If you’re on the market for a new computer and intend to build one from the ground up, the processor (CPU) will most likely be the first component you consider. If you’re new to computer building, you may not know what to look for in a CPU.
This post will go over seven aspects to think about while looking for the ideal processor for you.
1. What Are the Best Computer Techniques?
Consider what your computer will be used for before selecting a CPU.
You won’t need a powerful computer if all you want to do is surf the internet, send email, and view movies.
You can save money if you aren’t a gamer and only play low-demanding games like League of Legends. Quad-core CPUs are more cost-effective, allowing you to save money or spend it in other components.
You should choose a CPU with more cores/threads if you want to build a high-end machine for video editing, graphics design, or gaming. While most games cannot take advantage of CPUs with four or more cores, newer games can. You’ll get better graphics design and video editing performance if you have more cores/threads.
However, you should first consider what you plan to do with your new CPU.
2. What is the bare minimum of spending?
The type of processor you get depends on how much money you pay. The better the processors you acquire, whether you build your own computer or buy one pre-built from a factory, the more money you spend.
You don’t have to acquire the highest powerful CPU available even if you have a lot of money. As previously stated, you must think about how you will use the system.
If you only want to buy or build a computer for occasional use, this is the best option (browsing the web, sending emails, etc.). You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find a machine that suits your needs.
You’ll need to spend more money on your CPU if you want to make videos or perform design work.
If you’re a gamer who wants to play more tough games, you’ll want to budget carefully for your CPU.
3. AMD vs. Intel
You’ve probably come across a few articles that compare Intel vs AMD processors if you’re seeking for the best components for your gaming PC.
You have two CPU options if you’re buying or building a new computer: AMD or Intel.
Each CPU maker takes a different solution to this problem.
Intel CPUs typically outperform AMD CPUs in terms of single-core speed and efficiency. As of now, this is linked to better overall performance. An Intel CPU, on the other hand, will cost more since it performs better than an AMD CPU.
AMD, on the other hand, offers more cores for less money. While AMD CPUs do not have the same single-core performance as Intel chips, they can close the performance gap by adding more cores.
It is a matter of personal preference when it comes to gaming performance. In general, Intel’s processors outperform AMD’s. The gap in gaming performance between Intel and AMD processors is minor in real-world situations.
Although there are many sides to the battle between Intel and AMD for market dominance in gaming CPUs, the basic line is that both chip manufacturers produce CPUs that can run all of today’s most recent games. Both organizations have something to offer, whether you’re looking for performance or value.
4. Do you want to overclock your computer?
Another thing to think about when choosing the best processor for you is whether or not you want to be able to overclock it.
To achieve more performance, you can boost the speed of your processor.
Overclocking isn’t necessary for most users. Overclocking may be necessary if you’re building a gaming system or working in graphics design.
Processors that can be overclocked can run for longer periods of time. So, if you’re on a budget and don’t want to replace your processor every three to four years, an unlocked CPU might be the way to go.
To overclock, you’ll have to spend more money. CPUs that can be overclocked (unlocked CPUs) are frequently more expensive than locked CPUs (CPUs which cannot be).
Unlocked CPUs are more likely to require higher-end motherboards and cooling to be compatible.
If you’re attempting to build a gaming PC on a budget, overclocking might not be the best option. If you have a greater budget and want to overclock your processor, make sure you pick a motherboard that supports it.
5. Choosing the Correct CPU Socket
You must ensure that all of the components of your computer are compatible.
There are two things to consider when it comes to your processor’s compatibility. To begin, double-check that your processor is compatible with the motherboard socket.
The CPU socket is where the processor is hooked in. There’s a chance that not all CPUs will fit in every socket.
For example, an AMD CPU will not fit into any Intel-based socket.
Intel and AMD release new processor architectures on a regular basis, necessitating the creation of new sockets. This means that older AMD and Intel CPUs will not work in sockets designed for newer AMD processors.
An Intel Core i7-4770K, for example, is built for LGA 1150 sockets, but an Intel Core i7-11700K is for LGA 1200 sockets. On a motherboard with an LGA1200 socket, an i7-4770K cannot be used.
