts requires decent cooling.

Unique Processors

The AMD gaming processor with six cores on board is clearly capable of attracting attention. After all, this is one of the few products on the market that combines affordable cost and high performance. Although many users in their reviews reproach the manufacturer for using 8-core solutions with locked cores to create such crystals, the fact remains that this processor is still considered the best choice in the middle segment.

An important factor responsible for performance is not the core frequency, but the installed cache. All 6-core platforms with this parameter are in perfect order: the crystal does an excellent job with mathematical calculations and is quite competitive with Intel Core i5 products. The only thing that confuses is the lack of an integrated graphics accelerator, to which all fans of AMD products are so accustomed. But still, the performance of the entire platform is more interesting to the buyer than an inferior symbiosis.

Powerful gaming platform

Intel has managed to attract the attention of potential buyers to its unique socket 2011 platform. The best gaming processor Core i7 Extreme Edition still ranks first in the performance rating of all platforms. The only thing that confuses is the price of such a solution - not every buyer is ready to pay 50,000 rubles for one crystal.

The main feature of such a system is the support for three-channel operation of RAM. Do not forget about the PCIex16 slots for graphics accelerators - they all also support accelerated data transfer and are focused on high performance of the entire gaming platform.

The only negative that owners pay attention to in their reviews is the cost of all components. The processor, memory, motherboard and several video adapters require quite significant financial resources from the buyer. On the other hand, such a platform is able to cope with any resource-intensive game.

New technologies are the key to success

After the appearance on the market of a new format of DDR4 RAM, Intel hastened to surprise its fans with new crystals in the Core i3/5/7 line. True, under the slogan "Choosing a gaming processor!" a well-known American manufacturer forgot to add that in practice the overall performance of the system does not increase in proportion to the cost of crystals. As for the professional use of a computer (3D modeling, video processing and work with complex mathematical calculations), such a platform is hardly suitable. At least, in terms of price-quality ratio, it is possible to assemble a platform much cheaper.

Perhaps in the next few years, manufacturers will be able to significantly increase the speed of the platform, but at the moment it makes no sense to overpay for the transition to Socket 1151 and 2011-3. Here it is better to take an example from AMD, which did not dare to such an insidious plan to attract potential buyers to its products.

A new trend dictates the conditions

In pursuit of a powerful crystal, most buyers are trying to save on a video card. But gaming GPUs are the basic devices for running any resource-intensive games. As practice shows, it is better to save on a processor and take a powerful video adapter than to be content with a budget accelerator with a powerful processor.

In fact, in the media you can find quite a lot of comparisons of both video cards and crystals, but experts recommend focusing on market segmentation. Don't forget about integrated solutions. Often, such a purchase allows the user to get good performance and benefits.

Inexpensive AMD processors with four cores that have a small amount of cache, it is better to purchase with integrated graphics. The crystal will not be able to unlock the potential of a discrete gaming adapter, but the user will be able to save a lot.

Mobile market with its own conditions

Gaming processors for laptops are practically no different from the components of a personal computer. All the same price segmentation and performance division. True, there is another branch that significantly affects the choice of buyers. Intel chips installed in laptops have low heat dissipation, and AMD products tend to get very hot due to increased power consumption.

As practice shows, for most users, a powerful AMD processor in a mobile device often causes trouble. However, experts in their reviews assure that the whole problem comes down to the human factor. The fact is that all gaming laptops need to be cleaned frequently (2 times a year) from dust. Naturally, most users do not do this, blaming AMD for producing low-quality processors.

Gaming laptops

With mobile devices, everything is simple - the buyer does not need to look for which processors are gaming and which are not. In the expensive segment, the manufacturer independently calculated the performance of the entire platform and provided the end customer with a decent result. True, the choice is not as great as in the personal computer market.

Users can opt for AMD's A10 line of chips or look towards Intel's Core i5/7 processors. This is where the whole choice ends, and a potential buyer faces a problem with choosing a gaming video adapter that is equipped with a laptop. Once again, experts in their reviews recommend that beginners give preference to a powerful discrete graphics card at the expense of processor performance.

The right approach

Among sellers in the computer market, there is a special technique that allows you to quickly assemble a personal computer. Oddly enough, the game processor is not selected in the first place. Preference is given to the motherboard and video adapter. Well, after that comes the turn of choosing a crystal and RAM. This completes the layout with the final cost agreed.

And then everything is simple: the cost is announced in turn hard drive, power supply, case, monitor and other computer components. And the buyer decides whether he is ready to pay extra for the equipment, or in order to purchase the desired component, he will have to sacrifice the performance of the personal computer as a whole.

This technique provides an opportunity for a potential buyer to understand the difference between components in different price categories, because the seller, when changing the configuration, comments on which games and what settings will run on the assembled computer.

Finally

Choosing a gaming processor in the domestic market is quite easy. You just need to find out the system requirements for your favorite toy and choose the right components to build a gaming platform, focusing on your own finances. At first it seems difficult, but in practice everything is solved in a matter of minutes. The main thing is to always remember that the performance of the entire system depends not only on the processor, but also needs a powerful graphics accelerator with fast enough RAM.

