Not everyone looking for a CPU wants one that is dedicated to gaming. However, gaming has a huge market, but tons of scenarios are also needed for powerful processors. A good workstation needs a powerful processor to work efficiently. As the demand for the best CPUs for office use in 2021 is increasing, we will take a closer look at some of the most powerful processors available on the market. We’ll take a look at the best workstation CPUs on the market, performance, price, and specifications. So, whether you need a CPU for Ultra HD video editing, recording, high-end streaming, CAD work, or 3D rendering, this buying guide will be helpful to suit the proper requirements.
Before jumping into the details, let’s take a look at quick shopping tips:
Quick Shopping Tips
While looking for a CPU for the best workstation, you need to consider the following:
Know the Apps You Will Use
If you use apps that need superior core counts or memory channels, you should go for an AMD chip. However, if you will run lightly-threaded apps or need a wide range of officially supported software, Intel is ideal.
Get the Latest Generation
You usually won’t be able to save a lot by buying an older chip, and it will also limit your future upgrade options. Thus, it is ideal to buy the latest generation CPU.
Keep the Motherboard in Mind
The expensive CPUs need to pair up with a more expensive motherboard than the cheaper chips. You should keep the motherboard on your mind while choosing the best CPU for office use in 2021.
Our Recommendations of The Best CPUs for Office Use in 2021:
AWARD | MODEL | RETAILER |
BEST HIGH-END WORKSTATION CPU | AMD Threadripper 3995WX | |
MORE REASONABLE CHOICE FOR USERS WHO NEED PRODUCTIVITY | AMD Threadripper 3970X | |
ULTIMATE CREATOR PC PLATFORM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FREELANCERS AND CONTENT CREATORS | Intel Core i9-10980XE | |
BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE VALUE CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | |
IDEAL FOR CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS WHO NEED MORE THAN 12 AND 16 CORES ALLOCATION | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X | |
BEST OVERALL VALUE CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | |
BEST MID-RANGE CPU | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X | |
BEST BUDGET CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | |
LOWEST-END PROCESSOR THAT YOU CAN USE WITH A PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED MACHINE | Intel Core i5-11400 | |
BUDGET CPU | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X |
Let’s take a look at the reviews:
10 Best CPUs For Office Use In 2021
AMD Threadripper 3995WX is known as the best high-end workstation CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 2 Architecture
- 64 / 128 Cores / Threads
- sTRX4 Socket
- 7 GHz / 4.2 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
It is a great processor for workstations and it is developed on the fire-breathing standard-bearer for the whole consumer market. It comes with 64 cores and 128 threads and supports up to 2TB of memory to make it an uncontested leader on the market. It has 8 memory channels and offers 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0 connectivity, and AMD offers less-pricey downstream WX models.
It is a highly specialized processor that offers incredible performance during heavy workloads. Moreover, it also comes at an extremely attractive point. AMD’s decision to offer 64 cores and 128 threads with higher boost frequencies makes it perfect for 3D animation, VFX, and ray tracking workloads with more efficiency and performance than you would expect from your workstation-class solution. The higher boost frequencies of this processor offer snappy performance for everyday lightly-threaded applications and overwhelming threaded performance.
The price tag of this processor is eye-watering, and it offers professionals the benefit of heavy allotment of threads and cores, and it is worth every penny. If you are looking to get a more price-conscious model and not looking for 8 memory channels or 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0 connectivity, then 64-core Threadripper 3990X is an ideal alternative.
PROS |
Offers Excellent Rendering Performance |
CONS |
Presents a Narrow Cross-Section of Workloads |
AMD Threadripper 3970X is known as the best high-end workstation CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 2 Architecture
- 32 / 64 Cores / Threads
- sTRX4 Socket
- 7 GHz / 4.5 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
The Threadripper 3970X is known as the more reasonable choice for users who need productivity. It comes with 32 cores and 64 threads to offer the overwhelming threaded performance in its price range.
It offers excellent performance, and users are happy with the performance. It helps in multitasking and efficiently doing productive jobs like video editing or photo editing. It supports PCIe 4.0 interface.
