CPU Hierarchy 2020: Intel and AMD Processors Ranked

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Your CPU has a huge effect on overall performance and, to many, is a computer's most important component. But when it comes time to buying a CPU for your desktop, you'll find a dizzying collection of model numbers and specs from both Intel and AMD. We've listed our the best CPUs for gaming and best processors for work in other articles, but if you want to know how each chip stacks up against all the others and how we come to our decisions, this CPU Hierarchy is for you.

Below, we've ranked all the consumer Intel 9th, 8th and 7th Gen processors, along with AMD's Ryzen and Threadripper chips from all three generations. We determined the order in the first table based on a geometric mean of gaming performance in four titles: Grand Theft Auto V, Hitman 2, Final Fantasy XV, and World of Tanks.

We also include an application performance metric in our second application score table, which we've split up into single- and multi-core measurements. We generated the single-threaded metric via a geometric mean of performance in single-threaded LAME, Cinebench, POV-Ray and y-cruncher applications, giving you a good idea of performance in everyday desktop PC applications. The multi-threaded workload column is based on performance in 7zip, Cinebench, POV-ray, vray, Blender, and Handbrake x264 and x265 workloads represent performance in productivity-focused applications that tend to require more compute horsepower.

The most powerful chip gets a 100 and all others are scored relative to it. If you want our recommendations for specific price bands, please check out our Best CPUs for gaming page.

Look out for a new and fun addition soon: We'll be adding in our first non-Intel and non-AMD x86 processor to the hierarchy in the coming days, but you'll have to guess which one. We'll also be adding 20 more AMD/Intel entries in the coming weeks.

