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Best Processors 2026

Top processors recommendations.

Best Processors 2026: Top Picks Reviewed

Our experts analyzed 2 top processors based on professional reviews from 4 expert sources. See our top picks for 2026.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

AMD

$799.99
Best Premium

Ryzen 9 9950X

AMD

$799.99
Also Great

Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core 32-Thread Desktop Processor

AMD

$729.00

Top Processors Reviewed

13 products
1

AMDDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Best Overall
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
9.3/10
  • Tdp:280W
  • Cores:32
  • Threads:64
  • Base Clock:3.7 GHz
$799.99
2

AMDNew ReleaseJust Released — Great time to buy the latest model

Ryzen 9 9950X

Best Premium
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
9.2/10
  • Tdp:170W
  • Cores:16
  • Threads:32
  • Base Clock:4.5 GHz
$799.99
3

AMDFair TimingMid-Cycle — Fair time to buy

Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core 32-Thread Desktop Processor

Also Great
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core 32-Thread Desktop Processor
9.0/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:170W
  • Cache:144MB
  • Cores:16
  • Socket:AM5
$729.00
4

IntelDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Core i5-12400F Desktop Processor

Intel Core i5-12400F Desktop Processor
9.0/10
  • Tdp:65W
  • Cache:18MB
  • Cores:6
  • Socket:LGA 1700
$139.99
5

AMDFair TimingMid-Cycle — Fair time to buy

Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread Desktop Processor

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread Desktop Processor
9.0/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:120W
  • Cache:96MB 3D V-Cache
  • Cores:8
  • Socket:AM5
$440.00
6

IntelDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Core Ultra 5 245K

Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
8.2/10
  • Tdp:95W
  • Cores:10
  • Threads:16
  • Base Clock:3.6 GHz
$189.00
7

AMDGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Ryzen 5 7500F

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
8.0/10
  • Tdp:65W
  • Cores:6
  • Threads:12
  • Base Clock:3.5 GHz
$173.99
8

AMDDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Ryzen 5 9600X 6-Core 12-Thread Desktop Processor

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6-Core 12-Thread Desktop Processor
7.8/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:65W
  • Cache:38MB
  • Cores:6
  • Socket:AM5
$192.00
9

AMDNew ReleaseJust Released — Great time to buy the latest model

Ryzen 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
7.8/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:170W
  • Cache:144 MB
  • Cores:16
  • Socket:AM5
$720.99
10

AMDGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Ryzen 5 7600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor

AMD Ryzen 5 7600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
7.8/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:65W
  • Cache:38 MB
  • Cores:6
  • Socket:AM5
$179.99
11

IntelDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Core i5-14600K Desktop Processor

Intel Core i5-14600K Desktop Processor
7.7/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:125W
  • Cache:24MB
  • Cores:14 (6P+8E)
  • Socket:LGA 1700
$319.00
12

IntelGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Core i5-14600

Intel Core i5-14600
7.4/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:65W
  • Cores:10
  • Socket:LGA 1700
  • Threads:16
$299.99
13

IntelGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Core i9-14900K

Intel Core i9-14900K
7.3/10
Read our review
  • Tdp:125W
  • Cores:24
  • Socket:LGA 1700
  • Threads:32
$468.99

How We Review Processors

We aggregate and analyze research from trusted sources across the web. By combining multiple expert opinions, we provide a comprehensive view that no single review can offer.

Our recommendations consider:

  • Expert ratings and verdicts from multiple sources
  • Pros and cons mentioned across reviews
  • Price-to-performance value
  • Reliability and build quality feedback
  • Recent product updates and refreshes

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