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Shopper's guide: 7 best gaming CPUs for your gaming needs

Last Published on Mar 21, 2023 17:01 IST

Summary:

This article gives information about the best gaming CPUs in India, along with the best-value products and advice on selecting one suited for your needs.


With each new generation of CPUs, the title of best gaming CPU is one of the most fiercely fought in the market. Although getting a good graphics card for your gaming PC setup may be your main goal, a good CPU is just as crucial. The gaming CPU dictates everything from the efficiency of system memory to the SSDs housing your games function. Hence, even if you have a top-tier GPU, a subpar processor will cause your entire system to choke.

We've gathered a list of the Top 7 low price CPU for gaming, so you won't regret picking the wrong one for gaming. You can only choose an Intel or AMD CPU, but both firms frequently provide a wide range of high-quality alternatives. Keeping up might be challenging. More affordable CPUs that can handle regular gaming loads or speed demons that can be overclocked are available. There are several options of gaming processors for PC on the market that differ in terms of their style, quality, performance, and price range. This article will help you pick the one which best suits your needs, tastes, and budget by comparing them. Please be aware that we do not intend to disparage other brands or models with this list.

Product list

  1. Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor

The Intel Core i5 13600K is a powerful mid-range processor from Intel, and even with this more modestly priced Raptor Lake chip, you can anticipate a significant increase in core counts. This is ultimately the chip that the majority of gamers should prioritise for their future gaming PC since it is well-tuned to offer high frame rates. Six Hyper-Threaded Performance Cores (P-cores) and eight Efficient Cores (E-cores) make up the 14-core Core i5 13600K CPU, which has a total of 20 threads. That's four more E-cores than the Core i5 12600K(opens in new tab), the processor that came before it, so don't be deceived by the E-cores' small moniker and tiny silicon footprint. The retail price of a gaming PC in India is Rs. 46,500.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 6+8
  • Threads: 20
  • Base Clock: 3.9 GHz P-core, 2.6 GHz E-core
  • Boost Clock: 5.1 GHz P-core, 3.5 GHz E-core
  • L3 Cache: 24MB
  • TDP: 125W/181W (Max Turbo)
  • Price: Rs. 46,500
ProsCons
Has a great gaming performance like Core i9Gets heated quickly
Good efficiency, Value for money 

2. Intel Core i5-13400F Desktop Processor

Core i5 is the best value gaming CPU. For the price, the Core i5 boasts outstanding specifications. Six Performance Cores (P-cores) and four Efficient Cores (E-cores) make up the Intel Core i5 13400F, which has a total of 16 threads. Its fastest cores will operate at speeds of up to 4.6GHz right out of the box, which wouldn't have appeared out of place on a Core i7 machine just a few years ago. In Total War: Three Kingdoms, Metro Exodus, and F1 2021, the Core i5 13400F is only a few frames slower than the Core i9 13900K. This gaming pc setup price in India is Rs. 28,950.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 6+4
  • Threads: 16
  • Base Clock: 2.5 GHz P-core, 1.8 GHz E-core
  • Boost Clock: 4.6 GHz P-core, 3.3 GHz E-core
  • L3 Cache: 20MB
  • TDP: 65W/148W (Max Turbo)
  • Price: Rs. 28,950
ProsCons
Very good clock speed, Excellent gaming performanceMore power consumption than the 12th Gen model
Value for money product 

3. AMD 7000 Series Ryzen 7 7700X Desktop Processor

When your PC boasts the most cutting-edge gaming processor for pc in the world, you can concentrate on what truly matters: winning the virtual war. The AMD RyzenTM 7000 Series CPUs are a gaming powerhouse with high-performance "Zen 4" cores, whether you're playing the most recent games or going back to an old favourite. AMD Ryzen 7000 Series CPUs provide game-changing performance with up to 16 cores, 32 threads, peak speeds of up to 5.7GHz2, and up to 80MB of cache. The Ryzen 7 7700X gaming CPU has a 4.5GHz base speed and a 5.4GHz boost clock, whereas the new 7700 model without the X is only capable of 3.8GHz and 5.3GHz.

Specifications:

● Cores: 8

● Threads: 16

● Base Clock: 3.85 GHz

● Boost Clock: 5.3 GHz

● L3 Cache: 32MB

● TDP: 65W

● Price: Rs. 54,000

ProsCons
Very efficient, Can be unlocked for easy overclockingNot as good as Intel chips
Has a superb gaming performance 

4. Intel Core i9-13900K Processor

The Core i9 13900K from Intel is incredibly effective at pretty much everything it does. It can push the most recent GPUs at high frame rates. Having 24 cores, it is ideal for having several things going at once. This gaming CPU is quite effective at multitasking. This is the one if you want a tonne of quick threads to fire at imaginative programmes. The Core i9 13900K performs well when it comes to gaming too. This is the processor best for gaming. Many builders would desire one of these since it is the best of the best and is a powerful processor at a surprisingly affordable price, for the tasks it is able to accomplish.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 8+16
  • Threads: 32
  • Base Clock: 3 GHz P-core, 2.2 GHz E-core
  • Boost Clock: 5.8 GHz P-core, 4.3 GHz E-core
  • L3 Cache: 36MB
  • TDP: 125W/253W (Max Turbo)
  • Price: Rs. 82,350
ProsCons
Quickest in games, Very fast and responsive

