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. Ryzen 7 5700X3D AMD, 2024 AM4 100%
3. Ryzen 7 5800X3D AMD, 2022 AM4 100%
4. Ryzen 9 5900X AMD, 2020 AM4 100%
5. Ryzen 9 5950X AMD, 2020 AM4 100%
6. Ryzen 7 5700X AMD, 2022 AM4 100%
7. Ryzen 7 5700G AMD, 2021 AM4 100%
8. Ryzen 7 5800X AMD, 2020 AM4 100%
9. Ryzen 5 5500 AMD, 2022 AM4 99%
10. Ryzen 5 5600 AMD, 2022 AM4 99%
11. Ryzen 5 5600G AMD, 2021 AM4 99%
12. Ryzen 5 5600X AMD, 2020 AM4 99%
13. Ryzen 9 3900X AMD, 2019 AM4 96%
14. Ryzen 7 3700X AMD, 2019 AM4 96%
15. Ryzen 5 3500X AMD, 2019 AM4 94%
16. Ryzen 5 3600 AMD, 2019 AM4 94%
17. Ryzen 5 4500 AMD, 2022 AM4 92%
18. Ryzen 5 4600G AMD, 2022 AM4 92%
19. Ryzen 3 3100 AMD, 2020 AM4 87%
20. Ryzen 3 3300X AMD, 2020 AM4 87%
21. Ryzen 3 4100 AMD, 2022 AM4 84%
22. Ryzen 7 2700X AMD, 2018 AM4 84%
23. Ryzen 5 3400G AMD, 2019 AM4 80%
24. Ryzen 5 2400G AMD, 2018 AM4 80%
25. Ryzen 5 2600 AMD, 2018 AM4 80%
26. Ryzen 5 2600X AMD, 2018 AM4 80%
27. Ryzen 7 1700 AMD, 2017 AM4 80%
28. Ryzen 5 1500X AMD, 2017 AM4 76%
29. Ryzen 5 1600 AMD, 2017 AM4 76%
30. Ryzen 3 3200G AMD, 2019 AM4 73%
31. Ryzen 3 2200G AMD, 2018 AM4 73%
32. Ryzen 3 1200 AMD, 2017 AM4 67%
33. Athlon 3000G AMD, 2019 AM4 53%

"% 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?