Intel and AMD CPU Gaming Hierarchy

	Gaming Score	CPU	Cores/Threads	Base/Boost	TDP	Buy
Intel Core i9-9900KS	100	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	4.0 / 5.0 GHz	127W	Intel Core i9-9900KS
Intel Core i9-10980XE	99.2	Cascade Lake-X	18/36	3.0 / 4.8 GHz	165W	Intel Core i9-10980XE
Intel Core i7-9700K	97.9	Coffee Lake-R	8/8	3.6 / 4.9 GHz	95W	Intel Core i7-9700K
Intel Core i9-9900K	97.1	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	3.6 / 5.0 GHz	95W	Intel Core i9-9900K
Intel Core i9-9900KF	97.1	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	3.6 / 5.0 GHz	95W	Intel Core i9-9900KF
Intel Xeon W-3175X	96.8	Skylake	28/56	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	225W	Intel Xeon W-3175X
AMD Threadripper 3970X	96.5	Zen 2	32/64	3.7 / 4.5 GHz	280W	AMD Threadripper 3970X
AMD Threadripper 3960X	96.5	Zen 2	24/48	3.8 / 4.5 GHz	280W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
AMD Threadripper 3990X	96.1	Zen 2	64/128	2.9 / 4.3 GHz	280W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	96	Zen 2	12/24	3.8 / 4.6 GHz	105W	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	94.8	Zen 2	16/32	3.5 / 4.7 GHz	105W	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Intel Core i9-9980XE	94.7	Skylake	18/36	4.4 / 4.5 GHz	165W	Intel Core i9-9980XE
AMD Ryzen 9 3900	94.5	Zen 2	12/24	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	65W	OEM only
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X	94.1	Zen 2	8/16	3.6 / 4.4 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
AMD Ryzen 7 3800X	92.2	Zen 2	8/16	3.9 / 4.5 GHz	105W	AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
Intel Core i7-8700K	~	Coffee Lake	6/12	3.7 / 4.7 GHz	95W	Intel Core i7-8700K
Intel Core i7-8700	~	Coffee Lake	6/12	3.2 / 4.6 GHz	65W	Intel Core i7-8700
Intel Core i9-7960X	~	Skylake	16 / 32	2.8 / 4.2 GHz	165W	Intel Core i9-7960X
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	90.5	Zen 2	6/12	3.8 / 4.4 GHz	95W	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Intel Core i5-9600K	90.1	Coffee Lake-R	6/6	3.7 / 4.6 GHz	95W	Intel Core i5-9600K
AMD Ryzen 5 3600	88.4	Zen 2	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Intel Core i5-8600K	~	Coffee Lake	6/6	3.6 / 4.3 GHz	95W	Intel Core i5-8600K
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X	~	Zen+	8/16	3.7 / 4.3 GHz	105W	AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
Intel Core i9-7980XE	~	Skylake	18 / 36	2.6 / 4.2 GHz	165W	Intel Core i9-7980XE
Intel Core i9-7900X	~	Skylake	10/20	3.3 / 4.3 GHz	140W	Intel Core i9-7980X
Intel Core i5-8600	~	Coffee Lake	6/6	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-8600
Intel Core i7-7700K	~	Kaby Lake	4/8	4.2 / 4.5 GHz	91W	Intel Core i7-7700K
Intel Core i5-8500	~	Coffee Lake	6/6	3.0 / 4.1 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-8500
Intel Core i5-9400 / i5-9400F	86.3	Coffee Lake	6/6	2.9 / 4.1 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-9400F
Intel Core i5-8400	~	Coffee Lake	6/6	2.8 / 4.0 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-8400
AMD Threadripper 2990WX (GM)	81.6	Zen+	32/64	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Intel Core i7-7820X	~	Skylake	8/16	3.6 / 4.3 GHz	140W	Intel Core i7-7820X
Intel Core i3-9350KF	80.9	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0/4.6 GHz	91W	Intel Core i3-9350KF
AMD Threadripper 2950X (GM)	79.3	Zen +	16/32	3.5 / 4.4 GHz	180W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
AMD Threadripper 2970WX	79.1	Zen +	24/48	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W	AMD Threadripper 2970WX
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X	77.8	Zen+	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	95W	AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Intel Core i3-8350K	75.7	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0 / - GHz	91W	Intel Core i3-8350K
AMD Ryzen 7 2700	~	Zen+	8/16	3.2 / 4.1 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 7 2700
AMD Threadripper 1900X (GM)	~	Zen	8/16	3.8 / 4.0 GHz	180W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X
Intel Core i7-7700	~	Kaby Lake	4/8	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W	Intel Core i7-7700
AMD Ryzen 5 2600	~	Zen+	6/12	3.4 / 3.9 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Intel Core i7-7800X	~	Skylake	6/12	3.5 / 4.0 GHz	140W	Intel Core i7-7800X
Intel Core i5-7600K	~	Kaby Lake	4/4	3.8 / 4.2 GHz	91W	Intel Core i5-7600K
AMD Threadripper 1950X (GM)	~	Zen	16/32	3.4 / 4.0 GHz	180W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
AMD Threadripper 1920X (GM)	~	Zen	12/24	3.5 / 4.0 GHz	180W	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X	~	Zen	8/16	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	95W	AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
Intel Core i5-7600	~	Kaby Lake	4/4	3.5 / 4.1 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-7600
Intel Core i3-9100	79.3	Coffee Lake-R	4/4	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W	Intel Core i3-9100
Intel Core i3-8300	~	Coffee Lake	4/4	3.7 / - GHz	62W	Intel Core i3-8300
Intel Core i3-8100	~	Coffee Lake	4/4	3.6 / - GHz	65W	Intel Core i3-8100
Intel Core i5-7500	~	Kaby Lake	4/4	3.4 / 3.8 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-7500
Intel Core i5-7400	~	Kaby Lake	4/4	3.0 / 3.5 GHz	65W	Intel Core i5-7400
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X	~	Zen	8/16	3.8 / 3.9 GHz	95W	AMD Ryzen 7 1700X
AMD Ryzen 7 1700	~	Zen	8/16	3.0 / 3.8 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 7 1700
AMD Ryzen 5 3400G	68.3	Zen +	4/8	3.7 / 4.2 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X	66.7	Zen	6/12	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	95W	AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
AMD Ryzen 5 1600	66.1	Zen	6/12	3.2 / 3.6 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 1600
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G	64.6	Zen +	4/4	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X	~	Zen	4/8	3.5 / 3.7 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
Intel Core i3-7350K	~	Kaby Lake	2/4	4.2 / - GHz	60W	Intel Core i3-7350K
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G	63.6	Zen+	4/8	3.6 / 3.9 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
Intel Core i3-7300	~	Kaby Lake	2/4	4.0 / - GHz	51W	Intel Core i3-7300
Intel Core i3-7100	~	Kaby Lake	2/4	3.9 / - GHz	51W
AMD Ryzen 5 1400	~	Zen	4/8	3.2 / 3.4 GHz	65W
AMD Ryzen 3 1300X	~	Zen	4/4	3.5 / 3.7 GHz	65W
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G	~	Zen+	4/4	3.5 / 3.7 GHz	65W	Ryzen 3 2200G
AMD Athlon 240GE	~	Zen	2/4	3.5 / - GHz	35W	AMD Athlon 240GE
AMD Athlon 220GE	~	Zen	2/4	3.4 / - GHz	35W	AMD Athlon 220GE
AMD Athlon 200GE	~	Zen	2/4	3.2 / - GHz	35W	AMD Athlon 200GE
Intel Pentium G5600	~	Coffee Lake	2/4	3.9 / - GHz	54W	Pentium Gold G5600
Intel Pentium G5400	~	Coffee Lake	2/4	3.7 / - GHz	54W	Pentium Gold G5400
Intel Pentium G4620	~	Kaby Lake	2/4	3.7 / - GHz	54W	Intel Pentium G4620
Intel Pentium G4560	~	Kaby Lake	2/4	3.5 / - GHz	54W	Intel Pentium G4560
AMD Ryzen 3 1200	~	Zen	4/4	3.1 / 3.2 GHz	65W	AMD Ryzen 3 1200

