Best Intel processors 2019: the best CPUs from Team Blue

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The best Intel processor is a fine way to get a sweet new gaming PC up and running if you're looking to choose among the best processors to buy. And, while the debate between AMD and Intel is always raging, we went ahead and gathered up the best Intel processors, tested them and created this list. 

For years, Intel processors have been some of the best for gaming thanks to their high IPC (instructions per clock) performance, paired with high clock speeds. And, while that’s still true, you’ll find Intel processors in more than just a gaming rig.

Intel Basin Falls Refresh processors rule the HEDT (high-end desktop) space, with high-performance processors (at an equally high cost) that are perfect for serious creatives and professionals. And, even if you’re on a budget, something like the Intel Pentium G4560 is perfect for making a bang-for-your-buck build. 

So, no matter what kind of CPU you’re looking for, Intel has you covered. And, we went ahead and gathered up all the best Intel processors right here, along with our exclusive price comparison tools, so you can spend less time shopping, and more time building.

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Image Credit: Intel

Intel Core i7 processors have always been the go-to for anyone looking for the best Intel processors. They traditionally deliver excellent performance, without breaking into the high prices of HEDT chips. The Intel Core i7-9700K continues in this tradition, but without the hyper-threading that defined earlier generations. Instead, the focus is on delivering high clock speeds – the 9700K boosts up to 4.9GHz right out of the box. This makes the Intel Core i7-9700K the best Intel processor for most people, as most everyday tasks won’t require more than eight threads. 

Read our hands-on review: Intel Core i7-9700K

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Image Credit: Intel

While there are certainly plenty of games that take advantage of multi-threaded processors these days (looking at you, Battlefield V), PC gaming is still mostly a single-threaded world. And, that’s why something like the Intel Core i5-9600K makes for such a great processor for gaming. Single-threaded performance is out of this world, which should help make high frame rate gaming feasible. The best part? This Intel processor is affordable, so you can spend more money on one of the best graphics cards.

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Image Credit: Intel

If you’re building a home theater PC, shelling out for a beefy Intel Core processor doesn’t make much sense – playing HD video doesn’t take a lot of horsepower. But, that’s where the Intel Pentium G4560 shines. For less than a hundred bucks, you can get decent performance that, while not the best for gaming or productivity work, is more than enough to watch some movies. Plus, the Intel Pentium G4560 has integrated graphics, so you don’t need to shell out for a new graphics card. 

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Image Credit: Intel

If you’re looking for the best performance you can get out of a mainstream Intel Core processor, you’re going to want to take a look at the Intel Core i9-9900K. This thing is packed with 8-cores, 16-threads and boosts up to 5.0GHz right out of the box. Whether you’re playing the best PC games or balancing 20 different spreadsheets, the Intel Core i9-9900K is the best Intel processor when you need raw horsepower. Just be aware that all this raw power comes with a high price tag.

Read our full review: Intel Core i9-9900K

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Image Credit: Intel

If you looked at that price and felt your jaw drop, there’s a reason why: the Intel Core i9-9980XE is an extremely expensive processor. However, for that price you’re getting 18 cores and 36 threads that can power through virtually any creative or professional workload without breaking a sweat. At the end of the day, the Intel Core i9-9980XE is one of those products where if you need to ask the price, it’s probably not for you. But, if it is for you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Intel processor. 

Read our full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE

• Make sure you pair your Intel processor with the best motherboard

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