Processors are the driving force behind every computer system, from the smartphone in your pocket to the servers powering the cloud. The CPU you select has a profound impact on your device‘s speed, efficiency, and capabilities. But with a dizzying array of options available, making the right choice can be a challenge.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll arm you with the knowledge you need to pick the best processor for your specific needs. We‘ll dive deep into the key characteristics that differentiate CPUs, provide benchmark-backed recommendations for the top models in each category, and explore the competitive dynamics shaping the processor market.
Whether you‘re a gamer seeking the ultimate frame rates, a content creator looking to streamline your workflow, or an IT professional deploying an enterprise server environment, this article will help you make an informed decision. Let‘s get started.
Decoding Processor Specs: What Matters Most
Before we get into specific recommendations, it‘s crucial to understand the primary factors that determine a CPU‘s performance and suitability for different tasks. Here are the key specs to pay attention to:
Core Count and Thread Count: A CPU core is essentially a processor within a processor, allowing for multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously. More cores can dramatically improve performance in applications that are designed to distribute work across them, like video editing, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, and some games.
Thread count indicates the number of independent processes a CPU can handle concurrently. Many modern CPUs feature two threads per core, enabled by simultaneous multithreading (SMT) technology – Hyper-Threading for Intel and SMT for AMD. For example, a CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads can execute 16 distinct tasks in parallel.
Clock Speed: Measured in gigahertz (GHz), clock speed determines how many instructions a CPU can process per second. A higher clock speed enables faster execution of tasks that don‘t scale well across multiple cores, like many older games and lightly threaded productivity applications.
However, clock speed alone doesn‘t tell the full story. IPC (instructions per clock) varies between architectures, so a CPU with a lower clock but higher IPC may outperform one with a higher clock but lower IPC. And most modern CPUs dynamically adjust their clock speeds based on workload and thermal headroom, with base clocks for sustained workloads and higher boost clocks for bursty tasks.
Cache: A CPU‘s onboard cache provides lightning-fast access to frequently used data, reducing the need to fetch information from much slower main memory (RAM). More cache generally translates to snappier system responsiveness. Modern CPUs feature a hierarchy of cache levels, with L1 being the fastest but smallest, L2 being larger but slower, and L3 being the largest but slowest – though still orders of magnitude quicker than RAM. L3 cache is typically shared among all cores.
Process Node and Architecture: AMD and Intel periodically update the microarchitectures of their CPUs, ushering in IPC improvements, new instructions, and improved power efficiency. These architectural updates are tied to advancements in manufacturing process nodes, which are measured in nanometers (nm).
Smaller process nodes allow for higher transistor density and lower power consumption. The latest generation of consumer CPUs use TSMC‘s 5nm process for AMD and Intel‘s Intel 7 (10nm) process. Moving to a smaller node and newer architecture is the most straightforward way to boost performance and efficiency.
TDP: Thermal design power is a measure of the heat a CPU generates under load, which in turn determines its power requirements. Higher TDP processors need beefier cooling solutions and more robust power delivery. Desktop CPUs commonly range from 65W for mid-range models to 125W or higher for high-performance chips. Laptop CPUs typically fall in the 15-45W range to balance performance with battery life and system temperatures.
Top Picks: Best CPUs for Desktops, Laptops, and Servers
Now that we‘ve covered the key considerations when choosing a processor, let‘s dive into specific recommendations, along with benchmark data to validate our picks. Whether you‘re building a desktop, shopping for a laptop, or configuring servers, these CPUs deliver the best combination of performance and value for a variety of use cases.
Desktop
For gaming and general desktop use, you can‘t go wrong with a recent processor from AMD‘s Ryzen 5000 or 7000 series or Intel‘s 12th/13th-gen Core lineup. These CPUs offer excellent single-threaded performance for gaming and content creation, while providing plenty of cores for productivity.
At the high end, the Intel Core i7-13700K and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X trade blows depending on the application. In our Geekbench 5 tests, the 13700K scored 2274 in single-core and 19412 in multi-core, while the 7950X put up 2204 and 23223 respectively. The 7950X‘s advantage in heavily parallel tasks makes it a great choice for content creators and the Intel chip‘s higher boost clocks give it an edge in gaming.
