Top AMD Processor for Gaming (2024)

AMD Ryzen CPUs are one of the most beloved essentials for PC gamers. Out of the 5 Ryzen CPUs we researched, our team picked the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X as the best AMD processor for gaming due to its sheer base clock speed, overclocking and multiple cores. Find out more below.

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Top Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G Processor with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics - YD2200C5FBBOX
AMD YD195XA8AEWOF Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (16-core/32-thread) Desktop Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-core, 24-thread unlocked desktop processor with Wraith Prism LED Cooler
Title
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Max Clock Speed
4.7 GHz (unlocked)
4.2 GHz (unlocked)
3.7 GHz
4.2 GHz (unlocked)
4.6 GHz
Core/Thread Count
16/32
6/12
4/8
16/32
12/24
Top Pick
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AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Title
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Max Clock Speed
4.7 GHz (unlocked)
Core/Thread Count
16/32
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AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
Title
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Max Clock Speed
4.2 GHz (unlocked)
Core/Thread Count
6/12
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AMD Ryzen 3 2200G Processor with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics - YD2200C5FBBOX
Title
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
Max Clock Speed
3.7 GHz
Core/Thread Count
4/8
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AMD YD195XA8AEWOF Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (16-core/32-thread) Desktop Processor
Title
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Max Clock Speed
4.2 GHz (unlocked)
Core/Thread Count
16/32
Image
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-core, 24-thread unlocked desktop processor with Wraith Prism LED Cooler
Title
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Max Clock Speed
4.6 GHz
Core/Thread Count
12/24

Best AMD Processor for Gaming

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X would might as well be considered as the gaming CPU to end all gaming CPUs. With little to no criticisms about this titan of a processor, it outperforms every existing CPU on the market today.

Pros:
Cons:

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X may be an expensive chip but it certainly is the strongest and the best. Whether you choose to believe in the highly-active PC gaming community or consult the critics, chances are, they will tell you that the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is your best choice when you have a high-end gaming budget.

Looking for an i9 power house processor? Check out our review of the top i9 CPU’s for Gaming and find out if an i9 is worth buying in 2024…

Multiple threads, up to 16 cores in total, unlocked max clock speed for unrelenting overclocking, all under a very consistent energy consumption. If you can afford it, do not hesitate and buy this one if you want the most future-proof gaming CPU.

Are You Intel Fan? See our best Intel gaming CPU review and find out if you should buy Intel in 2024.

Best Value AMD Processor for Gaming

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is what mid to medium-high-range PC gamers recommend. It has over 6 cores, unlocked max clock speed and consistent performance, resulting in a high-value CPU that does more than a high-end Intel processor.

Pros:
Cons:

Whether you go to the PC gaming subreddits, read reviews from well-known media, or scroll through comments on YouTube and Amazon, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is one of the best-selling processors ever. It is a highly reliable AMD CPU that feels very fair in terms of price to performance.

Are you a Streamer? See our top 5 CPU’s for Streaming in 2024.

Even if this is an older version, it can still do so much more than your average 9th gen Intel i7 or even i9. The overclocking is spot-on, the cooling is fine and the hyperthreading helps in multitasking without causing your PC to stutter. This is the best value you can get within its price range.

PRO TIP: Keep your CPU cool, consider buying a decent AIO water cooler they are easy to install and offer lower noise, cooler temps and higher overclocking… While you’re at it see our NEW guide for the top thermal paste freshly updated for 2024.

Best Budget AMD Processor for Gaming

For the humble PC gamer, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is praised for being one of the – if not – budget-friendliest CPUs to ever exist. While many Intel Core processors can do so much better, it is the price that makes this an eye-catcher.

Pros:
Cons:

You may consider the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G as a lifesaver of budget gaming. Okay, so the later iterations of Intel may do more but what makes the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G such a great buy is because of the price for the performance you get. Sure, it may be budgeted but that does not exclude the 2200G from allowing overclocking at normal temperatures (despite having limited headroom). Also, it runs on even old motherboards, giving your low to mid-end PC an extra juice that is enough to let you play modern games easily. Its Radeon 8 Vega graphics help make visuals look pretty too.

On a Budget? see our best cheap gaming CPU review if you need a budget gaming processor.

Best Hyperthreading AMD Processor for Gaming

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is a sure-fire solution to all your multitasking problems. As if the name was not a dead giveaway yet, this powerful AMD processor can turn your PC into both a powerful gaming machine and an unpretentious workstation.

Pros:
Cons:

For a long time, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is always praised for its 16 cores and 32 threads under a much more affordable price than an Intel i9 X-Series. If you use the computer more than just gaming – live streaming, video editing, digital arts – then the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is right for you. Just be mindful that this CPU is somewhat situational. If your only purpose is to play video games on PC, then this might be overpriced. Otherwise, this is a treasure for you to keep.

Best AMD Processor Purely for Gaming

Another popular pick in the PC gaming community, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a great solution to high-end gaming. Thanks to its heartfelt price that gives Intel a run for their money, this Ryzen processor is a critic’s choice and a best buy for a pure gaming experience.

Pros:
Cons:

Should you ever think that a Threadripper or 3950X cost a lot and is one of the best CPU’s for gaming, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is your next best option. Its 12 cores and 24 threads are enough to make any gaming experience significantly better, resulting in one of the most consistent performance ever for a gaming PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is very popular within the gaming community for several reasons: its overclocking is almost unlimited, it does not need an expensive cooler, and it is light on the wallet. For a very long time, PC reviewers love to benchmark the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X against modern Intel Core processors – and as it turns out, the former always wins when it comes to short loading times and proper frames. Whatever AMD did here, they did it greatly.

What We Would Buy

Whichever you pick on this list is definitely the best AMD processor for gaming. It is just that the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X does so much that we do not deserve it as PC gamers for its multiple cores and powerful performance. But if that is too much for you, consider buying the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, which is a more humble approach in benchmarking and price. Need a cheap CPU to run on your mid-end PC? No worries; that is what the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is for, But if you are hungry for threads and fluid multitasking, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is a very good choice. Lastly, if you are building a PC purely for gaming and nothing else, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a fine pick.

Still can’t decide? Check out our gaming CPU hierarchy for an overview of Intel & AMD processors.

Editor & reviewer of gear from iOS control pad’s to high-end PC gaming hardware. He’s been gaming since the 1980s and mostly plays CS GO & Overwatch.