Best Gaming CPUs: Update Late 2024 [28 CPUs, 14 Games]

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These videos all explain why CPU limited CPU benchmarking is the only way:

Video Index
00:00 - Welcome to Hardware Unboxed
00:27 - Ad Spot
01:08 - Testing Method
04:11 - Test System Specs
04:42 - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
05:26 - The Last of Us Part 1
06:12 - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
07:02 - Hogwarts Legacy
07:38 - Assetto Corsa Competizione
07:59 - Remnant II
08:29 - Homeworld 3
08:47 - A Plague Tale: Requiem
09:28 - Counter-Strike 2
09:47 - Starfield
10:25 - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
11:14 - Star Wars Outlaws
11:52 - Hitman 3
12:15 - Watch Dogs: Legion
12:41 - 14 Game Average
13:35 - Cost per Frame
16:33 - Upgrade Options
19:35 - Final Thoughts

Best Gaming CPU's: Update Late 2024

Disclaimer: Any pricing information shown or mentioned in this video was accurate at the time of video production, and may have since changed

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Outro music by David Vonk/DaJaVo

[ConnorH]

The real winners are people who bought a 7800x3d for £330.

[AlirimBiDal]

The things you are doing can simply be described as a "public service". Thank you, guys, for this incredible testing and sharing process. it feels like an academic exercise.

[lord.frosty]

The 5700x3d looks like it will last for a few more years. A really good choice to keep am4 alive for longer.

[byrnhard]

Here are the meaty parts...

12:40 14-Game-Average
13:35 Cost-per-Frame
16:33 Best Budget (AMD Ryzen 5 7600)
20:55 Best of the Best (AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D)


Awesome work again Steve! 🤘

[neuplop]

snatched 5700x3d for 140 euros so nice, upgraded from 3600

[syncmonism]

Amazing video. HUB does such a great job of summarizing the important factors to consider for judging value per dollar of not only a CPU, but also of a system here.

I just built an AM5 system for a friend with a 7600 and 6000 MT/s CL30 memory. They were willing to get something more expensive, but there's just no CPU which really looks worth paying extra for right now unless you want to pay a LOT more, or if you play one of the very few games where the 9600X actually pulls significantly ahead of the 7600. And even then, very few people are going to benefit significantly from the additional CPU performance above what the 7600 can do over the next few years.

[PowellCat]

I believe the 9800X3D will increase its lead after NVIDIA launches the 5090.

[exscape]

The 1080p test explanation at 02:35 is absolutely brilliant. Great example data, short and brief, easy to understand. That's the part I'll link to people confused about 1080p (or even 720p) CPU testing in the future!

[likemetoo]

Oh man, you'll have to do all this again next month with the 5090.

[MrCharly]

Just got my 9800x3d for MSRP yesterday! Cant wait to assamble my build in christmas

[mRibbons]

I love my 7600X. I know people like to slam the X variants, but it can frequently be found at the $200 mark in the US. It does consume more power, but it'll eat 1440p and 4k for lunch.

[starboyjedi]

03:16 The fact that this still has to be explained is just wild to me

[gucky]

If you go for budget, I'd recommend the 5700X3D for AM4 and 7500F for AM5. The 7500F currently goes for ~145$ here in germany without tax or about 1$ per frame.
If you want the best, only the 9800X3D makes sense.

[Classy]

Im happy with my 7800x3d august purchase.

[Ramshackle]

It boggles my mind that people still don't understand why you use a powerful GPU at lower resolutions to test CPUs.

[djchotus]

loving the Nasel cold voice, MAN as a parent and this time of year here (EU winter), cold central

BUT, 7500F should totally at least be on this last slide, it's COST per FRAME must be EPIC! 100 cheaper then the 7600x, and same same gains

[fantherailsbc]

9800X3D still out of stock everywhere unless you're lucky to live near a Micro Center in the US.

[ausnorman]

Great work Steve, I see you added the 5800X3D this time, much appreciated.

[Nawyria]

Thanks Steve for the round-up. Came at just the right time as I'm helping a friend build a computer. Much appreciated! :)

[hwi]

I built my PC with a 12400F in 2022, it's done well so far. I'm planning to save some money on a motherboard and just do an in socket upgrade to a 13600k or 14600k over the next handful of months. Next time I do a full rebuild I'll be going with an AMD X3D build, assuming they'll still be king of the gaming hill in a couple years.