Central Processing Unit (CPU) has a significant impact on the performance of PC, and for many users, it is the most crucial component for the building of PC. There is a big range of CPU models from Intel and AMD as well to power your PC for different purposes.
If you are going to build a gaming PC, different features of CPU’s are more important, like core numbers, PCIe lanes, thread number, IPC score, etc. these features impact a lot over gaming experience, but for some people, these numbers are confusing and boring.
In this article, we have created a list of CPU hierarchy based on their performance. The essential thing while upgrading or building a new PC is to know about your requirements and needs.
If you know very well about the requirements, it is straightforward to find the right component for your PC, and hopefully, you can see that one in our below mentioned list. We categorize the hierarchy in different tiers depending on their performance and purpose of use.
All the processors in each tier are similar to others, with little difference in performance and price. It is not a gaming processor hierarchy rather than it is based on overall performance. However, these are arranged in descending order as per performance.
Table of Contents
Tier 1 – Extreme Power
The CPU’s included in first-tier are the most powerful processors currently available in the market. These are the best performers in respect of speed and core count but with a higher power draw averagely and physically big in size as well. These processors are suitable for use in large servers, but these are not perfect but good for gaming. If you are going to buy any of the processors from this list, keep in mind that you cannot use these processors to their full potential to maximize the gaming experience.
However, the AMD threadripper processors easily beat Intel’s i9 generation in overall performance, but especially when it comes to multithreaded applications. Video conversion and 3D rendering smoothly work when running in the game mode. You can use these processors at its full potential to enjoy the enhanced gaming experience.
No doubt, Intel i9 processors have a lot of potentials, but AMD offers better base clock speed, and i9 series pushes the boundaries with its better overclock speed. The threadripper series gives Inter an opportunity for their money, and that’s the reason behind the launching of i9 generation processors, while the reason for the AMD series is to improve the market and make space for this category.
Brand
Model
Core-Thread
Over-Clocked
Base Clock
Socket
Ryzen Threadripper 2990 WX
32-64
4.2 GHz
3.0 GHz
TR4
Ryzen Threadripper 2970 WX
24-48
4.2 GHz
3.0 GHz
TR4
Ryzen Threadripper 2950 WX
16-32
4.4 GHz
3.5 GHz
TR4
AMD
Ryzen Threadripper 2920 WX
12-24
4.3 GHz
3.5 GHz
TR4
Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
16-32
4.00 GHz
3.4 GHz
TR4
Ryzen Threadripper 1920X
12-24
4.00 GHz
3.5 GHz
TR4
Ryzen Threadripper 1900X
8-16
4.00 GHz
3.8 GHz
TR4
Intel Xeon W-3175X
28-56
4.3 GHz
3.1 GHz
LGA3647
Intel Core i9-9980XE
18-36
4.4 GHz
3.0 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i9-7900X
18-36
4.20 GHz
2.60 GHz
LGA2066
Intel
Intel Core i9-7920X
16-32
4.20 GHz
2.80 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i9-7940X
14-28
4.20 GHz
3.10 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i9-7960X
12-24
4.30 GHz
2.90 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i9-7980XE
10-20
4.30 GHz
3.30 GHz
LGA2066
Tier 2
The CPU’s in the second tier comes with superb performance, especially for desktops at reasonable prices as compared to that of first-tier CPUs. The CPU in first-tier provides the freedom of multi-tasking but at a higher cost and suitable for high-end games.
The tier 2 processors are the best combination of accessibility and performance and are perfect to work with 4K visuals that usually offered in new and high-end games. But it is something more than it if you are a hardcore gamer. The processors in this tier use typical sockets like LGA1151 for Intel processors and AM4 for AMD processors.
In this tier, you will notice that both i7 and Rayzen models perform very well, like good competitors. The Intel i7 processors perform very well and suitable for use in single-core applications while the Rayzen performs its best in multi-core processing.
The processors in this tier are perfect for people who want to build PC for multipurpose like video conversion, video streaming, and gaming as well. These processors are capable of handling all these requirements very well and serving all the needs at reasonable and affordable prices.
