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Compare two processors

Pick any two processors to see which is faster for gaming and by how much.

How to compare processors for gaming

For gaming, the gaming index matters more than the core count. We rate processors against the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is 100, based on how they handle games at 1080p where the processor is the limit. Large cache chips, such as the AMD X3D line, score far above their core count suggests because games are sensitive to cache.

Cores and threads come second. Six good cores are enough for almost every game today, eight is the comfortable choice, and more than that mostly helps video editing, streaming while you play, and heavy multitasking. Four cores is where new games start to stutter.

Boost clock, power draw and socket are the practical details. The socket decides which motherboards fit and whether you can upgrade later without changing the board. Power draw decides the cooler you need.

When a processor upgrade is worth it

A new processor helps most when your graphics card is already strong and your games are running at 1080p or on a high refresh rate monitor. At 4K the graphics card is almost always the limit, and a faster processor adds very little. The bottleneck calculator shows which side limits your own pairing.

Check the socket before you buy. A chip that uses the same socket as your current one is a drop-in upgrade. A different socket means a new motherboard and often new memory too, which changes the cost a lot.

Popular comparisons

These are the pairs people ask about most: AMD against Intel at the same price, one generation against the next, and the budget picks that sit next to each other. For any other pair, use the two boxes above.

Questions

Do more cores make a processor better for gaming?

Only up to a point. Most games use six to eight cores well. Beyond that, extra cores help with video editing, streaming and running many programs, but they add little to frame rate. Cache size and single-core speed matter more for games.

Why do X3D processors score so high?

AMD's X3D chips carry a large extra cache on the die. Games make many small memory requests, and a big cache answers more of them without going to main memory. That raises frame rates, especially at 1080p, without needing more cores.

Is AMD or Intel better for gaming?

It changes with each generation. Use the gaming index and the price rather than the brand. Also look at the platform: AMD sockets have tended to last longer, which makes later upgrades cheaper, while Intel boards often give more choice at launch.

Will a faster processor give me more fps?

Only if the processor is what limits your game now. If your graphics card is already the slower part, a faster processor changes little. The bottleneck calculator shows which part limits you.