Best Intel Processor – The Best CPUs from Intel in 2021
- Last Updated May 26, 2021
Today, we’re going to cover four of our top picks for best Intel processor. While there are a lot of great Intel Core processors, these are ones that represent the best of their respective niche and price range, either in value or sheer performance.
When buying a CPU you want to take into account your specific needs– you don’t just want to buy the latest Intel processor– that’s why we tried to do our best to cover a breadth of use cases so that it’d be easier for you to find the perfect CPU for your needs. We’ve even slid in a few more alternatives in the margins, just in case you’re extra discerning (or just aren’t interested in overclocking).
We’ll also make sure you understand how these CPUs perform in relativity to each other, though it won’t boil down to any old i3 vs i5 vs i7 battle. Let’s get into it.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
The new generation of Intel CPUs is pretty much upon us. Here we have picked five great performers but included two 10-gen models too that aren’t widely available at the time of writing. We will update with links to buy them as soon as they appear.
Best Intel Processor – The Best CPUs from Intel in 2021
Without getting into the Intel v AMD argument here the i7-9700K is a fantastic processor. Is it as good a value as a Ryzen 7 3700X, possibly not but if you are wedded to Intel’s ecosystem that might just be irrelevant to you.
Eight cores and outstanding single-threaded performance make this a got to CPU for Intel fans – as long as you have the cash to put down on it. While it isn’t an I9 you get similar performance, certainly in gaming at a much lower price. If you are wanting to use your rig for other things such as video editing and the like, then it might be best to look elsewhere but for a multi-purpose general out and out warrior that will still be in the budget for most people, look no further.
Just make sure you get a decent cooler too as they do run hot.
For some time now the 9400F has been ranked as a favorite Intel CPU by many people. Its price point to performance value has made it hard to beat on a number of levels – especially if you have no intention of going down the overclocking route.
It’s six cores and 4.1Ghz clock when running Turbo mode mean it is ample for the majority of things you will want to do with it. It’s not as easily overclocked as other models and there is no hyperthreading but if you are looking for a great CPU and you are on a restrictive budget this is certainly worth looking into.
Not everybody wants to or can afford the latest and greatest when it comes to a new CPU. For some people who just want to build out a new multi-purpose rig sometimes less is definitely more and the i3-9100F is a great option for people in that position.
It’s quad-core with a boosted 4.2Ghz clock that means it is suitable for any budget gaming PC too, especially if you pair it with a half-decent GPU to handle the grunt.
Intel Core i5-10600K
Now we are getting onto Intel’s new generation that are just starting to arrive on the shelves. There are no links to buy yet and we will be adding them soon, but feel free to click on one of the above links and have a poke around yourself in case you find it before we do!
Now mid-range builders can get their hand on hyper-threading from INtel without remortgaging the house. You will need a decent cooling solution as it has a high power consumption but decent thermals help stop it running away with itself – it’s just something to bear in mind.
Intel Core i9-10900K
If you are waiting on a new high-end Intel processor for your next build then this is going to be the one you end up choosing when it arrives over the next couple of days. Like the other 10th gen CPUs they are power-hungry little monsters but this is a huge improvement over the last generation with an extra couple of cores and threads bringing the numbers up to 1 and 120 respectively.
Single-core performance here is outstanding and there can be no doubting this chip will for the brains of many a PC build over the coming year with good reason. Hunt it down the second it arrives on the shelves.