We used the Nvidia GTX 2080 Ti GPU for our tests at HD resolution. We have also included several newer processors that we haven't tested yet, but we've assigned them basic positions in our hierarchy based on their capabilities. Naturally, this list will grow as we add more processors.

You may be surprised to find that some less-expensive chips ranked above their upscale siblings. For example, the Core i7-9700K comes out ahead of the Core i9-9900K on this list because it offers better performance in some games due to its lack of hyperthreading, which was enough to help it do better on the overall suite of tests. However, depending on the application, you may see stronger results from the higher-end chip.

Intel and AMD CPU Single-Threaded Performance Hierarchy

	Single-Threaded App Score	Architecture	Cores/Threads	Base/Boost	TDP
Core i9-10980XE	100.0%	Cascade Lake-X	18/36	3.0 / 4.8 GHz	165W
Ryzen 9 3950X	97.5%	Zen 2	16/32	3.5 / 4.7 GHz	105W
Ryzen 9 3900X	97.3%	Zen 2	12/24	3.8 / 4.6 GHz	105W
Core i9-9900KS	96.4%	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	4.0 / 5.0 GHz	127W
Core i9-9900K	95.8%	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	3.6 / 5.0 GHz	95W
Threadripper 3970X	95.7%	Zen 2	32/64	3.7 / 4.5 GHz	280W
Threadripper 3960X	95.6%	Zen 2	24/48	3.8 / 4.5 GHz	280W
Ryzen 7 3700X	94.7%	Zen 2	8/16	3.6 / 4.4 GHz	65W
Core i5-9600K	94.7%	Coffee Lake-R	6/6	3.7 / 4.6 GHz	95W
Core i7-9700K	93.6%	Coffee Lake-R	8/8	3.6 / 4.9 GHz	95W
Threadripper 3990X	93.3%	Zen 2	64/128	2.9 / 4.3 GHz	280W
Core i3-9350KF	93.2%	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0/4.6 GHz	91W
Core i9-9980XE	92.7%	Skylake	18/36	4.4 / 4.5 GHz	165W
Xeon W-3175X	89.4%	Skylake	28/56	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	225W
Core i3-9100	85.2%	Coffee Lake-R	4/4	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Core i5-9400 / -9400F	83.2%	Coffee Lake	6/6	2.9 / 4.1 GHz	65W
Ryzen 7 3800X	83.0%	Zen 2	8/16	3.9 / 4.5 GHz	105W
Ryzen 9 3900	80.2%	Zen 2	12/24	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	65W
Ryzen 5 3600X	78.7%	Zen 2	6/12	3.8 / 4.4 GHz	95W
Core i3-8350K	78.3%	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0 / - GHz	91W
Threadripper 2950X	76.8%	Zen +	16/32	3.5 / 4.4 GHz	180W
Ryzen 5 3600	75.9%	Zen 2	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Threadripper 2990WX	73.8%	Zen+	32/64	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W
Threadripper 2970WX	73.6%	Zen +	24/48	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W
Ryzen 5 3400G	71.7%	Zen +	4/8	3.7 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Ryzen 5 2400G	67.1%	Zen+	4/8	3.6 / 3.9 GHz	65W
Ryzen 3 3200G	66.4%	Zen +	4/4	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	65W
Ryzen 5 2600X	64.1%	Zen+	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	95W
Ryzen 5 1600X	59.4%	Zen	6/12	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	95W

Single-threaded performance is often tied directly to the responsiveness and snappiness of your PC in any number of daily applications, like loading an operating system or surfing the web. This metric largely depends upon a mixture of instruction per cycle (IPC) throughput (the number of operations the chip can execute in one clock cycle) and frequency, which is the speed at which the transistors switch between on and off states. However, a whole host of other considerations, such as cache, architecture, and interconnects (like rings, meshes, and infinity fabric) impact this measure of per-core performance, so these results do not align perfectly based upon clock frequency. Instead, performance varies with each application and how well it is tuned for the respective architectures.

