Best Budget Gaming CPU
Best Budget Gaming CPU: Core i5-10400F vs QQLS vs Ryzen 5 5600X
Best Budget Gaming CPU: Core i5-10400F vs QQLS vs Ryzen 5 5600X
Table of Contents
Introduction
Comparison of CPUs
Core i5 10400 F
Specifications
Gaming Performance
QQLS (Mobile Option of Core i9 9900K)
Specifications
Gaming Performance
Ryzen 5 5600X
Specifications
Gaming Performance
Power Consumption
Conclusion
Xeon CPUs
Introduction to Xeon CPUs
Comparison with Core i5 10400F
FAQs
Introduction
In this video, we will be comparing three different CPUs and testing them in 22 games using the AMD RX 6800 XT graphics card at a 1080p screen resolution. The purpose of this video is to explain and demonstrate why the Core i5 10400F is one of the best budget gaming CPUs on the market. Often, people ask me to recommend a gaming CPU, and when I suggest this six-core CPU, which does not support overclocking and operates at around 4.0 GHz in games, people are skeptical. They often argue that a 12-core Xeon CPU is a better option because it is more future-proof. In this video, we will compare the Core i5 10400F to the QQLS and the Ryzen 5 5600X to determine which CPU provides the best gaming performance.
Comparison of CPUs
We will be comparing three CPUs in this video: the Core i5 10400F, the QQLS (mobile option of Core i9 9900K), and the Ryzen 5 5600X. Each CPU has its own specifications and gaming performance, which we will delve into in the following sections.
Core i5 10400 F
Specifications
The Core i5 10400F is a six-core, 12-thread CPU with a turbo boost frequency of up to 4.3 GHz. It is a locked CPU, and under gaming conditions, the clock frequency stays at around 4.1 GHz. We tested the CPU on an MSI Z590A PRO motherboard, but you can achieve the same level of performance with any decent B560 motherboard. For this testing, we used DDR4 3466 CL 14 memory, as the B560 chipset supports memory overclocking.
Gaming Performance
Now let's dive into the gaming performance of the Core i5 10400F. We tested the CPU in various games to assess its capabilities. Here are the results for some of the games we tested:
1. Battlefield V: The Core i5 10400F delivered 85-159 FPS, providing competitive performance.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2: The i5 CPU achieved 33-103 FPS, lagging behind the other two CPUs.
3. GTA V: In this old and poorly optimized Game, the i5 CPU reached 58-166 FPS.
4. Far Cry 6: The Core i5 10400F delivered 100 FPS, offering a smooth gaming experience.
5. Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The CPU provided 26-72 FPS, slightly lagging behind the other two processors.
6. Overall, the Core i5 10400F offers respectable gaming performance at an affordable price, making it an excellent choice for budget gaming setups.
QQLS (Mobile Option of Core i9 9900K)
Specifications
The QQLS is a mobile option of the Core i9 9900K. It is an eight-core, 16-thread CPU that supports overclocking. We tested this CPU on an ASRock B365 Pro4 motherboard, even though the B365 chipset does not officially support overclocking for regular desktop CPUs. However, we were able to overclock the QQLS to 4.5 GHz on all cores. The memory speed we used was DDR4 2666 CL 13. It is worth noting that pushing the QQLS to higher clock frequencies and using different memory configurations did not significantly improve its performance, as demonstrated in another video.
Gaming Performance
Let's take a look at the gaming performance of the QQLS. Here are the results for some of the games we tested:
Battlefield V: The QQLS achieved 83-162 FPS, providing similar performance to the Core i5 10400F.
Red Dead Redemption 2: The QQLS delivered 33-117 FPS, outperforming the i5 CPU in this game.
GTA V: The QQLS provided 48-170 FPS, slightly trailing behind the Core i5 10400F.
Far Cry 6: The QQLS reached 75-160 FPS, showcasing comparable performance to the i5 CPU.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The QQLS delivered 26-77 FPS, performing on par with the Core i5.
Overall, the QQLS offers competitive gaming performance, but it does not have a significant advantage over the Core i5 10400F. Its overclocking capabilities and additional cores may be appealing to some users, but they come at a higher price.
