Revealed: The Best Gaming Processors of 2025

Experts have highlighted the best gaming processors of the moment. AMD has strengthened its position, while Intel remains competitive, despite past challenges.

High-End Gaming Champion: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

With increased cache and overclocking support, the 9800X3D delivers up to 20% more FPS in AAA titles compared to its competitors. Interestingly, its predecessor, the 7800X3D, is still a great option for those seeking a balance between price and power.

Budget Gem: Intel Core i5-13400F

Despite last year's voltage issues, Intel has bounced back with a fix, making the 13400F a hit among budget-conscious gamers. This chip offers stability in gaming and multitasking, outperforming AMD's alternatives in its price range.

Sweet Spot: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

This processor sets a new standard for energy efficiency, maintaining high FPS at 1440p with a 30% lower TDP. It's the go-to choice for a "no-compromise" PC build—quiet, powerful, and without the need for expensive cooling solutions.

Multitasking Beast: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

For streamers and content creators, the 9950X is an unmatched powerhouse. Its 16 cores excel in rendering and 4K encoding, outperforming even the Core i9-14900K. However, it falls short in gaming compared to the 9800X3D, emphasizing its niche specialization.

Upgrade for Older Systems: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D

Owners of AM4 platforms will appreciate the 5700X3D as the best choice for this socket. It even revitalizes the GTX 1080 Ti, delivering 60+ FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 on high settings. It's a rare case of old hardware getting a new lease on life.

APU Innovator: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G

With its integrated Radeon 780M graphics, the 8700G allows for 1080p gaming without a dedicated GPU. While competitors with RDNA 4 architecture promise more, the 8700G is a solid interim solution for those waiting for GPU prices to drop. It’s powerful enough to handle the latest titles with ease.

2025 marks a turning point: AMD has taken the lead in flagship performance, while Intel has shifted its focus to the budget segment, making the CPU race more exciting than ever.