Best Intel processors

Without a good CPU, stable PC performance becomes physically impossible, and this is especially important for graphics professionals, avid gamers and programmers. These are Intel devices that are used for games, server assembly and work in the office or at home. Knowing their advantages and disadvantages, choosing the best Intel processor will no longer be difficult. That is why this rating was compiled with a detailed review of each model under consideration.

Which processor is better - AMD or Intel

Definitely, Intel is more publicized than AMD, and therefore the cost of its products is often somewhat higher. She often updates the assortment and regularly improves her lineup. As a result, this company is the leader in chip performance, offers more favorable power consumption and modern architecture.

Intel chips with 4 cores can work faster and more efficiently than 6 and 8 cores from AMD. If you need a processor for a server or for games, then you can safely pay attention to Intel products, and AMD devices have proven themselves well in offices.

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Intel Company Profile

It is an American manufacturer of computer components and electronic devices, including microprocessors. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Its CPUs are available with 2, 4, 6, 8 cores in the desktop segment, and some models have doubled the number of threads, which expands the capabilities of the computer. The company produces both mobile (laptop) and desktop versions.

Intel has several lines in its range: Core, Pentium, Xeon (server), Atom, Quark, Celeron and Itanium. New models are released almost every quarter. They are popular because of their good performance due to the large amount of cache memory (up to 16 MB), high clock speed - up to 5 GHz, and resistance to high temperatures.

Rating of the best Intel processors

The compilation of this TOP became possible as a result of a careful analysis of expert opinions and user reviews.

When selecting the right nominees for the ranking of the best Intel processors, we were guided by their characteristics:

• Purpose - for games, work, for a server;
• Number of Cores;
• Number of threads;
• Base and maximum frequency;
• Levels and volumes of their cache memory;
• Built-in graphics;
• Supported image resolution;
• Realism in games;
• Maximum memory bandwidth;
• Thermal power;
• No glitches;
• Heating temperature limit;
• The maximum amount of supported RAM.

Separately, CPUs were evaluated in terms of their price / performance ratio.

The best processors for your computer

The best powerful Intel processors for gaming

In order to withstand heavy games, the "brain" of the computer must have at least 2-4 cores, and even better - 4 or 8 pieces.We studied the Intel proposals and selected the most productive devices with integrated graphics from them.

Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake

The Core line is Intel's fastest. This is a powerful processor just for heavy games, which, due to 8 cores, can handle such a load without failures. It allows you to keep many tabs open at the same time and quietly process graphics on a PC at a decent speed. An acceptable base frequency of 3.6 GHz is responsible for it, and in automatic turbo mode it can be overclocked to 4.7-5.0 GHz.

Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake works efficiently due to the presence of sufficient L3 cache, which is 16,386 KB. It can connect up to three monitors at the same time, which makes games more realistic and interesting. The processor at the hardware level supports the playback of video content in 3D format with a resolution of 1080p, uses the HDMI interface and produces high-quality sound. The computer with it is reliably protected from viruses by means of Device Protection technology.

Advantages

• Requires less expensive cooler due to thermal power of 95 W;
• Maximum memory bandwidth - 41.6 GB / s;
• No need to buy a video card separately, as there is built-in graphics;
• Supports 4K for high quality video playback;
• Stable video display due to Clear Video HD;
• Reduces PC vulnerability to viruses;
• Fast and secure data encryption.

disadvantages

• Expensive type of DDR4-2666 memory;
• Does not support ECC, which can lead to system crashes.

Thanks to DirectX 12 support, the latest games on Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake (3600MHz, LGA1151 v2, L3 16386Kb) run smoothly.

Intel Core i5-9600K Coffee Lake

The desktop version of the Intel Core i5-9600K Coffee Lake processor is suitable for the latest and "heavy" games. The product was released in 2024 and has good performance, dictated by the presence of 6 cores. But at the same time, their doubling does not occur due to the lack of support for the corresponding technology. A good processing speed is possible due to the base clock frequency of 3.70 GHz, and if necessary, it can be increased to 4.60 GHz.

This processor is designed to use a large amount of internal memory - 128 GB, which is enough to launch and comfortably run heavy games. The device is adapted for 2D and 3D graphics thanks to a special software interface. The video is bright and crisp due to the use of Clear Video technology built into the CPU. Along with quality sound, this provides the gamer with an immersive gaming experience that is enhanced by InTRU 3D.

Advantages

• Non-volatile memory;
• Support for 3 displays;
• High-quality cooling with a standard cooler;
• Withstands temperatures on the actual contact spot up to 100 degrees;
• Power saving idle mode;
• Reliable protection against overheating and failures by means of thermal control technology.

disadvantages

• No doubling of processing threads for physical cores;

Intel 64x architecture in conjunction with the corresponding software supports the operation of 64-bit applications on stationary PCs, servers, laptops, workstations. It improves device performance and uses more than 4 GB of physical and virtual memory.

