TOP 10 processors to buy in 2025

Choosing a processor is a big deal because it’s the heart, «the engine» of your computer. In this ocean of chips, clock speeds, and cores, you can easily drown if you don’t know what to select. We’ve gathered the top processors for everyone — from game enthusiasts who can’t wait for the next AAA title to come out to those who just want to keep their computer from lagging when they open dozens of tabs in their browser. ITC will help you find the perfect processor without skipping cores or threads!

How to choose a processor?

Productivity

First of all, you need to determine what kind of performance you expect from the processor. If you are engaged in rendering or 3D modeling, you should choose powerful multicore processors. If your main task is gaming, then pay attention to processors that provide high clock speeds and have good single-threaded performance.

Number of cores and threads

More cores and threads usually add speed in multitasking and heavy applications. For normal office tasks or light gaming, 4-6 cores are enough. If you plan to actively work with programs that require a lot of computing power, such as video editors, 8 or more cores will be the right choice.

Integrated graphics or a separate graphics card?

If you plan to use your PC for gaming or graphics work, you will definitely need to take care of a separate graphics card. However, if you are looking for a budget solution for office work or a home PC, then processors with integrated graphics can be a good choice. And a good chance to save money in the turbulent times of overpricing.

Platform and compatibility

In other words, what motherboard are you planning to install the processor on? Consider the socket type and compatibility with other components. Processors with newer sockets can be pricier and require the purchase of new components, so make sure your motherboard is compatible with the processor before choosing it.

Budget

Determine how much you are willing to spend on a processor. There is a wide range of options in each price category. For a budget PC, you can choose a mid-range processor, and for maximum performance — choose flagship models.

Energy efficiency and heat dissipation

Processors, especially powerful ones, can get very hot and require good cooling. And this pleasure can easily drain your pocket. If energy efficiency is important or you want to keep your PC quiet, look for processors with a low-heat package and optimized energy efficiency.

The best processor for premium gaming — AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D  — a real beast that can handle any load. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it is ideal for running games at maximum settings, rendering, streaming, and working with multiple tabs simultaneously. Processors with 3D V-Cache have proven to be the best for gaming.

However, with such power comes certain difficulties. The processor gets very hot, so you’ll need a high-quality cooling system to avoid overheating. This is an important point for gamers because without proper cooling, the processor can become unstable.

The price is also a significant disadvantage of this processor. This is a solution for those who are ready to drop a buck witch Ms. Lizi Su. If you’re not a fan of high-performance systems or don’t plan to use this processor for non-stop gaming, it might be too much.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D — an ideal choice for premium gaming, but it can be too expensive and demanding for ordinary users. The price of the processor ranges from 27699 to 35199 UAH.

However, this processor runs on the new AM5 platform, which means you need to replace your motherboard and use DDR5 memory. This may make the upgrade pricier than you expected if you already have older components.

Another disadvantage is that there are processors on the market with similar performance at a lower price, which makes the Ryzen 5 7600 not such an obvious choice for users on a budget.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600 — a smart choice for gamers who want high performance without overpaying for excessive features. It is an ideal option for those planning to upgrade their systems to a new platform. Its price tag starts from 7615 to 10291 UAH.

The best processor for budget gaming — Intel Core i5-13400F

Intel Core i5-13400F — is a great choice for those who want good performance on a tight budget. This processor is equipped with 10 cores (6 high-performance and 4 energy-efficient), which allows you to play most modern games comfortably at medium and high settings. It is suitable for building gaming PCs where cost optimization is important.

Despite its high performance, the Intel Core i5-13400F has some limitations. It does not have built-in graphics, so a separate graphics card is required for use in gaming PCs. This can be an additional cost factor, especially for those who have not yet purchased a graphics card.

Intel Core i5-13400F — a processor that delivers excellent performance at an affordable price. This is the best choice for budget gaming systems where balancing price and features is important. Its price varies from 5649 to 8167 UAH.

The best processor for work and school — AMD Ryzen 5 3600

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 — this is an old-proven best friend a processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, which will be an ideal choice for working with documents, studying and light gaming after work. It is suitable for office applications, as well as for editing documents, watching videos, and surfing the Internet.

The processor is not new to the market, so it may lag in the most demanding games. But in everyday tasks, the Ryzen 5 3600 copes with everything at a high level. And, most importantly, it is much cheaper than its modern counterparts, which makes it a very profitable option for those who do not need the highest performance in the latest games.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 — a popular option for users looking for a balance between price and performance. It is an excellent choice for people who work in office programs and want to be able to enjoy light games in their free time. The price of the vigorous «old man» ranges from 3012 to 4596 UAH.