Intel and AMD CPU Multi-Threaded Performance

	Multi-Threaded App Score	Architecture	Cores/Threads	Base/Boost	TDP
Threadripper 3990X	100.0%	Zen 2	64/128	2.9 / 4.3 GHz	280W
Threadripper 3970X	94.7%	Zen 2	32/64	3.7 / 4.5 GHz	280W
Threadripper 3960X	86.8%	Zen 2	24/48	3.8 / 4.5 GHz	280W
Xeon W-3175X	82.6%	Skylake	28/56	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	225W
Core i9-10980XE	62.7%	Cascade Lake-X	18/36	3.0 / 4.8 GHz	165W
Core i9-9980XE	60.9%	Skylake	18/36	4.4 / 4.5 GHz	165W
Ryzen 9 3950X	61.1%	Zen 2	16/32	3.5 / 4.7 GHz	105W
Threadripper 2990WX	53.1%	Zen+	32/64	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W
Ryzen 9 3900X	54.6%	Zen 2	12/24	3.8 / 4.6 GHz	105W
Threadripper 2970WX	50.9%	Zen +	24/48	3.0 / 4.2 GHz	250W
Threadripper 2950X	53.0%	Zen +	16/32	3.5 / 4.4 GHz	180W
Ryzen 9 3900	49.4%	Zen 2	12/24	3.1 / 4.3 GHz	65W
Ryzen 7 3700X	42.4%	Zen 2	8/16	3.6 / 4.4 GHz	65W
Ryzen 7 3800X	40.9%	Zen 2	8/16	3.9 / 4.5 GHz	105W
Core i9-9900KS	40.0%	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	4.0 / 5.0 GHz	127W
Core i9-9900K	39.4%	Coffee Lake-R	8/16	3.6 / 5.0 GHz	95W
Core i7-9700K	35.2%	Coffee Lake-R	8/8	3.6 / 4.9 GHz	95W
Ryzen 5 3600X	32.8%	Zen 2	6/12	3.8 / 4.4 GHz	95W
Ryzen 5 3600	32.3%	Zen 2	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Core i5-9600K	28.8%	Coffee Lake-R	6/6	3.7 / 4.6 GHz	95W
Ryzen 5 2600X	26.6%	Zen+	6/12	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	95W
Core i5-9400 / -9400F	26.0%	Coffee Lake	6/6	2.9 / 4.1 GHz	65W
Ryzen 5 1600X	24.1%	Zen	6/12	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	95W
Core i3-9350KF	20.6%	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0/4.6 GHz	91W
Ryzen 5 3400G	19.2%	Zen +	4/8	3.7 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Core i3-9100	19.2%	Coffee Lake-R	4/4	3.6 / 4.2 GHz	65W
Core i3-8350K	19.1%	Coffee Lake	4/4	4.0 / - GHz	91W
Ryzen 5 2400G	17.9%	Zen+	4/8	3.6 / 3.9 GHz	65W
Ryzen 3 3200G	15.9%	Zen +	4/4	3.6 / 4.0 GHz	65W

Like we see with single-threaded performance metrics, multi-threaded performance, which is a measure of a chips performance in applications that utilize multiple software threads, varies based upon a whole host of architectural factors. It also depends heavily upon how well the software scales with additional compute cores. As such, these results do not align perfectly based upon core/thread count, though it does serve as a decent litmus of multi-threaded performance. Be aware that architectures, caches, and interconnects also have a profound impact on these results, as all of these factors impact how well performance scales with additional threads. Performance rarely scales perfectly with the addition of more cores/threads, so the scaling factor of each processor architecture weighs in heavily on the value proposition of going with a higher core count processor for your specific application.

Test System and Configuration

Hardware
AMD Socket AM4 (400-Series)	AMD Ryzen 2000-series processors
	MSI X470 Gaming M7 AC
	2x 8GB G.Skill FlareX DDR4-3200 @ DDR4-2933
Intel LGA 1151 (Z370)	Intel Coffee Lake processors
	MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
	2x 8GB G.Skill FlareX DDR4-3200 @ DDR4-2400, DDR4-2667
AMD Socket AM4 (300-Series)	Ryzen 1000-series processors
	MSI X370 Xpower Gaming Titanium
	2x 8GB G.Skill FlareX DDR4-3200 @ DDR4-2667
Intel LGA 1151 (Z270)	Intel Kaby Lake processors
	MSI Z270 Gaming M7
	2x 8GB G.Skill FlareX DDR4-3200 @ DDR4-2400
Intel LGA 2066	Intel Skylake processors
	MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
	4x 8GB G.Skill FlareX DDR4-3200 @ DDR4-2666
All	EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FE
	1TB Samsung PM863
	SilverStone ST1500-TI, 1500W
	Windows 10 Creators Update Version 1703 - All Spectre and Meltdown mitigations
Cooling	Corsair H115i

