• Latest
  • Trending
2022 CPU Buying Guide

2022 CPU Buying Guide: AMD vs Intel Comparison

3 years ago
Eye for an Eye Review

Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

Alma and the Wolf Review

Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

Hi-Five Review

Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

28 Years Later Review

28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

Soul Reaper Review

Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

Mindhunter

David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

1 day ago
How to Train Your Dragon

‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

1 day ago
Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

1 day ago
Jack Betts

Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

1 day ago
Amanda Seyfried

Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

1 day ago
Lynn Hamilton

Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

1 day ago
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Monday, June 23, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

    Seth Rogen

    Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

    Jack Betts

    Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

    Amanda Seyfried

    Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

    Lynn Hamilton

    Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

    Owen Wilson

    Owen Wilson Rejoins Stiller and De Niro as ‘Meet the Parents 4’ Sets 2026 Release

    Pretty Little Liars Stars

    After Reboot’s Demise, Pretty Little Liars Cast Plots Big-Screen Return

    jackie chan and bruce lee

    Bruce Lee Returns—Digitally—as Beijing Launches $14 M Restoration Drive

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Eye for an Eye Review

    Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

    Alma and the Wolf Review

    Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    Hi-Five Review

    Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

    28 Years Later Review

    28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

    Soul Reaper Review

    Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

    Promised Hearts Review

    Promised Hearts Review: Melodrama Meets Existential Yearning

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review – Conversations in the Dakota Shadows

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review — From Tryouts to Takeover

    Pinch Review

    Pinch Review: Sharp Humor Meets Social Reckoning

  • Game Reviews
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review: All Style, Less Story

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review: A Dialogue With Tradition

    Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Review

    Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Review: Neon Lights and Brutal Fights

    Trident's Tale Review

    Trident’s Tale Review: Buried Treasure or Fool’s Gold?

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

    Seth Rogen

    Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

    Jack Betts

    Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

    Amanda Seyfried

    Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

    Lynn Hamilton

    Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

    Owen Wilson

    Owen Wilson Rejoins Stiller and De Niro as ‘Meet the Parents 4’ Sets 2026 Release

    Pretty Little Liars Stars

    After Reboot’s Demise, Pretty Little Liars Cast Plots Big-Screen Return

    jackie chan and bruce lee

    Bruce Lee Returns—Digitally—as Beijing Launches $14 M Restoration Drive

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Eye for an Eye Review

    Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

    Alma and the Wolf Review

    Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    Hi-Five Review

    Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

    28 Years Later Review

    28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

    Soul Reaper Review

    Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

    Promised Hearts Review

    Promised Hearts Review: Melodrama Meets Existential Yearning

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review – Conversations in the Dakota Shadows

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review — From Tryouts to Takeover

    Pinch Review

    Pinch Review: Sharp Humor Meets Social Reckoning

  • Game Reviews
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review: All Style, Less Story

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review: A Dialogue With Tradition

    Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Review

    Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Review: Neon Lights and Brutal Fights

    Trident's Tale Review

    Trident’s Tale Review: Buried Treasure or Fool’s Gold?

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
2022 CPU Buying Guide

7 Wonders of Ukraine: These Monuments could be damaged by the Russian attack

A Look Back at 5 Unique Cars of East Germany

Home Technology

2022 CPU Buying Guide: AMD vs Intel Comparison

Which AMD or Intel desktop CPU meets your requirements? We provide answers in our 2022 CPU buying guide in important price and performance categories.

Gazettely Editorial by Gazettely Editorial
3 years ago
in Technology
Reading Time: 10 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

A CPU is the heart of a PC, and a wrong purchase has a significant impact on the fun of gaming and the speed at which you work. Choosing the right CPU isn’t easy, though, as cryptic terms such as cores, CPU clock speed and cache abound. Before we get to specific recommendations, let’s first look at the basics.

AMD vs Intel?

AMD and Intel are the most critical CPU manufacturers on the PC market. For years Intel was ahead of the competition in terms of performance. That has fundamentally changed since 2017. At that time, AMD caught up almost overnight with the Zen Core architecture and the Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper CPUs based on it. Today, these CPUs offer a better price/performance ratio in many cases. So, it doesn’t always have to be Intel anymore.

The only important thing is that CPU and motherboard match. AMD CPUs need a motherboard with AMD chips, and Intel CPUs need a motherboard with Intel chips. Intel SSDs, on the other hand, also work in computers with AMD CPUs just as well as AMD graphics cards in Intel-based PCs.

