Best Intel CPU for Gaming in 2024

Are you a gamer and want to make the most use of your desktop or laptop computer? Make sure your CPU can manage all the tasks. In case you have no idea which CPU is an excellent choice, and you can opt for the ones from Intel Corp. Best Intel CPU will be reviewed in this article; keep reading to find out.

Even while CPUs are extremely resilient and, with appropriate care, may last for a long time, computer technology is always changing. Hence, to meet any requirement for this evolution, a great CPU must operate well with compatible modern to make a system perform better.

What you intend to gain from your gaming experience and how you utilize your system will ultimately determine the ideal gaming CPU. Let's see which Intel CPU might be a perfect match with your Laptop or PC.

1. Intel Core i5-12400

Product’s Specifications:

• Architecture: Alder Lake

• Socket:  1700

• CPU Model: Core i5

• Cores: 6

• Threads: 12

• Top Boost Frequency: 2.5

• TDP: 65W

Product’s Highlights:

This is known as a CPU that can play games well. When combined with the ideal motherboard, the Intel Core i5-12400 performs on par with the finest of the previous generation and offers excellent overclocking potential. This best intel CPU's chip is handled by 6 cores and 12 threads, allowing the speed and smoothness to reach their peak when playing a powerful game.

And when using Intel Core i5-12400, you are not necessarily limited by the new Windows 11 operating system to be able to use them to the fullest. Core i5 will be very suitable for mid-range to high-end devices so that users can use it for streaming, working, and gaming purposes.

The Core i5-12400 performs excellently in a wide range of productivity programs that need threads, and its quick single-threaded performance outperforms even the quickest Ryzen 5000 CPUs.

Today's Best Deals

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Fantastic performance in games

• Powerful single- and multi-thread

• Competitive price

• PCIe 5.0 and high-speed DDR5 memory

Cons:

• Demands LGA1700 mainboard

2.  Intel Core i9-12900K

Product’s Specifications:

• Architecture: Alder Lake

• Socket:  1700

• CPU Model: Core i9

• Cores: 16

• Threads: 24

• Top Boost Frequency: 5.2

• TDP: 125W

Product’s Highlights:

The Intel Core i9-12900K, built on the Alder Lake-S architecture and compatible with socket 1700 on today's newest Z690 mainboards, will be used best in any power PC gaming set. The i9-12900K provides exceptional processing efficiency from light to heavy workloads with its 16 cores and 24 threads, as well as Hyper-Threading technology and a 3.2GHz base clock speed that can be boosted to 5.2GHz.

With 16 lanes of PCIe 5.0 and an extra four lanes of PCIe 4.0, this Intel CPU can be compatible with DR4-3200 or DDR5-4800 memory, providing cutting-edge connectivity.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU is manufactured on a 10nm process, allowing overclocking easier and more effective than before. With the latest DDR5 RAM standards, i9-12900K has improved overclocking capabilities and is compatible.

Today's Best Deals

View on Amazon

Pros:

• The most high-speed gaming processor

• Competitive pricing

• PCIe 5.0 and high-speed DDR5 memory

• Leading single- and multi-thread performance

• Overclockable CPU

Cons:

• No cooler included 

• Demands LGA1700 mainboard

3. Intel Core i7-12700K

Product’s Specifications:

• Architecture: Alder Lake

• Socket: 1700

• CPU Model: Core i7

• Cores: 12

• Threads: 20

• Top Boost Frequency: 4.9 GHz

• TDP: 125 / 190W

Product’s Highlights:

Made from the Alder Lake-S architecture, the Intel Core i7-12700K CPU possesses a superior parameter compared to previous generation i7 chips. 12 cores 20 threads, clocked at 3.6GHz and maxed out at 5.0GHz. Those numbers prove that the i7-12700K can manage almost all processing tasks from light to heavy.

This Intel CPU is compatible with today's latest Z690 motherboard or DDR5 RAM standards with outstanding DDR4 speed. This can conduct high-performance components like gaming PCs or graphics.

Like Intel Core i9-12900K, Intel Core i7-12700K is also compatible with DR4-3200 or DDR5-4800 memory.

The power ratings for this CPU are 125W PBP (base) and 190W MTP at the peak. However, compared to its predecessor, it is measured to be much more energy efficient, and in return, you receive very competitive performance.

Today's Best Deals

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Competitive pricing

• Performing powerful/heavy games

• Leading single- and multi-thread performance

• PCIe 5.0 and high-speed DDR5 memory

• Overclockable CPU

• High energy efficiency

Cons:

• No cooler included 

4. Intel Core i5-12600K

Product’s Specifications:

• Architecture: Alder Lake

• Socket: 1700

• CPU Model: Core i5

• Cores: 10

• Threads: 16

• Top Boost Frequency: 4.9

• TDP: 125W

Product’s Highlights:

Born in the same generation with powerful 12th generation CPUs, the i5-12600K is probably the latest in this Alder Lake generation. But, i5-12600K is still equipped with 10 cores and 16 threads with a 3.70GHz processor speed and can reach up to 4.90GHz. 

The 12th generation i5 chip from Intel is still capable of carrying out simple tasks such as reading files, exporting huge images such as rendering clips, and playing AAA games at the right settings, ...

Intel Core i5-12600K is compatible with today's latest standards such as chipset Z690, DDR5 RAM, etc. All, when combined, will create an extremely powerful Gaming PC. Also, the Core i5-12600K best Intel CPU, supports DDR4 as well. The majority of gamers will appreciate DDR4's reduced cost and equivalent performance, but if you want access to additional memory capacity, you may upgrade to the more costly DDR5.

Today's Best Deals: View on Amazon

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Competitive pricing

• Performing powerful/heavy games

• Leading single- and multi-thread performance

• PCIe 5.0 and high-speed DDR5 memory

• Overclockable CPU

Cons:

• No cooler included 

• Demands LGA1700 mainboard

Related posts: 

• Best Ryzen 5000 CPU

• Best Intel 11th Gen CPU

• Best Intel 12th Gen CPU

• Best PC Radiator

• Best Water Block

1. Which mainboard will work best with Intel CPU?

The latest platform, Alder Lake, was initially only supported by the Z690 mainboard, but since then, Intel and its partners have made more affordable chipsets like H670, B660, and H610 accessible. All are available to support both DDR4 and DDR5.

2. Should I overclock my Intel CPU?

It depends as usual. Overclocking is often for gaming, and depending on the game, light or heavy, it can have a significant impact.

If you have no prior expertise fiddling with PC components, overclocking may take time and money. You could also need to adjust voltage settings, fan rotation rates, and other crucial, delicate essentials in addition to your multiplier.

3. Which best Intel CPU should I choose for gaming?

Intel Core i5-12400 is considered an all-around best CPU for gaming. In case you want a higher gaming performance PCU, Intel Core i9-12900K is the way to go. Intel Core i7-12700K is a more affordable choice sharing almost the same value but cheaper compared to Intel Core i9-12900K. If you look for a budget-saving option, you might be interested in the Intel Core i5-12600K.

So, these are the top products for the best Intel CPU. Every CPU we've mentioned is terrific; however, the final pick will be based on your budget and requirements. We hope that this article will assist you to understand better and cut down your choice of possibilities based on your needs.