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

For extrovert gamers

In fact, a new platform is introduced: X-series processors will work with a new chipset, X299. It is intended mainly for gamers (especially those who would like to broadcast it to their online audience in high definition simultaneously with the game), professionals working with 3D graphics and video, software developers, as well as all those who are ready to part with solid sums in exchange for the possession of the "most-most" productive "iron".

At the same time, it is important to understand: the entry-level solutions included in the line, most likely (it will only be possible to say for sure based on the results of testing), 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 do not combine them with the most productive video cards available on the market today.

Watch your hands

The structure of the new Intel line of chips is not the most obvious. The "youngest" processors "Kaby Lake-X" i5-7640X and i7-7740X in it 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 differ in a "hotter" thermal package (up to 112 watts versus 91 watts for similar mass solutions) and a new 2066 socket - this is what the X299 chipset uses.

Higher than the ordinary representatives of the Core family, and clock speeds: i7-7740X has a base frequency of 4.3 GHz and TurboBoost frequency up to 4.5 GHz. The i7-7700K, at the same $399 price point, has a 100 MHz lower base clock, although the overclock is the same. Price equality 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. True, for a motherboard based on the X299 chipset, you will have to pay more? than for a mass solution.

In X-chips at a higher level, Skylake-X replaces the Kaby Lake-X architecture, but this is not just a 6th generation Skylake chip in a new socket: Skylake-SP cores are used, which were also developed for the future generation of Xeon chips. Chips with Skylake-X architecture support Turbo Boost Max 3: the chip itself determines the cores capable of operating at the highest frequency, and when loaded on 1-2 cores, it loads them. The structure of the on-chip cache 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, compared to Xeon, there will be a number of limitations: for example, only 4 memory channels instead of six.

The entry-level Skylake-X will feature the 6-core, 12-thread i7-7800X (3.5/4.0GHz) - starts at $389 but doesn't support Turbo Boost Max 3 and (officially at least) clocked memory above 2400 MHz. A step above 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 (3.3/4.3/4.5GHz) has 44 PCIe lanes, Turbo Boost Max 3, and support for 2666MHz memory. All three of these processors have a thermal pack of 140 watts.

At the top of the new lineup are processors with a 165W TDP and 12, 14, 16, or 18 cores (twice as many threads), for which Intel is not yet ready to announce operating frequencies, in contrast to prices starting at $1,199. It is known that the “most-most” 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 designed for them supports Optane non-volatile memory, which can act both as a “RAM” and for data storage. It can connect up to three PCIe or NVMe SSDs, 8 SATA devices, and 10 Gen 1 USB 3.1 devices. 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 have made a lot of noise this spring, Intel is not going to give up positions yet and still prices its chips more expensive. So, 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 combination of motherboard + processor with In any case, Intel technologies will cost more than a similar solution from AMD. At the same time, AMD has no answer to the 18-core Intel Core i9 Extreme yet - the company has yet to achieve such a performance scaling of Zen cores.

Hello!. I want to ask you for advice.

So my problem. I can’t choose a processor in any way, but this is the most important component among or. After all, it is precisely by one processor that you can determine a modern and productive computer you have or an old one, suitable only for working in office applications.

When buying a computer, the first thing the seller always asks is: "What tasks do you need a computer for?"

Second: "How much do you expect?"

Third: "Which processor do you choose?"

Then, depending on the named purposes of using the computer and the indicated amount, as well as the selected processor, the seller will select the motherboard and all other components.

That's it with the choice of processor, I can not decide in any way? Why? I will answer you. Despite the large amount of RAM (8GB) and a good video card, on the previous computer I bought, all the games that were relevant at that time ran without problems, but the FPS was always low and video processing in Adobe Premiere Pro took much longer than that of my friend who has a similar computer, but only with a processor from another manufacturer.

In the end, I concluded that it was all because of the processor!

I am ready to allocate the necessary amount for the purchase of a processor, but I don’t want to overpay either. There is a great desire to choose exactly the processor that I need. I use my computer to the fullest, I can play, as well as digitize videos, burn discs, communicate on the Internet, and so on.

I hope on your site to learn not only how to choose a processor, but also how to choose a motherboard, RAM, video card, hard drive, power supply, case and monitor!

In the meantime, your answers to the questions below would be very helpful to me!

1. Which processor manufacturer came before Intel or AMD?
2. Why are Intel processors always more expensive, is it just because of the Intel brand? Could it be that Intel processors are exactly the same quality and performance as AMD and we are simply overpaying for the Intel name?
3. When should you buy only an Intel processor? And when can you afford to save money and buy an AMD processor?
4. If I eventually choose Intel, is it worth spending money on a branded 4-core Intel Core i7 processor, maybe limited to Intel Core i5 or a completely 2-core Intel Core 2 Duo processor?
5. And if I choose an AMD processor, then which model should I pay attention to: the very expensive AMD FX-9590 or just the high-performance 8-core AMD FX-8350 processor?
6. Why do I have low FPS in computer games (the number of frames changed per unit of time), what does it depend on at all?
7. What is better AMD FX-8350 or Intel Core i7-3770K?
8. What is the difference between processors with a "K" at the end and processors without this letter, such as the Intel Core i7-3770K and the Intel Core i7-3770?
9. Which processor would you choose yourself and please indicate approximate prices for current processor models?