What are Intel Core i, Celeron and Pentium Gold?

What are Intel Core i, Celeron and Pentium Gold

At Intel, the Celeron and Pentium Gold CPU families are called Core i. Core i CPUs are, in turn, made up of the subcategories Core i3, i5, i7 and i9. Capital letters stand for special features within the model name of a CPU:

  • “F” indicates Intel’s CPUs without an integrated graphics unit (see below).
  • “K” indicates CPUs whose performance can be increased particularly well by overclocking.

The Intel CPU generations are numbered consecutively, and the latest is 12. This results in a current CPU name like Core i5-12600K, where the “12” after the hyphen indicates the generation. Lastly, Intel has given its desktop CPU generations the following names:

  • Generation 10: Comet Lake-S
  • Generation 11: Rocket Lake-S
  • Generation 12: Alder Lake-S

What are AMD Athlon, Ryzen and Threadripper?

What are AMD Athlon Ryzen and Threadripper

AMD’s current CPU lineup consists of two families. The small Athlon family of CPUs (meant for low-budget PCs) is joined by the large group of Ryzen CPUs. Within Ryzen, AMD further divides into Ryzen 3, 5, 7 and 9 and Ryzen Threadripper. Within the model name of a CPU, suffixes and capital letters stand for special features:

  • A “Pro” indicates AMD’s chips with additional services for business customers, which rather do not play a role for private users and small businesses (for example, a guaranteed availability period).
  • “G” stands for CPUs with integrated graphics chip
  • “E” stands for CPUs aimed at PC manufacturers and enable specific designs, for example, by running at a fixed defined wattage. Models without the “E” suffix offer more flexibility. International OEMs may also have “GE” CPUs in their portfolio.
  • “X” and “XT” (up to Ryzen 3000) indicates variants of an original model that have been increased in performance, apart from exceptions. For example, Ryzen 5 3600X is a slightly more powerful variant of the Ryzen 5 3600, which is surpassed by the Ryzen 5 3600XT. AMD occasionally reissues CPUs without such a label. If you find the same CPU in a store several times, this could be why.

CPUs are developed generation by generation, which is reflected in the model designations. AMD numbers its Ryzen generations in increments of 1000. Therefore, first-generation models bore names like “Ryzen 3 1200” and “Ryzen 7 1700”, while third-generation CPUs are called “Ryzen 3 3200” and “Ryzen 7 3700”, for example. 4000 AMD skipped on the desktop market and introduced Ryzen 5000 right away in October 2020.

Also read:

  • 2022 Xiaomi Mobile Ranking: Best Options From $200 to $500
  • 17 Best Smartwatches in the Market
  • The Best Cell Phones Under 200 Euros
  • Everything You Need to Know About 2020 Expo in Dubai
  • 9 Cybersecurity Tips to Improve Online Security and Safety
  • 8 Best Motherboards for AMD Ryzen With B550 and X570 Chipset

In practice, you will also encounter the following designations:

  • Ryzen 1000: “Summer Ridge”
  • Ryzen Threadripper 1000: “Whitehaven”
  • Ryzen 2000 APUs: “Raven Ridge
  • Ryzen 2000: “Pinnacle Ridge
  • Ryzen Threadripper 2000: “Colfax”
  • Ryzen 3000 APUs: “Picasso”
  • Ryzen 3000: “Matisse
  • Ryzen Threadripper 3000: “Castle Peak”
  • Ryzen 4000 APUs: “Renoir”
  • Ryzen 5000: “Vermeer”

Classification of CPU performance

Classification of CPU performance

Knowing this, you can already roughly estimate the performance of CPUs:

  • Performance increases within a generation as indicated above, i.e. a Ryzen Threadripper is faster than a Ryzen 9, which is, in turn, snappier than a Ryzen 5, while a Core i9 rushes ahead of a Core i7.
  • CPUs of a new generation are typically faster, but they are also more expensive than their predecessors.
  • AMD Athlon and Ryzen 3 and Celeron, Pentium Gold and Core i3, all play in the entry-level class.
  • The Ryzen 5 and Core i5 make up the mid-range.
  • The upper class consists of Ryzen 7 and Core i7.
  • Ryzen Threadripper and Core i9 are high-end processors.

In the following, we will answer typical questions. How do cores and threads work, what do you need for an integrated graphics chip and what does boxed or tray mean? Afterwards, you will find our CPU recommendations for gaming, working professionally or the upscale multimedia office routine.

