Best CPU For Streaming
If you are looking for the perfect CPU for streaming, then look no further. In this article, we have reviewed and discussed in detail 5 of the best options.
When it comes to streaming, you must have a good central processing unit. While graphics are important, the CPU is the brain of the PC and will determine how successful your streaming will be.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the five best CPUs for streaming. We have focused on important specifications needed for successful streaming, such as cores, threads, multitasking capabilities, and RAM.
Our Top Picks
Best CPU For Streaming
In-depth Review
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Given that the Ryzen 9 3950X is a high-end CPU, it has a higher price range to match it. This AMD CPU certainly is one of the best available to purchase for streaming currently.
The core processor count is 16, and the number of threads included is 32. This is more than double the minimum requirements for gaming and streaming. Given this, your performance will not be impacted and multitasking will be a breeze for this CPU.
It features 64MB of L3 cache, which is more than enough for streaming and it runs on the newest PCIe interface 4.0. It has a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz, and a max boost clock speed of 4.7 GHz. These speeds are particularly fast.
The max temperature of the CPU is 95℃ which is particularly high. This Ryzen 9 does not come with a cooling system and will need to be purchased separately at an additional cost. It uses an advanced socket AM4 and is a particularly futureproof CPU.
It is one of the most powerful core processors available, and it is a brilliant option for streaming as it provides a good resolution and fps too.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
When you take into consideration all of the CPUs featured in the article, the Ryzen 9 5900X is one of the mid-range options. However, it is still a high-end CPU created by the fantastic company, AMD.
This is a fairly new CPU, and it has a processor core count of 12 and a thread count of 24. This is impressive and will be able to provide seamless gameplay and streaming. It is far above the minimum recommendations.
When looking at the wattage used it is 105 watts, which is a fairly high amount. As this CPU does not come with a cooling system, this must be purchased separately to prevent the CPU from overheating.
The clock speeds of the 5900X are impressive, reaching boost clock speeds of up to 4.8 GHz, again well above the recommended amount. It can provide an fps of over 100 and the overall resolution provided is great. As it uses PCIe 4.0, and an advanced socket AM4, it is particularly futureproofed.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
The Ryzen 9 3900X is a great choice of CPU for streaming. It is a mid-range option that is not too expensive, and it has some fantastic specifications. It features 12 cores and 24 threads in total, which is more than the recommended minimum for streaming.
The cache of the CPU is great at 70MB, and it has memory support of DDR 3200. The max boost clock speed for the 3900X is 4.6 GHz. While this is not the highest amount featured, it is more than enough needed for good streaming.
The fps performance the CPU can provide is over 100, and it allows for a great resolution overall. This CPU features a fantastic cooling system, which involves a Wraith Prism cooler. This cooler has heat pipes to help with heat dissipation and a strong fan. The fan is RGB light-controlled, which is aesthetically pleasing.
The Precision Boost 2 and the overclocking capabilities enhancing streaming and gameplay performance as a whole.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The AMD 5950X is a great choice of CPU that is not only powerful but affordable too. It is more than capable of performing well while streaming with no issues. It features 8 cores in total which is a good amount for streaming. In addition to this, it has 16 processing threads which are fantastic and will optimize both streaming and gaming performance.
The number of cores and threads available allows your PC to multitask with ease. With a clock speed of up to 4.7 GHz, this is an impressive CPU. It will not lag or cause any issues while streaming. While gaming, the CPU can provide an fps of 100 and above, and it features 35MB of cache.
The memory interface used is DDR3 which is reasonable and it uses PCIe 4.0, which is futureproofed. It is optimized for high-FPS use, and it has a thermal display power of 105W. Overall, this is a fantastic CPU choice for gaming. Its cooling system is good but as this is a fairly powerful CPU, additional cooling may be required.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
The AMD 5800X is a very affordable higher-end CPU. Given its lower price, it has particularly impressive clock speeds as a whole. It uses an 8 count core processor, which is one of the fastest available to purchase. It has a 16 thread count, which is an optimum amount for streaming.
It has 36MB of cache and supports DDR 3200. As it can be overclocked, the overall performance can be boosted slightly and improved. It has a CPU boost clock speed of 4.7 GHz. This is much higher than the recommended amount and given the overall cost of the CPU, this is great.
It uses an advanced AM4 socket and is compatible with PCIe 4.0 allowing the CPU to be significantly futureproof. It provides an optimum resolution for streaming and the fps it can deliver is over 100. The high resolution provides quality streaming.
As this CPU does not come with a cooling system, this will need to be purchased separately to ensure that the CPU does not overheat.
Final Word
We hope that you have found this article useful and helpful in finding the best possible CPU for streaming. As you can see, there are a handful of important factors that you need to take into consideration before purchasing a CPU.
The three most important factors are the core count, thread number, and clock speeds. If a CPU has good specifications for these three factors then it will provide the best streaming expereince.
As streaming uses additional cores and threads alongside gameplay, multitasking is essential. All of the CPUs we have included in this article are great at multitasking and with the good resolution and fps that they support and provide, your streaming experience will be a positive one.
We would highly recommend the five AMD Zen3 processors we have featured. While the more expensive options provide the best performance overall, the more affordable options we have featured are still fantastic CPUs to consider for streaming purposes.