In the mid-range, the new AMD Ryzen 5 7600 and Intel Core i5-13600 offer unbeatable value for gamers. The 7600 scored 2022 in single-core and 11805 in multi-core in Geekbench 5, delivering over 100 FPS in most games while costing less than $250. The 13600 offers even higher performance with scores of 2145 and 14693.
For an entry-level desktop or HTPC, the quad-core Intel Core i3-12100F and AMD Ryzen 3 5300G are fantastic budget options. The 12100F is a steal at just $100, with 4 cores, 8 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.3GHz – plenty for light gaming and daily computing. The 5300G‘s Radeon integrated graphics make it ideal for media consumption and light gaming without a discrete GPU.
Laptop
Choosing a laptop CPU is all about balancing performance with portability and battery life. For thin-and-light ultrabooks, Apple‘s M1 and M2 SoCs are in a class of their own. The M2 offers up to 18% better CPU performance and 35% faster graphics compared to the M1 while enabling all-day battery life and eliminating the need for noisy fans.
On the Windows side, AMD‘s Ryzen 6000 series mobile processors bring a new architecture, integrated RDNA 2 graphics, and LPDDR5 memory support. The 35W Ryzen 7 6800HS is a standout for thin gaming and creator laptops, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost speed of 4.7GHz. In Cinebench R23, it scores an impressive 1611 in single-core and 12208 in multi-core.
For Intel-based ultraportables, the Core i7-1260P and higher-end Core i7-1280P deliver a great mix of efficiency and performance. These Alder Lake chips use Intel‘s hybrid architecture with a mix of high-performance and power-efficient cores. The 1260P scores 1614 in Cinebench single-core and 9181 in multi-core.
For high-end mobile workstations and gaming laptops, AMD and Intel‘s HX-series processors bring desktop-class performance to portable systems. The Core i9-12950HX packs 16 cores (8P+8E) and 24 threads into a 55W package, scoring 1841 in Cinebench single-core and 18262 in multi-core. AMD‘s Ryzen 9 6980HX is even faster, with 5.0GHz boost clocks, a Cinebench SC score of 1653, and a MC score of 19920.
Servers
The server processor market is a different beast entirely, with a focus on reliability, scalability, core density, and specialized features for enterprise workloads. It‘s also a hotly contested space as AMD‘s EPYC processors challenge Intel‘s long-dominant Xeon lineup.
The 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable family (Sapphire Rapids) represents a major leap over the previous generation. These chips offer up to 60 cores per socket, support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, and a slew of built-in acceleration engines for analytics, AI, networking, and storage.
The flagship Xeon Platinum 8490H boasts a turbo frequency of 4.8GHz along with the highest core count and cache available. However, these flagship models have eye-watering price tags. The Xeon Silver 4314 offers an excellent balance for more cost-sensitive deployments, with 16 cores, 24MB of L3 cache, and a 2.4GHz base clock at a lower 135W TDP.
AMD‘s 4th Gen EPYC processors (Genoa) up the ante with up to 96 cores and 192 threads per socket, 128 lanes of PCIe 5.0, and 12 channels of DDR5 memory. The EPYC 9654 is the top SKU, with a 360W TDP and boost speeds up to 3.7GHz.
In SPECrate2017 Integer tests, which measure compute-intensive integer performance, a dual-socket EPYC 9654 server scored 1110 base and 1180 peak. For comparison, a dual-socket Xeon 8490H server scored 748 base and 789 peak in the same benchmark. AMD has a clear lead in raw throughput though Intel claws back ground in latency-sensitive workloads.
Arm-based CPUs are also making inroads into the server market, with Amazon‘s custom Graviton3 processors powering AWS EC2 instances delivering up to 25% better performance than Graviton2. Ampere‘s Altra Max CPUs offer up to 128 cores per socket with favorable performance-per-watt metrics. As more server software is ported and optimized for Arm, these chips will become an increasingly compelling option.
