When upgrading a computer to get more FPS in games or to be more efficient, the GPU and CPU are the primary pieces of hardware that must be changed. The GPU’s role is to handle all visual-related tasks, such as video games, videos, etc., while the CPU handles almost everything else.
With so many processors available on the market and various price ranges, finding the suitable one is never uncomplicated.
To ensure that anybody reading this article makes an informed decision, we have created this hierarchy of CPUs from the last few generations to help you determine what you require.
We are ranking the CPUs in tiers based on their efficiency in gaming and productivity.
Without additional delay, here is the ultimate CPU hierarchy list!
Note: Intel’s 12th-gen CPUs have P (performance), E (efficient), and T (threads) indicators under Cores/Threads
Table of ContentsShow
S Tier
The premium is where the most powerful and costly processors belong. These CPUs are for users wanting to enhance their FPS in the most visually demanding games or to do complex work.
To achieve top-notch productivity, consider the third-gen Threadripper. It provides outstanding price-to-performance value. One model, the Threadripper 3990X, boasts 64 cores and costs $4000.
Alternatively, the Threadripper 3960X is priced at $1,400 with 24 cores and 48 threads. If you are looking for an Intel solution, the i9-10980XE has 18 cores/ 36 threads at $1000. We wouldn’t recommend these for gaming, though.
To obtain outstanding quality and favorable bargains, consider Intel’s premium-grade processors like the i9-13900K, i7-13700K, and i5-13600K. They are priced at $589, $409, and $319, respectively. The 12th gen SKUs are also a wise option.
AMD also offers outstanding gaming performance for a reasonable value with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Ryzen 7 7700X, and Ryzen 5 7600X.
However, AMD’s Ryzen non-X CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7900, Ryzen 7 7700, and Ryzen 5 7600 have an even more exceptional price-to-performance ratio.
The recently released Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Ryzen 7 7800X3D are the quickest gaming CPUs in the world, followed closely by the Ryzen 9 7900X3D.
The rest of the Ryzen 7000 series, like the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 9 7950X, are also robust options, especially if you’re leaning toward creative work.
AMD’s Ryzen 5950X, 5900X, and 5700X are also quite rapid CPUs, so they deserve this S-tier ranking. The MSRPs are $799, $549, and $299 respectively.
Gaming
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 5.0 GHz | 8/16 | 120W |
| 2. | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | 5.7 GHz | 16/32 | 120W |
| 3. | Ryzen 9 7900X3D | 5.6 GHz | 12/24 | 120W |
| 4. | Intel Core i9-13900K/KS | 5.8 GHz | 8P/16E/32T | 125W |
| 5. | Ryzen 7 7700X | 5.4 GHz | 8/12 | 105W |
| 6. | Intel Core i7-13700K | 5.4 GHz | 8P/8E/24T | 125W |
| 7. | Ryzen 9 7950X | 5.7 GHz | 16/32 | 170W |
| 8. | Ryzen 9 7900X | 5.6 GHz | 12/24 | 170W |
| 9. | Ryzen 5 7600X | 5.3 GHz | 6/12 | 105W |
| 10. | Ryzen 9 7900 | 5.4 GHz | 12/24 | 65W |
| 11. | Ryzen 7 7700 | 5.3 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 12. | Ryzen 5 7600 | 5.1 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 13. | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 4.8 GHz | 8/16 | 105W |
| 14. | Intel Core i5-13600K | 5.1 GHz | 6P/8E/20T | 125W |
| 16. | Intel Core i9-12900KS | 5.5 GHz | 8P/8E/24T | 150W |
| 17. | Intel Core i9-12900K | 5.2 GHz | 8P/8E/24T | 125W |
| 18. | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | 4.9 GHz | 16/32 | 105W |
| 19. | Intel Core i7-12700K | 5.0 GHz | 8P/4E/20T | 125W |
Productivity
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | AMD Threadripper 3990X | 4.3 GHz | 64/128 | 280W |
| 2. | AMD Threadripper 3970X | 4.5 GHz | 32/64 | 280W |
| 3. | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | 5.7 GHz | 16/32 | 170W |
| 4. | Intel Xeon W-3175X | 3.8 GHz | 28/56 | 255W |
| 5. | AMD Threadripper 3960X | 4.5 GHz | 24/48 | 280W |
| 6. | AMD Threadripper 2990 WX | 4.2 GHz | 32/64 | 250W |
| 7. | Intel Core Core i9-10980XE | 4.8 GHz | 18/36 | 165W |
A Tier
The A-tier of CPUs consists of recent and older generation CPUs that do not cost an arm and a leg and have a diminished core count.
Here, we have the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 competing against Intel’s i5-11600K. Both of these CPUs are comparably priced and have 6 cores/12 threads. They are also significantly cheaper than S-tier CPUs at around $300.
However, the Ryzen 5 5600 is a substantially superior cost-effective choice as it only costs $200.
The Ryzen 5700G and 5600G (AMD’s processors with integrated graphics) can also be situated here, just under the i9-10900.
We also have the processors from two generations ago, the 10700K and 10900K.
AMD’s third generation also deserves a place in the upper tier. Particularly the Ryzen 3900X and 3700X models.
Intel’s i3-12100F might appear as simply another i3 with 8 threads only, but it actually performs quite impressively, exchanging blows with the 11400F, 3700X, and other CPUs.
