What number of CPU cores is required for gaming?
What number of CPU cores is required for gaming?
No, that's not necessary. Six cores with twelve threads should suffice for now. Extra cores aren't essential for gaming, though they might help with productivity or heavy multitasking. Adding more than six cores offers little advantage. The 5600x is the optimal choice, or a 10600k if you're not constrained by budget.
I'm testing two machines and gaming smoothly at 4K with six cores.
I believe 12 and 16 are too many.
I think 8 will be enough.
...and I'm referring to the latest CPUs... my 6-core i7-980 won't suffice.
No, that's not necessary. Six cores with twelve threads should suffice for now. Extra cores aren't essential for gaming, though they might help with productivity or heavy multitasking. Adding more than six cores offers little advantage. The 5600x is the optimal choice, or a 10600k if you're not constrained by budget.
No way. Some try to explain those CPUs using that 'futureproofing' idea, but it's just pointless.
Planned obsolescence is the main issue – you'll always lose.
For a long time, hardware has advanced more quickly than software can catch up.
Hyperthreaded/SMT 6 cores are okay for many people.
I wouldn’t choose a 6 core 6 thread CPU, but 6 core 12 threads offers the best balance of price and performance. Adding more cores doesn’t significantly improve today’s games. An 8 core 16 thread setup provides good flexibility. I’m currently using a 3700x with 3080 for 1440p at 144Hz, and it performs well. Most of my games run smoothly with 12 threads or fewer, while the one that uses all 16 is an exception—known as Ashes of the Singularity, but I don’t play it often.
There is confusion between cores and threads.
Today, most modern processors have implemented threading.
In practice, it is better to look at threads vs. cores.
There is also a difference between use and effective use for thread count.
It would seem that 4-6 threads is about the most that games generally can effectively use.
Here is an older study:
Report: Despite Claims, Most PC Games Are Still Unable To Take Advantage Of More Than 4 CPU Cores
Well, you gotta love developers. This past year, we’ve been hearing from a lot of teams that their games were taking advantage of more than four CPU cores. And you know what? We decided to put a lot of CPU-bound games to the test. The results are a bit disheartening – to say the least – …...
www.dsogaming.com
The one area where many threads for gaming seems to be the most helpful is with multiplayer games with many participants.
For the most part, games, particularly older ones depend mostly on the master thread. For that, the ryzen 5000 series are excellent. Likely, the 11th gen intel processors will also perform similarly.
Most games will be limited more by the graphics card than the cpu.
Good luck on finding a good card today.
@op
: Go ahead and buy a 5800X.
If budget is an issue, 5600X is likely to do just as well.
I might wait a few days to see what 11th gen intel benchmarks bring.
On Intel CPU's the F designation indicates it lacks an integrated GPU. The K designation means it supports overclocking and typically comes with a higher boost. If you're planning to stream using nvenc, opt for the 10400f+ Nvidia GPU. For x264 streaming, the 10700k/kf or 10850k/kf models are more affordable at the moment. The 5600x is a solid chip; I have two computers with it, but unless you're upgrading to a 5900x or overclocking the 10400f, the 145$ option is better than the 300$. My preference for x264 is the 5600x, though. I also own one and dislike it because the chiplet layout often results in 1-2 underperforming cores, which raises voltage and causes overheating (unless you have a good setup). It's also overpriced compared to other 8-core options. My recommendation remains the 10400f paired with a 3000 series GPU for using updated nvenc with a webcam at 720p. For x264, I'd choose the day trip to Microcenter for the 10700k@250$ +Z motherboard and 240mm radiator. For medium speed, 6000kbps 1080p is suitable. If you prefer slower processing, go with the 10850k or 5900x.