The world of the greatest processors is once more alive with new, thunderous competition between AMD and Intel. That is because AMD has managed to control the industry using its Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, and it looks like that can last with Ryzen 3rd Generation. Intel has reacted with 9th-Generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips such as the beastly Core i9-9900K. Thus, there's never been a better time to pick up one of the greatest processors.

That's because there are all sorts of processors floating about out there. From budget superstars such as the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G into HEDT chips such as Intel's Basin Falls Refresh lineup -- there's something for everybody. And, of course, there are dozens of processors in the center, like our existing number one pick, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X.

You can not throw a rock without hitting a few of the greatest processors at this time, so locating the best one is not as simple as you might think. Luckily, even when the most up-to-date and best silicon is out of your reach, there are still lots of fantastic Kaby Lake and Ryzen Gen 1 chips out there. So, get ready to experience excellent PC performance, as we will cover all the finest processors we have reviewed over the past year or so.

Best CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

AMD’s victory lap

Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base clock: 3.7GHz | Boost clock: 4.3GHz | L3 cache: 16MB | TDP: 105W

For the longest time, AMD has fallen behind Intel. Fortunately, those days are finished with the Ryzen 2700X. This time around AMD brings the first 12nm processors and the performance to back this up, demolishing Intel when it comes to price-to-performance. In case you're looking for a few of the greatest processors that'll provide you excellent performance without breaking an arm and a leg, then you can not do much better than the Ryzen 7 2700X.

Good price for AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

Best high-end CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K

Raw power

Cores: 8 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 5.0GHz | L3 cache: 16MB | TDP: 95W

The continuing warfare of AMD vs Intel continues to be warming up like mad during the past couple of years, and Intel has come back with a powerful Coffee Lake Refresh swing, even at the Intel Core i9-9900K. Packing eight cores and 16 threads, it's more cores than some other mainstream processor that Intel has released. As well as the performance shows that it is well worth it it could go head to head with a number of AMD's Ryzen Threadripper processors. In case you're looking for raw performance, the Intel Core i9-9900K is easily one of the greatest processors it's possible to go for.

Good price for Intel Core i9-9900K

Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9900K

Best mid-range CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

Top performance on a budget

Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4.32GHz | L3 cache: 16MB | TDP: 95W

In case you're looking for a few of the top processors for content production, but are on a budget, look no further than the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X. Together with 6 cores and 12 threads along with a foundation clock of 3.6GHz, you are getting far better performance compared to the pricier Intel Core i5-8600K -- using a gorgeous RGB CPU cooler included. Sure, the gaming performance within the blue group is marginal at best, but if you start multi-tasking -- and that does not always have 100 chrome tabs available -- the value starts to show itself.

Good price for AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

Best Entry Level CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

Integrated graphics on a budget

Cores: 4 | Threads: 4 | Base clock: 3.5GHz | Boost clock: 3.7GHz | L3 cache: 4MB | TDP: 65W

If you are looking to put together a gaming PC on the tightest budget, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G may take you a long way. Though it does not feature the hyperthreading capacity of its predecessor, the Ryzen 3 1200, the introduction of integrated graphics causes this APU one of the least expensive ways to experience casual PC gaming. We're able to play with Overwatch in 4K Ultra-HD resolutions in 'Epic' settings.

Good price for AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

Best gaming CPU: Intel Core i5-8600K

All you need for gaming

Cores: 6 | Threads: 6 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4.30GHz | L3 cache: 9MB | TDP: 95W

If you are building one of the greatest gaming PCs, and you also do not really care about producing articles or streaming, the processor you are going to need to listen to is the Intel Core i5-8600K. It may not have as many cores as its AMD Ryzen counterparts, but that does not matter, gaming is chiefly about that single-threaded performance. With this processor, you will have the ability to run all the latest games without needing to worry about bottlenecking your own GPU -- just do not be surprised when creating and encoding video takes more times.

Good price for Intel Core i5-8600K

Read the full review: Intel Core i5-8600K

Best VR CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X

Ryzen to the occasion and VR-ready to rumble

Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4GHz | L3 cache: 16MB | TDP: 95W

Originally the principal contest for the Intel Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X still stands up now, although it's been succeeded by the Ryzen 7 2800X. Its high core count, even compared to the Intel Core i7 7700K implies that it is far better suited to VR workloads, and that it has dropped significantly in cost, it is more affordable than previously. If you are building a VR rig, then do yourself a favor: save cash without giving up on an excessive amount of performance with the Ryzen 7 1800X.

Good price for AMD Ryzen 7 1800X

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X

Best video editing CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X

Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4.3GHz | L3 cache: 11MB | TDP: 140W

The naming convention is perplexing, provided that the Intel Core i7-7820X is a part of Intel's"Skylake-X" series rather than the X-class chips built on the 14nm Kaby Lake node, however semantics matter very little once you get to go hands-on having an Intel CPU minding this several cores. Even though the fact that you are going to require a new motherboard to use this octa-core monster may be enough to scare some users off to Ryzen, Intel loyalists Do not obey the update.

Good price for Intel Core i7-7820X

Read the full review: Intel Core i7-7820X

Best performance processor: Intel Core i9-9980XE

There’s a new king in town

Cores: 18 | Threads: 36 | Base clock: 3.0GHz | Boost clock: 4.4GHz | L3 cache: 24.75MB | TDP: 165W

If you are the type of user that needs world-class performance, and you could not care less about price, the Intel Core i9-9980XE is the ideal processor for you. Together with 18-cores and 36-threads, it surely destroys everything else available on the industry at this time, if only barely. Multi-threaded applications and workstation-class projects are going to snap by with this processor. But should you have to inquire just how much it charges more than formerly, it may not be for you.

Good price for Intel Core i9-9980XE

Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE

Best budget CPU: Intel Pentium G4560

Intel Core i3 power at a Pentium price tag

Cores: 2 | Threads: 4 | Base clock: 3.5GHz | L3 cache: 3MB | TDP: 54W

If you elect for the Intel Pentium G4560 above a Core i3 processor, you won't actually see the small reduction of performance -- you will be too busy counting all the money you saved. Since the first Pentium processor in a very long time to feature hyper-threading, the G4560 shows us exactly what low-end CPUs have been missing for so long. And, in benchmarks it proves that it is readily adjacent to the more expensive Intel Core i3-7100.

Good price for Intel Pentium G4560

Read the full review: Intel Pentium G4560

Best HTPC CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G

Ryzen and Vega finally meet

Cores: 4 | Threads: 8 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 3.9GHz | L2 cache: 2MB

One of the only things that we were left wanting when AMD's Ryzen processors awakened is that they did not support integrated graphics. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 2400G affects everything for mainstream PC users. With remarkable AMD Vega graphics, it is a fantastic APU that can be ideal for anybody looking to build a home theater PC. And, now that AMD has slashed the price which you may get your 4K activity on more economical than ever.

Good price for AMD Ryzen 5 2400G

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G

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