Maybe there are graphics crises, but if you need a PC for now (even with integrated graphics) or you plan to update your current equipment; we have a guide that will make it easier for you to choose a processor.
Table of Contents
Before starting with the list
Remember that to have a good performance in gaming it is not enough to have a microprocessor of 1000 euros; This needs to be accompanied by a good graphic that, unfortunately today we do not recommend buying because of its high price. In fact, the purchase of the CPU is mainly linked to the target FPS rate and the processor requirements of the video games of your interest. Do you want a PC for titles like F1 2020, Resident Evil 3, Rainbow Six Siege and your monitor is 75 Hz or less? Well, look for options below 200 euros; even if you buy a high-end GPU in the future.
On the other hand, if yours are the latest open world and / or competitive games (FPS or any fast reaction online game) and you want to squeeze the 165, 240, 280 or even 360 Hz from your monitor; then chips from 300 euros and up is what you are looking for. Another very important factor: Do you currently have a Dedicated GPU? For those who answered yes, then the models with iGPU (termination F o KF at Intel and most AMD) are convenient for you because they are often a couple of euros cheaper.
In case you don't have any dGPU; opt for the mics that do have integrated graphics (i.e. Intel without K / KF termination and AMD with termination G o GE) or else you will have a PC that does not give video. As a last clarification; the world of technology is constantly changing: new SKUs come out, other SKUs are discontinued and Prices change so consider the publication date of this article and always look for the most up-to-date offers.
Low budget processors in 2021 (<€ 200):
- IIntel Core i3 10100F: For about 94 euros it allows you to play any title today. Just don't expect a spectacular FPS rate and stability; It is a 4-core and the standard imposed little by little will be the 8-core. The 10100 is a variant with identical performance, but with a functional iGPU; which makes it ideal for teams without a dGPU, just don't pay more than 130 euros for it.
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- Intel Core i5 10400F: Around 160 euros in the current market; it goes from having 4 cores to 6; so in many titles you will notice an improvement in fluency and in general it will last you more years. The same thing happens with the i3, of which there is the i5 10400 variant (which for the price was not included in this list).
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Honorable mentions, neither the best nor the worst:
- Intel Core i5 10600KF: Its current price is 179 euros, so it might seem like a good alternative. The problem is that the fact that you need a Z490 or Z590 motherboard and a good heatsink to harness its potential it raises the cost a lot, taking away everything interesting to this chip.
- Intel Core i5 11400: This is a new generation, and has a new gen price (€ 200); and does not have the associated expenses of the previously mentioned i5. They still are 40 euros more than the 10400F for 3% more FPS in the best case; which is why here at Hardwaresfera we recommend that you skip it.
Mid-budget CPUs (€ 200-300)
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: 287 euros is not cheap for a 6-core, but this is a 6-core that performs like the i7 and also; much more efficient Is it worth paying € 130 more compared to the 10400F? If high FPS is a priority for you; well yes. Otherwise, the i5 10400F is a bargain that pairs well with the 3060 ti even.
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- Intel Core i7 10700: For 280 you get these 8-core chips. The 10700 is one of the few mikes with iGPU that has not exploded in price, do not forget to unlock the power limits (although that requires a higher heatsink than standard)
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Honorable mentions:
- Intel Core i5 11600KF: For 230 euros it sounds tempting, but it suffers from the same problem as the 10600KF: the cost of the motherboard and heatsink puts it in a similar price range to the R5 5600X and 10700, but with a deficit of efficiency and performance in gaming.
High budget CPUs (300-450 €)
- Intel Core i9 10900F: 356 Euros gives you for this beast and its integrated heatsink, it is a 10 cores and like the 10700; it is very capable if you unlock the consumption limits.
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- Intel Core i9 10850K: It's another 10 cores, essentially a 10900K at a frequency ≈100 MHz lower; totally justified with a price much less. 400 euros to be precise. Combine it with 4000 MHz + RAM at low latencies and in several games you will see that it matches or exceeds the Ryzen 5000.
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- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: With a street price of € 415 it is also an option if you do not require an iGPU, like all ryzen 3000 and 5000 its advantage is efficiency, and despite having 2 cores less than Intel's competition, in multicore we usually see a performance similar or even superior.
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Honorable Mentions:
- IIntel Core i7 11700 / 11700K: With prices of 320 euros and 370 euros respectively, they are difficult to recommend. They lose multicore to any of the options above, and their gaming performance is just barely better than the previous generation. To say something good at least they are not as useless products as the 11900K.
Pocessors for PC enthusiasts in 2021 (450-800 €)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X: Around 540. Good choice for an RTX 3080/3080 ti / 6800 XT, although the 12 cores are only for the future, today they do not help much.
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- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X: The most expensive on this list (€ 820) and 5900X being identical in gaming. I only recommend it to anyone who is aiming for the 3090 / 6900XT, and / or wants a workstation as well.
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Honorable Mentions:
- Intel Core i9 10900K: Same story as the 10850K, with a lot of tuning it can outperform the Ryzen (and the 10850K too), except that it is not as affordable as the 10850K; It is typical in the high end, but we do not consider it a good buy for our readers.
And there you have it; 2021 gaming processors for all budgets. Remember to support using the links of Amazon.