AMD’s forward-thinking approach to supporting PCIe 4.0 interface is another attraction that helps win over semi-professional crowds. It is a suitable processor for those who are looking to build the best workstation in 2021. You won’t regret buying this CPU.
PROS |
Offers Excellent Single and Multithreaded Performance |
CONS |
Lacks Backward Compatibility |
Intel Core i9-10980XE is known as the best high-end desktop CPU.
Key Features
- Skylake Architecture
- 18 / 36 Cores / Threads
- LGA 2066 Socket
- 0 GHz / 4.8 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
This processor is the best pick if you want to build a high-end desktop PC for office or home use. This CPU is ideal for professionals and streamers, and it offers extra I/O and quad-channel memory to make it suitable for users. It can handle productivity workloads easily.
It is known as the ultimate creator PC platform specifically designed for freelancers and content creators. Intel X-series processors offer the power of a full studio on your PC. It helps to perform tasks like recording, rendering, and editing simultaneously. It can support up to 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
It offers Intel Deep Learning, a new unique technology designed to accelerate artificial intelligence for fast image enhancement, image tracing, and marker-less motion tracking. It provides enhanced lightly threaded performance, and users can set preferred applications to direct workloads to the fastest cores.
PROS |
Offers Incremental Performance Improvements |
CONS |
Expensive |
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is known as the best high-performance value CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 3 Architecture
- 16 / 32 Cores / Threads
- AM4 Socket
- 4 GHz / 4.9 GHz Cores / Threads
Overview
High-end desktop processors offer the ultimate performance, but they are a bit pricey. Apart from the high pricing, HEDT chips also need expensive accommodation like hefty motherboards and the added cost to settle quad-channel memory controllers. You can get expected trade-offers, like reduced performance for games and lightly-threaded applications. However, cost-conscious users can get the benefit from the threaded horsepower of a HEDT chip.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X offers 16 cores and 32 threads, better than its predecessor mission to bring HEDT-class performance for mainstream motherboards, lowering the bar for entry. It is available at an affordable price than most HEDT processors.
The cores and threads of these processors are capable of offering outstanding performance for productivity workloads. Still, it provides a dual-channel memory controller that can limit the performance in workloads due to memory throughput. However, if you are looking for something that offers seriously fast speed, outstanding performance, and high-refresh gameplay, then Ryzen 9 5950X is an ideal CPU.
PROS |
Overclocking Capability |
CONS |
Needs Beefy Cooling |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is known as the best high-performance value CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 2 Architecture
- 64 / 128 Cores / Threads
- sTRX4 Socket
- 9 GHz / 4.3 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
Threadripper processors are ideal for creative professionals who need more than 12 and 16 cores allocation. AMD Threadripper 3990X is known as the uncontested leader when it comes to multi-core workloads. It offers monstrous core and thread count. It is based on Zen 2 architecture and offers 64 cores and 128 threads to make it an excellent processor powerhouse.
When it comes to power, there is no CPU better than Threadripper 3990X. It offers decently high boost frequencies and outstanding single-core performance. It is a highly specialized processor that offers excellent performance for various workloads. It can handle complex 3D animation and professional video editing workloads easily. This CPU is a perfect choice for professionals who use their machines for actual work apart from consumer-level productivity tasks.
However, it can’t be installed into standard consumer motherboards like Ryzen 9 5950X and 5900X. AMD has introduced a special sTRX4 socket for its Threadripper line, and motherboards that can be paired with them are extremely expensive than the average consumer motherboards. It is mainly because the workstation motherboards are specialized, and they are low production units that offer tons of features and a lot of power for the monstrous CPUs.
Talking about the power, you will also get an expensive cooler for the 64-core CPU. It comes at a hefty price tag of the 3990X, and you don’t need to spend differently on the cooling solution. It is safe to say that the Threadrippers need a high investment up front before enjoying the benefits. Overall, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is an ideal CPU for productivity and workstation applications, and it is a perfect choice for creative professionals.
