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Whether you're giving your old machine a facelift or building a brand new rig from scratch, getting the right processor is a big deal. It’s the brain of the whole operation, making your PC fast, smooth, and ready for whatever you throw at it. From your daily email grind to some serious gaming sessions, there’s a CPU in this lot that's spot on for the job.
Cores, threads, clock speed: these are the bits and bobs that really shape how a PC performs. You'll find a mixed bag here, from 4-core chips perfect for basic setups to 16-core behemoths built for multitasking, editing, and gaming.
Most of these CPUs also have seriously high base and boost clock speeds (up to 5.6 GHz on select models), giving you the grunt you need when things get intense. It doesn’t matter if you’re running heavy apps or juggling a dozen browser tabs.
Deciding between an Intel CPU and an AMD Ryzen is a classic head-scratcher. It all comes down to your setup and what you're mostly using your PC for. Intel chips tend to be absolute champs at single-core tasks like gaming and general day-to-day stuff.
AMD's newer chips (like Ryzen 5 or 7) offer cracking multi-core performance. A total godsend for creators, streamers, and anyone using demanding software. Both are brilliant options, and the ones here support the latest platforms like LGA 1700 and AM5.
If you're after the best processor for gaming, you'll want to look for models with higher core counts and clock speeds, like Intel Core i5, i7, i9 or AMD Ryzen 5, 7 or 9. They deliver silky smooth frame rates in blockbuster titles like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Cyberpunk. If you’re into a spot of video work or photo editing, there are options here with 12–16 threads, making them ideal for tricky tasks like rendering or multitasking without batting an eyelid.
Heat and noise are proper concerns for a lot of us, especially with our notoriously small spaces. Many of these chips run at a decent TDP (usually around 65–125 W), which means they won’t need a massive cooler or suddenly have your energy bill going through the roof. Some even come with built-in graphics. Perfect if you're not using a separate graphics card and just need it for everyday use or lighter workloads.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or making a long-term investment, you'll find some serious value in this range. Some of these models offer top-tier performance that can go toe-to-toe with more expensive options, making them a dead-cert for upgrading without overspending. They all support super-fast RAM (DDR4 or DDR5), PCIe 4.0 or 5.0, and are ready for the latest Windows 11 features.
Whether it’s your first build or you’re just swapping out an old chip, our team is more than happy to help. We'll run through the differences, sort out any compatibility questions, and make sure you get the performance you need without breaking the bank. Plus, with next-day delivery on most items, you can get stuck in and build your rig quicker than you think.
| Factor | Productivity (Office/Work) | Gaming | Content Creation/Streaming | General Use / Casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Count | 4–6 cores are usually enough | 6–8 cores for modern games | 8–16 cores for video editing, rendering, streaming | 2–4 cores is fine |
| Clock Speed (GHz) | 3.0 GHz or higher | 3.5 GHz+ with strong single-core performance | High base & boost speeds (multi-core scaling matters too) | 2.5 GHz+ is sufficient |
| Single-Core Performance | Important for smooth multitasking | Critical for FPS and latency | Helpful, but not as critical as core count | Not a big concern |
| Multi-Core Performance | Moderate need | Moderate to high (for newer game engines) | Very important (video editing, 3D rendering, streaming) | Low need |
| Integrated Graphics | Handy if no GPU needed | Not recommended (dedicated GPU preferred) | Optional, but dedicated GPU usually required | Useful for light use, saves cost |
| Power Efficiency (TDP) | Lower TDP (efficient for laptops/desktops) | Balanced TDP for performance & cooling | Higher TDP expected, requires strong cooling | Low TDP preferred |
| Cache Size | 6–12MB is sufficient | 16–32MB helps with smoother gameplay | 32MB+ ideal for large workloads | 4–8MB is fine |
| Overclocking Support | Not necessary | Nice to have for enthusiasts | Useful for render-heavy tasks if cooling allows | Not needed |
| Platform Longevity | Choose current-gen sockets like Intel LGA1700 or AMD AM5 for long-term support | Get newer sockets (Intel LGA1700 for 12th–14th Gen, or AMD AM5 for Ryzen 7000/8000) for future CPU upgrade paths | Opt for AMD AM5, which is projected to support multiple future Ryzen generations, while Intel may move beyond LGA1700 soon | Not a priority, older sockets (like Intel LGA1200 or AMD AM4) are fine for budget builds |
