While desktop processors are quite diverse, specific parameters make a particular family of processors or those with a certain core count better for gaming than others. Several factors contribute to better performance with games. The following processors have proven to be good for gaming across multiple AAA video game titles from all the major studios.
Based on the latest Zen 3 microarchitecture, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has much higher IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) than the previous generation Zen 2 microarchitecture that the Ryzen 3000 series had. Video games have a higher affinity for processors with high IPC and give a much higher performance as a result. The Ryzen 5 5600X is a 6-core / 12-thread processor with an unlocked multiplier so you can even overclock should the need arise. It has a base clock of 3.7GHz and a boost clock which can go up to 4.6 GHz. This processor also comes with an AMD Wraith Stealth CPU cooler in the box.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is based on the AMD Zen 2 microarchitecture and is quite good for gaming. The higher core count also makes it a bit more diverse as you can even use it for live streaming while gaming or even for content creation. The Ryzen 7 3700X is an 8-core / 16-thread processor with an unlocked multiplier so you can even overclock should the need arise. It has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock which can go up to 4.4 GHz. This processor also comes with an AMD Wraith Prism CPU cooler in the box.
The latest 10th Gen Intel Desktop processor family has a lot of processors that are great for gaming, but when it comes to the mid-range, the Core i5-10600 is where you should start. It’s based on the 14nm process and has 6-Cores / 12 Threads with a base clock of 3.3GHz and a boost clock of 4.8GHz. Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology helps drive the processor to higher boost clocks when your games need them. It also has inbuilt processor graphics in the form of the Intel UHD Graphics 630 which is more than sufficient for casual games, but for the rest, you should get a discrete graphics card.
Think of the Intel Core i5-10600K as a slightly better processor which you should explore should you have a little extra budget. The ‘K’ at the end of the model name suggests that this processor has an unlocked multiplier, making it easier to overclock. Like the previous item in this list, this unit is also a 6-Core / 12-Thread desktop processor but with a much higher base clock of 4.1GHz and similar Turbo boost clock of 4.8 GHz. This high-performance processor does not come with a CPU cooler included in the box, and you will have to get an aftermarket cooling solution.