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Does CPU single-core speed matter for gaming?

Does CPU single-core speed matter for gaming? Let's find out

Updated: Mar 16, 2023 9:42 am
Does CPU single-core speed matter for gaming?

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A CPU’s single-core speed refers to its performance when only one of its cores is being utilized. Today, we’re finding out: Does CPU single-core speed matter for gaming? We run you through everything you need to know about single-core performance.

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Why does single-core performance matter for gaming?

Many games don’t utilize multiple threads effectively. Generally speaking, the older the game, the fewer cores, and threads it will be able to utilize. That’s because game developers find it difficult to code games in a way that allows the game engine to use multiple cores for processing

Most games will carry out the bulk of their processing on only a few of the numerous available cores and threads. So you would have a few core/threads working at maximum utilization, while the rest sit by handling secondary tasks or background processing. This is why a processor’s performance in single-core benchmarks is so directly correlated to its performance in gaming. 

Now, game developers have begun to code their games in a way that more cores and threads are utilized, and future releases will likely be better able to utilize multicore processing. But for now, single-core performance reigns supreme when it comes to gaming. 


What determines a processor’s single-core performance?

A processor’s single-core performance is affected by two factors. One of them you’re likely already familiar with – is the clock speed. 

The other is the IPC, which is a lesser-known but equally as important dictator of single-core performance. IPC stands for instructions per clock cycle. 

A CPU with a higher IPC is able to execute more instructions than one with a lower IPC, even if they both have the same clock speed. 

IPC usually increases with the generation, which is why the new 5GHz Ryzen 7000 and Intel 13th generation processors massively outperform the older 4GHz CPUs in single-core benchmarks. It’s not just the 20% higher clock speed at play, the IPC on these newer processors is much higher as well. 


Is single-core or multicore performance more important?

For gaming, single-core performance is currently the most important. It’s better to have a processor with fewer cores and threads but with a higher clock speed than a processor with lower clock speeds and more cores. 

For productivity, multicore performance is more important, although single-thread performance does matter in certain applications as well. The processes involved in content creation can easily be broken down into smaller subtasks and are hence able to utilize all of a processor’s available cores and threads. 

Keep in mind that a processor with fewer cores can still outperform a processor with more cores if it has a much higher clock speed. For example, the 6-core, 12-thread Ryzen 5 7600X with its maximum clock speed of 5.3GHz easily outperforms the 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 5700X with its maximum clock speed of 4.6GHz. 


What are the ideal specs for a gaming processor?

For a gaming processor, you want high clock speed, a high IPC (although this is pretty difficult to measure statistically), a high L3 cache size, and only a moderate amount of cores and threads.

Adding more cores and threads doesn’t benefit gaming performance once you have enough to game without a bottleneck – and this is currently somewhere between 8 and 12 threads. 

The new Ryzen 5 7600 is a pretty good example of a processor with specs optimized for gaming more than anything else. It’s a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a 5.1GHz clock speed and a healthy 32MB L3 cache. 


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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