We all know that the CPU or the processor is the most important part of a PC. It is a crucial task to select the right CPU because the performance and other components of your computer mostly depend on it. It can be complex and confusing to select a processor as there are so many options available on the market. In my early days of PC building, I also faced this as a challenging task. So, how do you choose the right CPU for your PC builds? Let’s find out the answer.
Overview of the Processor Market in Bangladesh
There are mainly 2 major PC processor manufacturers in the Bangladeshi market. The processor price in Bangladesh can vary depending on various factors like core & thread count, clock speed, and so on. The most popular processor brands are:
- Intel
- AMD
Intel has several processor series and various variants based on generations, like Intel Core i5 7th Generation, Intel Core i5 9th Generation, Intel Core i7 8th Generation, and many more. Depending on the series and performance, the price of Intel processors can start around 7K and go up to 70K or more.
Similarly, AMD also has several processor series with different variants, like AMD Ryzen 5 3600G, Ryzen 7 5600X, and many more. AMD processors can cost you around 5.5K to 100K, depending on the series and model.
The AMD series is widely more popular in the budget gaming sections. On the other hand, Intel is popular for productivity and high-end sections.
Processor for Different Usage
As we said earlier, different types of CPUs are suitable for different types of tasks. The processor you need depends on what you will use the PC for. Here is an overall breakdown of suitable processor vs usage.
Basic Usage
If you want to use your PC for basic day-to-day usage like office work or browsing the internet, Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 series processors are more than enough. They are lower-end processor that are built for basic usage. They have 2-4 cores and consume less power.
Gaming
Gaming CPUs are the highest demanding processors in the current market. Gaming processors are made to handle heavy games and provide high frame rates. Of course, GPU is also important, but at the basic level, CPU is more crucial. A gaming processor needs a higher core and thread count, better single-core performance, and a fast clock speed. For gaming usage, you can go for Intel Core i5 and higher series processors. And in AMD, a Ryzen 5 or higher series processor will be a good choice.
Content Creation
Content creation tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and animation type of works require higher core count and multiple thread functionality to handle complex processing. 8-16 cores or more with high cache memory and strong multi-thread performance are necessary. In this case, AMD Ryzen 9 or Threadripper series is optimal. For Intel build, the Core i9 series will be the best option.
Multi-Tasking and Productivity
For people who intend to run multiple heavy software simultaneously, you also need a high core and thread count. The requirements are not as high as content creation processors, a bit less will also work. For this section, Intel Core i7 series or AMD Ryzen 7 series processors are good enough.
Additional Factors to Consider
We have already stated that other components are dependent on the processor. It is important to note that just the CPU is not the only component that pulls outperformance.
Motherboard
The first thing to consider is the motherboard. Your motherboard must support the processor, having the proper socket, and the required chipset. There are different motherboards for different types of processors. So, keep the motherboard compatibility in mind.
Cooling System
The second factor is the cooling system. The higher-end processor generates more heat and may need a custom cooling system. So, make sure that the processor is compatible with your cooling system to provide a smooth performance without overheating.
Overclocking
If you want to squeeze out the maximum performance from your CPU, you may need to overclock it. The fact is, every processor doesn’t offer the feature of overclocking. So, make sure your processor allows overclocking if you require it.
Integrated Graphics
Finally, integrated graphics is another crucial factor for users who don’t want to buy a graphics card initially but want mid-level gaming or video editing.
Final Words
In the end, the processor depends on your use case and requirements. Although the whole system is responsible for the performance, but the CPU is the most important part. So, consider what you need and what the processor offers to make the optimal choice.
