Cores vs Threads vs Speed
Cores vs Threads vs Speed
Hi, the situation is getting more complicated with AMD's new CPUs. It’s unclear whether more cores or higher clock speeds matter more for gaming. The 5600X challenged previous ideas about core count versus speed. A CPU with six cores and twelve threads at around 4.6GHz can still perform well compared to an 8-core, 16-thread Intel model running at 5GHz. Whether it’s better depends on the games you play—some benefit from full thread utilization while others prioritize raw speed. Think about your specific gaming needs rather than relying on general trends.
Discussing CPU performance relative to each other, particularly between Intel and AMD, or across different CPU generations, is incomplete without considering IPC—instructions per clock. This metric shows how much work a processor can handle at a given speed. Most games don’t require excessive thread counts; instead, they prioritize graphics performance. Therefore, focusing on GPU capabilities often matters more. While some titles benefit from more CPU cores, this varies by game. I recommend starting with the 5600X or equivalent Intel chips to explore optimal CPU/GPU combinations.
Tell me your budget and the games you're interested in, and I'll suggest the top picks for you.
More cores doesn't equal speed. For example the FX 9590 had 8 cores, while the 5600x has 6 cores. The 5600x has a significantly better IPC, which is one of the reasons why the 5600x dominates the 9590 in almost everything. (I know this is an extreme example, and the 8 "cores" in the 9590 aren't really cores, but still gets my point across)
Gamers want performance. Comparing just the hard specifications like cores/clock speed is like judging the car by displacement of the engine or number of wheels. Displacement doesn't equal horsepower because different engines are better or worse. Same thing goes for clock speeds, for instance Ryzen 5 5600X boosts only 0.1 GHz higher than its predecessor, but its instructions per clock are 19% higher, so it performs much better. (only exception to this is comparing different chips of same manufacturer and generation, because their IPC and other specs should be same). Comparing (generally everything moder not-cheapest supports 2 threads per core, so don't worry about them), is as I said like judging car by number of wheels. 1 or 2 cores will not be enough for anything other than word/internet browsing, but having 16 of them won't help you in games compared to having 4 or 6. It's a bit more complicated than that, but you should get what I mean. Games don't really need above 4 cores, another 2 for background stuff and it's really enough, vast majority of games (if not all) won't utilise even the 8 threads evenly. A small exception is the fact that more expensive CPUs get, apart from more cores, the higher single-core performance is - although not by much, it is worth mentioning. But whether will that matter or not depends on the GPU and monitor it will be coupled with. So how do you compare CPUs between each other? it's best to look at their relative performance in games you play. Future-proofness is a hard topic. In my opinion 6 cores is futureproof, because still over 40% of gamers have only 4 cores (and ~30% have 6 cores, while only 12% - 8 cores), so developers making games for 8-10 cores would be shooting in their knee. In terms of speed? No different that other CPUs. Another aspect of this is motherborad however, AMD will be probably switching to new socket with their next CPU generation, so you wouldn't be able to reuse the mobo you get for the 5600x. Generally, if you want best help, specify your a) usage - the games you play, other apps you use b) budget (or target FPS) c) other components you have or have to be included in budget (GPU, RAM, monitor).
It varies by game. When a game relies mainly on one thread or a single thread handles most tasks, a quicker core offers the greatest advantage. Conversely, if a game can efficiently utilize multiple threads, having more cores can help—up to a limit. Even then, a quicker quad-core might outperform a slower eight-core. Generally, check benchmarks for the games you plan to play, focusing on how performance changes with core count and processor speed.