Best CPU for Elden Ring
Game of the Year, but what is the best CPU for Elden Ring?
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Elden Ring won the Game of the Year Award for 2022. That alone says how important of a game it was, as it even managed to beat God of War: Ragnarok. If you’re excited to jump into the game on PC, you might be thinking about the best CPU for Elden Ring.
Fortunately, this post will help you answer that question. Elden Ring is quite a demanding title, and at 1080p, it can be a bit CPU intensive. Fortunately, it is well-optimized, so it runs well even if you have mid-range hardware.
With that in mind, here are the best CPUs for Elden Ring.
Best CPU for Elden Ring – Intel Core i7 13700K
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
P-cores 3.4 GHz / E-cores 2.5 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.4 GHz / E-cores 4.2 GHz
Cache
24MB
TDP
125 W / 253 W boost.
Specs:
- Boost Clock: 5.4GHz
- Total Cores/Threads: 16/24
- Socket: LGA1700
- TDP: 125W
We’ve mentioned the Intel Core i7 13700K in previous guides, and it is also our top choice for running Elden Ring in 2022. This is because if you want to run the game at 1080p, the 13700K will net you high frame rates when paired with a decent mid-range GPU like the 3060 Ti.
This is because the 13700K boasts 16 cores, but more importantly, a boost clock of up to 5.4GHz. The single-threaded performance here is excellent, and the game runs smoothly thanks to this CPU. In fact, it can handle any modern title you can throw at it with relative ease.
It’s also a much more practical choice than its Core i9 counterpart, the 13900K. The Core i7 13700K is easier to cool, less power-hungry, and more efficient in both gaming and productivity workloads. An excellent processor all around.
Best Budget CPU for Elden Ring – Intel Core i5 13600K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost.
Specs:
- Speed: 5.1GHz (Boost Clock)
- Cores/Threads: 14/20
- Socket: LGA1700
- TDP: 125W
For budget and mid-range systems, we recommend the Intel Core i5 13600K for Elden Ring. While this is currently one of the cheaper options out of Intel’s 13th Gen lineup, the performance here is nothing to sneeze at. The high boost clock and excellent single-threaded performance allow it to deliver an excellent gaming experience with Elden Ring.
You can’t go wrong with it for productivity-related tasks either. It’s a beast of a processor that punches well above its weight thanks to the 14 cores and 20 threads.
What’s the difference between a CPU-intensive game an a GPU-intensive game?
A CPU intensive game is one that primarily relies on the processing power of the central processing unit (CPU) to run the game logic and perform calculations. These types of games often require fast and powerful CPUs with multiple cores and high clock speeds to run smoothly. Examples of CPU intensive games include strategy games, simulation games, and games with complex artificial intelligence or physics simulations.
On the other hand, a GPU intensive game is one that primarily relies on the graphics processing unit (GPU) to render high-quality graphics and visual effects. These types of games often require powerful GPUs with high amounts of dedicated video memory (VRAM) to run smoothly at high resolutions and frame rates. Examples of GPU intensive games include first-person shooters, racing games, and open-world games with large and detailed environments.
While there can be overlap between these two types of games, understanding whether a game is more CPU or GPU intensive can help players choose the right hardware and settings to optimize their gaming experience. Ultimately, the balance between CPU and GPU usage will depend on the specific requirements and design of each individual game
Final Word
In summary, the Intel Core i7 13700K is the best CPU for Elden Ring right now. It’s also an excellent choice for productivity users. On the other hand, the Intel Core i5 13600K does not lag far behind, as it’s an excellent gaming CPU for budget and mid-range systems.
