Best Processors for Gaming 2012

If you're looking at raw performance, then the i7-3960x takes the pie. It gives you about a 40% increase in overall performance vs. the previous socket 1366 extreme processor the i7-990x. CPU Benchmarks also show that that the i7-3930k is nearly as fast at around 55% of the overall total cost.

Despite how tempting it is to purchase these CPU they are more than what most gamers need and are will to spend on a CPU. Probably the most popular CPU among gamers in 2012 thus far is the i5-2500k. The i5-2500k is one of those rare processors that come along in the $200 price range that really exceed expectations for in-game performance.

While it doesn't have hyperthreading like i7 models, it's perfectly capable of stable overclocking well in excess of 4.0GHz. And reputable sites like Tom's Hardware argue that diminishing returns - for in game performance - beyond the $200 price point make the i5-2500k or i5-2400 the ideal gaming CPU.

Beyond the $200 price point you should probably take a look at 2 more processors, the i7-2700k and the i7-3820. The i7-2700k is unlocked for overclocking while the i7-3820, which uses socket 2011 rather than socket 1155, gives you more cache and a higher standard operating frequency.

Budget gamers can still find quite a bit of performance with a CPU like the i7-2120 or the AMD FX 4100 or 6100. While I'd strongly recommend going up to the i5-2400 at this price point, you can still have a pretty capable rig using one of these 3 processors.source squidoo