GN Mega Charts: CPU Benchmarks & Comparison Leave a comment
How to Use This
Even as knowledge ages, it’s usually nonetheless related for comparability — notably for older CPUs which principally cease receiving performance-affecting modifications, akin to microcode updates or Windows patches. We are continuously re-running our CPU assessments to maintain knowledge recent, however sadly, this refresh cycle signifies that it’s troublesome to stack extra CPUs on the charts earlier than some kind of main change is available in. For instance, main Windows updates necessitate full re-tests for critiques, however is probably not as essential for somebody who simply needs to see their older CPU represented for a “good enough” gauge of the place issues fall.
That’s why we break up these into the LTS (Long-Term Support) and Active charts. It permits us to keep up one older dataset that has extra CPUs represented, at the price of diminished insights gained from our most fashionable take a look at strategies. Active offers you that for extra of a contemporary head-to-head. It’s the distinction between precision (Active) and amount of CPUs (LTS). This is the very best stability {that a} small crew can produce, particularly since we offer this web site utterly ad-free (you’ll be able to help us on Patreon or by shopping for one thing helpful on your PC builds on our retailer).
Current Best CPUs (Generalized Recommendations)
The under is an easy record of CPUs that, on the time of writing (dated within the columns under), we expect make sense or would make sense with caveats famous.
Pay cautious consideration to the second column. We could solely advocate some elements below sure pricing circumstances. Generally talking, we don’t advocate shopping for CPUs above MSRP. They come down fairly commonly, particularly with launch cycles. For occasion, after we first posted this, the 7800X3D was about $250 overpriced. It’s nonetheless on the record so that individuals realize it, however we advise ready for it to strategy that MSRP marker or to get replaced with the pending 9000X3D elements.
For a higher and extra thorough record of Best CPUs, please examine our Best CPUs of 2023 article. We will replace for 2024 additionally.
| CPU | Reason for Recommendation | Release Date | Platform | Date of Recommendation | GN Original Review* |
| AMD R7 7800X3D | The authentic launch value was $450. We do not advocate shopping for a lot above that. Depending on value (fluctuates), that is the very best gaming half on the time of writing. It is typically the very best worth gaming half. At the time of writing, worth is horrible — it lands on this record solely with the be aware that it’s best to wait and see. Also, 9000X3D could also be across the nook. | 2023 | AM5 | October 13, 2024 | R7 7800X3D Review |
| AMD R7 5700X3D | This is usually the best-value drop-in improve for AM4 platforms to present a serious gaming efficiency increase with out a completely new system. The 5800X3D could be finest, however runs larger value. | 2024 | AM4 | October 13, 2024 | R7 5700X3D Review |
| Intel i9-12900K | At the time of penning this, the CPU has a $100 low cost code that lands it at $260, which is superb worth. The typical itemizing value is $360 at time of writing, however you would be shopping for into an deserted platform. | 2021 | LGA 1700 | October 13, 2024 | 12900K Review |
| AMD Threadripper 7980X | For extraordinarily core-intensive duties that might profit from the elevated capabilities of an HEDT platform (extra RAM, extra cores), the 7980X stays total unbeatable. You can examine our assessment for extra particulars. | 2023 | TRX50 | October 13, 2024 | TR 7980X Review |
| Intel i3-12100F | Alder Lake has been a time-tested structure with out main issues. The 12100F is regularly one of many least expensive new CPUs (if not shopping for used) that may nonetheless play most video games effectively. It has extreme limits in some video games. This isn’t notably sturdy, however is reasonably priced and sometimes acceptable as a compromise. | 2022 | LGA 1700 | October 13, 2024 | 12100F Review |
| Notes | We are posting this simply forward of Arrow Lake, so we could add some Intel suggestions to this record. Check again in just a few weeks to a month to see if this has modified. The older Intel stuff is on right here for its value profit, however with the proximity of Arrow Lake, we might typically advise ready just a few weeks quite than committing to a lifeless platform with the dearer CPUs (akin to 14th Series) |
Is Your CPU Missing From This Data? Here’s What to Do
We regularly obtain questions from folks asking the place their specific CPU would land on a chart. There are hundreds of CPUs that could possibly be examined, so we clearly don’t have all of these listed. The finest guess is to approximate the positioning by simply considering by way of the information that’s current and utilizing deductive reasoning. Newer builders could not understand that it’s usually this easy, so we’ll define some ideas as a way to no less than get a tough thought of the place your half may fall. You can apply this to any reviewer’s charts. And in fact, if we’re lacking an element, there are many certified reviewers on the market who could have one thing we’re lacking (and we likewise attempt to cowl what they miss) — that’s the worth of a number of certified reviewers.