How to choose a processor

Hello friends, Alexey is with you again! There are many questions, but I can handle it, though the article will be long, but also interesting. After reading it, you will know everything about processors!

In fact, when assembling a computer, usually, first of all, the processor is selected and then everything else is under it.

Choosing a processor is one of the easiest tasks in determining the future configuration of a computer. Here, the decisive factor is often the amount that we are willing to spend on it, or high technical characteristics if the processor is planned to be used for professional or highly specialized activities.

This article can be used as a guide to choosing a processor for a new computer, or to upgrade an old one.

general information

I do not want to go into history and talk about how processors have evolved, suffice it to say that processors are the highest modern achievement. They are produced in only a few factories in the world that have truly space technology. Therefore, the processor is one of the most reliable components of the system today.

It so happened historically that the entire market for central processing units (CPUs) for personal computers was divided between two large corporations, well-known to everyone: Intel and AMD.

Who is the leader of Intel or AMD?

Bilateral Licensing

In 1968, three outstanding physicists Gordon Moore, Andrew Grove, Robert Noyce founded the world-famous INTegrated Electronics Corporation in the future, we all know it as INTEL.

It is INTEL that is a recognized pioneer in the field of technologies that are included today in the modern lines of all processors. This is often the subject of controversy among supporters of a particular company. They say that Intel is better, while AMD is cheaper with a sometimes insignificant gap in performance.

Perhaps not everyone knows, but Intel and AMD have had a formal agreement on free bilateral licensing since 1976. This means that each of the companies can use any technology developed by a competitor without obtaining any additional license for this. And this has always been used by AMD, which cannot be said about such a proud bird as Intel.

As a result, almost all technologies developed by Intel exist on AMD processors, otherwise they simply would not be able to support modern applications, the developers of which are primarily focused on the architecture of Intel processors.

Note: Many users will find this strange. Why would Intel share development secrets with AMD. Friends, do not forget that both companies are located in the United States, and there is antitrust law there, in addition, both Intel and AMD are official suppliers of their products to the US Army.

What are the processors

Appearance

Externally, the central processor looks like a monolithic metal case covering a board with a so-called crystal (a piece of silicon with microscopic electronic elements) and a large number of contact legs (or pads) on the other side.

Intel processor (has modern pads)

AMD processor (with classic legs)

Let's not get into the jungle of the processor microarchitecture, such as exclusive and inclusive cache, branch prediction block, data prefetch block, etc. I will tell you only about the most important characteristics of processors that distinguish them and are of the greatest importance to us.

What is the difference between Intel and AMD processors or how to choose a processor and not regret it later!

First of all, Intel and AMD processors differ in the length of the so-called computational pipeline, which determines the main differences in the directions of their use.

Note: Pipelining is a method of organizing calculations that is used in modern processors to improve their performance. http://en.wikipedia.org

Intel processors have historically been targeted at the industrial sector, which is often dominated by streaming information processing operations, i.e. when the data comes in a large continuous stream. Classical examples of streaming information processing can be video encoding and archiving of large amounts of data. Therefore, Intel processors have a sufficiently long pipeline, which allows processing more information in one pass and, accordingly, doing it faster.

AMD processors have seriously declared themselves in the market when computer systems went to the masses and were initially positioned as multimedia (game) processors, which emphasizes the name own technology 3DNow!

AMD processors have a shorter processing pipeline compared to Intel processors, which makes them a little less efficient at processing streaming data, as less information is processed in one pass, but this does not prevent them from doing excellent work, for example, with computer games, in which the data cannot be predicted in advance, since it depends on the actions of the user and therefore is transmitted in small portions, which are quickly processed on a short AMD processor pipeline.

This leads to a simple conclusion.

If you plan to constantly deal with video processing or creating archives and the processing time is critical for you, then there is only one way out - an Intel processor. If you are a simple home user or you need a computer for your office, then you can significantly save your budget by purchasing an AMD processor, which will just as well cope with its tasks, but will cost $ 100 less ...

Many fans of AMD processors may notice:"Well, just like that, all AMD processors are only suitable for the office!"

Of course not friends! If we take the most current modern 4- and 8-core processors from AMD, for example, AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz / 8 cores / 8 + 8Mb / 125W / 5200 MHz Socket AM3 CPU (price 6,500 rubles), then you can do absolutely everything, play all modern games, process videos, and so on, but according to various tests, this processor will lose about 10-15% in performance to a similar 4-core processor from Intel, for example, this Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5 GHz (price 11,000 rubles).

I want to say that if you are a gamer, then Intel processors are what you need. In almost all modern games, computers with Intel processors will give out 30% more FPS (frames per second) compared to AMD counterparts. If you are engaged in video processing, then again you have to look towards Intel for the same reason.

I will even say the only advantage of AMD processors over Intel processors it's a lower cost. A modern AMD processor will cost less than an Intel processor by about $100. Agree, that kind of money is also not lying on the road.

AMD must be given credit for its fighting spirit, with such a serious opponent as Intel, the company never gives up! Understanding that it loses in technology, AMD is trying to win with pricing.