Legacy Desktop Processor Hierarchy

Recognizing that a lot of older platforms are going to be paired with graphics subsystems multiple generations old, we wanted to define the top of our range to encourage balance between host processing and complementary GPUs. At this point, anyone with a Sandy Bridge-based Core i7 would realize a gain from stepping up to Coffee Lake or Kaby Lake, for example. And putting AMD's top FX CPUs next to a handful of Core i7s and those older Core i5s represents an upgrade to their status.

Currently, our hierarchy consists of 13 total tiers. The bottom half of the chart is largely outdated; you'll notice those CPUs dragging down performance in the latest games, regardless of the graphics card installed in your PC. If you own a CPU in that range, an upgrade could really take your experience to another level.

Really, it's the top five tiers or so that remain viable. And in that top half of the chart, an upgrade is typically worthwhile if it's a least a couple of tiers higher. Otherwise, there's just not enough improvement to warrant the expense of a fresh CPU, motherboard and RAM (not to mention the graphics card and storage solution you'd be considering as well).

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core i7-8700K ($382.00 On Walmart)
Intel Core i9-7900X ($969.00 On Walmart)
Intel Core i9-7960X ($1617.83 On Amazon)
Intel Core i9-7980XE ($1579.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-8700K ($382.00 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-7740X ($350.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-7700K ($344.61 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-7820X ($599.99 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X ($77.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-7700 ($317.07 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X ($199.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-8400 ($204.29 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 7 1800X ($220.79 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-7800X ($389.99 On Newegg)	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X ($549.99 On Newegg)
Intel Core i7-7700T ($339.99 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 7 1700X ($163.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-6950X ($1576.52 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 7 1700 ($219.79 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-6900K ($788.00 On Amazon)	AMD Ryzen 5 1600X ($139.95 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-6850K ($492.75 On Amazon)	AMD Ryzen 5 1600 ($103.57 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-6800K ($347.88 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 5 1500X ($127.00 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-6700K ($293.19 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 5 1400 ($139.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7 6700 ($317.97 On Walmart)	AMD Ryzen 3 1300X ($66.56 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-5960X ($1,069.95 On Newegg)	Ryzen 5 2400G ($59.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-5930K ($386.59 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-5820K ($350.90 On Walmart)
Intel Core i7-5775C ($1077.88 On Amazon)
Intel i7-4960X ($465.58 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-4930K
Intel Core i7-4820K
Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-4770K
Intel Core i7-4790
Intel Core i7-4771
Intel Core i7-4770
Intel Core i7-3970X
Intel Core i7-3960X
Intel Core i7-3930K
Intel Core i7-3820
Intel Core i7-3770K
Intel Core i7-3770
Intel Core i5-7640X ($243.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-7600K ($10.73 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-7600 ($269.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-7500 ($216.62 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-7400 ($201.30 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5 6600k ($248.73 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-6600 ($210.66 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-6500 ($210.04 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5 6402P ($488.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-6400 ($182.99 On Newegg)
Intel Core i5-5675C
Intel Core i5-4690K ($250.58 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-4670K
Intel Core i5-4590
Intel Core i5-4670
Intel Core i5-4570
Intel BX80646I54460 ($215.17 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-4440
Intel Core i5-4430
Intel Core i5-3570K
Intel Core i5-3570
Intel Core i5-3550

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core i7-990X Extreme
Intel Core i7-980X Extreme
Intel Core i7-975 Extreme
Intel Core i7-2600K
Intel Core i7-2600
Intel Core i7-965
Intel Core i5-3470
Intel Core i5-3450P	Intel Core i7-7700 ($317.07 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-3450	AMD FX-9370 ($232.17 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-3350P	AMD FX-8370 ($220.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-3330	AMD FX-8350 w/Wraith ($159.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-2550K	AMD FX-8320 ($124.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-2500K	AMD FX-8300 ($99.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i5-2500	AMD FX-8150
Intel Core i5-2450P
Intel Core i5-2400
Intel Core i5-2380P
Intel Core i5-2320
Intel Core i5-2310
Intel Core i5-2300
Intel Core i3-7350K ($167.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i3-7320 ($295.22 On Walmart)
Intel Core i3-7300 ($169.89 On B&H)
Intel Core i3-7100 ($131.99 On B&H)

