Gamers Nexus
This round-up looks at the Best CPUs of 2021 for custom DIY PC builds. We compare the best CPUs for gaming, programming, video editing, and more.
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All CPUs linked below.
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This video covers some of the best CPUs of 2021, but also features the biggest disappointment of the year (at least, the biggest CPU disappointment). If you’re trying to figure out which CPU to buy for a new PC build, these benchmarks and mini-reviews will help you make that selection. Benchmarks include previously released data on video editing, fastest Adobe Premiere render CPUs, best CPUs for Blender and 3D art, best gaming CPUs, best budget CPUs (for gaming and otherwise), and more. Our testing looks at compression, decompression, code compile, programming, and additional data points. The goal for this round-up is to provide a top-down view of the current CPU market and assist as you shop for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end of year holiday PC building.
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Best CPU Overall 2021
Intel i5-12600K on Amazon: https://geni.us/fiTYY
Original 12600K Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkHMh8sUSuM
Best CPU Efficiency 2021
AMD R9-5950X on Amazon: https://geni.us/o2Tk
Original AMD R9 5950X CPU Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AHENDeTEI
Best Gaming CPU 2021
Intel i9-12900K on Amazon: https://geni.us/blkqC
Original Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhI9tLOg-6I
Most Well-Rounded CPU 2021
Intel i7-12700K on Amazon: https://geni.us/1z5VTBU
Intel i7-12700KF on Amazon: https://geni.us/4xkA6YK
Original Intel Core i7-12700K CPU Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B14h25fKMpY
Best HEDT Workstation CPU 2021
AMD Threadripper 3970X on Amazon: https://geni.us/uB7SHnO
AMD Threadripper 3990X on Amazon: https://geni.us/xvKS5rE
(and Pro versions)
Original Threadripper 3970X Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tzTMN6-qU
Best* Budget CPU 2021 (we didn’t like our options this year, so see disclaimers in video)
Intel i3-10100 on Amazon: https://geni.us/GWfn8o
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT 2021
Intel Core i9-11900K (yes, it came out just this year) on Amazon: https://geni.us/fTE1
Original 11900K Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxiuvQPL_qs
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Best CPUs of 2021
01:45 – An Exciting Year for CPUs
02:15 – But Cheap CPUs Are Missing
03:55 – Best Overall CPU of 2021
06:15 – Best Efficiency 2021
08:12 – Best Gaming CPU 2021
10:16 – Most Well-Rounded CPU
11:48 – Best Best High-End Workstation CPU
13:08 – Best Budget CPU*
14:14 – Biggest Disappointment
16:08 – Huge Change-Up
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Host, Writing: Steve Burke
Video: Keegan Gallick, Andrew Coleman