Part type
CPU
The processor is the brain. It runs the operating system, game logic, video encode, compiles, and every app that is not offloaded to the GPU.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The current gaming CPU to beat — extra cache, not extra cores.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Still one of the best gaming CPUs you can buy used or new.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
A creation and compile chip that still games well — not the gaming specialist.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
The last-gen workstation Ryzen — still excellent for creators.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The sensible AM5 gaming CPU if you are not chasing leaderboard FPS.
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
The last great AM4 gaming upgrade — stay on the old board.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
A still-fine 1080p and 1440p gaming CPU, especially used.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
A 2019 hero chip. Fine for office and 1080p; the GPU is the bottleneck now.
Intel Core i5-14600K
The Intel all-rounder — games well, creates better than a 6-core Ryzen.
Intel Core i7-14700K
A strong creator CPU on a closed socket — buy it used, not as a new platform.
Intel Core i9-14900K
Peak LGA 1700 performance — and peak heat. A cooler is not optional.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
A cooler, more efficient Intel — gaming is good, not the reason to buy it.
Intel Core i5-12400F
The used-market 1080p bargain. No iGPU — you must have a graphics card.
Intel Core i7-8700K
A late-2010s gaming flagship. Today it is an office and 1080p chip.