In order to select the right motherboard, you must first determine which CPU socket your processor is designed to work with.
6. Select the appropriate Motherboard Chipset
Double-check that the CPU you’ve picked is compatible with the socket you’ve chosen.
To begin with, each socket has its own motherboard type. It’s the chipsets that distinguish them. Chipsets determine which functions on a motherboard are available.
Some chipsets are more feature-packed, portable, and well-built than others. Although some chipsets are more expensive than others, they have less features.
Remember that your processor will very definitely come with a certain chipset.
An Intel CPU that can be overclocked must be utilized with a motherboard designed for overclocking. It will be purchased an Intel Core i7-11700K LGA 1200 CPU. This CPU (designated by the letter ‘K’) has the ability to be overclocked. It is recommended that you use it with an overclocking-capable motherboard chipet, such as the LGA 1200.
Overclocking is a key feature of motherboards based on the Z570 chipset. There are also the H570, H560, and H510 motherboards, which use the LGA 1200 socket but aren’t designed for overclocking.
As a result, if you want to overclock an i7-11700K, you’ll need a Z570 motherboard. A B560/H570 motherboard with an Intel Core i7-11700 processor is available (no “K”).
The i7-11700K can also be used with a motherboard that has the H570 or B560 chipset. These two chipsets might technically work together.
Overclocking hardware is more expensive than non-overclocking hardware, which is a negative. Purchasing a CPU with overclocking capabilities but a motherboard that does not is thus a waste of money.
Your budget and whether or not you intend to overclock will influence which motherboard and CPU chipsets are best for you. Intel and AMD each offer a selection of chipsets to go with their processors. Both have over clockable high-end chipsets as well as more budget-friendly options.
Another thing to keep in mind concerning chipsets is that, while most sockets may be used backwards and forwards, problems can occur when older CPUs are paired with newer chipsets, and vice versa, even if the two are technically compatible.
The problem is that a newer CPU and an older motherboard chipset may be coupled on a single socket in some cases. However, you may need to reload the BIOS to make your motherboard compatible with the latest processor.
CPUs from different generations may not always work with older ones, even if they share the same socket. This is a rare occurrence, however it can occur with AMD or Intel’s most current CPUs. Even though newer processors can be put in older processor sockets, this does not guarantee that they will work with older chipsets.
Although it may appear difficult, using a motherboard from the same generation as your processor is a good rule to follow. Although most motherboards with the same socket can be used backwards and forwards, it’s easier to get them to work together if they’re from the same generation.
7. Select the appropriate CPU Cooler
You might consider improving your cooling system if your processor is capable of overclocking.
You may overclock your processor to make it run faster than it does out of the box. To make it work faster, you must send it more power. However, the faster it moves, the more power it acquires.
Before they have to shut down, the processors can only go so far. You can keep the temperature surge to a minimal by overclocking your processor with a superior cooling system.
You can overclock your processor if you can keep it cool.
The majority of CPUs come with a stock cooler. The stock cooling isn’t designed to handle extreme overclocking. (However, AMD’s Ryzen CPUs now come with factory-installed cooling that allows for extensive overclocking.)
If you decide to overclock your processor, there are a number of third-party coolers that can help. A list of some of the best alternatives may be found in our CPU Cooler Buyer’s Guide.
You can use the stock cooling if you don’t plan to overclock. Even though stock coolers, particularly Intel’s, aren’t particularly attractive, if your goal is to make a physically appealing computer, you might want to consider a third-party cooler.
If you want to use a third-party CPU cooler, double-check that it is compatible with your motherboard. Many third-party coolers are compatible with today’s motherboards and can be mounted in a variety of ways. In some cases, specific CPU coolers may not be compatible with specific motherboard sockets.
Before you buy, make sure your cooler is compatible with the processor.
How do you choose the right processor for your needs?
These aren’t the only considerations to make when buying a new computer processor. They are, nonetheless, the most important. You might also find our article on the most important CPU specifications to be aware of interesting.
