CPU Benchmarks Hierarchy 2022: Processor Ranking Charts

Our CPU benchmarks performance hierarchy ranks current and previous-gen Intel and AMD processors based on performance, including all of the Best CPUs for Gaming. Below the CPU ranking charts and tables, this guide also gives you a basic introduction to CPU benchmarking and includes a list of commonly-used CPU benchmark utilities.

Your CPU greatly affects overall performance and is considered a computer’s most important component. CPU benchmark comparisons help us sort out the differences between chips, but when it comes time to buy a CPU for your desktop, you’ll find a dizzying collection of model numbers and specs from both Intel and AMD.

We’ve listed the best CPUs for gaming and best CPUs for workstations in other articles, but if you want to know how each chip stacks up against all the others and how we come to our decisions, this CPU benchmarks hierarchy is for you. If you’re looking for a broader view of the current state of the market, head to our AMD vs Intel feature for more CPU comparisons.

Intel recently released the first Raptor Lake chips, which come in the form of the Core i9-13900K, Core i7-13700K, and Core i5-13600K. These chips are game-changers, upsetting AMD’s product stack and offering a better value at every price point. We’re busy re-testing the rest of our CPU benchmarks with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, which we’ve found to change the hierarchy in significant ways. Keep an eye out for updates as we add more chips.

AMD recently released its Ryzen 7000 processors, and we reviewed the Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 5 7600X and have added those chips to the CPU benchmark rankings below. We’ve also added the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 7700X, too.