Best processors, ranked by critic score
5 ranked by critic score · 39 professional reviews
Desktop CPUs, judged on gaming and multi-core performance, power draw and value.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
11 professional reviewers tested the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and 9 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 overall11 reviews89
- 2AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3DBest for the fastest gaming frame rates10 reviews87
Image: AMD - 3Photo comingIntel Core Ultra 7 270K PlusBest for lots of cores for the money4 reviews · early score81
- 4Photo comingAMD Ryzen 7 9850X3DBest for gamers who want a little more than the 9800X3D8 reviews80
- 5Intel Core Ultra 9 285KBest for efficient productivity work6 reviews75
Image: Intel
The best processor, according to professional reviewers, is the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: critic score 89 out of 100 from 11 reviews, 9 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 89 from 11 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 89 and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 87. 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 9850X3D (scores from 60 to 90).