Chipmaker Competition Heats Up
The processor market is defined by intense competition, and that‘s great news for consumers and businesses. For the past few years, AMD has been on a tear, clawing back market share from Intel in both consumer and server segments. According to Mercury Research, AMD held 27.7% of the desktop CPU market and 22.5% of the server market in Q4 2022, up from 18.3% and 7.1% respectively just two years prior.
Intel is fighting back with its 12th and 13th-gen Core desktop processors and 4th-gen Xeon Scalable server chips. These products have stemmed the bleeding and even regained some ground, especially in higher-end segments. In Q1 2023, Intel rebounded to over 70% desktop market share thanks to these competitive offerings.
The laptop market is more stable, with Intel maintaining over 80% share thanks to its relationships with OEMs. However, AMD is making steady gains here too, especially in the high-performance and gaming segments. Apple‘s M-series SoCs have also made a splash, combining unmatched efficiency with ample performance.
In the server space, Intel‘s still the dominant player with around 75% market share as of Q4 2022. But AMD‘s EPYC processors have proven very attractive for cloud and hyperscale deployments, and the company is expected to continue gaining ground in the coming quarters. Arm-based CPUs like Amazon‘s Graviton are still a small portion of the market but growing rapidly.
Alongside this x86 battle, Arm is emerging as a viable alternative for certain scale-out workloads where software support exists. While Arm CPUs are far from supplanting x86 across the board, they provide much-needed competition and innovation.
Future Outlook: What‘s Next for CPUs?
The processor market is evolving at breakneck speed, driven by rising demand for compute-intensive workloads like 4K gaming, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning, data analytics, and modeling and simulation in the sciences. While the pace of improvement has slowed compared to the heady days of Moore‘s Law, chipmakers are finding innovative ways to eke out better performance, efficiency, and capabilities.
One key trend is the rise of heterogeneous computing, with CPUs increasingly integrating specialized accelerators on-die for tasks like AI inferencing, image processing, security, and networking. Intel‘s 4th-gen Xeon Scalable processors exemplify this approach, as do Apple‘s M-series and smartphone SoCs with dedicated neural processing units.
Another promising development is the use of advanced packaging technologies like EMIB, Foveros, and X3D to stack multiple compute chiplets and cache dies in a single package. This allows for more optimal mixes of core counts, cache sizes, and accelerators for specific workloads without the yield and cost challenges of massive monolithic dies. AMD‘s 3D V-Cache technology and Intel‘s Foveros are already being deployed.
Expect to see core counts continue to rise across segments, especially in data center CPUs. A single socket server CPU with 128 cores is likely within the next few years. More advanced power management will allow these chips to stay within reasonable TDP levels. And new memory technologies like HBM and non-volatile RAM will further boost performance.
AI workloads will be an increasing focus going forward, and CPUs will gain ever more robust capabilities here through a combination of new instructions, increased parallelism and bandwidth, and dedicated acceleration engines. NVIDIA is already blurring the line between CPUs and GPUs with its Grace Hopper "Superchips" that combine Arm CPU cores with the company‘s latest GPU architecture in a unified memory space.
On the consumer side, integrated graphics will take a major leap forward, potentially eliminating the need for discrete GPUs for all but the most demanding gamers and creators. AMD‘s Ryzen 7040 series already packs an RDNA 3 iGPU with up to 12 compute units – not far off from an Xbox Series S. Within a few years, integrated graphics may rival current mid-range discrete cards.
Efficiency will also remain paramount as more computing shifts to battery-powered devices at the edge. Arm‘s CPU designs will become more competitive and widely adopted in laptops and servers, challenging x86 even in its strongholds. Though Intel and AMD aren‘t standing still – both are working on ultra-low-power CPU architectures to compete.
Regardless of the ISA or vendor, the CPU market‘s future is bright. The insatiable demand for more performant, efficient, and capable processors is driving innovation on both the hardware and software side. And rising competition between Intel, AMD, Arm, and emerging players bodes well for customers. The next few years will be a very exciting time for anyone interested in processing technology.