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core i7-980
Intel Core i7-970
Intel Core i7-960
Intel Core i7-875K
Intel Core i7-870
Intel Core i3 6320 ($218.52 On Amazon)
Intel Core i3 6300 ($130.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i3-6100 ($130.34 On Walmart)	AMD FX-6350 w/Wraith ($134.99 On Amazon)
Intel Core i3 6100T ($136.99 On Tiger Direct)	AMD FX-4350 ($716.00 On Walmart)
Intel Core i3-6098P ($372.00 On Amazon)	AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition
Intel Core i3-4360	AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition
Intel Core i3-4350	AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 980
Intel Core i3-4340	AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 975
Intel Core i3-4170
Intel Core i3-4160
Intel Core i3-4150
Intel Core i3-4130
Intel Core i3-3250
Intel Core i3-3245
Intel Core i3-3240
Intel Core i3-3225
Intel Core i3-3220
Intel Core i3-3210
Intel Core i3-2130
Intel Core i3-2025
Intel Core i3-2120
Intel Core i3-2105
Intel Core i3-2100
Intel Pentium G4620 ($143.92 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium G4600 ($126.42 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium G4560 ($79.99 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium G4500 ($74.86 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium G4400 ($62.24 On Walmart)

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
	AMD FX-8370E ($310.09 On Amazon)
	AMD FX-8320 ($149.01 On Amazon)
	AMD FX-8120
	AMD FX-6300 ($89.98 On Amazon)
	AMD FX-6200
	AMD FX-4300 ($99.95 On Amazon)
	AMD FX-4170
	AMD Phenom II X6 1075T
Intel Core i7-950	AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition
Intel Core i7-940	AMD Phenom II X4 965
Intel Core i7-930	AMD Phenom II X4 955
Intel Core i7-920	AMD A10-7890K APU ($411.00 On Amazon)
Intel Core i7-860	Intel A10-7870K ($34.99 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-3220T	AMD A10-7860K ($42.90 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-2405S	AMD A10-7850K
Intel Core i5-2400S	AMD A10-7800
Intel Core i5-760	AMD A10-7700K
Intel Core i5-750	AMD A10-6800K
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775	AMD A10-6790K
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770	AMD A10-6700
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650	AMD A10-5800K
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650	AMD A10-5700
	Intel A8-7650K ($105.99 On Amazon)
	AMD A8-7600 ($17.99 On eBay)
	AMD A8-6600K
	AMD A8-5600K
	AMD A8-3870K
	AMD A8-3870
	AMD A8-3850
	AMD Athlon X4 880K ($74.90 On Amazon)
	Intel Athlon X4 870K (4th quarter) ($35.79 On Walmart)
	Intel A10-7870K ($34.99 On Walmart)
	AMD Athlon X4 750K
	AMD Athlon X4 740
	AMD Athlon X4 651K
	AMD Athlon X4 645
	AMD Athlon X4 641
	AMD Athlon X4 640

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
	AMD FX-6100
	AMD FX-4130
	AMD FX-4100
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850	AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800	AMD Phenom II X6 1045T
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550	AMD Phenom II X4 945
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450	AMD Phenom II X4 940
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400	AMD Phenom II X4 920
Intel Core i5-680	AMD Phenom II X3 740
Intel Core i5-670	AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition
Intel Core i5-661	AMD A8-6500
Intel Core i5-660	AMD A8-5500
Intel Core i5-655K	AMD A6 ($75.55 On Walmart)
Intel Core i5-650	AMD A6 ($75.55 On Walmart)
Intel Core i3-2120T	AMD A6-3670K
Intel Core i3-2100T	AMD A6-3650
	AMD Athlon II X4 635
	AMD Athlon II X4 630

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Intel Core 2 Duo E8600
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500	AMD Phenom II X4 910
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400	AMD Phenom II X4 910e
Intel Core 2 Duo E7600	AMD Phenom II X4 810
Intel Core i3-550	AMD Athlon II X4 631
Intel Core i3-540	AMD Athlon II X4 620
Intel Core i3-530	AMD Athlon II X3 460
Intel Pentium G3470
Intel Pentium G3460
Intel Pentium G3450
Intel Pentium G3440
Intel Pentium G3430
Intel Pentium G3420
Intel Pentium G3260 ($106.67 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium G3258 ($67.00 On eBay)
Intel Pentium G3250
Intel Pentium G3220
Intel Pentium G2130
Intel Pentium G2120
Intel Pentium G2020
Intel Pentium G2010
Intel Pentium G870
Intel Pentium G860
Intel Pentium G850
Intel Pentium G840
Intel Pentium G645
Intel Pentium G640
Intel Pentium G630