Brand
Model
Core-Thread
Over-Clocked
Base Clock
Socket
Ryzen 9 3950X
16-32
4.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 9 3900X
12-24
4.60 GHz
3.80 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 3800X
8-16
4.50 GHz
3.90 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 3700X
8-16
4.40 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 2700X
8-16
4.30 GHz
3.70 GHz
AM4
AMD
Ryzen 7 2700
8-16
4.30 GHz
3.20 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 1800X
8-16
4.00 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 Pro 1700X
8-16
3.80 GHz
3.40 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 1700X
8-16
3.80 GHz
3.40 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 Pro 1700
8-16
3.70 GHz
3.00 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 7 1700
8-16
3.70 GHz
3.00 GHz
AM4
Intel Core i9-9900K
8-8
5.00 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-9700K
8-8
4.90 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-8700K
6-12
4.70 GHz
3.70 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-8700
6-12
4.60 GHz
3.20 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-7820X
8-16
4.30 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i7-7800X
6-12
4.00 GHz
3.50GHz
LGA2066
Intel
Intel Core i7-6950X
10-20
3.50 GHz
3.00 GHz
LGA2011-3
Intel Core i7-7740X
4-8
4.5 GHz
4.30 GHz
LGA2066
Intel Core i7-7700K
4-8
4.5 GHz
4.20 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-7700
4-8
4.20 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-7700T
4-8
3.80 GHz
2.90 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-6900K
8-16
3.70 GHz
3.20 GHz
LGA2011-3
Intel Core i7-6850K
6-12
3.80 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA2011-3
Intel Core i7-6800K
6-12
3.60 GHz
3.40 GHz
LGA2011-3
Intel Core i7-6700K
4-8
4.20 GHz
4.00GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-6700
4-8
4.00 GHz
3.40 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i7-6700T
4-8
3.60 GHz
2.80 GHz
LGA1151
Tier 3
The CPUs in the third tire is famous among the gaming community for a long time. The processors in this tier offer excellent performance with a high core number at affordable prices. Therefore, it attracts a lot of people to perform different tasks along with great gaming experience.
Mostly, gamers who don’t want to enjoy extra bells and whistles but want to enjoy high graphics games like 4K graphics games go with the processors in this tier. No doubt, the processors in this tier perform very well like the processors in the first and second-tier, but these are perfect for the smooth playing of period games.
Moreover, these processors are great if the purpose of PC up-gradation is just to play the games and don’t want to enjoy extra features. The gaming experience of processors in the third tier is almost at the part as compared to processors in the first and 2nd tier. Tier 3 processors are surely packed with different improvements that are surely capable of meeting the gaming requirements.
However, you may need to buy some other equipment like a powerful gaming monitor. It is crucial if you want to enjoy the 4K gaming experience in real means. Just like in the previous tiers, AMD comes with competitive prices of Ryzen 5 CPUs in the middle of 2017. The competition between Intel and AMD almost remain at par in respect of performance and pricing.
Brand
Model
Core-Thread
Over-Clocked
Base Clock
Socket
AMD
Ryzen 5 3600X
6-12
4.40 GHz
3.80 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 3600
6-12
4.20 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 2600X
6-12
4.20 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 2600
6-12
3.90 GHz
3.40 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 3400G
4-8
3.70 GHz
4.20 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 2400G
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 1600X
6-12
4.00 GHz
3.60 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 1600
6-12
3.60 GHz
3.20 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 Pro 1600
6-12
3.60 GHz
3.20 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 1500X
4-8
3.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 Pro 1500
4-8
3.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 5 1400
4-8
3.40 GHz
3.20 GHz
AM4
INTEL
Intel Core i7 - 4960X
6-12
4.00 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA2011
Intel Core i7-4930K
6-12
3.90 GHz
3.40 GHz
LGA2011
Intel Core i7-4820K
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.70 GHz
LGA2011
Intel Core i7-4790K
4-8
4.40 GHz
4.00 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4790T
4-8
3.90 GHz
2.70 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4790
4-8
4.00 GHz
3.60 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4785T
4-8
3.2 GHz
2.20 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4771
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.50 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4770R
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.20 GHz
BGA1364
Intel Core i7-4770T
4-8
3.70 GHz
2.50 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4770S
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.10 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4770K
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.50 GHz
LGA1150
Intel Core i7-4770
4-8
3.90 GHz
3.40 GHz
LGA1150
Tier 4
The processors in the fourth tier are designed for baggers in the gaming habit. These processors perform well for starting a journey of PC gaming.
