Stone for the future: choosing the best gaming CPU

AMD Ryzen 2400G is a class of so-called APUs, that is, it combines both processor and video cores. This is the second of the Raven Ridge generation APUs, and you can check out the first one here — AMD Ryzen 3 Raven Ridge 2200G BOX Price from 2 699 up to 4 042 ₴. On the market, this model replaced AMD Ryzen 5 Summit Ridge 1400 BOX , and for good reason.

The processor has four cores and SMT support, which means two threads per core. Compared to the replaced Ryzen 5 1400, the new product is equipped with a halved cache (4 MB L3), but greatly increased frequencies. Namely — 3.6 GHz by standard and 3.9 GHz in boost. The multiplier is also unlocked, which means that manual overclocking is possible on motherboards starting with the B350 chipset. However, older AM4 motherboards will require a BIOS update.

Thanks to the 65 W TDP, the Ryzen 5 2400G APU will allow you to build a system on an AM4 socket in a small case, say, for a compact gaming computer — even with the bundled Wraith Stealth cooler, which is quite quiet and very efficient. A graphics card is also not needed, since the integrated Vega 11 video core, operating at frequencies up to 1250 MHz with the possibility of overclocking, comes close to the GT 1030 discrete graphics card. This means that you will be able to play not only esports games, but also AAA projects like Far Cry 5.

It is important to remember that the performance of the APU video core directly depends on the RAM, its frequency, and, especially, the dual-channel mode. Click here for a selection of pre-made kits. Also note that the processor has only 8 PCI Express lanes for all expansion options, which is enough even for the most modern discrete graphics card, but not enough for NVME drives or expansion cards. Therefore, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is the perfect processor for a low-cost gaming system, but more serious gamers should take a closer look at more powerful models.

If a AMD Ryzen 5 Pinnacle Ridge 2600 BOX is an update to the most popular model of recent years — the Ryzen 5 1600, the 2600X is a twin brother that always does a little better. The model with the X index has the same 6 cores and SMT support, is installed on the AM4 socket, has an unlocked multiplier. Standard frequencies are from 3.6 GHz to 4.2 GHz, but on a good motherboard, you can easily get a stable 4.3 GHz on all cores.

One of the key features of the Zen+ update is the 12nm process, and the Ryzen 5 2600X takes advantage of this very effectively. Despite a noticeable increase in frequency, power consumption has not grown radically, and is on a level with a similar number of threads Intel Core i7 Coffee Lake i7-8700K BOX in work items. The TDP of the overclocked chip from the factory is 95 watts, which is quite a lot. However, the stock Wraith Spire cooler will handle the cooling without any problems — unless you want to overclock the system, then our selection of coolers for AM4 will help. In addition, on high-quality cooling with a motherboard based on the X470 chipset, the processor can overclock up to 4.35 GHz on its own, even if only by one core.

Twelve threads, 512 KB L3 cache per core, and DDR4 support up to 2933 MHz make the Ryzen 5 2600X not only a fast processor for games, but also suitable for a workstation if you, say, want to edit videos with your own gameplay, and for streamers are great. In addition, future gaming innovations will be able to use multithreading more efficiently, which means that your purchase will last you much longer. Do not forget that this processor will easily fit on previous generation AM4 motherboards — A320, B350 and X370.

Unlike the Core i3 of the Coffee Lake generation, which are essentially a rebranding of the Core i5 of the Kaby Lake generation, the "coffee i-fifths" are completely new processors. They are six-core, which is new for Intel, do not support multithreading, are comparable in cost to the Ryzen 5 2600/2600X, but the lack of Hyper-Threading support is rather a plus. This allows them to independently take frequencies higher than those of a competitor, namely, 4.3 GHz in boost with a modest 3.1 GHz by standard.

The processor has 9 MB L3 smart cache and support for DDR4 2666 MHz. A modest TPD of 65 W allows you to work without problems even on an unremarkable bundled cooler. The processor also has a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 630, operating at frequencies up to 1.15 GHz.

Unlike its older brother, the i5-8600 has a locked multiplier, so one of the freshly introduced LGA1151v2 chipsets — H370, B360 or H310 will be an perfect pair for CPU. Although the processor has only six threads, a high frequency will provide you with excellent FPS in any games for a very reasonable price.

Currently, the 2700X is AMD's fastest desktop solution in the Zen+ generation, at least until the 2800X comes out. Out of the box, it is able to raise the frequencies of one core to 4.35 MHz, albeit only on motherboards with the X470 chipset, and with good cooling. But given that these same chips managed to overclock to 6 GHz on liquid nitrogen, there is still enough potential.

Since the 2700X's base clocks have gone up to 3.7GHz, the TDP has gone up to 105W, so the stock Wraith Prism RGB cooler won't be enough to overclock. But in overclocking, the processor is able to compete with the Core i7-8700K, and the ability to install it in old AM4 chipsets (after updating the BIOS) makes the purchase even more profitable. As usual for the main line of Ryzen processors, the 2700X is not equipped with a video core, which should be attributed to the minuses.

With 16 threads to spare, the Ryzen 7 2700X will suit not only enthusiast gamers, but also professional streamers and even video editing environments. The multi-threaded performance of these processors is unparalleled, unless you look at Threadripper.

The flagship processor of the Coffee Lake generation received not only the advantages of the Core i5-8600K, namely, high frequencies and support for Hyper-Threading. In total, we get 6 cores, 12 threads and frequencies that range from stock 3.7 GHz to 4.7 GHz in a turbo boost. Plus — an unlocked multiplier, which means that 5 GHz can be obtained with relatively little blood. To do this, however, you need to purchase a high-quality power supply, as well as a very good cooler — the processor comes without any cooling. We recommend water, the choice of which we will pleasantly please.

In single-threaded tasks, the 8700K is unmatched. Of course, to achieve maximum frequencies, it is recommended to install it on the Z370 chipset that supports overclocking. The processor also supports DDR4 2666 MHz memory and is equipped with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics core, which is enough for basic tasks.

For games, this is the number one choice, since this model has both a high frequency and numerous threads. As the basis for a workstation or streamer computer, the 8700K will also do just fine.