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If you are in the market for new CPUs for competitive/FPS games, you have come to the right place. Here, you will find all the best options.
If you are a professional Counter-Strike 2 gamer or play other competitive games, then you know just how important a role CPUs play. Even if your GPU delivers 360 frames per second, if your processor is not strong enough, the final FPS output to your monitor will be lower. Only powerful CPUs with high clock speeds, higher core count, and/or higher cache can help push higher frame rates.
In this article, we list the best CPUs capable of delivering high frame rates in competitive/FPS games.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer’s opinions. Also, the Prices mentioned herein are subject to change.
What Are the Best CPUs for Competitive/FPS Games?
1) AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core CPU
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D was the best gaming CPU before the newer Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor took the top spot. The latter is a bit faster in competitive games, but not a lot, and it also costs a lot more. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D delivers the best price-to-performance ratio. It has only eight cores, but the 96MB of total L3 cache makes this CPU mighty powerful.
Moreover, the clock speed is topped at 5 GHz, which is more than enough for competitive/FPS titles. Most DDR5 RAM kits from 5200MHz to 6000MHz (via EXPO) are supported. However, AMD recommends 6000MHz RAM kits to deliver the most optimal performance. The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply one of the best CPUs for competitive/FPS games.
| Specifications | Details |
| Architecture | Zen 4 |
| P-cores/threads | 8/16 |
| E-cores/threads | — |
| Total cores/threads | 8/16 |
| Max clock speed | 5.0 GHz |
| L3 cache | 32MB + 64MB X3D |
| RAM support | DDR5-5200 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 120W Typical | 162W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 5nm,6nm |
2) Intel Core i7-13700KF 16-Core CPU
The Intel Core i7-13700KF is perfect for gamers who are into livestreaming and/or content creation. That’s because Intel equipped it with 16 cores/24 threads and a 5.4 GHz clock speed. Such a configuration will allow you to livestream your gaming session without impacting your gameplay.
You can essentially play at 360 or even 480 FPS while livestreaming simultaneously. It also supports DDR5 RAM kits with 5600MHz to 6400MHz quite easily. The only caveat is that you will need a beefier motherboard to support its higher power requirements.
| Specifications | Details |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake |
| P-cores/threads | 8/16 |
| E-cores/threads | 8/8 |
| Total cores/threads | 16/24 |
| Max clock speed | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 30MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-5600 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 253W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 10nm |
3) Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF 20-Core CPU
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is the perfect middle ground in terms of core count, performance, and pricing. It has 20 cores and a 5.5 GHz clock, which are the highest on this list, yet this CPU only costs $229.99. The lack of hyper-threading and a bit lower gaming performance are its only caveats.
However, the inclusion of 20 cores means it is a beast in content creation, which many gamers seek these days for their YouTube channels. It can accept much higher DDR4 6400 or even 7200 kits with XMP.
| Specifications | Details |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake |
| P-cores/threads | 8/8 |
| E-cores/threads | 12/12 |
| Total cores/threads | 20/20 |
| Max clock speed | 5.5 GHz |
| L3 cache | 30MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-6400 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 250W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 3nm |
4) AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 8-Core CPU
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is one of the most underrated CPUs for competitive/FPS games. Even though it has only eight cores, the Zen 4 architecture, combined with a higher 5.4 GHz clock speed, ensures it delivers top-level gaming performance.
It also supports DDR5 RAM kits from 5200MHz to 6000MHz (via EXPO). Also, it has a 105W TDP with only 142W PPT, which is much lower than other Intel CPUs in the same price range. Therefore, you won’t need extremely high-end motherboards for it.
| Specifications | Details |
| Architecture | Zen 4 |
| P-cores/threads | 8/16 |
| E-cores/threads | — |
| Total cores/threads | 8/16 |
| Max clock speed | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 32MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-5200 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 105W Typical | 142W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 5nm, 6nm |
5) Intel Core i7-12700KF 12-Core CPU
The Intel Core i7-12700KF is the cheapest CPU on this list, but don’t let its cheaper price tag fool you. Intel has equipped this little beast with 12 cores with up to a 5 GHz clock speed. Therefore, it will do well in competitive/FPS titles, including Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and more. Even though it’s equipped with all that, it still costs $179, which is an amazing deal.
The Intel Core i7-12700KF supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM kits, so even budget gamers can buy it with cheaper DDR4 kits. However, users who can afford faster DDR5 kits should buy them without hesitation.
| Specifications | Details |
| Architecture | Alder Lake |
| P-cores/threads | 8/16 |
| E-cores/threads | 4/4 |
| Total cores/threads | 12/20 |
| Max clock speed | 5.0 GHz |
| L3 cache | 30MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-4800 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 190W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 10nm |
Final Thoughts
This concludes the list of all the best CPUs for competitive/FPS games. Those who can afford the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D should get that. The Intel Core i7-13700KF is much cheaper and will deliver close to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Those on a tight budget can look towards the Ryzen 7 7700X or Intel Core i7-12700KF.
However, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K currently delivers one of the best price-to-performance ratios, so keep that in mind as well.
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