CPU Performance Interpolation/Deductive Reasoning Examples
Example 1: The Ryzen 5 1600AF isn’t current on the charts.
Solution: The Ryzen 5 1600AF is functionally an R5 2600, simply at barely totally different clocks. Looking up authentic critiques would get you this data, which you’ll then apply to fashionable charts. Looking on the R5 2600 in a chart is shut sufficient to the R5 1600AF that you possibly can base your selections off of that half.
Example 2: The Ryzen 5 2600 can be lacking from the charts.
Solution: Pull up just a few outdated/authentic critiques of the R5 2600 and determine elements which might be close by or adjoining in efficiency. Look at just a few charts, as some video games can differ. Once you may have discovered probably the most generally comparable half, you should utilize that as a tough gauge on charts.
Example 3: The i7-10700K is lacking from the charts.
Solution: If the i5-10600K and i9-10900K are current, it’s cheap to imagine that the 10700K is between them. Although this could have a comparatively big selection, the fact is that, particularly upgrading from one thing older, it gained’t matter sufficient to harm choice making on new processor purchases (since something shall be an enormous improve).
Example 4: The Sandy Bridge i7-2600K is current, however not the i7-2700K
Solution: In conditions akin to these, the place the half is principally only a slight change (instance: 2700X vs. 2700, 2600X vs. 2600, 7700X vs 7700), you’ll be able to simply have a look at the one that’s current and assume shut sufficient efficiency to check. This is once more the place it’s essential to maintain perspective: If the aim is to improve, being 2-5% off on the estimate isn’t going to meaningfully influence selections if the choice isn’t any good fashionable knowledge as reviewers transfer on.
As a last-ditch resolution: You can have a look at video games or benchmarks that are least possible suspected to have had main patches, akin to GTA V, and calculate the p.c distinction between the goal half and mutually current half on each an older chart and the brand new one. Then apply this to the fashionable chart to approximate or interpolate the rank. For instance, should you pull up a chart from two years in the past with the 8700K and 12700K on it and calculate the distinction (sometimes, (new – outdated) / outdated), you’ll be able to then apply that on the identical sport chart from fashionable instances. This is the least excellent methodology as a result of newer video games could have architecturally advanced and is probably not linear and older video games get patches. You’d frankly be higher off discovering it some other place on the web, however should you actually can’t, it is a methodology that helps get no less than one thing to work with.
DISCLAIMER: Data Accuracy Standards & Reduced Vetting Practices
For standalone critiques that obtain full video therapy, we run by way of a top quality management course of that’s intensive and sometimes takes a number of days to finish. These are time-intensive, cost-intensive, and demanding to the accuracy of our mainline critiques. We would by no means skip steps for the totally produced critiques.
But we wish to publish extra of the information we gather outdoors of the critiques course of as a result of it’d assist folks with buying selections. We have been proof against publishing the additional knowledge as a result of the ‘extra’ knowledge doesn’t undergo the identical validation processes. It’s nonetheless helpful and barely has points; nonetheless, our QC requirements are excessive and we’re cautious with what we launch. Anything we’re unsure of or haven’t vetted totally is withheld till it clears these bars.
But lots of people would profit from understanding the place an AMD R7 1700 lands at this time, and outdoors of full revisits, we don’t have a great avenue to launch knowledge that’s helpful, possible as much as our typical requirements, however simply not quadruple-checked. That’s what the Long-Term Support (LTS) charts are for.
We’ve determined to launch the additional knowledge to try to forged a large web to assist folks upgrading from older or extra obscure elements, however are doing so with the upfront disclosure that the distinction between the Active charts and the LTS charts is the validation course of. In different phrases, knowledge which exists on LTS charts however not Active charts needs to be understood by the viewers as extra more likely to have some kind of knowledge confidence concern or potential deviation from anticipated outcomes. It remains to be unlikely, however extra possible than Active charts. With that transparency and understanding, right here’s the distinction in our processes:
Active Chart Vetting Process
One of our largest hangups for publishing a full record of our “Mega Charts” for CPUs has been that we merely can’t maintain the intensive QC course of for a secondary dataset that comprises CPUs that haven’t been printed on the channel lately. We usually nonetheless gather knowledge for older CPUs, however could not publish it for time causes (that means that it was collected for inner assessment, however not totally vetted for publication).