The most modern processor from AMD - FX-9590

It is not some kind of special achievement, this processor is the same FX-8350 processor, but only overclocked by the manufacturer to a frequency of 4.7 GHz and in a 5.0 GHz turbo mode, which also has excessive power consumption and heat dissipation . Again, if we cite the results of various tests, then this processor has no advantage over the Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5 GHz and Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz, but the AMD FX-9590 (price 12,000 rubles) is a little more expensive than the mentioned I have processors from Intel. In addition, I forgot to tell you that with modern games, the AMD FX-9590 processor is seriously heated, and this is not surprising with such an increase in supply voltage and frequency, and you will have to buy a serious cooling system, and this is still money.

How do you choose a processor? In my opinion, the most reasonable choice for a computer addict who can play games, digitize videos, archive various data, chat on the Internet and so on, at the moment is the Intel Core i7-3770 3.4 GHz processor. The absence of the letter "K" at the end indicates that this processor has a locked multiplier, that is, you cannot overclock it, but I want to say that even without overclocking, this processor works like an airplane, I don’t know where to overclock it, and you will save 1,000 rubles. It already has a fairly reasonable price of 10,000 rubles. This processor is the "Editor's Choice" of many computer publications, and in general it has long established itself on the good side.

Want a processor from intel, but Core i7 is too expensive for you?

20% percent, that is, not many Intel Core i7-3770 processors are inferior in power to the younger brother Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4 GHz (price 8,000 rubles). It turns out that this is a direct competitor to the AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz processor we have already reviewed (price is 6,500 rubles). The Intel Core i5-3570K processor is in no way inferior to it, but the price, as we can see, is again a little more expensive than that of the AMD processor.

If you are an enthusiast and a fan of overclocking the processor having squeezed exorbitant frequencies out of it, pay attention to the Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5 GHz and Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz processors (price 12,000 rubles) with an unlocked multiplier. For example, the Intel Core i7-4770K processor can be overclocked to 4.5 GHz.

What else good processors from Intel! They have an integrated graphics core, that is, an integrated video card. If you bought a computer with an Intel processor, then you may not buy an expensive video card for a while. Of course, you won’t play the latest games with it, but you can play games that are two or three years old, but for office tasks, such a video card will go with a large margin.

If you want to know the prices for modern processors, go to the end of the article, there is a price list for an average computer store. Having familiarized yourself with it, you will go to the computer store already prepared and will know the approximate alignment.

How else do processors differ from each other?

Friends, what we have just discussed with you is a bit superficial. After all, except for the manufacturer (Intel and AMD), processors differ from each other in the number of cores, frequency, cache, socket, the presence of a video core or its absence, energy consumption and heat generation, and much more. Let's look at this issue in more detail, I'm sure this secret knowledge will be useful to you.

Main characteristics of processors

All processors, regardless of manufacturer, differ in such basic indicators as the number of cores, core frequency, cache size, support for various RAM frequencies. So, first things first.

An increase in the number of processing cores most strongly affects the performance of the processor, and, accordingly, the price too. A modern computer should have at least a 2-core processor, and preferably a 4-core one. Options with 6, 8 or more cores can be considered as a long-term acquisition.

Also, the performance of the processor directly depends on the frequency of the core. Today, the normal frequency of a modern processor is considered to be from 3 to 4 GHz. The higher the core frequency, the higher the performance, but also the higher the power consumption, temperature, requirements for the motherboard, power supply, and the price itself.

Processor cache

Cache size also affects processor performance, but not to the same extent as multi-core or core frequency. Also, this impact will differ from application to application. In some program, the increase can be 15%, in some 5 ... But this just affects the price significantly, because cache memory, being incredibly fast (an order of magnitude faster than RAM), is also very expensive ...

There are 3 levels of processor cache.

L1 cache. The 1st cache level has the highest speed, but also the smallest size of 64 KB per core. It contains the basic instructions (algorithms) necessary for the operation of the processor and is usually not emphasized.

L2 cache. The 3rd cache level is slower than the 2nd, and is not available in all processors. Processors positioned as powerful multimedia processors have about 3-6 MB of shared L3 cache (for all cores). Top expensive processors can have 8 MB or more total L3 cache.

And finally, the memory controllers built into the processor determine how fast the RAM it can support (1333, 1600, 2000 MHz). In this regard, Intel processors often overtook the clumsy AMD. But the gain in real applications, as well as with cache memory, may not always be noticeable. The amount of RAM has always played a big role here. If there is enough RAM, the computer works fine, if not, it slows down. That's the whole science) Information about what memory the processor supports can be found on the manufacturer's website. It is also necessary that the motherboard supports the same frequency.

Additional processor specifications

Other, but also important differences between the processors are the process technology, power consumption, temperature regime work.

Such characteristics as power consumption and temperature mode of operation are very dependent on the technology of the manufacturing process of the processor. As it improved, processors became faster, cooler and more economical at the same time. This miracle of technological progress has no negative sides - the thinner the technical process, the better. What does this even mean? In the process of improving production technologies, it is possible to make microscopic transistors that make up computing cores, capacitors that make up the cache and conductors between them of smaller and smaller sizes. As a result, many more of these elements can be placed on a piece of silicon of the same size, which allows for increased performance, at the same time, the conductors heat up less and consume less energy, since they also become thinner and their resistance has become lower. That's all physics friends)

To date, the most modern processors are manufactured using the 22 nm (nanomicron) process technology, which should be strived for.