PROS |
Industry Leading Workstation Performance |
CONS |
Very Expensive |
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is known as the best overall value CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 3 Architecture
- 12 / 24 Cores / Threads
- AM4 Socket
- 7 GHz / 4.8 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X offers everything you can expect from Ryzen 9 5950X. AMD has always been a leader in the industry regarding the productivity performance of consumer desktop CPUs, and Ryzen 9 5900X is another excellent choice. At first, it may look like the 12 cores of the 5900X are not enough to handle core-intensive workloads, but you need to consider the value for money it offers. It is not only the most powerful productivity CPU on the market, but it is also suitable for getting the fastest gaming performance. If you are looking to get the best processor for productivity and gaming, it is the right option.
It is an attractive option for anyone who is looking for moderately demanding productivity work and gaming. Moreover, it is also cheaper than 5950X. However, it has 4 fewer cores, but still, it does not lose a lot of the productivity performance even in 12 Cores. Most of the workloads that go well on the 16 Core 5950X also work well on 5900X with 12 Cores. It really depends on the kind of workload that you want to run. This is one area where you can save a lot of money if you need a processor with 12 Cores.
However, the 5900X can’t be as fast and powerful as the Threadripper line when it comes to core-heavy workloads. However, the chances are that it can still be sufficient for most productivity tasks that non-professionals may need to run. It is still cheaper than 5950X and can work with the same consumer-grade AM4 motherboards, and this CPU offers excellent value for the money.
So, if you need a CPU for a productivity workload that doesn’t need more than 12 cores, the 5900X can be perfect for you. It offers industry-leading gaming performance and strong productivity performance that can be ideal for heavy workloads and provide value for the money.
PROS |
Offers Fastest Gaming Performance |
CONS |
12 Cores May Not Be Enough for Professionals |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper3960X is known as the best mid-range CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 2 Architecture
- 24 / 48 Cores / Threads
- sTRX4 Socket
- 8 GHz / 4.5 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
This processor is known as the midrange pick. It is a well-priced HEDT processor that works great for users who are looking to perform highly productive workflows, and it comes at a reasonable price and is ideal for heavy workloads.
It comes with 24 cores and 48 threads and offers great competition to the 10980XE in terms of price and core count. It will be interesting to see how the midrange offering of AMD works. The performance of this processor is quite similar to the 10980E. Overall, it outperforms the 10980XE in various multi-tasking scenarios.
If you are looking for an excellent performance chip for your workstation, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is a perfect choice and best for professional needs. It caters to the needs of users for high-level multitasking. It is affordable than the top-of-the-line processors, and you won’t regret buying it.
PROS |
Perfect Mid-range Workstation Performance Offers Good Value for Money |
CONS |
Comes With Only 24/48 Threads |
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is known as the best budget CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 3 Architecture
- 6 / 12 Cores / Threads
- AM4 Socket
- 1 GHz / 4.8 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a perfect blend of price and performance. It offers 6 Cores and 12 threads to enhance the application performance. It is a better choice than its predecessors. It is one of the most power-efficient desktop PC processors that you will find on the market. You can get more than extra application performance from this processor. It is easier to cool than competing chips available in the same price range.
It is based on Zen 3 architecture that results in a stunning 19% increase in IPC. It offers excellent performance for gaming, single-threaded, and multi-threaded applications. You can expect more than enough performance for day-to-day application workloads. However, you will need to align your expectations because this is the 6 Core processor available on the market. You can use this chip for gaming as it offers a high refresh rate for gaming and streaming.
You can expect a 3.7 GHz base frequency and 4.6 GHz boost frequency from this processor. It also has a 65W TDP rating which ensures that it can run exceptionally calmly and quietly according to its capabilities.
If you need a compatible motherboard for this processor, you can go for both 400 and 500 series motherboards that are affordable and plentiful. However, you can go for the B550 lineup to experience the best overall performance for this CPU class. Overall, it is an excellent CPU for users to handle their productivity tasks efficiently.
PROS |
Offers Strong Gaming Performance |
CONS |
A bit Pricey for Some Buyers |
Intel Core i5-11400 is known as the best mid-range CPU.
Key Features
- Rocket Lake Architecture
- 6 / 12 Cores / Threads
- LGA 1200 Socket
- 6 GHz / 4.4 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
It is the lowest-end processor that you can use with a productivity-focused machine. It’s known as the best-value CPU on the market, owing to AMD’s only comparable chip, the Ryzen 5 3600, which is two years old and can’t compete with the newest 11400. Moreover, you can also pick the graphic-less variant if you are looking to save more money.
