The CPU is the most consequential component in any PC build, handling everything from game logic and application threads to background system tasks. When comparing processors, the key figures to focus on are core and thread counts, base and boost clock speeds, TDP, and crucially, socket compatibility. AMD currently uses AM4 and AM5 sockets, while Intel is on LGA 1700 and the newer LGA 1851, so your CPU choice locks you into a particular motherboard platform. Integrated graphics matter too if you're not pairing the chip with a discrete GPU, and not every processor includes them.

We compare CPUs from both AMD and Intel across a wide price spread, from budget-friendly entry-level chips that still hold up for everyday computing, all the way to high-end workstation and enthusiast processors that command serious money. Most people building a mainstream gaming or productivity PC will find the best value sits somewhere in the mid-range.

One practical point worth keeping in mind: AMD's AM4 platform has been around long enough that second-hand and older-stock chips can offer excellent value, whereas AM5 is the longer-term investment if you want upgrade headroom over the next few years.