Processor power consumption depends on the number of cores, their frequency and the technological process. Here it must be borne in mind that a powerful processor cannot be put on the cheapest motherboard and powered by the same power supply. Since they were not originally designed for such a load and can quickly fail. The power consumption of modern processors ranges from 65-125 watts, indicated on their packaging and on the manufacturer's website. Similar data is indicated in the documentation and on the websites of motherboards. For information on how to choose the right power supply, read the previous article.

Temperature regime equates to the maximum power consumption of the processor and is characterized by such an indicator as the maximum temperature package "Thermal Design Power" or "TDP". For modern processors, it is also 65-125 watts. Here you need to take into account that for a processor with a TDP of 65 watts, the simplest and cheapest cooler is enough, with a TDP of 100 watts, a more powerful cooler is needed, preferably with 2-4 heat pipes, with a TDP of 125 watts - a cooler with 4 heat pipes or more. A cooler literally translated from English is a cooler, which is usually an aluminum, sometimes with a copper base, radiator with a fan attached to it to remove heat from the processor. The most progressive models have a design with so-called heat pipes, which, on the one hand, are in close contact with the processor, and on the other, with the fins of the heatsink blown by the fan. Usually, a processor comes with a cooler that is clearly designed for it, but there are processors on sale without a cooler, so it is advisable to have this information.

The photo shows a cooler with heat pipes.

Please note that when installing or replacing the processor, you will need thermal paste, which is applied in a thin layer to the processor before installing the cooler. It is necessary for better heat transfer, otherwise the processor will overheat. If the processor is new and comes with a cooler, then thermal paste will already be applied to it.

Processor sockets

The processor socket or as it is also called Socket (slot) is the junction of the processor and the motherboard. Processor sockets for each manufacturer and processor line are different and they are marked either by the number of pins in the socket or by the marking of the processor line.

Technological process at present time is running very quickly, processors change, processor sockets change. Well, what can I say ... If you are building a new computer, do not use motherboards and processors with obsolete connectors, because if you have problems or want to improve these components in a year or two, it will be difficult for you to find a replacement for them.

Intel Pentium - an old line of 1- and 2-core processors, with average performance, suitable for an office computer

Intel Core 2 Duo - the old line of 2 and 4 core processors, with high performance, suitable for replacement on older computers

Modern Intel processors

Intel Core i3 - the youngest, most affordable line of 2-core Intel processors

Intel Core i5 - medium, fairly productive line of processors, has both 4-core and some 2-core models

Intel Core i7 - the older, high-performance line of 4 and 6 core processors

More detailed marking of these processors mainly depends on their frequency and cache size.

All processors of the Core series have an integrated video core, i.e. do not require additional installation of a video card in the computer. This can be a beneficial solution if the PC will be used primarily for non-gaming purposes. But we must pay tribute to Intel engineers, who made it an order of magnitude more powerful than previous solutions that were integrated on motherboards. Such a built-in video core easily pulls such games of bygone years as Half Life 2 or Underground.

3. If the processor is not listed as compatible, you can still try by updating the BIOS first and agreeing with the seller to return it if it does not work. Or give the system manager to the seller, let him try to deliver it himself. The only requirement here is that the processor fits into the allowable thermal package (TDP) of the motherboard, otherwise it may not withstand (burn out).

I once watched one of my clients burn through the motherboard due to the installation of an overly powerful processor on a weak motherboard!

4. If the processor is gluttonous enough, you may need a more powerful and reliable power supply. Also, do not forget about a cooler and thermal paste sufficient for cooling.

Wish you good choice and good mood! And if something doesn't work the first time, don't forget that there are things in life that are more important than a processor, such as a video card)

Approximate prices middle lane Russia

Processor for computer, or as it is also called the CPU, is its “brain”, that is, the most important and expensive device that performs all the basic calculations. Currently, there are two main players in the computer processor market - Intel and AMD. Therefore, if you are assembling your PC from scratch, then you immediately need to decide which company and which model you will use and, taking this into account, select other components for it. If you choose it to replace the old one, then you need to carefully read the characteristics of the motherboard and, taking into account its features, choose exactly the processor model for the computer that it supports. How to find out which one? Read more about this.

What to look for when choosing a processor for a computer?

So, the first thing to do when choosing a new processor for an already assembled system block Ask yourself a few basic questions:

• What is the motherboard socket for installing a processor on it?
• What processor frequency does the mother support?
• The same for RAM
• Does the motherboard support the integrated video core?

The most reliable way to answer them is to read the characteristics of the respective components in their instructions yourself, but you can simplify this matter and go to one of the websites of online stores where you can find your board and memory and see the list of supported processors, which is often automatically generated for each model.

For example, I use the site nix.ru. Here you can not only see the main supported characteristics for the CPU, but also choose the devices themselves from those available for sale.

