Maybe even some chinstroking.

A situation thats unlikely to be helped byIntels Core rebrand.

Unlike the similarly speedy AMD Ryzen 7 7700, Intels chip also works with bothDDR5 and DDR4 memory.

Several of the best CPUs for gaming arranged in front of a motherboard.

Its base TDP is rated at a mere 65W, nearly half that of the Intel chip.

Its still a great pick if you want to stick to AMD hardware.

Why, though, get this and not the Ryzen 7 7700X?

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Like all of Intels F-suffixed processors, the i5-12400F isnt unlocked for overclocking.

The Core i5-12400F is especially ideal for those who want their gaming to PC to just play games.

Still, theres always the Core i5-13600K if you want that capability.

An Intel Core i5-13600K CPU propped up on a shelf.

Maybe its not as daft as it sounds.

For now, though, I wouldnt say that spoils it.

A difference of barely 5%.

An AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU being held between a finger and thumb.

Why have the Core i9-13900K here at all, then?

Well, it does have its uses.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get an Intel or AMD CPU?

The Intel Core i5-12400F CPU installed in an LGA 1700 motherboard socket.

Ryzen chips tend to be more efficient than their Intel counterparts, too.

Should I overclock my CPU?

Manual overclocking involves considering far more than just how high you set the clock speeds.

The AMD Ryzeb 5 5600X CPU installed in a motherboard.

Basically, be sure you know what youre getting into before you try overclocking.

If that happens, you just need to lower your clock speeds and/or voltages and loop back and try.

What is CPU bottlenecking, exactly?

An Intel Core i9-13900K CPU installed in a motherboard.

When running games, both your CPU and your graphics card will be constantly busy processing data.

Overclocking can help with this, but for serious power mismatches, a full CPU upgrade may be necessary.