Best processors, ranked by critic score
5 ranked by critic score · 48 professional reviews
Desktop CPUs, judged on gaming and multi-core performance, power draw and value.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
12 professional reviewers tested the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and 10 recommend it. Most praised: speed and ports and connectivity. Most common complaint: price.
The catch: For pure gaming the 9800X3D is better value.
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- 1Photo comingAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DBest overall12 reviews88
- 2AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3DBest for the fastest gaming frame rates13 reviews83
Image: AMD - 3Photo comingIntel Core Ultra 7 270K PlusBest for lots of cores for the money6 reviews81
- 4Photo comingAMD Ryzen 7 9850X3DBest for gamers who want a little more than the 9800X3D10 reviews76
- 5Intel Core Ultra 9 285KBest for efficient productivity work7 reviews72
Image: Intel
The best processor, according to professional reviewers, is the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: critic score 88 out of 100 from 12 reviews, 10 of them positive. Most praised: speed and ports and connectivity. Most common complaint: price.
Common questions
What is the best processor?
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with a critic score of 88 from 12 professional reviews. Most praised: speed and ports and connectivity. Most common complaint: price.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: which is better?
Critics score the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 88 and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 83. We list the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D under “Best for the fastest gaming frame rates”. Its main drawback: multi-core work is weaker than the 9900X and 9950X, and 7800X3D owners gain little.
Which processors do critics disagree on?
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (scores from 40 to 91); The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (scores from 40 to 90); The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (scores from 50 to 90).