Processor specifications for a computer

Let's now take a closer look at what distinguishing features characterize modern processors for a computer and how they differ. Let me start by listing the main ones:

• Number of Cores
• Clock frequency
• Multiplication factor
• System bus
• Memory controller
• video core
• socket
• Heat dissipation power

Number of Cores

One of the main indicators is the number of processor cores. The time of single-core computer processors is gone forever, so when choosing a processor for a modern computer, start from those that have at least two cores - that is, blocks for processing data that are independent of each other.

In theory, the more cores, the more simultaneous processes can be processed, and therefore higher performance. However, there is a caveat - the maximum return on working with such a number of cores will be achieved only if the software installed on the computer is designed to work with a similar number of cores. And as you understand, not a single modern user software is designed for this - the manufacturer always focuses on mass demand, and today these are 2 cores. That is, the remaining 6 are simply not needed.

There is also no point in buying a fancy multi-core processor with a “groundwork for the future”, since all other hardware (including the socket on the motherboard) by the time such a number of cores becomes the norm will simply become obsolete and you will not be able to either use…

Clock frequency

The clock speed is measured in hertz (Hz) and characterizes the number of operations that the CPU can simultaneously perform in a certain period of time. The higher the clock frequency, the more powerful the processor, but this value distinguishes processors within the same series from each other. For example, an Intel Core i5 3.5 GHz processor is faster than an Intel Core i5 3.0 GHz processor, but no faster than an Intel Core i7.

To increase performance, modern processors also know how to increase or decrease the frequency if necessary. Intel calls this technology Turbo Boost, while AMD calls it Turbo Core. Here it should also be said about such a concept as the multiplication factor. If it is unlocked, then the user has the opportunity to independently change the clock frequency, that is, overclock the processor.

The unlocked ratio is present on high-end processors designed for high-performance gaming computers, which are assembled by users and finely sharpened to suit their needs.

However, when overclocking, users often do not take into account one nuance. When increasing the multiplier coefficient (Ratio), only the frequency of the processor core itself (Core) increases, and the frequency of the data bus (QPI) remains at the same level, and since performance depends on the slowest component, it essentially does not increase.

The calculation formula is: Core = QPI X Ratio.

If QPI=100 and Ratio=34, then the core frequency will be 3400 MHz.

For effective overclocking, it is necessary to increase not only the multiplier, but also the clock frequency of the QPI system bus.

System bus

So we come to another characteristic of the CPU, like the frequency of the data bus, or the system bus. It is responsible for the exchange of information between the cores and between the processor and other computer components. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigatransfers per second (GT/s).

socket

In addition, a huge number of models differ from each other in the connector with which they are joined to the motherboard. Processors from the same series may be designed for installation on different sockets.

Memory

The built-in memory controller is responsible for what type of RAM, at what frequency and how many channels are supported during operation. The more channels, the better the performance, but two channels are enough for office or home use.

We spoke in detail about the type and frequency in - memory modules, as well as memory slots on the motherboard, must be selected precisely so that the type and frequency are supported by the selected processor.

These days, processors also have built-in high-speed memory, which is a kind of clipboard between it and RAM and stores the most frequently used data in the current work. It is called the processor cache and is divided into three levels. In the detailed characteristics on the website of stores, we can often see the following information:

• L1 cache- 64 KB x4
• L2 cache- 256 KB x4
• L3 cache— 6 MB

The first two are of little interest to us, since they characterize the general architecture of processors of one line, but the last one can just characterize one or another model and distinguish it from others. In fact, this is the most important parameter that shows the speed of the CPU.

The scheme is as follows - the computer processor first of all requests data for processing precisely from its high-speed cache memory. If it has a small amount and the necessary information is not there, then there is an appeal to the RAM, which in any way is much slower, and therefore the processing takes longer.

If the cache is large, then more data can be stored there and there is a higher probability that the necessary information for processing will be stored there, and not in RAM.

The larger the level 3 cache, the better!

video core

The integrated video core (GPU) of the processor for the computer is also present in most modern models and allows you to work with the monitor without additional installation of a separate video card, that is, in fact, it is an analogue of a video card integrated into the system board. To use this feature, the processor must be supported.

The integrated video core has its own operating frequency, which determines its performance, and which is called by each company in its own way: Intel HD Graphics and AMD Radeon HD. For watching movies and simple work with graphics, it is quite enough, but for resource-intensive games, you still have to buy and install a separate video card.

According to the characteristics of the video core of Intel processors, they are divided into the following categories:

• Intel HD Graphics 1000 - poor performance
• Intel HD Graphics 2000 - medium
• Intel HD Graphics 3000 - high

Compared to individual video cards, the video core of the 3000 series is comparable to a low-end card.

Heat dissipation

Heat dissipation power(TPD) - an indicator that you need to focus on when choosing a power supply for a computer and a cooling system for the processor itself. It is measured in Watts (W). For normal operation at maximum load, it is necessary to allocate a value for the processor in the power supply that is twice the TPD value.

Equipment

Finally, the processor can be sold both separately and as a set with a cooling system (cooler). With such a configuration, the characteristics of the processor indicate that it is supplied in the form of " BOX“, i.e. in a fan box. If you are building a medium-sized home computer, then it should be enough.