Many people hesitate to use these processors in their gaming PC because these are not suitable for playing newer and high demanding games. But these are perfect if you want to make a gaming PC with the best budget.
These processors are the best alternatives for gaming rigs for playing average demanding games. But you may feel the needs of other important and influential components like a graphics card. This is the only way to come over the inefficiency of the processor. By using a high-quality graphics card, you can play some games in high settings, but it is still not enough to play top demanding games as well.
Brand
Model
Core-Thread
Over-Clocked
Base Clock
Socket
AMD
Ryzen 3 3200G
4-4
3.60 GHz
4.00 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 3 2200G
4-4
3.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 3 1300X
4-4
3.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 3 Pro 1300
4-4
3.70 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 3 Pro 1200
4-4
3.40 GHz
3.10 GHz
AM4
Ryzen 3 1200
4-4
3.40 GHz
3.10 GHz
AM4
INTEL
Intel Core i3-8350K
4-4
4.50 GHz
4.00 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-8100
4-4
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7350K
2-4
4.20 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7320
2-4
4.10 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7300
2-4
4.00 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7300T
2-4
3.50 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7101E
2-4
3.90 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7101TE
2-4
3.40 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Core i3-7100T
2-4
3.40 GHz
LGA2011-3
Intel Core i3-7100
2-4
3.90 GHz
LGA2011-3
Tier 5
In the end, tier 5 comprises of processors that are available in the market only with basic features to smoothly run the older and low requirement games. You may get success in playing some newer games with high settings.
The processors in this tier are excellent options for people who can’t afford the high specification gaming rig. These are capable enough for different games but with various limitations.
Brand
Model
Core-Thread
Over-Clocked
Base Clock
Socket
AMD
AMD FX-6350
6-6
4.20 GHz
3.90 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-6300
6-6
3.80 GHz
3.50 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-6200
6-6
4.10 GHz
3.80 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX 6100
6-6
3.90 GHz
3.30 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-4350
4-4
4.30 GHz
4.20 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-4320
4-4
4.10 GHz
4.00 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-4300
4-4
4.00 GHz
3.80 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-4130
4-4
3.90 GHz
3.80 GHz
AM3+
AMD FX-4100
4-4
3.80 GHz
3.60GHz
AM3+
INTEL
Intel Pentium G G4620
2-4
-
3.70 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4600T
2-4
-
3.00 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4600
2-4
-
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4560T
2-4
-
2.90 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4560
2-4
-
3.50 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4520
8-16
-
3.60 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4500T
6-12
-
3.00 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4500
6-12
-
3.50 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4400T
4-8
-
2.90 GHz
LGA1151
Intel Pentium G G4400
4-8
-
3.30 GHz
LGA1151
Final Thoughts
The selection of the right CPU of your PC is really important, and it is easy to select the right one if you know the requirements very well. So you can select the CPU that can fulfill your needs very well. The selection of the wrong CPU may result in extra cost to replace the CPU that you can spend in other areas of PC buildings. Hopefully, our hierarchy list helps you to make the selection process simple and easy. To get max performance from your CPU don’t forget to use CPU Coolers.
Intel’s i9 10900k is the most powerful CPU of 2021. It delivers faster speed performance with an exceptional cooling system.
What CPU should I buy for 2021?
It depends on you if you are building a PC for testing benchmarks and you have a lot of money to burn then you can go with i9 10900k or AMD Threadripper. But if you are looking for mid-range CPUs that can support high-end gaming than consider buying an i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 series.
What is the best CPU on the market?
Core i9 10900k is the best CPU available on the market. However, the CPU of AMD has better threads and cores along with base frequency but Intel’s Core i9 functions better at multi-tasking.
I have been fond of computer technology for a long time, ever since childhood, and was always meddling with various hardware and software. With graduation in computer engineering from a recognized university like NUST was a dream come true and enabled me to pursue my dreams in swift ways. Currently, I am working for various websites as a hardware reviewer and content writer.
ProTechReviewer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