CPU terms and features explained

Now that you have a good understanding of CPU models, in this section of our CPU buying guide we will share some more general information about CPUs. Stay tuned.

Cores and threads

Each CPU houses a core that does the computing work. It is traditionally dedicated to processing a single thread, which we translate as “subroutine”. For example, a word processor’s threads might process text input, save the document, or print.

Cores and threads

As more and more programs run simultaneously on PCs, there has also been an enormous increase in the number of threads to be processed. Therefore, the manufacturers typically provide desktop CPUs with several cores. This way, the performance can be increased much more efficiently than by optimizing the single-core, which goes on in parallel. New terms have come into use against this background:

  • “Multi-core” as a generic term for CPUs with multiple cores.
  • “Dual-Core” as a designation for a processor with two cores; in the same way, “Quad Core”, “Hexa Core”, “Octa-Core” and “Deca Core” stand for four, six, eight and ten cores, respectively

In addition, some CPUs’ cores can each process two threads “simultaneously”. This is referred to as “multithreading” or, at Intel, “hyperthreading”. Such CPUs are described with “4 cores, 8 threads”, for example. Because processing does not occur simultaneously, an eight-core is usually superior to a four-core with multithreading, provided both come from the same CPU generation.

Intel distinguishes between so-called power cores (P-cores) and efficiency cores (E-cores), beginning with the Alder Lake CPUs. The first ones deliver exceptionally high performance but consume significantly more power. It is the other way around for the E-Cores: Their performance is lower, but they use comparatively little power during work. Windows is designed to distribute tasks optimally between P- and E-Cores starting with version 11. This can reduce the CPU’s power consumption and thus noticeably waste heat and fan noise.

Tip: Dual-cores are theoretically sufficient for surfing, e-mail and Prime Video, but they quickly run out of breath. Quad and inexpensive six-cores are also the better and future-proof choice for everyday use and simple games. Those who play current, performance-hungry games should by no means be satisfied with a quad-core, and preferably one with eight threads, or immediately go for an eight-core.

More is hardly worth it, though. It looks different for intensive images, videos and audio editing. Here, a CPU with 12 or even 16 cores can give you a much earlier end of work. If you consider an Alder Lake CPU, you should primarily look at the number of power cores.

Clock frequency and IPC

Clock frequency and IPC

The processor cores’ clock frequency is typically specified in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz. They express how often each Core can switch its transistors between 0 and 1 per second. However, the clock frequency is only suitable for assessing the performance of CPUs from the same family, for example, two Intel Alder Lake Core i5 models. Otherwise, other factors come into play. For example, the number of instructions the CPU executes per clock cycle, the number of CPU cores, and the CPU cache memory size.

It is, therefore, better to resort to benchmarks for comparing CPUs across brands and generations. To compile these statistics, one measures the real-world performance of a CPU while doing various tasks. You can find many benchmark results online by searching for the CPU’s model name and the word “benchmark”. A search like “Core i5-12600K vs Ryzen 5 5600X” will even often take you directly to a comparison of two CPUs in question. Or you can simply follow our recommendations later.

Integrated graphics

The PC needs a graphics adapter, also called a “Graphics Processing Unit” or “GPU” for short, for the graphics output. Typically, Intel’s desktop CPUs come with the GPU. Only when the model designation contains a capital “F”, such as in the Core i3-12100F, is a GPU conspicuous by its absence.

AMD has it the other way around. Here, a “G” in the model name stands for the presence of a GPU, for instance, in the Ryzen 5 5600G. AMD referred to so-called APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) in the past. This term persists, although it has disappeared from AMD’s marketing materials in the meantime.

AMD and Intel have increased the performance of integrated GPUs again and again. Still, it lags behind dedicated GPUs by far. However, you shouldn’t write off these solutions. Those who surf, stream videos and use the PC for office work are completely satisfied with an iGPU and can save money for an additional graphics card.

For simple e-sports games, such as Fortnite, current iGPUs are also sufficient. At least, this is true when you change the game settings so that the image is not calculated in too much detail. If you only need more graphics power later, you can easily add a dedicated GPU at any time. It gets along very well with the iGPU.

Boxed

“Boxed” or “Tray”?