For powerful gaming PCs, it is better to purchase a separate processor and a better and more powerful fan separately. It is also likely that this cooler will not be able to adjust the rotation speed and it will be noisier than a more expensive one purchased separately.

What is the best processor for home or gaming?

When choosing a processor, you must first decide what type of computer you are building - the easiest for the office, medium performance for general use, or powerful gaming. In accordance with this, first choose a series of processors from one of the manufacturers, and then a specific model. Within the same line, they differ most often in frequency, number of cores and cache. Also consider for which socket it is made - it is better to take for the latest standards connectors with an eye to further upgrade or maintainability.

Intel processors for computer

• atom- for compact PCs of mini ATX form factor.
• Celeron Dual Core- the simplest and cheapest for working with office documents or as a media server. They have 1 or 2 cores.
• Pentium Dual Core- also dual-core budget processors for mid-range home computers, slightly more powerful than Celeron.
• Core i3- dual-core mid-range processors. Ideal for simple home computer, on which it is planned not only to work with documents and watch videos, but also to work in graphic editors and play simple games.
• Core i5- 2x and 4x high-performance core processors, which are already suitable for resource-intensive games. The most versatile and suitable option home for a combination of price and performance.
• Core i7— powerful high-performance processors for performance of any tasks. They have 4 or 6 cores. It makes sense to take this series only for avid gamers for modern toys with maximum graphic settings, since the i5 can handle most tasks easier.
• Extreme Edition- the most powerful and expensive processors in the premium segment.
• xeon- line for servers.

In addition, the name of the Intel processor may contain some letters indicating their additional characteristics:

• S- performance optimized processor
• T– optimized power consumption
• TO- with an unlocked multiplier to increase the frequency of work
• M- for laptop
• X- the most productive processor in the series

Additional technologies

• Hyper Threading- allows you to execute two threads of calculations in parallel on one core. That is, when checking the operation of a dual-core processor with special software (when the Hyper / Multi Threading function is activated in the BIOS), you will see two real cores and two more virtual ones. With a slight increase in the cost of a processor equipped with this mode, it gives a significant performance boost.
• turbo boost- automatic increase in the clock frequency of the processor as needed to perform complex operations. This mode is absolutely safe and you don't have to worry about overheating of the processor, which can happen during manual overclocking - when the temperature rises, the processor will automatically lower the frequency to an acceptable value.

AMD processors for computer

• Sempron- entry level for low-performance office PCs, has 1 core.
• A-Series- budget processors of a level above the initial one. The line has many models with different numbers of cores. They also have a built-in Radeon XD 6xxx video core - due to all this, you can choose the optimal configuration for a simple office or home computer.
• Athlon II- 2, 3 or 4-core processors of sufficiently high power, which, depending on the number of cores, can be adapted to perform different tasks.
• Phenom II- also a fairly wide range with up to 6 cores, which allows you to assemble a computer with medium to high performance.
• FX- the most powerful processors for gaming PCs, from 4 to 8 cores. They have an unlocked multiplier and Turbo Core mode for independent manual or automatic overclocking of the processor.

Processor comparison

Let's sum up a little. So, if you set out to assemble a computer yourself, then the choice of processor depends on what you plan to do on the computer.

• Low-cost office or home PC: Intel Celeron Dual Core, Pentium Dual Core with LGA 1155 socket or AMD A-series with FM1 socket
• Mainframe: Intel Core i3 with socket LGA 1155, AMD Athlon II or Phenom II with 2-4 cores with socket AM3
• Gaming PC: Intel Core i5 with socket LGA 1155, AMD Phenom II with 4-6 cores with socket AM3
• Ultimate PC: Intel Core i7 with socket LGA 1155 or AMD FX with socket AM3+

And now the eternal question - Intel or AMD?

Let's pay attention to how the processors themselves are made by these manufacturers, namely, the distance between the transistors inside the CPU. The smaller this distance, that is, the closer they are, the faster the speed of data exchange between them, and hence the processor. It also lowers the heating temperature.

For modern Intel processors, this distance is 22 nanometers, for AMD - 32. This is why AMD processors get so hot and require a good cooling system (as a result of which stock fans are constantly noisy), while Intel does not attract even the most sophisticated Core i7 at all. no attention, as if the computer was turned off altogether - draw your own conclusions ...

To consolidate your knowledge, watch three videos - on the topic of choosing a processor for a computer, about the history of their development, and about how to install it on a motherboard. See you in the next article! Till!

If you don't have time to study the benchmarks, or if you need help choosing the right processor for your gaming machine, a simple list of the best processors for gaming will come in handy.

The first quarter of 2017 saw two major desktop updates. First, Intel released the seventh generation of Core processors, known as Kaby Lake, which use an advanced 14nm process technology. The optimization of the technical process allowed to achieve a small increase in frequency compared to the microarchitecture of the previous sixth generation Skylake.

AMD then made its biggest processor release in five years with the introduction of the Ryzen 7 family. new design cores, but also a new process technology (14nm GlobalFoundries) with technologies based on FinFET.

In our processor guide, we look at specific segments and budgets and present you with the best selection of processors available.

Don't forget to save extra money with the cashback service, which returns 5% to 10% of the purchase price.

