CPU is one of the core components of a system, also known to be the computer’s brain. Streaming in real-time depends pretty much on the CPU. How CPU affects the streaming depends on the specifications of the CPU and user intent. Music Streaming hits more than 1200 billion in 2019 as compared to 106 billion in 2013.
It’s evident that you are looking for the best CPU for streaming. Right? We have selected, analyzed, and awarded the top 7 best CPUs for streaming according to the user intent. In the end, there are some honourable mentions as well.
Related: Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600 – Popular Worldwide
Related: Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 – Popular Worldwide
Related: Best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700x – Popular Worldwide
You can also build a more compact PC using low profile graphics card and we have some recommendations for you to get going into creating a smaller yet powerful PC.
7 Best CPUs for Streaming – Updated 2021
1. Best Entry Level CPU for Streaming – Intel Core i5-9600KF
2. Best Budget CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 5 3600
3. Best Mid-Range CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
4. Best Mid-Range CPU for Streaming and Video Editing – AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
5. Best Intel CPU for Streaming – Intel Core i9-10900F
6. Best Mainstream CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
7. Best Workstation CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Best Entry Level CPU for Streaming – Intel Core i5-9600KF
Intel Core i5-9600KF has been selected for the best entry-level CPU for streaming because of the excellent price to specification ratio. Though the performance of Intel Core i3 series processors is also good but Intel Core i5-9600KF wins the race according to user intent. Therefore, if you are looking for the best processor for streaming in 2020 under $190 then probably you should go for it.
Specifications
CORES 6
THREADS 6
CACHE MEMORY 9MB Intel Smart Cache
BASE FREQUENCY 3.7 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.6 GHz
TDP 95 W
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Best Budget CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has been selected for the best budget CPU for streaming because of the reasonable price to specification ratio. If you are running a YouTube or streaming channel, then no problem, it will be good enough to enjoy the uninterrupted streaming experience. It’s fairly priced as well. Therefore, if you are looking for best processor for streaming under budget, then probably you should go for it.
We also have sorted the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 on the basis of value to money, features, compatibility, RAM, VRM, overclocking and durability.
Specifications
CORES 6
THREADS 12
L2 CACHE MEMORY 3MB
L3 CACHE MEMORY 32MB
BASE FREQUENCY 3.6 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.2 GHz
TDP 65 W
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Best Mid-Range CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is the best mid-range CPU for streaming because of the reasonable price, 8 cores, 16 threads, and a turbo frequency of 4.4 GHz. If you are planning to multitask, run mid-range games, YouTube channel, Twitch, or streaming channel, then you are ready to go. It is a good streaming pc, and you will enjoy the uninterrupted streaming experience. It’s the best processor for streaming 4k video in a mid-range price.
We also have sorted the best motherboards for Ryzen 7 3700x on the basis of value to money, features, compatibility, RAM, VRM, overclocking and durability.
Specifications
CORES 8
THREADS 16
L2 CACHE MEMORY 4MB
L3 CACHE MEMORY 32MB
BASE FREQUENCY 3.6 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.4 GHz
TDP 65 W
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Best Mid-Range CPU for Streaming and Video Editing – AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Sometimes streaming is not just enough, there might be a need for video editing. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is one of the best mid-range CPU for streaming and video editing. Packed with 12 cores and 24 threads, it provides a smooth multitasking experience. The L3 cache of 64MB speeds up the system. It has a TDP rating of 105W which means you need a better cooling system to cool down the CPU.
Other than that, it will be good enough for uninterrupted streaming, video editing, and running your high-end games. It was the best processor for streaming and gaming in 2019, and it is still ahead in the game of the mid-range processors out there. Therefore, if you are looking for a mid-range beast, then you are good to go.
Specifications
CORES 12
THREADS 24
L2 CACHE MEMORY 6MB
L3 CACHE MEMORY 64MB
BASE FREQUENCY 3.8 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.6 GHz
TDP 105 W
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Best Intel CPU for Streaming – Intel Core i9-10900F
It is unfair if we neglect Intel when reviewing best CPU’s for streaming. Therefore, according to user intent regarding Intel processors, Intel Core i9-10900F is the best Intel CPU for streaming. It is packed with 10 cores and 20 threads to give a smooth premium experience. The best thing about Intel Core i9-10900F is its base frequency and turbo frequency.
It has a base frequency of 2.8 GHz, which is great when you are using your system in normal environments. It can boost up to 5.1 GHz, pretty amazing, right. Moreover, it has a TDP rating of 65W which means your power consumption is efficient. It’s the best Intel CPU for streaming 4k video in this price tag.
Specifications
CORES 10
THREADS 20
CACHE MEMORY 20MB Intel Smart Cache
BASE FREQUENCY 2.8 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 5.1 GHz
TDP 65 W
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Best Mainstream CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is the best mainstream CPU for streaming. It’s a tight competition between Intel vs AMD. Packed with immersive 16 cores, 32 threads and a cache size of 64 MB, it’s a high-end beast for streaming, multitasking, gaming and video editing. What else you need, right?
The best processor for streaming still exists. People might consider it overpriced and less power efficient, but still, it’s the best mainstream king and is used by most people. It’s the best CPU for streaming 4k video commonly used as mainstream.
Specifications
CORES 16
THREADS 32
L2 CACHE MEMORY 8MB
L3 CACHE MEMORY 64MB
BASE FREQUENCY 3.5 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.7 GHz
TDP 105 W
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Best Workstation CPU for Streaming – AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960Xis the best workstation CPU for streaming out there. It’s one of the most powerful processor from AMD. Multithreading capacity of 48 threads, a large number of cores and cache size of 128 MB, no one comes near it. It’s the best workstation CPU gaming, 3D rendering, multitasking, video editing and much more.
Imagine what else you can do with it. With a greater number of cores, threads, cache and a TDP rating of 280 W, it consumes more power and is less power-efficient but why would someone care about it. They want to overclock and multitask at an extreme. It’s also one of the most expensive CPU. Therefore, the best cooling system is definitely needed for the best workstation CPU in 2020 and 2021.
Specifications
CORES 24
THREADS 48
L2 CACHE MEMORY 12MB
L3 CACHE MEMORY 128MB
BASE FREQUENCY 3.8 GHz
MAX TURBO FREQUENCY 4.5 GHz
TDP 280 W
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Honorable Mentions
It’s was pretty hard to decide the best CPU according to user intent. Therefore, here are some honorable mentions:
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Best for Gaming and Streaming
- Good Performance
- Efficient and Fasts
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Better for Gaming
- Value for Money
- Overclocking up to 4.6 GHz
Intel Core i7 10700K
- Great Performance
- Hyper Threading (Smart Cache)
- Overclocking up to 5.1 GHz
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Best for Gaming
- Cache Size of 36 MB
- Overclocking up to 4.7 GHz
M Hamza Malik is a writer, blogger, and engineer who loves to create, write, and share his insights about computers, products, and technology. Hamza has spent the last years reading books, tech, and computers, which brings him to writing, giving his character a spark! Therefore, PCFIED is where he started his journey professionally.
