Processor chart

Which processor is better for games? Each bar shows how strong a processor is for gaming. A longer bar means a stronger processor. Processors with the same bar play games about the same.

1. ProcessorStrength for gamesGames on high
2. Core i9-14900K Intel, 2023 LGA 1700 100%
3. Core Ultra 9 285K Intel, 2024 LGA 1851 100%
4. Core i9-13900K Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 100%
5. Core i7-14700K Intel, 2023 LGA 1700 100%
6. Core Ultra 7 265K Intel, 2024 LGA 1851 100%
7. Core i7-13700K Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 100%
8. Core i9-12900K Intel, 2021 LGA 1700 100%
9. Core Ultra 5 245K Intel, 2024 LGA 1851 100%
10. Core i5-14400F Intel, 2024 LGA 1700 100%
11. Core i5-14600K Intel, 2023 LGA 1700 100%
12. Core i7-12700K Intel, 2021 LGA 1700 100%
13. Core i5-13400F Intel, 2023 LGA 1700 100%
14. Core i5-13600K Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 100%
15. Core i3-14100F Intel, 2024 LGA 1700 100%
16. Core i5-12400 Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 100%
17. Core i5-12400F Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 100%
18. Core i5-12600K Intel, 2021 LGA 1700 100%
19. Core i9-11900K Intel, 2021 LGA 1200 100%
20. Core i3-13100F Intel, 2023 LGA 1700 99%
21. Core i7-11700K Intel, 2021 LGA 1200 99%
22. Core i9-10900K Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 99%
23. Core i3-12100F Intel, 2022 LGA 1700 98%
24. Core i7-10700 Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 98%
25. Core i7-10700K Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 98%
26. Core i5-11400F Intel, 2021 LGA 1200 98%
27. Core i9-9900K Intel, 2018 LGA 1151 v2 98%
28. Core i7-9700K Intel, 2018 LGA 1151 v2 96%
29. Core i5-10400 Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 96%
30. Core i5-10400F Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 96%
31. Core i5-10600K Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 96%
32. Core i7-8700 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 v2 95%
33. Core i7-8700K Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 v2 95%
34. Core i5-9400F Intel, 2019 LGA 1151 v2 95%
35. Core i5-9600K Intel, 2018 LGA 1151 v2 95%
36. Core i3-10100 Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 92%
37. Core i3-10100F Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 92%
38. Core i5-8500 Intel, 2018 LGA 1151 v2 92%
39. Core i5-8400 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 v2 92%
40. Core i5-8600K Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 v2 92%
41. Core i3-9100F Intel, 2019 LGA 1151 v2 87%
42. Core i7-7700 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 87%
43. Core i7-7700K Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 87%
44. Core i3-8100 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 v2 81%
45. Core i7-6700 Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 81%
46. Core i7-6700K Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 81%
47. Core i5-7400 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 80%
48. Core i5-7500 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 80%
49. Core i5-7600K Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 80%
50. Core i5-6400 Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 76%
51. Core i5-6500 Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 76%
52. Core i5-6600K Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 76%
53. Core i7-4790 Intel, 2014 LGA 1150 76%
54. Core i7-4790K Intel, 2014 LGA 1150 76%
55. Core i7-4770 Intel, 2013 LGA 1150 76%
56. Core i7-3770 Intel, 2012 LGA 1155 73%
57. Core i7-3770K Intel, 2012 LGA 1155 73%
58. Core i3-7100 Intel, 2017 LGA 1151 70%
59. Core i5-4460 Intel, 2014 LGA 1150 70%
60. Core i5-4590 Intel, 2014 LGA 1150 70%
61. Core i5-4690K Intel, 2014 LGA 1150 70%
62. Core i5-4570 Intel, 2013 LGA 1150 70%
63. Core i7-2600 Intel, 2011 LGA 1155 70%
64. Core i7-2600K Intel, 2011 LGA 1155 70%
65. Pentium Gold G6400 Intel, 2020 LGA 1200 67%
66. Core i3-6100 Intel, 2015 LGA 1151 67%
67. Core i5-3470 Intel, 2012 LGA 1155 67%
68. Core i5-3570K Intel, 2012 LGA 1155 67%
69. Core i5-2400 Intel, 2011 LGA 1155 57%
70. Core i5-2500K Intel, 2011 LGA 1155 57%
71. Core i3-4170 Intel, 2015 LGA 1150 57%
72. Core i3-4130 Intel, 2013 LGA 1150 57%
73. Core i3-3220 Intel, 2012 LGA 1155 47%
74. Core 2 Quad Q6600 Intel, 2007 LGA 775 45%
75. Core i3-2100 Intel, 2011 LGA 1155 43%

"% of games on high" is how many of the 2,086 games in our list that name a recommended processor ask for one no stronger than this (with the same small leeway Test my PC gives, because makers often name a close chip). The graphics card and memory count too, and usually matter more: Test my PC checks all three.

How to read processor names

• Ryzen 3, 5, 7 and 9 (AMD) and Core i3, i5, i7 and i9 (Intel) are the levels. 3 is basic, 5 is the everyday gaming choice, 7 and 9 are top end.
• The first number of the model is the age. A Ryzen 5 5600 is newer than a Ryzen 5 3600. An Intel i5-12400 is a 12th generation chip, newer than an i5-10400.
• A newer, lower level can beat an older, higher one. On this chart a Ryzen 3 3100 sits above a Ryzen 5 3400G, and a Core i3-12100F above a Core i7-8700K.
• G on a Ryzen means it has graphics built in. Handy without a graphics card, but the older G chips (like the 3400G) are a step behind the same-number chips without the G.
• The socket (AM4, AM5, LGA 1700 and so on) is the shape of the slot on the motherboard. A processor only fits a motherboard with the same socket, so swapping to one with a different socket means a new motherboard too. AM5 and LGA 1851 boards take only the newer DDR5 memory. Even on the same socket, an older motherboard may need a BIOS update first: ask us if you are not sure.
• X3D chips have extra memory on the chip, which helps games a lot. Read more in our X3D processors guide.
• K (Intel) and X (AMD) are a little faster. F (Intel) means no built-in graphics, so you need a graphics card.

This is our own scale, the same one we use to check every game on this site. Treat it as a rough guide: for games, the processor matters less than the graphics card, and processors one step apart play games about the same. Not sure? Ask us and we will tell you straight.

Comparing graphics cards too? See our graphics card chart. Or read AMD or Intel?