This type of bottleneck can occur in a wide range of scenarios, such as when using applications that require heavy graphics processing (including games), but the processor is unable to supply data to the GPU efficiently, or vice versa.
To avoid creating bottlenecks, it is important to purchase a CPU and GPU that are balanced in terms of performance.
WHICH MODEL TO CHOOSE?
Playing next-generation video games at acceptable/high performance now requires a CPU with at least 6-8 cores. However, having a higher core count can further improve performance, especially considering that last-gen games tend to be more demanding in terms of processing resources. It is important to note that at lower resolutions, such as FHD (1920×1080), the workload tends to fall more on the CPU rather than the GPU, making the choice of a high-performance CPU crucial for an optimal gaming experience.
The choice between AMD and Intel also depends on personal preferences and the intended use of the PC.
In general, AMD offers a more “plug-and-play” solution, where CPUs like the “X3D” series deliver excellent performance without the need for complicated overclocking procedures or additional investments in high-end hardware. Additionally, AMD CPUs tend to be more gaming- and streaming-oriented while often maintaining a lower price.
Intel, on the other hand, requires more careful management and often a higher budget. Even without overclocking, Intel CPUs can offer excellent performance, but to fully exploit their potential, manual overclocking is necessary, along with pairing them with high-frequency, low-latency RAM. This can lead to additional costs for high-quality RAM and motherboards, especially to reach the same performance levels as Ryzen CPUs.
For workstation purposes, Intel often offers more cores and threads, making their processors preferred for work-related tasks such as video editing, rendering, AI, programming, and other intensive multimedia activities, in addition to having broader software compatibility.
Finally, for those on a tight budget, it is also important to consider the longevity of CPUs offered by both manufacturers. In some cases, as previously mentioned, AMD CPUs can provide better longevity in terms of support for existing platforms.
For more information, read the MOTHERBOARD article.
RECOMMENDED CPUs
Below, we list the latest-generation Intel and AMD CPUs that we consider to be solid choices.
We have selected only overclockable CPUs (or those with 3D V-Cache for AMD), as overclocking is essential to achieving maximum gaming performance.
For Intel, you can buy the KF versions (without an integrated GPU) to save some money.
All the Intel CPUs on the list are compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 (but if building a new PC, we recommend using DDR5 RAM, as it is more recent and “future-proof”).
