CPU/Processors
There are many things to consider when choosing a CPU. Intel vs AMD? What features do I need? Do I want to overclock? While these are my recommendations below based on price, do more research and gather opinions of others. Just be careful of blind fanboys. I favor AMD right now based on hands on experience and what they offer. But that will change every time there is a shift.
HT is short for Hyperthreading and SMT is short for Simultaneous Multithreading. They are essentially the same thing, but function a little different. While they aren't physical cores, it does boost heavy workloads to allow for more efficient processing.
Lastly, I reference Cinebench quite often here. The reason being is, single threaded performance is still important and relevant today and that is an accurate way of measuring it, as well as multi-threaded workloads as well.
HT is short for Hyperthreading and SMT is short for Simultaneous Multithreading. They are essentially the same thing, but function a little different. While they aren't physical cores, it does boost heavy workloads to allow for more efficient processing.
Lastly, I reference Cinebench quite often here. The reason being is, single threaded performance is still important and relevant today and that is an accurate way of measuring it, as well as multi-threaded workloads as well.
- Low End Under $100
~$100 AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
4 Cores/4 Threads
3.6-4.0GHz
6MB Cache
Vega 8 GPU
2933MHz Memory
65W
~$90 Intel Core I3-9100F
4 Cores/4 Threads
3.6-4.2GHz
6MB Cache
No GPU
2400MHz Memory
65W
THE VERDICT: Intel Core I3-9100F
The I3 is a better chip in every scenario except integrated graphics. But a 4.2Ghz native quad core that is often under $90 is hard to pass up. The 3200G also only has 8 PCI-E Lanes and performs worse in single threaded applications
- Entry Level $100-150
~$110 Ryzen 3 3100
4 Cores/8 Threads
3.6-3.9GHz
16MB Cache
No GPU
3200MHz Memory
65W-75W
**2 CCX's**
~$120 Intel Core I3-10100
4 Cores/8 Threads
3.6-4.3GHz (4.0-4.1GHz All Core)
6MB Cache
Intel HD 630
2666MHz Memory
65W
~ $130 AMD Ryzen 3 3300x
4 Cores/8 Threads
3.8-4.3GHz
16MB Cache
No GPU
3200MHz Memory
65W-80W
1 CCX
THE VERDICT: AMD Ryzen 3 3300x
The 3300x does hit 4.3GHz on all cores and from my testing the I3-10100 hits around 4.1GHz on all cores on B series boards. With the requirement of a Z490 board to get memory faster than 2666MHz, the I3 falls behind both the 3300x and the 3100. The 3100 does suffer a performance loss due to the latency of have 2 CCX's, only buy if stock is low.
- Mid Ranged $150-250
~$170 Intel Core I5-10400
6 Cores/12 Threads
2.9-4.3GHz (4.0-4.1GHz All Core)
12MB Cache
Intel HD 630
2666MHz Memory
65W
~$200 AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6 Cores/12 Threads
3.6-4.2GHz
35MB Cache
No GPU
3200MHz Memory
65W-90W
2 CCX's
THE VERDICT: Ryzen 5 3600
I still gotta give it the the Ryzen 5 3600, you can put it on a more basic B550 board and get full ram speeds and OC unlike the I5-10400 requires a Z490 board to be competitive.
- 'High End $250-350
~$290 AMD Ryzen 7 3700x
8 Cores/16 Threads
3.6-4.4GHz (4.1-4.2GHz All Core)
36MB Cache
No GPU
3200MHz Memory
65W-100W
2 CCX's
~$290 Intel Core I5-10600k
6 Cores/12 Threads
4.1-4.8GHz (4.5GHz All Core)
12MB Cache
Intel HD 630
2666MHz Memory (Can OC with Z490 Board)
95W-125W
THE VERDICT: It's Close
For pure gaming, 144Hz 1440p or 240Hz 1080p, the 10600k OC will squeak out a little more FPS, otherwise I would go with the Ryzen 7 3700x. A few less FPS for better streaming capabilities/multicore performance
- Ultra High End $400+
~$400 Intel Core I7-10700k
8 Cores/16 Threads
3.8-5.1GHz (4.7GHz All Core)
16MB Cache
Intel HD 630
2666MHz Memory (Can OC with Z490 Board)
95W-125W+
~$410 AMD Ryzen 9 3900x
12 Cores/24 Threads
3.8-4.6GHz (4.3-4.4GHz All Core)
70MB Cache
No GPU
3200MHz Memory
105W-140W+
**3 CCX's**
~$530 Intel Core I9-10900KF
10 Cores/20 Threads
3.7-5.3GHz (4.9GHz All Core)
20MB Cache
No GPU
2666MHz Memory (Can OC with Z490 Board)
95W-125W+
THE VERDICT: 3900x
I feel like it's either the I7 or the Ryzen 9. The Ryzen 9 is only 200MHz slower but has a nice single core performance per clock lead. The downside is, most people struggle to get a 4.6GHz all core OC where the I7/I9 can manually hit 5.0GHz+ on all cores, albeit at a very high thermal ceiling of 200W+. I learn towards the 3900x giving you a better experience overall and requires no tweaking other than flipping PBO on.