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200
Intel Core 2 Duo E8300	AMD Phenom II X4 905e
Intel Core 2 Duo E8200	AMD Phenom II X4 805
Intel Core 2 Duo E8190	AMD Phenom II X3 710
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500	AMD Phenom II X3 705e
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400	AMD Phenom II X2 565 Black Edition
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850	AMD Phenom II X2 560 Black Edition
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750	AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition
Intel Pentium G620	AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition
Intel Celeron G1630	AMD Phenom II X2 545
Intel Celeron G1620	AMD Phenom X4 9950
Intel Celeron G1610	AMD Athlon II X3 455
Intel Celeron G555	AMD Athlon II X3 450
Intel Celeron G550	AMD Athlon II X3 445
Intel Celeron G540	AMD Athlon II X3 440
Intel Celeron G530	AMD Athlon II X3 435
Intel Celeron G3950 ($65.35 On Amazon)	AMD Athlon II X3 425
Intel Celeron G3930 ($61.10 On Walmart)
Intel Celeron G3930 ($61.10 On Walmart)
Intel Celeron G3900 ($47.49 On Amazon)

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
	AMD Phenom X4 9850
	AMD Phenom X4 9750
	AMD Phenom X4 9650
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300	AMD Phenom X4 9600
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200	AMD Phenom X3 8850
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700	AMD Phenom X3 8750
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550	AMD Athlon II X2 370K
Intel Core 2 Duo E6540	AMD Athlon II X2 265
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6700	AMD Athlon II X2 260
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6600	AMD Athlon II X2 255
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E650	AMD A6-5500K
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6300	AMD A6 ($75.55 On Walmart)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5800	AMD A4-7300 ($112.00 On Amazon)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5700	AMD A4-6400K
Intel Pentium G9650	AMD A4-6300 ($229.99 On eBay)
	AMD A4-5400K
	AMD A4-5300
	AMD A4-4400
	AMD A4-4000
	AMD A4-3400
	AMD A4-3300
	AMD Sempron 2650 ($40.33 On Walmart)
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
	AMD Phenom X4 9550
	AMD Phenom X4 9500
	AMD Phenom X4 9450e
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600	AMD Phenom X4 9350e
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420	AMD Phenom X3 8650
Intel Core 2 Duo E4700	AMD Phenom X3 8600
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600	AMD Phenom X3 8550
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500	AMD Phenom X3 8450e
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400	AMD Phenom X3 8450
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300	AMD Phenom X3 8400
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200	AMD Phenom X3 8250e
Intel Pentium Dual-Core G620T	AMD Athlon II X2 250
	AMD Athlon II X2 245
	AMD Athlon II X2 240
	AMD Athlon X2 7850
	AMD Athlon X2 7750
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
	AMD Phenom X4 9150e
	AMD Phenom X4 9100e
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400	AMD Athlon X2 7550
Intel Core 2 Duo E6320	AMD Athlon X2 7450
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400	AMD Athlon X2 5050e
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300	AMD Athlon X2 4850e/b
Intel Celeron E3300	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300	AMD Athlon X2 6550
Intel Core 2 Duo E5500	AMD Athlon X2 6500
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2220	AMD Athlon X2 4450e/b
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200	AMD Athlon X2 4600+
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2210	AMD Athlon X2 4400+
Intel Celeron E3200	AMD Athlon X2 4200+
	AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180	AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+
Intel Celeron 1600	AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Intel Celeron G440	AMD Athlon X2 4050e
	AMD Athlon X2 2300 Black Edition

Intel CPUs	AMD CPUs and APUs
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2160
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140
Intel Celeron E1500
Intel Celeron E1400
Intel Celeron E1200

MORE: Best CPUs

MORE: GPU Performance Hierarchy

33 Comments Comment from the forums

abryant 17 January 2019 03:50

Archived comments are found here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3819348/intel-amd-processor-hierarchy.html
Reply
King_V 23 January 2019 21:43

Will the G5xxx Pentiums, as well as the Ryzen-based Athlons, be added?

Come to think about it, maybe the AM4 versions of the A10 and A12?

Low end stuff, true, but still interesting I think to see where the new bottom-end CPUs fit relative to some of the older things that were decent performers in their day.
Reply
Yarberger1 28 January 2019 02:15

I have an i5-3570. I have previously been told that an upgrade to (for example) an i7-8700K would see a significant improvement and would be well worth the investment. This article seems to say the exact opposite.