You will find CPUs both “boxed” and a “tray” version in stores. First of all, these abbreviations indicate the sales packaging. “Boxed” means that the CPU is delivered in an excellent original box. In contrast, the dealer picks the tray version from a plastic tablet and simply puts it into a noname packaging.

However, there is, in fact, more to it than that. The boxed CPUs are slightly more expensive. However, the two manufacturers offer a three-year warranty on these CPUs. In many cases, a suitable CPU fan is already included. In addition, tray CPUs are more likely to be returned. Therefore, we recommend buying a boxed version of a CPU whenever possible.

In the following, you can find our CPU recommendations for different purposes and different price categories.

Best all-round CPUs and Best budget CPUs to buy

Recommendation: Intel Core i3-12100

Intel’s Core i3-12100 is from Intel’s current Alder Lake S family and went on sale at the beginning of 2022. This is a quad-core with eight threads. In contrast to the Core i7 and i9, Intel does without E-cores here and relies on P-cores throughout.

That increases the power consumption. On the other hand, this CPU is cheap with a current boxed price of just under 150 Euros (~$150). AMD will not be able to compete with this in terms of price until AMD’s Ryzen 5 5500 and 5600 go on sale in March/April 2022 at the earliest.

Intel Core i5-12400

Intel Core i5-12400 as an alternative and price tip

Intel’s Core i5-12400 is also from the Alder Lake S family and offers a bit more performance for around 200 Euros. Particularly in multi-core applications, it pulls ahead of its little brother with an additional performance of about 30-40 percent. This is because Intel has installed 6 cores with 12 threads (compared to 4/8 in the Core i3). The i5 delivers about 10 percent more performance in games with FullHD resolution.

Best gaming CPUs

Recommendation: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X, released at the end of 2020, quickly became the darling of the gaming scene. The CPU currently costs around 230 Euros, is equipped with 6 cores and 12 threads. It comes from AMD’s Ryzen 5000 “Vermeer” series and features Zen 3 architecture. The Intel i5-12600K is already waiting in the wings. But it is still plagued by problems that are especially important for gamers.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Alternate: i5-12600K

However, the Intel i5-12600K is from Intel’s twelfth generation (2021). It provides about 10% more performance in games, uses less power and can be overclocked well as a “K” chip. Nevertheless, for the time being, the i5 remains only an alternative. This is due to its higher price of just under 300 Euros.

Best upper-class CPUs

Recommendation: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X brings a full 12 cores and 24 threads to the table for around 520 euros. From a technical point of view, this CPU is based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, which has advantages like a 7nm production process, PCIe 4.0 and good overclockability. Everywhere where many applications run simultaneously and/or the workload can be distributed over several threads, you benefit from the numerous processor cores.

However, AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X also leaves a good gaming impression. Those who don’t need as many cores will also do very well with the AMD Ryzen 9 5800X, which is about 150 euros cheaper.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Alternative: Core i7-12700K

The alternative again comes from Intel. The Core i7-12700K comes from the Alder Lake-S series and has the usual division into eight P- and four E-cores. The i7 keeps up with the Ryzen 9 in the application field and performs about 10% better in games. However, the Intel CPU’s price advantage (about 410 Euros) is eaten up by the higher power consumption over time.

Tags: AMDAMD AthlonAMD RyzenAMD Ryzen 5AMD Ryzen 9AMD ThreadripperCPUIntelIntel CeleronIntel Core iIntel Core i3Intel Core i5Intel Core i7Intel Pentium Gold
Previous Post

7 Wonders of Ukraine: These Monuments could be damaged by the Russian attack

Next Post

A Look Back at 5 Unique Cars of East Germany

Discussion about this post

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Marshmallow Review

    Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

    4 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We Were Liars Season 1 Review: Paradise Lost on Beechwood Island

    6 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Art Detectives Review: The Case of the Brilliant Man and the Underwritten Woman

    168 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 Review – Bridging Eras with Spellbinding Charm

    44 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

28 Years Later Review
Movies

28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

1 day ago
F1: The Movie Review
Movies

F1: The Movie Review: An Engineered Ecstasy That Sputters at the Finish

5 days ago
Elio Review
Movies

Elio Review: Lost in a Beautiful Cosmos

5 days ago
K.O. Review
Movies

K.O. Review: This Heavyweight Contender Lands Solid, If Predictable, Blows

6 days ago
The Chelsea Detective Season 3 Review
Entertainment

The Chelsea Detective Season 3 Review: The Moral Topography of a Postal Code

6 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version