Intel Core i7-8700 Coffee Lake

The device is designed for the desktop platform LGA 1151 and belongs to the category of powerful CPUs. The Intel Core I7 central processor is good because it runs on 12 threads with 6 cores with a base frequency of 3.2 GHz, which in Turbo mode increases to 4.6 GHz. The memory size of the three-level cache ensures fast application performance. The device fulfills the assigned tasks in a short time and can simultaneously work on several of them due to the Hyper-Threading technology.

This CPU is interesting from the point of view of video quality guaranteed by the integrated graphics core of the latest generation of UHD Graphics, as well as due to the DirectX 12 API. With its help, a realistic picture, captivating gamers, is created.Quick Sync Video is provided for quick content exchange and online conferences, and Ultra HD 4K will help to ensure its playback in good quality.

Advantages

• 2 memory channels;
• The maximum amount of memory support is 128 GB;
• One physical platform can be used as several virtual ones;
• It is possible to improve device performance using SSE;
• Protected execution of commands through Trusted Execution;
• Prevention of software infection by viruses due to Boot Guard.

disadvantages

• Multiplier cannot be unlocked;
• No ECC support.

Since the calculated power of the Core i7-8700 Coffee Lake does not exceed 65 W, powerful resources are not required to cool the processor even under heavy load.

The best Intel processors for the job

In the office, models with 2-4 cores will be enough, and here it is not necessary to have a doubled number of threads. That is why these devices are somewhat cheaper than gaming and even more server ones. Introducing the top 3 CPUs in terms of speed, security, and versatility.

Intel Pentium Gold G5400 Coffee Lake

This state-of-the-art CPU is built for the LGA 1151 desktop platform and is manufactured using a 14nm manufacturing process. It works in 4 threads, having only 2 cores, but this does not prevent it from withstanding sufficiently powerful games due to the frequency of 3.7 GHz and a sufficient amount of cache memory. All this allows you to simultaneously use it in multitasking mode for entertainment, chatting with friends and work.

When reviewing this Intel processor, it should be noted that it is ready for use at any time of the day thanks to the Ready Mode technology. The next generation platform handles everyday tasks with ease, the RAM controller works with DDR4-2400 modules in dual channel mode, which speeds up loading and processing requests. The TDP power is 54W, so it shouldn't get too hot. The device is guaranteed for up to 3 years.

Advantages

• Integrated graphics;
• Dual channel memory controller;
• The maximum amount of used RAM - 64 GB;
• Withstands temperatures up to 100 degrees;
• Supports various sets of additional commands.

disadvantages

• Cannot be overclocked to a higher clock speed;
• The bundled cooler is a bit noisy.

Intel Pentium G4400 Skylake

The 6th Gen Intel Pentium G4400 Skylake processor provides good performance for everyday computing. It can work simultaneously and without lags with several programs running on a PC. At the same time, the quality of graphics remains at a height, and it is here built into the CPU. The device supports several types of memory at once, including not very expensive ones: DDR4-1866 / 2133 and DDR3L-1333/1600.

The CPU operates on two cores, but it will not work to increase the virtual volume due to only 2 threads of task execution. The device practically does not heat up, especially in the mode of not very intensive use, but nevertheless it is equipped with a sufficiently powerful cooler for effective cooling in order to avoid failure. The TDP indicator here remained at the level of earlier models - 54 W, but the supply voltage increased slightly.

Advantages

• The maximum amount of used memory - 64 GB;
• Supports ECC mode;
• Withstands temperatures up to 72 degrees;
• Quite good bus bandwidth - 8 GT / s;
• Designed using virtualization technology;
• Executes a wide range of instructions and commands.

disadvantages

• There is no free multiplier;
• Cannot be overclocked in turbo mode.

According to reviews, this is one of the best Intel processors for working with standard office programs.

Intel Core i5-6400 Skylake

This is a desktop processor released in 2015. The device is relatively inexpensive with 4 cores and the same number of threads. This indicator allows him to maintain stable PC operation with open office programs and even "light" graphics packages.The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.7 GHz, which guarantees excellent performance and no lags, and if necessary, it can be overclocked to 3.3 GHz.

Despite the good performance of the device, its calculated thermal power does not exceed 65 W. This prevents overheating of the CPU and avoids its failure. It provides a maximum screen resolution of 4096 × 2304, which guarantees high image quality. The DirectX 12 technology is used to process multimedia tasks. Optionally, you can connect up to 3 monitors to it.