Here’s the total course of, with some specialty confidential steps eliminated:
- The Test Lead for the assessments (sometimes Steve) establishes a strict SOP for the take a look at suite to make sure knowledge consistency. The Test Lead additionally determines which software program is examined, performs benchmark evaluation for normal deviation and consistency, and determines the testing methodology
- The Test Lead (sometimes Steve) establishes a Test Matrix containing all CPUs to be examined, which assessments they get, and knowledge exporting practices
- The Subject Matter Expert (Patrick) builds software program in collaboration with Steve for the take a look at suite and builds the working system configurations, establishing a “pre-flight checklist” for testing
- The Technician who runs the assessments (primarily Mike, with help from Patrick and Steve and infrequently Jeremy) will examine the outcomes for proper decision, appropriate settings, captures that show the take a look at accomplished appropriately, picture high quality, and normal errors. The technician performs re-runs as wanted
- The Subject Matter Expert performs a secondary high quality management go on knowledge. Any knowledge which appears to be like suspect of a foul go, which requires guide filtering & elimination previous to retests, shall be deleted and flagged for the technician to rerun
- The Technician performs re-tests after which re-evaluates the outcomes
- The Subject Matter Expert critiques them once more. They are sometimes resolved at this stage and infrequently rejected totally to maneuver ahead
- A Writer & Technician (sometimes Jeremy) performs a full go on CPU export names, the hierarchical stack of the information and whether or not the hierarchy is sensible, and identifies potential areas the place extra knowledge could also be essential to confidently come to conclusions, then passes it to Steve. If Steve authorizes any of the re-evaluations from the Writer & Technician, they return to the lab once more for testing.
- Steve performs last intensive assessment, together with working a wide range of formulae for knowledge consistency and evaluating outcomes towards archival outcomes for consistency of scaling
- The Writer & Technician double-checks the finals. Any disagreement with what Steve handed is voiced and revisited. Once each are in settlement that it is sensible (or the suspect knowledge is eliminated till validated), the information is distributed to publication
- The video editor, who is usually technical sufficient to determine apparent oversights, performs a ‘passive’ QC whereas modifying and flags any points. If any are discovered, they undergo Steve for assessment, evaluation, and both sign-off as correct or correction
You’ll discover {that a} large a part of the method is passing the outcomes by way of a number of crew members — sometimes 4-5 folks have a look at it earlier than publishing. This is gradual, however essential.
Long-Term Support Chart Vetting Process
The Long-Term Support charts will include knowledge which isn’t in critiques, however was used as inner gauges for the place elements ought to sensically land. As a outcome, that is the method it has adopted because it has not beforehand been printed:
- (Same) The Team Lead for the assessments (sometimes Steve) establishes a strict SOP for the take a look at suite to make sure knowledge consistency. The Team Lead additionally determines which software program is examined, performs benchmark evaluation for normal deviation and consistency, and determines the testing methodology
- (Same) The Team Lead (sometimes Steve) establishes a Test Matrix containing all CPUs to be examined, which assessments they get, and knowledge exporting practices
- (Same) The Subject Matter Expert (Patrick) builds software program in collaboration with Steve for the take a look at suite and builds the working system configurations, establishing a “pre-flight checklist” for testing
- (Same) The Technician who runs the assessments (primarily Mike, with help from Patrick and Steve and infrequently Jeremy) will examine the outcomes for proper decision, appropriate settings, captures that show the take a look at accomplished appropriately, picture high quality, and normal errors. The technician performs re-runs as wanted
(Removed) The Subject Matter Expert performs a secondary high quality management go on knowledge. Any knowledge which appears to be like suspect of a foul go, which requires guide filtering & elimination previous to retests, shall be deleted and flagged for the technician to rerun(Removed) The Technician performs re-tests after which re-evaluates the outcomes(Removed) The Subject Matter Expert critiques them once more. They are sometimes resolved at this stage and infrequently rejected totally to maneuver ahead(Removed) A Writer & Technician (sometimes Jeremy) performs a full go on CPU export names, the hierarchical stack of the information and whether or not the hierarchy is sensible, and identifies potential areas the place extra knowledge could also be essential to confidently