If you’re looking to upgrade your computer’s processor, there are a lot of options out there. From Intel to AMD, there are plenty of different processors to choose from.
But if you want to get the best performance out of your new computer, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying the right CPU.
Here’s how to pick the perfect CPU for your needs.
AMD or Intel: Which Should You Get?
The first thing that most people think about when they start shopping is which brand of processor should I go with? The answer depends on what kind of system you have and what you need it for. If you don’t know much about CPUs yet, here’s an overview of both types so you can decide whether one will work better than the other in your situation.
Intel Processors
Intel has been making computers since the 1950s, but their processors haven’t always had the highest reputation. In fact, back then, Intel was known as “the company who makes microprocessors.” But over time, Intel became more well-known for its quality products. Today, Intel is still considered by many to be the leader in PC technology. They’ve got some great features like integrated graphics, USB 3.0 support, Thunderbolt 2 ports, and even WiGig wireless tech.
AMD Processors
While Intel dominates the market today, AMD isn’t going down without a fight. Their Ryzen line of processors offer excellent value at every price point. And while they may not have quite the same name recognition as Intel, they do provide high-quality components at competitive prices. For example, the Ryzen 7 1700X offers 16 cores and 32 threads for $329.
What do you want to do with your CPU?
CPUs come in all shapes and sizes, but each type serves a specific purpose. Here’s a quick rundown of the three main categories of CPUs available today.
Processor Type
There are two basic kinds of processors: x86 and ARM. Each type comes in several varieties, including desktop, mobile, server, embedded, etc. Let’s take a look at them below.
x86 Processor Types
These days, almost everything runs on x86 chips. That includes desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, servers, routers, game consoles, smart TVs, and pretty much anything else you’d find plugged into a wall socket. There are four major families of x86 processors: Pentium, Celeron, Core i3/i5/Core i7, and Xeon.
How do you read the model names and numbers?
You might see something like this: “Intel® Core™ i7 8700K Processor.” This means that the chip contains eight processing units called cores. It also says that the cache memory inside the chip is 4MB. Finally, the number after the K indicates the speed of the chip—in this case, 4.8GHz.
ARM Processor Types
These days, almost everything runs off of ARM chips. That includes phones, tablets, wearables, set top boxes, gaming devices, and basically any device that doesn’t run Windows 10. There are five different families of ARM processors: Cortex A series, Cortex M series, Mali family, PowerVR Series and Hexagon.
Which One Is Best for Me?
If you’re looking for a general-purpose computer, chances are good that you’ll end up buying either an Intel or an AMD processor. Both companies make very similar parts, though there are slight differences between them. So if you’re just starting out, we recommend getting whichever processor works best for you. For more information on building pc you can look on sites like pc part picker.
Should you overclock?
Overclocking refers to increasing the clock rate of a component so it can perform better than what the manufacturer intended. Overclocking usually requires special tools and knowledge. If you don’t know how to use these tools properly, overclocking could damage your hardware. However, if you understand how to safely increase performance, overclocking can give you extra power when playing games or doing other tasks. You should only attempt overclocking if you know exactly what you’re doing.
What do you need more: clock speed, cores or threads?
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want to spend money on faster RAM or a bigger hard drive. The next step is deciding which kind of processor will work best for you. Then, once you’ve decided on those things, you need to figure out how many cores and threads you actually need. After that, you can start shopping around for the right part.
What socket does my motherboard need for this CPU?
Most motherboards have sockets designed specifically for their particular CPU. For example, most modern Xeons require LGA 1151 motherboards. Older models required AM2+. Some older motherboards used P4, Athlon 64, and even earlier versions of Socket 370. Most newer boards support multiple generations of CPUs, allowing you to upgrade from one generation to another without having to replace the entire board.
Check the Benchmarks
Before purchasing a new system, check its benchmarks against others in its class. Look at reviews online as well as published articles written by experts who regularly test systems. These people often compare several components together, including CPUs, GPUs, storage drives, etc., giving you a sense of where they fall relative to each other. They may also include information about compatibility with various operating systems.
Checking benchmarks is one way to see what kind of performance you can expect from your new CPU.
Benchmark scores range anywhere between 1-100000 points. The higher the score, the better it performs in that benchmark.
The most important thing when checking benchmarks is to look at the average FPS number. This will tell you whether or not your game runs smoothly on your system.
TLDR:
You should get something like this :
– i7 8700K @ 4.8GHz
– 16GB DDR4 2400MHz
– 512 GB SSD + 2TB HDD
– GTX 1080 Ti 11Gbps GDDR5X
– Windows 10 Pro x64 Home Edition
I would suggest going with Ryzen 7 2700x since it’s cheaper and has great value for money.
Conclusion
CPUs are pretty straight forward but choosing the right one can be tricky. There are lots of factors to consider such as price, features, brand name, availability, warranty, reliability, compatibility, and much more. It’s always recommended to go through all available options before making any purchase decision.