Advantages

• A large number of PCI Express lanes - 16;
• The maximum allowable temperature is 71 degrees;
• High-quality thermal control;
• Supports new teams;
• Enhanced encryption algorithms using Secure Key;
• Reliable system protection from viruses.

disadvantages

• No support for Optane memory;
• There is no Hyper-Threading technology.

Best Intel Processors for Server

Server CPUs have the most stringent requirements, with at least 4 cores and double the number of threads to speed up data processing. Models from the Xeon line perfectly cope with such tasks, which entered this rating category.

Intel Xeon E5-2620V4 Broadwell-EP

Xeon is a special line of special processors designed for use in servers. First of all, this is indicated by the 8 cores of the device, which work in double strength and are manufactured using a 14-nm process technology. At the same time, the base frequency does not exceed 2.1 GHz, which is even lower than that of gaming models, although it can be raised to 3 GHz. Hardware virtualization provides better performance than a physical machine.

Thanks to its resistance to temperatures up to 74 degrees, Intel Xeon E5-2620V4 Broadwell-EP calmly withstands high loads and works continuously. However, the heat dissipation power of 85 W still makes itself felt and requires good cooling. It lacks an integrated graphics core, but this is not very critical for server models.

Advantages

• Supports NX Bit and eliminates buffer overflow vulnerability;
• The multiplication factor is x21;
• 4-channel memory controller;
• Can work with Intel vPro platform to perform multiple tasks simultaneously;
• The size of the L3 cache is 20 480 KB.

disadvantages

• The price is higher than for models of similar technical parameters.

According to reviews, this Intel processor is best at handling, storing and maintaining the integrity of large amounts of data.

Intel Xeon E5-2630V3 Haswell-EP

The Intel Xeon E5-2630V3 Haswell-EP server processor was introduced back in 2014, but is still popular due to its large resources. It is about 8 cores and 16 threads, which together give the device excellent performance and multitasking. Complementing the picture is a decent base clock frequency of 2.4 GHz, which is automatically increased in Turbo mode to 3.2 GHz, which allows faster processing of large amounts of information.

This model has the largest amount of processed memory in the rating - 768 GB, which also has a positive effect on the speed of its work. It is also the leader in terms of throughput at 59 GB per second. The device serves for a long time, in particular due to the automatic detection and correction of RAM errors by means of ECC technology.

Advantages

• Small body dimensions - 52.5 x 45 mm;
• Executes a wide range of commands;
• Energy saving in Demand Based Switching mode;
• You can accelerate virtual applications using memory;
• Increases the security of systems.

disadvantages

• Cannot scale performance in multi-threaded environments.

Reviews say that information is processed here in two streams without affecting the speed of each other.

Intel Xeon E3-1240 V6 Kaby Lake

We present to you a relatively fresh Intel processor of 2024 release. This device is specially designed for use in servers. 4 cores and 8 threads, which are independent from each other and ultimately increase the performance of the CPU, allow it to do this successfully.It boasts a high maximum clock speed in Turbo mode - 4.1 GHz, but it still needs to overclock to such parameters, the base figures are equal to 3.7 GHz.

Advantages

• Support for 64 GB of RAM;
• Memory can be used with or without ECC;
• The multiplication factor is x37;
• Supports Hyper Threading;
• Increased performance at peak loads.

disadvantages

• There is no built-in video core.

As the reviews show, the Xeon E3-1240 V6 Kaby Lake is often used to organize servers for small businesses.

Which Intel processor is better to buy

For games and video editing, the key point is the presence of a large number of cores - from 4 to 8 pcs., As well as integrated graphics. For servers, the number of threads is of paramount importance; the higher it is, the faster the computer will process data. In the office, it is quite possible to buy the simplest CPU with 2 cores.

Here's the best Intel processor to buy based on the situation:

• Powerful games in which realism is important, the Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake will handle well.
• A Pentium Gold G5400 Coffee Lake CPU will be enough to work with office programs.
• For those who work on a PC at the same time with several applications or programs, you can choose the Pentium G4400 Skylake.
• The Core i5-6400 Skylake can handle watching videos, playing online games and any simple tasks.
• To build a powerful database, you can buy the Xeon E5-2620V4 Broadwell-EP.
• In order to use a PC for processing a large amount of information, it is recommended to purchase Xeon E5-2630V3 Haswell-EP.
• For those who need multi-threaded work with resource-intensive applications, it won't be a mistake to opt for the Xeon E3-1240 V6 Kaby Lake.

When choosing an Intel processor, it is better to pay attention primarily to the number of cores and threads, the amount of memory, while the rest of the characteristics are less significant.