come to conclusions, then passes it to Steve(Removed) Steve performs last intensive assessment, together with working a wide range of formulae for knowledge consistency and evaluating outcomes towards archival outcomes for consistency of scaling(Removed) The Writer & Technician double-checks the finals. Any disagreement with what Steve handed is voiced and revisited. Once each are in settlement that it is sensible (or the suspect knowledge is eliminated till validated), the information is distributed to publication(Removed) The video editor, who is usually technical sufficient to determine apparent oversights, performs a ‘passive’ QC whereas modifying and flags any points. If any are discovered, they undergo Steve for assessment, evaluation, and both sign-off as correct or correction- (New) Steve performs last fast assessment, together with ad-hoc comparisons between CPUs from which now we have a identified relative % scaling, to quickly vet extra data. Data with low confidence is eliminated quite than investigated. Not each single knowledge level is inspected, not like critiques
This permits the crew to proceed work on essential subsequent critiques with out forcing us to skip extra essential upcoming tasks, however nonetheless permits us to get useful knowledge out. You’ll discover that this strategy cuts no less than 2 potential inner reviewers from the method, together with lowering the quantity of instances the SME appears to be like over the information, and reduces the assessment of each single knowledge level all the way down to ad-hoc glances to see if something “jumps out” as clearly unhealthy.
If you see something that appears out of order, you’re welcome to e-mail us at crew at gamersnexus dot web.
We are hopeful that this may permit us to publish extra knowledge to assist folks make improve selections, with a middle-ground understanding going into it as to the constraints of the method.
With all of the useful data on the best way to use these charts and the disclosures out of the way in which, let’s proceed to the information set.
Long-Term Support CPU Charts (1H24)
LTS DATA SET: Zen 5 Review Cycle (pre-Arrow Lake)
The under CPU charts are these discovered from our long-term help record. These shall be up to date just a few instances a yr, however include probably the most knowledge for a number of the older CPUs.
Production Benchmarks
This part comprises the “production” benchmarks for workstation, creation, and improvement functions.
Blender 3D Rendering on the CPU
The above chart ranks CPU 3D rendering efficiency in Blender by finest to worst (quicker, or decrease time, is healthier). This ought to provide help to determine the very best CPUs for rendering in 2024; nonetheless, GPUs are closely relied upon and could be a separate benchmark.
7-Zip File Compression & Decompression Benchmarks
The above charts include our assessments for 7-Zip file compression and decompression. If you regularly work with compressing and decompressing knowledge, akin to for giant file transfers in compressed codecs or for sure sport loading duties, these will give an thought for efficiency.
Adobe Premiere Video Editing & Rendering CPU Benchmarks
This chart makes use of the Puget Suite to benchmark Adobe Premiere for video modifying and rendering duties, specializing in CPU efficiency. Adobe Premiere cares each in regards to the CPU and the GPU, and depends upon a robust mixture (quite than biasing towards one part, like 3D rendering may do) for diminished scrubbing or playback ‘lag’ and improved rendering and encode efficiency.
Adobe Photoshop CPU Benchmarks & Comparison
This chart is for Adobe Photoshop and compares a number of the finest CPUs presently out for Photoshop. Testing is finished with the Puget Suite and consists of warps, transforms, scales, filters, and file manipulation.
Chromium Code Compile CPU Benchmarks
This chart appears to be like at a Chromium code compile. It’s a CPU benchmark for programmers and builders, with the caveat that (like several of those assessments), we will’t realistically characterize all compile situations. Because we attempt to characterize a variety of potential use circumstances, we don’t cater an excessive amount of to anybody specialty. This ought to provide you with an thought for no less than how this particular compile behaves. If your workloads resemble this, you could possibly assume some stage of linearity.
Gaming CPU Benchmarks & Best CPUs
Even in case your particular sport isn’t represented right here, the easiest way to make use of our charts for figuring out CPU variations is to have a look at the relative rating throughout numerous video games. Our intent with this strategy is which you could decide the best-value improve (our critiques are very value-oriented) by evaluating the standard or common hole between two elements.
In most situations, the CPUs will scale equally from game-to-game, barring any distinctive behaviors of a specific sport. If CPU A is healthier worth in Game A, B, and C, it is extremely possible additionally higher worth in Game D (although not all the time).