Ryzen 5 5600X
Specifications
The Ryzen 5 5600X is currently one of the best gaming CPUs on the market. We tested this CPU on an MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX2 motherboard, even though the B450 chipset does not support PCIe 4.0. Using a B550 or X570 motherboard with PCIe 4.0 support would yield slightly better gaming results, but we opted for the B450 motherboard for affordability and compatibility with a wide range of Ryzen CPUs. The Ryzen 5 5600X offers excellent gaming performance, supporting PCIe 4.0 connections.
Gaming Performance
Let's explore the gaming performance of the Ryzen 5 5600X. Here are the results for some of the games we tested:
Battlefield V: The Ryzen 5 5600X achieved 94-184 FPS, showcasing impressive gaming capabilities.
Red Dead Redemption 2: The CPU delivered 36-110 FPS, consistently outperforming both the i5 and QQLS.
GTA V: The Ryzen 5 5600X reached 41-171 FPS, offering smooth performance in this game.
Far Cry 6: The CPU provided 83-118 FPS, demonstrating its superiority over the other two CPUs.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The Ryzen 5 5600X delivered 30-83 FPS, consistently outperforming the other CPUs.
The Ryzen 5 5600X stands out as the best option for gaming. It offers significant performance gains compared to the Core i5 10400F and QQLS in most tested games.
Power Consumption
To assess the power consumption of each CPU, we used a power meter to measure the entire system's power consumption. While playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the Core i5 system consumed approximately 310 watts, the QQLS system consumed around 380 watts, and the Ryzen 5 system consumed about 320 watts. Despite consuming similar amounts of electricity, the Ryzen 5 5600X consistently outperformed the Core i5 and QQLS CPUs. The QQLS, in particular, exhibited high power consumption even with voltage reductions. The Ryzen 5 5600X, on the other HAND, demonstrated impressive efficiency.
Conclusion
Based on the gaming performance and power consumption results, it is clear that the Core i5 10400F is an excellent budget-friendly gaming CPU. Its affordability, compatibility with a wide range of motherboards, and respectable gaming performance make it a popular choice for gamers on a budget. The QQLS and Ryzen 5 5600X offer competitive performance, but they come at a higher price point. Unless you have a specific need for additional cores or overclocking capabilities, the Core i5 10400F provides the best value for money.
Xeon CPUs
Xeon CPUs are often Mentioned as an alternative to gaming CPUs due to their higher core count. However, it is essential to understand their limitations and compare them to CPUs like the Core i5 10400F to make an informed decision.
Introduction to Xeon CPUs
Xeon CPUs are designed for professional workstations and servers. They excel in tasks that require high core counts, such as rendering and scientific simulations. However, they are not optimized for gaming and may not provide the same gaming performance as dedicated gaming CPUs like the Core i5 10400F.
Comparison with Core i5 10400F
In our upcoming video, we will compare Xeon E5-2690v3 with the Core i5 10400F to assess their gaming performance. Stay tuned for the detailed analysis and benchmark results to help you make an informed decision when choosing between these two CPU options.
FAQs
1. Can the Core i5 10400F CPU be overclocked?
2. No, the Core i5 10400F is a locked CPU and does not support overclocking. Its performance remains stable at around 4.1 GHz during gaming.
3. Does the QQLS CPU require a modified BIOS?
4. Yes, the QQLS CPU, like most engineering samples and mutants, requires a modified BIOS to work properly. It is important to consider this aspect before purchasing a QQLS CPU.
5. Is the stock cooler included with the Ryzen 5 5600X sufficient for gaming?
6. Yes, the Ryzen 5 5600X comes with a stock cooler that is adequate for keeping the CPU cool during gaming. However, for more demanding tasks or overclocking, it is recommended to invest in a better CPU cooler.
7. Which CPU offers the best gaming performance among the three tested CPUs?
8. The Ryzen 5 5600X offers the best gaming performance among the Core i5 10400F, QQLS, and Ryzen 5 5600X. It consistently outperforms the other two CPUs in most tested games.
9. Can the B450 motherboard be used for older and newer Ryzen CPUs?
10. Yes, the B450 motherboard supports a wide range of Ryzen CPUs, including older first-series CPUs and newer third-series CPUs. It provides compatibility and flexibility for future CPU upgrades.
11. Resources:
13. ASRock B365 Pro4 motherboard
14. MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX2 motherboard
