What is the most powerful amd processor

AMD processors are split into different families of stock-keeping units (SKU). Depending on your available budget and just how powerful you need your PC to be, it's possible to go with an affordable Ryzen 3 processor or an enthusiast Threadripper for maximum performance. This guide will walk you through our best AMD CPU recommendations.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a fantastic processor, aimed at gamers, creators, and even those looking for a solid mid-range CPU that won't destroy your budget. To make the value even more appealing, AMD bundles a decent stock cooler that can keep this processor at reasonable temperatures.

Amazing performance at a reasonable price.

There are six total physical cores on this 7nm CPU, with 12 threads available for demanding tasks. It's unlocked, allowing for some degree of overclocking (though you'll want to replace the stock cooler), and there's even support for PCIe 4.0. The latest generation of PCIe makes it possible to throw in a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD and enjoy even higher transfer rates.

The downside to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, like other 3000-series AMD processors, is the requirement for an X570 motherboard if you want to unlock PCIe 4.0. Not everyone has enough budget to spare for an expensive motherboard. There's also no integrated GPU, so you need to make sure you have a dedicated GPU card around to boot the PC.

Finally, Intel has a slight edge at the moment with the inclusion of support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 RAM, but the average PC owner won't notice too much of a difference.

The Ryzen 5 5600G is part of the same family of AMD processors as the 5600 and 5600X, also featured in this collection. There's a good reason for this since while this processor may only have six cores, it houses a Radeon integrated GPU. Not only that, but AMD also bundles a good stock cooler for use out-the-box.

Like all other AMD CPUs, the Ryzen 5 5600G is unlocked and supports PCIe 4.0. The only drawback to this is you will need an X570 motherboard to enjoy the benefits. Still, the Ryzen 5 5600G is one of the best places to start with a gaming rig. You don't even need a dedicated GPU to enjoy some PC titles with friends, either.

AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X takes our top spot in this collection, but we have to give a shoutout to the Ryzen 5 5500 (a non "X" variant), which also comes with 6 cores and 12 threads. The only significant difference between the two is the clock speeds with the more affordable Ryzen 5 5500 coming in a little lower at 3.6GHz (boost 4.2GHz) vs. 3.7GHz (boost 4.6GHz).

They both come with the same cooler, allowing you to save a little for a slight dip in performance. Still, it's a 6-core processor with ample room for overclocking and will smash through the latest games and video editing software. Just make note that you will need a dedicated GPU like most other Ryzen CPUs on this list, and PCIe 4.0 is out of the question unless you spend more on an X570 motherboard.

Technically, a 12-core CPU is a little overkill for gaming since most PC games won't make full use of all available cores. That said, I also include streaming into the gaming category since many new streamers run both the game and stream on the same machine. Having this many cores and threads available for doing both simultaneously makes the 5900X a perfect CPU.

There's also the new PCIe 4.0 support added in this generation of Ryzen CPUs, and it's unlocked. Still, you will need amazing aftermarket cooling, and I'm talking about the absolute best air coolers or custom water loops. The bad side of this CPU reveals a lack of integrated GPU, and you need an X570 motherboard.

We reviewed the more powerful sibling to this processor, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, and found it to be an excellent chip for gaming.

AMD wasn't happy with 32 cores and wanted to up the game a little by announcing the Threadripper PRO 5995WX. This monster of a CPU comes with 64 cores and a total of 128 threads. To put this into context, the Ryzen 9 5900X is considered a solid CPU with 12 cores and 24 threads.

The CPU itself can boost up to 4.5GHz, and you have 256MB of cache to play with. It's designed for creators, video editors, software engineers, and anyone who wants to utilize all cores for some serious computing. You likely won't ever need the Threadripper PRO 5995WX, but it's sure good to know it's there if you do.

It's not all good with the 59950X. Firstly, it's horrendously expensive. Second, it requires an sWRX8 motherboard. No AM4+ here. There's also no GPU nor cooler, meaning you'll need to throw in some aftermarket components. It's fantastic for niche deployments, but you really should consider other options in this collection.

Choosing the best AMD processor

Are you looking for the best overall CPU for an AMD build? That's the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. This 6-core processor offers excellent value with plenty of performance for each buck spent. There are additional benefits like PCIe 4.0 support, an included stock cooler that isn't terrible, and it's unlocked for considerably overclocking capabilities.

If six cores just aren't enough, you could always go for my favorite AMD CPU as of right now, the Ryzen 9 5900X. Not only does this CPU offer double the cores and threads of the 5600X, but it's not massively more expensive. The 5900X is perfectly suited to gamers and streamers alike.

How are AMD CPUs ranked in order of performance – is there an easy list to check?

Keeping track of performance across modern AMD CPUs can be difficult. AMD releases new Processor SKUs every few Months and entirely new CPU generations about every year and a half.

