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The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the powerhouse, brain, and control center of your . It performs complex calculations integral to the operations of your computer, executing instructions from the operating sys♑tem and applications. It has several components, including an arithmetic logic unit, which performs the bulk of the calculations, and a control unit.
Gaming computers require powerful CPUs that can handle heavy gaming with minimal lagging and downtime. It’s important to choose the right CPU for your gaming needs and install it properly, as an incorrect installation can damage your CPU or motherboa⭕rd.
Choosing The Right CPU
The first step is selecting the right𒈔 CPU for your gaming rig.
If you already purchased a motherboard, you must first ensure CPU compatibility.
There are two main types of CPU motherboard sockets: PGA (Pin Grid Array) and LGA (Land Grid Array). PGA sockets have holes that are designed to receive pins sticking out of the CPU; LGA sockets work the opposite way and have pins t🦹hat mak🉐e contact with pads on the bottom of the CPU.
PGA sockets have long been associated with AMD motherboards and CPUs, while LGA sockets were created by Intel for its processors. AMD aꦿnd Intel are the two main CPU manufactureꦍrs on the market.
However, AMD has recently been moving away from PGA sockets, using LGA-style connectors for its Ryzen Threadripper and𒁃 EPYC processors, both popular among game🤪rs.
If you haven’t yet purchased your motherboard, buy one with an LGA socket. LGA CPUs offer better performance and are easier to install, and PGA sockets are beco🅺ming less c🔯ommon.
That's not the whole story, though. Both AMD and Intel periodically update their CPU socket versions, and it's important not to try to forcefully insert a newer CPU into an outdated socket.
AMD hasn't been updating its CPU socket style as often as Intel. The latest AMD socket version is the AM5, which is an LGA zero-force insertion socket released in 2022. However, if your motherboard was created before that, it may only support the AM4 socket, which is a PGA-style socket released in 2016. Older versions include the AM3 socket, released in 2009, and the AM3+ socket, released in 2011.
Meanwhile, Intel's most recent version is the LGA 1700, which is an LGA-style socket with 1,700 protruding pins that make contact with the CPU. It is 7.5 mm longer and has 500 more pins than the LGA 1200, which was released in 2020. Older Intel motherboards may support the LGA 1151, released in 2015.
Always check your motherboard's manual to verify which specific socket it has and buy a CPU that supports that socket.
In addition to ensuring socket compatibility, you need to ensure its chipset supports the CPU you want to buy. Again, check your motherboard’s ma🐟nual for that information.
When choosing a CPU for gaming, you’ll want to consider two main factors. The first is the number of cores it has. A CPU with multiple cores can process multiple instructions simultaneously, leading to less lag and improved perf𒀰ormance.
The second is its clock speed, which is how many cycles it can ༺execute per second, measured in gigahertz. The higher its clock spee🐷d is, the better its performance will be while gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 5 series and Intel’s i5 processors are both ex⛄cellent budget choice﷽s for your first gaming PC.
Installing The CPU On Your Motherboard
Once you’ve purchased your CPU, it’s time to inst🐎all it on your motherboard. If you’re having difficulty installing it while your motherboard is still in its case, you can remove it from the case, install the CPU, and then put the motherboard back into the case.
The first step is ensuring your safety. Make sure the computer is not connected to a power source, place your motherboard on an anti-static mat, and wear an ESD anti-static wrist strap.
Installing a CPU is easier than you think. You’ll need to find the CPU socket on your motherboard, lift the small lever on the side of the socket, place the CPU in the socket, and then lock the lever in place. Do this gently; the CPU should lock into place by itself without extra forceไ.
Always handle the CPU from its sides, instead of the bottom, to avoid damaging the pins. Never touch the bottom face of a CPU, especially a PGA CPU.
If you’re installing a CPU on a motherboard with a PGA socket, take extra care to avoid bending the pins on the CPU. If you face any kind of resistance when placing the CPU, pick it back up and start again instead of sliding it into place.
Make sure the CPU💜 is facing the right way. There will usually be a notch or an arrow to show you which side it should face.
If there isn’t any notch or notation showing you which way to install the CPU, check tha🐻t the lettering on the CPU and the motherboard align and face the same direღction.
Next Steps
After installing the CPU, the next step is installing a cooler. In addition to applying thermal paste, install a fan (as shown above) or a liquid cooling system if you plan on overclocking your CPU or using it for heavy gaming. For light gaming, an air cooling system might su꧅ffice.