Best gaming CPUs in 2025. Which one should you pick

Note: Some of these research are base on Gamer Nexus’s video. (Best gaming CPUs)

Overall Best Gaming CPU: AMD 9800X3D

AMD recently announced the 9800X3D and it took over the crown from 7800X3D. It feature the same 8 cores 16 threads with slightly higher clock speed at 5.2Ghz compared to 5Ghz.

You are able to overclock the 9800X3D as well to squeeze more performance out of the CPU.

In general, the 9800X3D gains around 5 – 15% performance gained over average. (Source)

It has improved productivity performance as well compared to the 7800X3D.

Who is it for: The 9800X3D is for gamers who wants nothing but the best. However, it’s extremely low in stock in Singapore. Alot of places markup the price to S$900 for the CPU alone.

This is far from the launch retail price of $680 during launch. My recommendation is wait till the price stable first before buying.

First Runner up best gaming CPU: AMD 7800X3D

Though the 7800X3D has been out for around 2 years. It managed to hold the spot of the best gaming CPU.

Slightly slower in gaming performance compared to the 9800X3D, unless you have an eagle eye, you won’t notice much difference between 7800X3D and 9800X3D.

It feature the 8 cores 16 threads at a clock speed of 5Ghz.

The price of 7800X3D is around $480 in Singapore. And like what I have predicted, the launch price 9800X3D will make the 7800X3D more value compared to 9800X3D.

You can’t overclock the 7800X3D and in terms of productivity it’s really not the best as it’s main focus is more for gaming.

But at $480 – $500 I would say the value is much better on the 7800X3D.

Second Runner up best gaming CPU: 7950X and 14900K

The 7950X and 14900K are two of the most balanced build. I am using a 7950X myself. Using it for gaming 10% and productivity 90%.

7950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. Up to 5.7Ghz.

14900K has 24 cores (8 P cores and 16 Efficient cores) and 32 threads. Up to 6Ghz.

With highers cores, these two cpus are best in balancing both productivity and gaming. 

However, with that being said, it still depends on the price. In Singapore because of the way the motherboards and CPUs are being bundle, some times the price difference between a 7950X and a 9950X is less than $100. So make sure you double check the price. 

We are very different from the market in the US where you get to pick the parts freely from Amazon.

Which gaming cpu is right for you?

Let’s round up:

9800X3D: For those of you who cares every single FPS increment and you want the latest and greatest. Don’t mind paying the extra price.

7800X3D: I highly recommend this if you are able to get your hands on one now. The price was $480 – $500 now it also increased. So if you can snatch one at $480- $500 go ahead.

14900K and 7950X: For those of you who are doing productivity work like video editing and would like to game the 14900K and 7950X would be the best bet now.