Which AMD Processor is best for you depends on your typical workloads. If you’re a professional doing active work like Photo Editing or 3D Modeling or are running AAA Games, a CPU that has high single-core performance is more important than a CPU with a lot of cores.

If you’re running workloads, though, that can easily be parallelized, such as 3D Rendering, Video Editing, Batch Processing, Machine Learning, to name a few, an AMD CPU with a high number of cores is the right pick for you.

Most workloads, though can make use of both, fast single-core performance and high multi-core performance, at least to a certain degree, and that’s why I’ve created this handy little list of AMD CPUs in order of Performance that you can sort to your liking.

AMD CPU (Processor) List In Order Of Performance

*Weighted. Total Performance (column) is relative to an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, weighed equally at 50% single-core and 50% multi-core performance. This weighing will indicate good all-round performance for most workloads without going overboard on too low single-core performance or too many cores.

Note: If you’re running very specific tasks, though, that you know can make good use of, e.g., a lot of cores, sort the table by multi-core performance. Or, if you’re certain your workloads only need high single-core performance, sort by that column.

Benchmark used for this list is Cinebench R23.

Best AMD Processor for the money

AMD’s entry-level CPUs have extremely high value considering their performance per dollar. Both the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and 3300X lead the Performance / Dollar Chart given their very reasonable pricing.

This is not to say everyone should be buying a Ryzen 3. They are somewhat limited in overall performance and have fewer cores than might be necessary for your workloads, but they are a great pick for many low-level tasks such as general productivity.

If your budget is limited, the Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the best CPUs for most workloads and games. If you’re willing to spend some more, the 5900X 12-Core CPU packs some serious performance if your workloads can make use of more cores.

In the end, the best AMD CPU for the money depends on your workloads and requirements, and, of course, your budget limit.

Let’s take a look at the best CPU within certain price-ranges:

Best AMD Processor under 500$

After recent considerable price cuts, AMD’s best-performing CPU under 500$ is the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. At just 450$, the 12-Core CPU is a powerhouse of a CPU that’ll run any high-end workloads without any issues.

With a base clock of 3.7GHz and a boost of up to 4.8GHz, the Ryzen 9 sports 24 Threads at a power draw (TDP) of 105W.

Best AMD CPU under 400$

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is the best CPU you can buy for under 400 dollars. Its price has been reduced to 300$ from its original MSRP of 450$.

The 8 Cores and 16 Threads clock at 3.8GHz base and 4.7GHz boost. It, too is manufactured on TSMC’s 7NM node, making it power efficient at 105W TDP.

Best AMD CPU under 200$

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X are AMD’s best CPUs for under 200 dollars. If you can find it below 200$, the 5600X is the newer generation successor to these CPUs with considerably higher single-core performance and power-efficiency.

All Ryzen 5’s are 6-Core CPUs. The 5600X’s 12 Threads clock at 3.7GHz base and up to 4.6GHz boost.

Which AMD CPU has the most Cores?

Currently, the AMD Threadripper 3990X (Review) and PRO 3995WX both have 64 Cores / 128 Threads at their disposal.

On the Server-side, the Epyc 7713P, 7H12, 7702P and 7742, too have 64 Cores that are clocked at varying frequencies and are rated at different TDPs.

What is the fastest AMD CPU?

This depends on the definition of “fast”. The highest multi-core performance is held by AMD’s highest-clocking, highest core-count CPUs, such as the Threadripper 3990X.

The highest single-core performance is held by the 5950X and newly released 5800X3D (which makes use of 3D-stacked vCache).

Is Ryzen 7 better than Ryzen 5?

Yes. AMD’s CPU segmentation is as follows:

• Ryzen 9
• Ryzen 7
• Ryzen 5
• Ryzen 3

The higher the number the higher the core-count, the higher the single-core performance and the higher the power-draw.

What is a good CPU Speed?

Anything above 3.5 GHz can be considered “good”.

The more elaborate answer to this, though, would be: “it depends”. You can only compare CPUs within the same generation and brand to each other by their frequency. Between generations and brands, you have to take IPC, Power Draw, Manufacturing Node and other factors into consideration to truly find the best CPU for your needs.

It’s best to rely on benchmarks and real-world tests.

Is Ryzen better than Intel?

It depends on your needs and at what time you’re comparing the two. Both AMD and Intel have an excellent product line-up, but they release new SKUs every few months and every 1.5 years or so they release an entirely new generation of CPUs that usually takes back the crown from the competition for some time.

Check out our regularly updated AMD Ryzen vs Intel Core article here.

Over to you

I hope this AMD CPU List in order of performance helped you get closer to picking the right CPU for your needs. What AMD Processor do you want to buy? Let me know in the comments! 🙂