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Intel Core i9-11900K | 5.3 GHz | 10/16 | 125W |
| 2. | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | 4.8 GHz | 12/24 | 105W |
| 3. | Intel Core i5-12600K | 4.9 GHz | 6P/4E/16T | 125W |
| 4. | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | 4.7 GHz | 8/16 | 105W |
| 5. | AMD Ryzen 7 5700X | 4.6 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 6. | Intel Core i7-11700K | 5.0 GHz | 8/16 | 125W |
| 7. | Intel Core i9-10900K | 5.3 GHz | 10/20 | 125W |
| 8. | Intel Core i7-10700K | 5.1 GHz | 8/16 | 125W |
| 9. | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | 4.6 GHz | 12/24 | 65W |
| 10. | Intel Core i5-12400 | 4.4 GHz | 6P/0E/12T | 65W |
| 11. | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | 4.4 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 12. | Intel Core i5-11600K | 4.9 GHz | 6/12 | 125W |
| 13. | Intel Core i9-10900/T | 5.20 GHz/4.60 GHz | 10/20 | 65W/35W |
| 14. | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X/XT | 4.6 GHz/4.7 GHz | 12/24 | 105W |
| 15. | AMD Ryzen 7 5700G | 4.6 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 16. | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | 4.4 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 17. | Intel Core i5-11400F | 4.40 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 18. | Intel Core i5-10600K | 4.8 GHz | 6/12 | 125W |
| 19. | Intel Core i3-12100F | 4.3 GHz | 4P/0E/8E | 58W |
| 20. | AMD Ryzen 7 3800X/XT | 4.5 GHz/4.7 GHz | 8/16 | 105W |
| 21. | Intel Core i5-10400F | 4.3 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 22. | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | 4.4 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
B Tier
We have reached the second-tier of CPUs. Don’t be mistaken; the processors in this category are still more than capable of handling modern games and outputting competitive FPS. Second-tier processors might provide the best price-per-performance of all these options.
The Ryzen 3600 was and possibly still is one of AMD’s most prosperous processors. A processor with 12 threads and moderate power consumption sold for just $200. How can someone not adore it?
These days, you could probably obtain the 3600 or even the 3600X for as little as $180.
Some of Intel’s 9th-generation CPUs also fit here flawlessly. The 9900K and even the 8-thread 9700K are still adequate enough. Of course, this is at a much lower price than MSRP.
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Intel Core i9-9900K | 5.0 GHz | 8/16 | 95W |
| 2. | Intel Core i7-9700K | 4.9 GHz | 8/8 | 95W |
| 3. | Intel Core i9-9900 | 5.0 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 4. | Intel Core i7-9700 | 4.7 GHz | 8/8 | 65W |
| 5. | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | 4.2 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 6. | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | 4.4 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 7. | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 4.2 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 8. | AMD Ryzen 3 3300X | 4.3 GHz | 4/8 | 95W |
| 9. | Intel Core i5-9600K | 4.6 GHz | 6/6 | 95W |
C Tier
We have entered the group of processors that are starting to reveal their age, scarcity of cores, and power, especially when it comes to the newest video games.
AMD’s second generation of Ryzen still provides excellent value, but its IPC is rather mediocre, leaving a lot to be desired. The same goes for Intel’s 9th generation i5s and i3s.
The Ryzen 2700X is a fairly good option as you can grab it for less than $200 and get an 8-core and 16-thread CPU. However, this is Zen+, don’t mistake it for AMD’s Zen 2 (3600, 3700X, etc.). It is substantially slower in single-core performance.
Intel’s i5s (such as the 9400F) are also obsolete, considering they are locked to just 6 threads while i3s are stuck at 4 threads. That’s too meager by today’s standards.
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Intel Core i3-10300 | 4.4 GHz | 4/8 | 65W |
| 2. | Intel Core i5-9400/F | 4.1 GHz | 6/6 | 65W |
| 3. | Intel Core i3-10100 | 4.3 GHz | 4/8 | 65W |
| 4. | AMD Ryzen 7 2700X | 4.3 GHz | 8/16 | 105W |
| 5. | AMD Ryzen Pro 4750G | 4.4 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 6. | AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | 3.9 GHz | 4/8 | 65W |
| 7. | AMD Ryzen 3400G | 4.2 GHz | 4/8 | 65W |
D Tier
This is the D-level, a group of CPUs that can significantly impede your GPU from reaching its maximum capability, especially if you possess a top-tier GPU like an RTX 3090 or RX 6900XT.
Even considering the modest costs of CPUs such as the 2600X, i3-9100, and others, they are challenging to recommend as there are comparably priced SKUs with significantly better performance.
| Model | Boost Clock | Cores/Threads | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | AMD Ryzen 7 2700 | 4.1 GHz | 8/16 | 65W |
| 2. | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 4.2 GHz | 6/12 | 95W |
| 3. | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | 3.9 GHz | 6/12 | 65W |
| 4. | Intel Core i3-9100 | 4.2 GHz | 4/4 | 65W |
| 5. | AMD Ryzen 3 3200G | 4.0 GHz | 4/4 | 65W |
| 6. | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G | 3.9 GHz | 4/8 | 65W |
| 7. | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G | 3.7 GHz | 4/4 | 65W |
| 8. | Intel Pentium G6605 | 4.3 GHz | 2/4 | 58W |
Final Words On The CPU Hierarchy
This tiered list contains approximately 40 CPUs. That is a relatively low number considering there are hundreds of CPUs out there. However, we decided to limit our list to the last three generations of processors from both AMD and Intel.
There are also some exclusions from the latest generations as some CPUs can only be bought as part of an OEM PC or pre-built systems.
These CPU rankings are based on several review websites and YouTube tech channels, including Tom’s Hardware, Hardware Unboxed, and Gamers Nexus. We also compared outcomes from benchmarks such as Cinebench and Geekbench 5.