I presently have a 1920x1080 monitor and GTX960 GPU. My system is used for general office applications, surfing and limited gaming (WoW, with an intention to switch to Elite: Dangerous shortly).
Reply
King_V 28 January 2019 15:03

My son, at his mother's house, still uses an i5-2320 with a GTX 660Ti. Handles his needs just fine. I'd say with your usage, what you have is more than sufficient.
Reply
Yarberger1 28 January 2019 20:51

Would this remain the case if I were to upgrade to a 2560x1440 monitor? (Thanks for the reply)
Reply
King_V 28 January 2019 22:15

That I couldn't say - as I'm not familiar with those particular games or how demanding they are.

Might be more appropriate to start a separate thread though, for that question. That way you're more likely to get people who can address that question than who would see it buried in the midst of this thread about the hierarchy charts.
Reply
urbanman2004 28 January 2019 22:32

Would it be advisable to upgrade the GPU on a system running a i7-980X (w/ 16GB RAM) from a GTX 680 (2GB) to a GTX 1070 (8GB)?
Reply
King_V 29 January 2019 14:19

That would really be more dependent on your monitor's resolution and refresh rate. Could be the right choice, could be a bit of overkill, depending on the monitor.
Reply
nufelevas 11 February 2019 15:46

Here are the prices updates to February 2019.

The size of the bubbles indicate application performance.

The labels in red belong to best buys (lower price or higher performance)

Not all prices and processors on the article are on sale anymore, so I excluded some CPUs.

Prices source:
Intel Core i7-8700K $ 400 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598VZR8/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-8700 $ 350 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07598HLB4/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i9-7960X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B075XRYMDS/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-8600K $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0759FKH8K/?tag=pcpapi-20
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X $ 216 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428V2L/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B428M7F/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i9-7980XE $ 1.900 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intel-Core-i9-7980XE-Skylake-X-18-Core-2-6-GHz-LGA-2066-Desktop-Processor-BX80673I97980X/267995409?affp1=Gf2ssvCIn0M5cClvlZxbzAfXxGbjFWVJaxJnUrYVLKY&affilsrc=api&u1=&oid=223073.7200&wmlspartner=8BacdVP0GFs&sourceid=24923187711495984409&affillinktype=14&veh=aff
Intel Core i9-7900X $ 1.013 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAA6581U4822&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
Intel Core i7-7700K $ 419 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MXSI216/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-8400 $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FGJ3Q/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Threadripper 2950X $ 930 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07GFN6CVF/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7820X $ 670 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B072NF4BY3/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-8350K $ 200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FWJDK/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 2700 $ 260 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41717Z/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1900X $ 310 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0754JNQBP/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i7-7700 $ 340 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N0L41N7/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Threadripper 2990WX $ 1.730 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07G25SD1P/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 $ 165 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07B41WS48/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i7-7800X $ 400 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117793&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0gcflbe00035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=05fe1ba92e0c11e98283044d0a24060d
Intel Core i5-7600K $ 280 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MRRPPQS/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Threadripper 1950X $ 590 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113447&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Threadripper 1920X $ 450 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B074CBJHCT/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X $ 320 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06W9JXK4G/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7600 $ 270 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MYTYSMK?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X $ 190 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06X3W9NGG/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKWT7GD/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Intel Core i3-8100 $ 119 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0759FTRZL/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i5-7500 $ 242 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01MZZJ1P0/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
Intel Core i5-7400 $ 220 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117731&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-ed-Future%20Publishing%20Ltd-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=12920453&PID=8900246&SID=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312
AMD Ryzen 7 1700 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06WP5YCX6/ref=olp_f_new?ie=UTF8&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKVNRSM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7350K $ 200 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117772&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0h0apiku0035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=9d681f5d2e0e11e9809a04500a240614
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G $ 150 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D8FD28/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Core i3-7300 $ 241 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N59LL8R?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20
Intel Core i3-7100 $ 170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01NCESRJX/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
AMD Ryzen 5 1400 $ 135 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XKWT8J4/ref=olp_f_new?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=tomshardware-thaus:en_US_18_Review_4312-20&f_new=true
AMD Ryzen 3 1300X $ 160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DLVL7/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B079D3DBNM/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Intel Pentium G4560 $ 110 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117743&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=8167422&SID=js0h9q5vas0035wt05278&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-VigLink2&cjevent=a399b49e2e0f11e9826d04460a24060f
AMD Ryzen 3 1200 $ 95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0741DN383/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Reply
drawingpin 14 March 2019 18:01

The amazon prices showing for the likes of the Ryzen 2600X are inflated as they're displaying the price for a combo deal with a Corsair AIO. Not very helpful as price is a huge factor and the Ryzen CPUs already come with their own cooler.
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