The best processor for designers and 3D professionals — Intel Core i9-13900K

Intel Core i9-13900K — the choice for professionals. Thanks to 24 cores (8 high-performance and 16 energy-efficient), it handles the most demanding tasks such as rendering, modeling (Blender, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max) and working in heavy 3D design programs. Maybe you’ve created your own Oscar-winning «Flow»?

The processor delivers cosmic speed and convenience when performing heavy tasks. In addition, it handles multitasking perfectly, allowing you to work with several heavy programs simultaneously.

Despite its power, Intel Core i9-13900K consumes a lot of power (TDP 125 W) and confidently breaks temperature records. Yes, a tower cooler is not an option here. Only water cooling is available.

Intel Core i9-13900K — a thoughtful choice for designers, 3D professionals, and enthusiasts who need a lot of computing power. It’s a real monster for professional work, but you’ll have to pay a hefty price for its high performance: from 16990 to 21300 UAH.

The optimal processor in terms of price/quality ratio — AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D — excellent choice for those who want high performance at a reasonable price. 8 cores and 16 threads provide stable performance in games and video editing. 3D V-Cache technology allows you to get excellent performance at high clock speeds and minimal latency.

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is based on the AM4 platform, which allows you to keep cheaper components available and simplifies the upgrade process for users who already have compatible motherboards. However, if you want to be at the technological forefront, you will have to choose another processor on the new AM5 platform.

The only downside is the lack of support for the latest technologies, such as DDR5 memory, which may limit its prospects in the future, but for now, this processor is an extremely profitable option for most users.

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D — a processor that combines stable performance with a reasonable price. It is an ideal option for those who do not want to overpay for unnecessary features, but still need good performance for modern games and work tasks. Its price tag starts from 9406 to 12596 UAH.

The best budget processor — Intel Core i3-13100F

Intel Core i3-13100F for those who want to build a budget PC for everyday tasks and light gaming. With 4 cores and 8 threads, this processor is capable of cope with basic tasks such as working in office programs, surfing the web, and running most modern games on medium settings.

This processor is affordable, making it an attractive choice for users on a budget. It is a great choice for those who want to build an inexpensive PC to perform basic functions or play games with acceptable performance.

The only disadvantages are Intel Core i3-13100F does not have built-in graphics, so you will need to purchase a separate graphics card to play games.

Intel Core i3-13100F — it’s an excellent basic processor for a budget PC, where the main emphasis is on the balance between price and performance for everyday tasks. Affordable price: UAH 3133 to 5535.

The best energy efficient processor — AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D — is a combination of gaming power and energy efficiency. Thanks to 8 cores and 16 threads, it can handle a wide range of tasks, from gaming to intensive workflows, while energy consumption is much lower than that of similar processors. This makes it ideal for those looking to reduce energy costs without sacrificing performance.

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D delivers superior performance in gaming and professional applications while keeping temperatures relatively low and not overloading the system. This can be an important factor for users working in constantly running or noisy systems where energy efficiency is key.

One of the disadvantages is its high price compared to other processors with similar performance. And, of course, don’t forget about cooling. In this case, the «air tower» will do the trick.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D — one of the best choices for users who are looking for energy efficiency but don’t want to sacrifice gaming performance, which is at the highest level here. The price of the processor is from 19945 to 33500 UAH.

The most powerful processor — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X — absolute is a leader in the processor market. With 16 cores and 32 threads, this processor can handle any task you throw at it, from AAA gaming to neural networks. It’s a monster in the world of computing performance, delivering incredible speed and efficiency in any environment.

The Granite Ridge architecture allows the processor to operate at high frequencies, which gives a significant advantage when performing intensive tasks. Single and multicore performance is the best in its price segment.

However, you will have to pay a considerable amount for this power. Processor AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is quite expensive, and you will need to have a powerful liquid metal cooling system to achieve optimal performance.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X — the choice for those who want the best of the best and are willing to pay for it. This «pebble» will provide your PC with a safety margin for many years. You’ll have to pay from 27699 to 35199 UAH.

The best processor for laptops — Apple M4 Max

The Apple M4 Max is a processor that combines high performance with incredible energy efficiency. Thanks to its advanced architecture, these chips allow your MacBook work continuously for many hours (up to 24!) without needing to be charged. They are able to handle even heavy-duty tasks such as video rendering and 3D graphics, while maintaining low-heat generation.

The Apple M4 Max is ideal for creative professionals such as video editors, graphic designers, and developers, as it allows them to work efficiently with large amounts of data without sacrificing performance.

In addition to the classic price issue, there is also the issue of Apple’s ecosystem. This can be a disadvantage for users who use programs specific to other platforms, such as engineering modeling software or some professional CAD programs available only on Windows.

Overall, the Apple M4 Max — is the best choice for those looking for a powerful laptop for work and creativity with high energy efficiency and excellent performance in a compact form factor. Prices for «apple» laptops with this processor start from 66095 to 348559 UAH.