The 5 Best Intel CPUs To Supercharge Your PC In 2023 – SlashGear

For the most well-rounded pick, we recommend the Core i5-13600K. This processor belongs to the Raptor Lake generation of Intel CPUs. It offers solid performance for gaming, but also for professionals who need a CPU that supports multi-tasking. 

Being a Raptor Lake CPU, the Core i5-13600K sports Intel’s new hybrid core architecture. This means that it has a mix of performance (P) and efficiency (E) cores, each focused on supporting different workloads. All in all, the CPU has 14 cores (6 P-cores and 8 E-cores) as well as 20 threads. It can be overclocked up to 5.1 GHz, but the frequency will vary across different core types.

This generation of processors is most likely the last one that still offers support for DDR4 memory. When buying, you can choose between a motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM and one that supports DDR5 — the processor itself works with either. Obviously, going with a DDR4 board and memory will be cheaper, but DDR5 memory is faster and the prices of it are slowly normalizing.

In terms of future-proofing, it’s important to note that all 13th Generation Intel processors will make for difficult upgrades in the future. This is because Intel is rumored to introduce a new socket type in the next generation, meaning that any upgrades will also require a motherboard change. The Core i5-13600K is powerful enough to last you years, though, and it’s very affordable for how good it is — you can get it for around $318 on Amazon.