For particular person per-game benchmarks, we’d advocate our Game Benchmarks part that deep-dives on new releases each time we get an opportunity.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 CPU Benchmarks
This is for Dragon’s Dogma 2, which is among the latest video games in our CPU take a look at suite. Dragon’s Dogma 2 remains to be getting common updates, so the CPUs proven on this chart have been all run on the identical sport model. The sport stays CPU-heavy within the cities with dense NPC populations, which is the place we take a look at. We printed a separate deep-dive benchmark of Dragon’s Dogma 2 right here.
Stellaris Simulation Time CPU Comparison
This chart evaluates simulation time in Stellaris utilizing a late sport save file. The quantity is represented in time, with decrease being higher. Faster simulation (shorter time required) is noticeable in 4X or Grand Campaign / Grand Strategy video games the place AI flip processing requires important CPU effort.
Baldur’s Gate 3 CPU Benchmarks
Baldur’s Gate 3 is examined at 1080p/Medium within the above chart, which permits us to see CPU scaling all the way in which as much as the highest of the stack for the very best gaming CPUs.
We take a look at in Act III within the metropolis itself, close to a market with plenty of NPCs.
F1 2024 1080p & 1440p CPU Benchmarks
This chart gallery is for F1 24 and consists of each 1080p and 1440p outcomes. Typically, in situations which stay primarily CPU-bound, we see roughly the identical hierarchical lineup throughout each resolutions. The prime of the chart truncates most FPS, which signifies that CPUs which sometimes bounce off of the GPU bottleneck shall be much less dependable to distinguish from each other (as they’re externally sure).
FFXIV: Dawntrail CPU Benchmarks (1080p & 1440p)
This set of 1080p & 1440p charts is for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, examined at Maximum high quality settings.
Rainbow Six Siege CPU Benchmarks
Rainbow Six Siege is a problematic benchmark because it updates regularly, inflicting complete wipes of our dataset. This is an inventory of outcomes that have been all run on the identical sport model. Unfortunately, we don’t have as a lot knowledge for it because of the common wipeout.
Starfield CPU Comparison
This chart is for Bethesda’s Starfield at 1080p/Low. Despite the sport’s memeable launch, it stays a helpful benchmark for CPU efficiency comparisons.
Total War: Warhammer III CPU Benchmarks
This offers us a have a look at a Grand Strategy / Grand Campaign Total War sport, which are usually CPU heavy. We’re utilizing a battle for the benchmark.
Active CPU Benchmark Charts
ACTIVE DATA SET: AMD R9 9900X CPU Review
The under record of charts is our most heavily-vetted, most recently-published knowledge set. Due to upkeep overhead and our concentrate on new content material, we gained’t up to date it after each single assessment, however we are going to replace this add after main assessment cycles are totally full. For instance, if each AMD and Intel are launching CPUs throughout a 2-3 month unfold, we’ll replace this record on the finish after we can breathe once more.
These will lack a number of the knowledge discovered on the LTS charts; nonetheless, they might include newer knowledge (akin to newer CPUs).
There could also be discrepancies between the LTS and Active charts. They aren’t essentially comparable, and sometimes aren’t. This is for causes akin to Windows model variations, sport updates, and take a look at platform modifications.
Active Charts: Production
Rather than individually break them out into headings like above, we’ll simply dump all of the manufacturing charts under:
Active Charts: Gaming Benchmarks
And the identical for gaming. You can discover every sport on the prime of the chart:
CPUs Present on These Charts & Their Reviews
This desk features a simplified record of all CPUs on these charts, together with hyperlinks to the unique GN critiques the place current. Be suggested that CPUs usually have a number of follow-up items of content material in speedy succession because the panorama modifications. To preserve issues easy, we’ll simply hyperlink the unique critiques. You can nonetheless discover the follow-ups on the channel.
Update Log
The under is an replace log of modifications to this web page. The format is MM/DD/YYYY:
- 10/13/2024: Created web page with preliminary dataset following Zen 5 critiques and previous Arrow Lake critiques
Update course of / home cleansing (externally seen, however used internally):
- Apply modifications
- Append to replace log
- Modify “Data Set” for each LTS and Active charts to determine the substitute dataset
- Modify present suggestions on the prime of the web page
- Append desk of examined CPUs
- Update to hyperlink the most recent Best CPUs article