Recommended processors for gaming in 2017
AMD	Segment	INTEL
	Premium gaming / VR
	Fast gaming / VR
	Good gaming
	Cheap gaming
	Hybrid / eSport	–

Premium gaming processor / VR

The leader is . It boasts top performance and high frequency. Kaby Lake on its own doesn't offer much more than Skylake did. But the Core i7-7700K's four cores with a base frequency of 4.2GHz and a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.5GHz are great for gaming. In addition, additional architecture headroom and an unlocked multiplier enable overclocking to 5GHz. And this, today, best performance for VR. Plus a good cooler and a decent motherboard, the i7-7700K should provide a premium gaming system for years to come.

If you want to experience AMD then the latter is a good option. It doesn't quite match the single-thread performance of an Intel processor, but offers twice as many threads, which may be more important as games get more complex. A good 1700 processor can also overclock to 4.0 GHz, saving money on a more expensive . As an added benefit, the 1700 price also includes an AMD Wraith Spire cooler suitable for high ambient temperatures and RGB lighting.

Fast gaming processor / VR

For users who are looking for a better price, let's move to another segment of the processor market, which can retain a significant part of the expected performance, and save a significant amount of money. These processors won't give you maximum frame rates, but the money saved can be used to buy a more powerful graphics card.

For this segment from Intel, the choice is made in favor of . It provides four full cores at 3.4GHz, turbo up to 3.8GHz, and has 6MB of L3 cache included. In the absence of Hyper-Threading technology, each thread gets full use of all major resources, reducing potential bottlenecks.

Could be another option, but the difference in frequency (400 MHz in base, 300 MHz in turbo mode) is in favor of the i5-7500. Core i5 will easily run the most powerful graphics cards on the market, only the most demanding games at maximum settings can work a little under pressure.

As for AMD, the Ryzen 5 1600X is the better choice. is a six-core processor with Hyper-Threading technology, giving a full twelve threads, and runs at the same frequencies as its older brother 1800X, namely 3.6 GHz / 4.0 GHz. Based on performance/price projections, this processor is ahead of any other AMD offerings and should be highly competitive with low-end Intel Core i5s in single-thread performance.

Good gaming processor

For users looking to build a computer under $1000 or something more conservative around $700, here are our recommendations. In this segment, the CPUs will squeeze out almost the maximum performance with a single graphics card at high resolutions and medium settings. However, esports games with these processors will work just as well.

Starting again with Intel and suggesting . This is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading technology, clocked at 3.9 GHz. At this rate, it climbs up the single-thread performance ratings, well in line with the more expensive overclockable Core i7 and Core i5 processors. For Direct X9, Direct X10 and Direct X11 games where single thread performance helps drive a good GPU, the i3-7100 delivers best-in-class results.

In this segment, AMD has something to play with. At this level of performance, AMD's strength is price, as FX processors are sold at low prices, for example, and a cheap AM3 motherboard can be purchased for very little. The FX can't compete in single-thread performance with Intel, but with three modules and six threads, it does a good job of multitasking while gaming, like watching videos on a second monitor or streaming esports.

cheap gaming cpu

For those who have limited budget, i.e. trying to get a decent gaming system between $300 and $500 is a must, we'll have to look at entry-level processors. Such processors are often paired with cards such as the RX 460 or a used GTX 700 series card, a standard hard drive, a small amount of memory, and a case with an integrated power supply. The base level of performance in such systems is small, so you can play either indie games or games that are already a few years old.

Let's start with Intel again, and to be honest, they recently launched something unexpected for this market segment. is essentially a Core i3, only with a different name, given that it has two cores and four threads, but a slightly reduced L3 cache. The G4560, priced at $55 and clocked at 3.5GHz, is a dual-core Kaby Lake processor that's only 900MHz slower than the top Core i7 and less than a fifth of its price. Previous Pentium processors didn't have Hyper-Threading technology, but this one does.

The Intel Pentium is hard to beat in many ways, AMD doesn't have much of an answer. The closest competitor we can come up with until we see what price Ryzen 3 comes with is 3.7GHz. This is one of AMD's APUs with a disabled graphics subsystem and a proprietary silent cooler for processors up to 100W. Though latest version, called Excavator, performs well in the context of AMD's APU lineup, but there are still significant performance hits of up to 40% that Intel can use to their advantage. The potential benefit in this case is the ability to buy a cheaper motherboard.

Hybrid processors/ eSport

Not many users like integrated graphics because graphics cards like the RX460 are relatively cheap and usually outperform what's on offer. However, almost all major processors come with integrated graphics for those who want to invest now in a good processor and later buy a graphics card, or have limited space in a small package, or to work with features such as QuickSync or OpenCL.

The champion among embedded GPUs is . Technically, Intel has better devices in Broadwell-based eDRAM processors, but they are 3 times more expensive and hard to find due to the limited release. Thus, the AMD A10-7890K is at the top of this segment, offering a level of performance close to the RX460, which is quite suitable for esports games such as League of Legends, DOTA2, CS:GO or Rocket League at very decent settings.

Users who need to save a few more dollars off the A10-7890K can watch instead. This APU takes a small step back in performance, but it's one of the latest A10 devices to be released, fully aimed at PC builders trying to get a good option according to the performance/price criterion.