Gets heated quickly

Strong multithreaded performanceExpensive

5. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor

This 3rd gen AMD Ryzen with RadeonVega 8 Graphics desktop processor is meant for serious high-definition gaming. It is fine tuned for AAA gaming. This is a powerful gaming CPU with uncompromising features and smooth performance for every gamer. This ryzen processor, under 10000 with discount, comes with a high-performance cooler, 4 Cores & 4 Threads, base clock of 3.6GHz, max boost clock of up to 4GHz, 6MB cache, TDP of 65W. It comes with 3 years brand warranty.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 4
  • Threads: 4
  • Base Clock: 3.6 GHz
  • Boost Clock: 4 GHz
  • L3 Cache: 6MB
  • TDP: 65W
  • Price: Rs. 13,500
ProsCons
Fine-tuned for AAA gamingLimited capability
Value for money product, AMD Wrath Spire cooler included 

6. AMD Ryzen 5 3500 Desktop Processor

This recently released AMD Ryzen 3rd generation gaming CPU has a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.1 GHz. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, maximum DDR4 3200MHz memory support, and 19MB of cache (3MB L2 + 16MB L3). The processor is suitable for AM4 Socket Motherboards. However, this low-price CPU for gaming requires a graphics card for display and to support this CPU, the user should update the BIOS on their motherboard. This is a highly affordable gaming pc under 20000.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 6
  • Threads: 6
  • Base Clock: 3.6 GHz P-core
  • Boost Clock: 4.1 GHz P-core
  • L3 Cache: 16MB
  • TDP: 65W
  • Price: Rs. 19,000
ProsCons
Comes with AMD Wraith Stealth CoolerNot meant for multi-tasking
Highly affordable 

7. Intel Core i5-9400F Processor

The Intel Core i5-9400F gaming CPU with 9M Cache and up to 4.10 GHz boost clock speed, is from the ninth generation. This pc under 20000 is highly affordable and has a memory of 128 GB ‎DDR4 SDRAM and this processor's base frequency is 2.90 GHz. The Intel Core i5-9400F Processor has a TDP of 65 W and Bus Speed of 8 GT/s.

Specifications:

  • Cores: 6
  • Threads: 6
  • Base Clock: 2.9 GHz
  • Boost Clock: 4.1 GHz
  • L3 Cache: 24MB
  • TDP: 65W
  • Price: Rs. 19,500
ProsCons
Pocket friendly, Good for gamingThe performance is not that great
Has a decent boost speed 

Three best features for consumers:

ProductFeature 1Feature 2Feature 3
Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop ProcessorHas a great gaming performance like Core i9Good efficiencyValue for money
Intel Core i5-13400F Desktop ProcessorExcellent gaming performanceVery good clock speedValue for money product
AMD 7000 Series Ryzen 7 7700X Desktop ProcessorVery efficientCan be unlocked for easy overclockingHas a superb gaming performance
Intel Core i9-13900K ProcessorQuickest in gamesStrong multithreaded performanceVery fast and responsive
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G ProcessorFine-tuned for AAA gamingValue for money productAMD Wrath Spire cooler included
AMD Ryzen 5 3500 Desktop ProcessorComes with AMD Wraith Stealth CoolerHighly affordableNot meant for multi-tasking
Intel Core i5-9400F ProcessorPocket friendlyHas a decent boost speedGood for gaming

Best overall product

Choosing the best item from this list of gaming CPUs is a daunting task. But if forced to choose only one, we'd think Intel Core i5 13600K is deserving of the title. It is a powerful mid-range processor from Intel. This is ultimately the chip that the majority of gamers should prioritise for their future gaming PC since it is well-tuned to offer high frame rates. Six Hyper-Threaded Performance Cores and eight Efficient Cores make up the 14-core Core i5 13600K CPU, which has a total of 20 threads.

Best value for money

With a suggested retail price of just Rs. 13,500, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor is affordable and loaded with features like 4 Cores & 4 Threads, base clock of 3.6GHz, max boost clock of up to 4GHz, 6MB cache, TDP of 65W. This 3rd gen AMD Ryzen with RadeonVega 8 Graphics desktop processor is meant for serious high-definition gaming. This is a powerful gaming CPU with uncompromising features and smooth performance for every gamer. This ryzen processor, under 10000 with discount, comes with a high-performance cooler.

How to find the perfect gaming CPU?

Choosing the sort of processor you wish to utilize is the first step in CPU shopping. You may choose from AMD's Ryzen 3, 5, 7, and 9 series and Intel's Core portfolio of i3, i5, i7, and i9 models. Because of the recent introduction of 13th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs, Intel now significantly outperforms AMD in terms of price versus performance, although they are still closely matched by Ryzen's new 7000 processors. Both have ample cores to power through games and the newest connectivity options including PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, and newer sockets. With relation to cores, the more the better is generally true. Essentially, instructions are conveyed to CPU cores, which then carry them out. You should strive for a Hexa core CPU or greater when it comes to gaming. You should have no trouble running the majority of games with six cores. For more processor-intensive applications, such as RTS games and management simulators, you might need additional cores. More AI components may be powered by a more powerful CPU, which can also aid increased frame rates.

The most crucial stage is to carefully examine every CPU model on the market based on the most recent features and specs that each model provides. Next, make sure to regularly read consumer reviews and grievances posted online on various platforms because criticism is the best enabler. To find bonafide reviews, watch videos on YouTube. Finally, make a choice to select the product that was primarily praised and had few complaints.

Best gaming CPU for your gaming needs

The generation of the CPU frequently determines the capabilities of the processor and chipset (i.e. 12th Gen, or 13th Gen). The supported features, such as I/O choices, network connectivity, and compatibility with the newest hardware, may vary depending on the CPU generation.

By giving the most recent CPU generation priority, you can be confident that your system will have access to all the newest features and hardware support.

The minimal system requirements for the games you wish to play should be met or exceeded. Demanding AAA PC games will perform better on a laptop or desktop with a faster gaming processor. 

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so ... we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Read more

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