Best CPU 2023: Our top rated processors

The Intel Core i9-13900K is the most powerful desktop processor we’ve reviewed yet, as it blasted its way to the top of all of our benchmark tests, for both content creation and gaming.

With 24 cores and 32 threads, this chip is able to sail through demanding workloads, making it a great option for professional creators such as video editors. It also led the way in our gaming benchmarks, making it the obvious choice for those who want the fastest performance possible.

Based on the latest Raptor Lake architecture from Intel, this processor not only has cutting-edge performance, but also supports both DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 to ensure you can upgrade your PC with the latest RAM and SSDs.

With so much power, you will need a high-end cooling system and PSU in order to get this processor running at an optimal performance. But if you’re not willing to compromise on performance, the Intel Core i9-13900K is the best CPU you can buy.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full review: Intel Core i9-13900K Review

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is our top recommended processor from AMD. It’s not quite the fastest, beaten by the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, but we believe it represents the best balance of performance and affordability. The Ryzen 7000 Series runs on AMD’s new Zen 4 architecture that not only brings a performance boost, but also support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, enabling you to upgrade to the latest and greatest RAM and SSDs.

AMD claims the Ryzen 9 7900X has a max boost clock speed of 5.6GHz. The only part that seemingly hasn’t been upgraded is the amount of cores and threads from the previous gen – there’s still 12 cores and 24 threads.

Those specs didn’t seem to hold back multi-core performance though. In Cinebench R23, a program which simulates CPU-heavy and intensive tasks such as rendering, AMD’s latest flagship chip managed to beat off Intel’s last generation Alder Lake chip (the i9-12900K) by some margin. The AMD chip has since been taken over by the Intel Core i9-13900K in terms of performance, but the Ryzen 9 7900X consumes considerably less power under stress, making it the more efficient option.

In testing, the Ryzen 9 7900X offered outstanding performance for both gaming and intense creative workloads. If you want even more speed, then AMD also offers the Ryzen 9 7950X which packs more cores, while the Intel Core i9-13900K tops the charts for all of our benchmark tests.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X review

If you want the cream of the Team Red crop, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU is the one for you. This chip is really all about power, so ideal for those with a well-cooled system who are looking to truly get the most out of their setup.

The combination of 16 cores and 32 threads makes for excellent multi-core results, comfortably coming out on top in our Geekbench 5 test against AMD’s current best as well as Intel’s Core i9-13900K. For single-core, it comes up slightly short compared to Intel’s top CPU but still provides top-tier performance.

Multi-core work is really where this chip shines but it’s no slouch in gaming. Cheaper CPUs do offer comparable gaming performance, so there’s value elsewhere if gaming is your priority, but the Ryzen 9 7950X offers a more complete package.

That package is kept up to speed with contemporary standards, with support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 also onboard. If you’re loyal to AMD and want the fastest speeds available, the Ryzen 9 7950X is for you.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X review

As you’d expect, this cheaper AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU doesn’t reach the heights of the Ryzen 9 7950X but it offers good bang-for-you-buck in the mid-range.

The new Zen 4 architecture equates to a solid jump in performance compared to the previous generation, with a new and improved single core power standing out the most. You’ll find a base clock speed of 4.5GHz, along with a boosted 5.4GHz. For multi-core workloads, the 8 cores and 16 threads do a decent job, but aren’t as standout impressive.

This is very much a modern chip too, offering support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, enabling you to enhance your build across the board with the latest and greatest components.

The full AMD Ryzen 7 7700X performance picture is a strong one, especially in gaming. Our testing showed comparable power in games to the more expensive AMD Ryzen 9 7900X. If you’re only interested in gaming, then there really isn’t much point in investing in a more powerful processor given the minor gains.

The Ryzen 7 7700X is a CPU that’s a great all-rounder at a reasonable price, offering powerful single-core performance, impressive gaming capabilities and satisfactory multi-core results.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X review

Intel’s Core i5 line has consistently been the chips we tend to recommend to most buyers. This is because they typically offer the best value for money, providing a competitive performance and price. Following our latest string of benchmark tests, this remains the case with the Intel Core i5-12600K, which is the CPU we’d recommend to most people.

The chip’s based on the slightly outdated Alder Lake architecture, but it still offers future-proofed DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support, letting you enjoy truly next-generation performance and loading speeds. With the newer Raptor Lake generation available, you can find better performance elsewhere, but we still think this processor offers outstanding value, especially when discounted.

But what truly blew us away during testing is quite how good it is at gaming. Running big name titles, like Horizon Zero Dawn, Borderlands 3 and Total War: Warhammer 2, the i5 managed to offer radically better speeds than its predecessor.

The Intel Core i5-12600K also delivered one of the lowest peak power consumption of all the recent processors we’ve tested, meaning you won’t need an uber-expensive, high-capacity PSU to get it running smoothly. As a result, this is a very cost-effective option.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Intel Core i5-12600K review

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X offers the benefits of the Zen 4 CPU architecture at an affordable price, supporting both DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, enabling you to make use of the speediest RAM and SSDs. As these new Ryzen 7000 CPUs work with a new socket, AM5, you will also need to purchase a new motherboard. It will be expensive, but once you’ve made the initial outlay, you’ll be futureproofed for a number of years.

The Ryzen 5 7600X shines at gaming performance. In testing, it beat off a pair of formidable Intel Alder Lake processors, including the flagship i9-12900K. This is all thanks to the high frequency speeds, hitting a peak of 5.3GHz without overclocking.

While this chip may excel with its price-to-performance ratio for gaming, the same unfortunately can’t be said for its multi-core performance for tasks such as rendering. This is evident when taking a look at the results for Cinebench R23. In this benchmark, the 7600X’s result put it behind Intel 12th gen options (Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core i5-12600K).

In more general computing benchmarks such as PCMark 10 though, the 7600X performed very well, which suggests it’s a great cheap for general computing and gaming, although we suggest looking elsewhere for high-end content creation.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X review