Which CPU should I buy? Have you been asking this question lately? Well, you are not alone if you have been. With the current ‘state of affairs,’ it is only the call of the hour to ensure your online equipment is updated. Likewise, a computer’s CPU is a vital aspect of the system that ensures its proper working. This could imply either upgrading the current system or building a new system from scratch. The CPU, or rather an efficient CPU, ensures quit completion of tasks, video editing, transcoding, and more. Also, the CPU dictates the motherboard options, as the processor works with a specific CPU socket and Chipsets. But how do you make the right choice? Let us find out which CPU to buy and how to make the right choice.
AMD Vs Intel: Well, the scales appear to shift in favour of AMD these days, at least for now. Also, AMD has managed to conquer the market mainly because you get more for less. AMD is the prime choice for gamers, as the Ryzen 5 5600X has overtaken even the high-end intel CPUs at 1080p and stock setting. Video editing tasks and transcoding. As for multi-core performances, it is AMD once again. However, not the one to give up the fight, Intel has shown promises of the launch of solid single-core performance gains of their own and a platform that supports PCI 4.0.
- The Clock Speed: There is no denying that various tasks require more clock speed as compared to core count. So, when faced with the question of which processor I should buy? Be sure to keep this feature in your mind. Where the higher clock speed refers to snappier performances for various simple tasks, on the other hand, more cores allow a smooth sail through the time-consuming workloads.
- The Budget: To make the most out of a CPU, you need to pair it up with some of the best SSD, RAM, and some good Graphic cards.
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The CPU Price List
Now, not all of us are high-end techies. Some of us wish to invest in a processor for our basic requirements as well. So, how do you know how much to splurge? Let us make some suggestions according to the task at hand:
The Basic Task: INR 3000- INR 7000 and Above
For basic functions like watching, browsing, using the Word Processor, Spreadsheet tasks, you require an entry-level chip that comprises two or four cores. However, if you are a notch-up in basic tasks, you can opt for Ryzen 3 or Intel Pentium on the high-end range and Intel Celeron for the budget buyer.
The Gamers: INR 14000 – INR 20000
Which CPU should I buy for gaming? Facing the dilemma lately. Well, there are quite a few choices at hand for you to consider from. For the high-end gamers mid-range, Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 are recommended. These CPUs have a good clock speed and help you stay on a reasonable budget so that you can splurge on Graphic cards more vital for gaming.
Media Work: INR 20000- INR 30000
For media-related work like video editing and future computing tasks, you can opt for the Ryzen 7. This offers you more cores and speed that are required for such tasks that are future-proof as well.
The Workstation: INR 30000 AND ABOVE
For those of you who work with 3D animation, 4K video, massive databases, or complex Maths, you might want to consider Intel Core X or AMD Threadripper in CPU. These are ultimate in the number of physical cores and extreme multitasking. Also, these are the best bets when it comes to various time-consuming computer tasks as well. As for the business users, Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC processors are preferred. For those of you with huge tasks at hand but on a budget, try getting your hands on AMD’s 16 Core Ryzen 9 5950X or 12-Core RYzen 9 5900X. This ensures that you get the workstation-style performances onto the main platforms.
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The Key CPU Specs to Watch Out For
So, now that you have decided upon what to watch out for when you purchase CPUs online, you need to take a look at the specs. Some of the more important specs of a Processor are:
Threads
The thread relates to the number of independent processors that the chip can handle. This, in theory, is the same as the number of Cores. As many Processors have multithreading capabilities, which allows a single Core to create two threads, one can make their choices accordingly. Also known as ‘hyper-threading (in the case of Intel) or Simultaneous Multithreading (in the case of AMD). The more the number of Threads, the smoother is the multitasking capabilities of a CPU. This is something that the video editors and transcoders need to consider quite seriously.
TDP
As you set out to buy a computer CPU, you need to take into account the TDP. This is the acronym for Thermal Design Profile and is the maximum heat that is generated by the chip at stock speed. The TDP is measured in Watts and allows you to purchase the CPU accordingly. For example, if a certain processor has a TDP of 95 watts, you will require a CPU cooler that can handle the said amount of heat. Also, one needs to bear in mind that overclocking usually generates more heat. So, it is essential to know your TDP so that you can acquire the right cooling tools and power equipment to support the CPU.
Cache
This is the feature that allows you to speed up the access to data and the instructions between the RAM and the CPU. There are three different types of Cache:
L1- The fastest yet cramped
L2- Spacious but slower
L3- Spacious yet sluggish
IPC
This is the acronym for the Instructions Per Clock cycle and is directly dependant upon the CPU’s architecture. This essentially translates to the fact that the newer chips will have better IPC as compared to the older generation ones.
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Which CPU Should I Buy? | The Conclusion
So, as you know now, there are various factors to consider before purchasing a CPU. While some of these are more important than others, you must know your needs well. However, one must bear two very important factors in mind; the budget and the purpose.