Choosing the perfect CPU for your gaming rig in 2025 doesn’t need to be a struggle. As we dive into our annual roundup of the best processors, we’ve focused on what truly matters to gamers: real-world performance, value for money and how these chips handle everything from the latest AAA titles to content creation.
Whether you’re looking to build a new system or planning an upgrade, today’s CPU market offers exciting options at every price point. We’ve carefully evaluated each processor based on gaming performance, power efficiency and a range of other tests to help you make an informed decision from all the chips we’ve reviewed over the past year. From budget-conscious builders to performance enthusiasts, our recommendations reflect the diverse needs of our gaming community, ensuring you’ll find the perfect CPU to power your next gaming adventure.
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
When AMD launched its Zen 5 CPUs, there was a lot to like about their performance and efficiency. However, in gaming, they lagged behind the Zen 4-based 7800X3D. Thankfully, for anyone who has been holding out for the Zen 5 X3D chip, it is finally here with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and it’s an impressive offering. AMD claims significant performance boosts for gaming, and after extensive testing, we have to agree. The AMD 9800X3D CPU is hands down the best gaming CPU we have ever tested, and the improvements make it an absolute monster for any kind of gaming.
While the synthetic benchmarks aligned with the chip’s specs, it is the gaming performance that truly stands out. Starting with Cyberpunk 2077, the results are incredibly impressive. So much so that we double-checked our findings across multiple tests. Even after that, Cyberpunk delivered a staggering 249.74 FPS at the default ultra settings, placing it well above all other AMD Zen 5 CPUs by a wide margin. It also managed to outperform all Intel chips, scoring over 17 percent higher than even the i9-14900K.
For anyone on the fence about upgrading their PC, the Zen 5-based AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the new king of gaming. AMD has taken what CGM loved about the Zen 5 range and added a 3D V-Cache. The results speak for themselves. If you’re looking for a new CPU for your gaming PC, there’s no better option than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It delivers some of the best gaming results we’ve seen to date, and even compared to other Zen 5 CPUs with more raw power, it still stands on its own. If you were waiting to upgrade from the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the time is now—there’s simply no better choice than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
- The world’s fastest gaming processor, built on AMD ‘Zen5’ technology and Next Gen 3D V-Cache.
- 8 cores and 16 threads, delivering +~16% IPC uplift and great power efficiency
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Intel has been playing catch-up in recent years. While most of its CPU launches have been solid, the company has lost some of the spark people associate with the chip giant. Intel aims to change that with its latest range of chips, Arrow Lake, and if the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU is any indication, they may have rediscovered their magic. The 200S series processors mark a significant milestone in the company’s pursuit of efficiency and performance, offering a much more efficient chip that brings many features found in laptop CPUs to the desktop. With integrated Intel Xe graphics, improved power management, and AI features, these new chips are poised to shake up the desktop computing landscape.
In our testing, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K performed well, though not spectacularly. The key takeaway here is that this new generation from Intel is not designed to be the most powerful but instead focuses on efficiency and performance per watt. While it may not be the most exciting narrative, Intel demonstrated a much lower power draw during our benchmarks compared to its previous generation and even appeared relatively efficient when compared to AMD’s latest 9000 series—an already efficient lineup of chips.
When all is said and done, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, and the 200S series in general, feels like a major step forward for Intel, positioning it well for the future of computing. Much like AMD’s 9000 series, the ability to deliver solid results while being more efficient is a great approach to the next evolution in computing. The inclusion of the NPU and Xe graphics directly on the desktop CPU will benefit a variety of computing tasks, many of which are still emerging.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor. Featuring Intel technology optimized for enthusiast gamers and serious creators and help deliver high performance.
- 36MB Level 3 cache. Provides fast access to heavily used data and instructions.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
I was impressed with the first batch of Zen 5 CPUs, as the new 4nm process showed its potential even in the mid-range models. Now, with the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X CPU finally in hand, things are getting even more interesting. Set to launch on August 15, 2024, this powerhouse processor represents the pinnacle of AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, featuring impressive specs and a clear intent to challenge Intel’s top CPUs. While performance is about more than just specs, the Ryzen 9 9950X is shaping up to be a compelling option for high-end PC builders and a significant step forward with AMD’s new architecture.
Even from the preliminary tests, it is clear that the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is a very capable processor. AMD is taking advantage of the new 4nm process to deliver comparable performance to that of Intel’s 14th generation of chips while keeping power consumption down. With this in mind, it is worth jumping into some gaming to see if the power that the new CPU offers results in noticeably impressive performance when gaming and if this CPU should be the choice for your next top-end gaming rig.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X truly cements itself as a formidable contender in the high-end CPU market. It offers a compelling blend of raw power, efficiency, and forward-looking features that make it an attractive choice for both gamers and content creators. The impressive gains in multi-core performance and energy efficiency, coupled with robust gaming benchmarks, highlight AMD’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with the Zen 5 architecture.
9 9950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
- The best for creators meets the best for gamers, can deliver ultra-fast 100+ FPS performance in the world’s most popular games
- 16 Cores and 32 processing threads, based on AMD “Zen 5” architecture
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X leads the charge in the new 9000 Series, offering a powerful and efficient CPU option for gamers and creators. The AMD Ryzen 9000 Series Desktop CPU features a mix of innovation, refinement and efficiency to provide a superior gaming and content creation option. Built from the ground up on the new AMD Zen 5 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 9000 series aims to offer more powerful processing capabilities while maintaining a power-efficient design. This has several implications for AI workloads and sheer processing capabilities.
Priced as a budget-friendly option for PC enthusiasts, the Ryzen 5 9600x feels like the backbone of AMD’s new lineup. While it might not be comparable to the new Ryzen 9900x and Ryzen 9 9950x, which AMD is also launching, the Ryzen 5 still manages to present some impressive numbers and even manages to go toe to toe with the Ryzen 7 9700x in some cases. It is the workhorse of the 9000 series lineup, offering consistent performance no matter the setting.
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600x CPU is the baseline CPU for the new 9000 series. While on paper, it struggles to compete with comparable Intel CPUs in multi-core processing, real-world testing reveals that it’s a solid CPU that can handle any productivity, content creation, or gaming task you can throw its way. At $279.99, the Ryzen 5 9600x is a solid solution for enthusiasts wanting a solid CPU at a budget-friendly price point.
5 9600X 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
- Pure gaming performance with smooth 100+ FPS in the world’s most popular games
- 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, based on AMD “Zen 5” architecture