It offers a great blend of performance than the Ryzen 5 3600. The 11400 offers outstanding single-core performance, and it is only deficient in threaded work when it is topped with the stock cooler. It roughly matches the 3600 when it comes to threaded work with a better cooler and the power limits that are enforced strictly. However, removing the limits offers uncontested lead to the 11400.
This CPU also offers support for the PCIe 4.0 interface. Moreover, B-series motherboards are suitable for this chip. It supports both overclocking and memory and lifts the power limits. You will have to overlook the higher power consumption if you want to buy Core i5-11400. However, the stock cooler is worthless. If you want to remove the power limits, you can choose a better cooler. Overall, it is a great CPU that offers excellent gaming and applications performance.
PROS |
Offers Solid Gaming and Applications |
CONS |
Power Consumption |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is known as the budget CPU.
Key Features
- Zen 2 Architecture
- 12 / 24 Cores / Threads
- sTRX4 Socket
- 5 GHz / 4.0 GHz Base Frequency / Boost Frequency
Overview
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is known as the best budget pick on this list. However, it isn’t easy to nominate any Threadripper a budget offering. Still, this one falls into a category known as much more affordable than everything else in this buying guide. It also comes with more cores than many other similar priced alternatives in the desktop CPU category.
Moreover, it is a 1st generation CPU, and it is nowhere near as advanced as third-generation CPUs are. It only offers 12 cores and 24 threads, and it provides high capacity memory support, PCIe lanes, and excellent overall build affordability. You can expect a 3.5GHz base frequency and 4.0 GHz boost frequency, and it is more than enough to handle productive workflows like video rendering, recording, and streaming.
Overall, it is an excellent choice for those who are looking to build a budget workstation PC. When you look at the cost of low-end Threadripper motherboards, you will know why it is the preferred choice. You will never regret investing in this CPU.
PROS |
Budget-friendly |
CONS |
Not More Powerful Than Other Options in this Guide |
Summary for The Best CPUs for Office Use in 2021:
AWARD | MODEL | RETAILER |
BEST HIGH-END WORKSTATION CPU | AMD Threadripper 3995WX | |
MORE REASONABLE CHOICE FOR USERS WHO NEED PRODUCTIVITY | AMD Threadripper 3970X | |
ULTIMATE CREATOR PC PLATFORM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FREELANCERS AND CONTENT CREATORS | Intel Core i9-10980XE | |
BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE VALUE CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | |
IDEAL FOR CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS WHO NEED MORE THAN 12 AND 16 CORES ALLOCATION | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X | |
BEST OVERALL VALUE CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | |
BEST MID-RANGE CPU | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X | |
BEST BUDGET CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | |
LOWEST-END PROCESSOR THAT YOU CAN USE WITH A PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED MACHINE | Intel Core i5-11400 | |
BUDGET CPU | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X |
Conclusion
While looking for a processor for the workstation, many decisions come down to just what your work is. However, most of the processors can handle almost any workload you throw at them, given enough time. Still, faster CPUs can be helpful to perform heavy workloads in less time to make them ideal for productivity. This list provides CPUs that are ideal for handling applications for workstations. This buying guide will be helpful for you to find the best CPU for office use in 2021.
A processor that is good for gaming isn’t always the best CPU to handle the productivity-focused workload. In fact, gaming CPUs and workstation CPUs are increasingly different silicone beasts, making it hard to find the best CPU for your work needs. So, we have made a list of processors that are best for the money and offer efficient productivity performance. AMD Threadripper Pro 3995WX is the most powerful workstation processor available on the market. It provides excellent 64 Cores and 128 Threads processor that is perfect for the OEM workstation. The chip offers 8 memory channels and 128 lanes supporting PCIe 4.0 connectivity. Thus, it is an ideal choice among the consumer class. However, the price point of this CPU isn’t suitable for most workloads. It has a high number of memory channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a dedicated CPU for office use?
A dedicated CPU for office use is helpful to carry out your daily professional tasks easily. It helps to perform multiple tasks efficiently and saves much time on everyday tasks. However, choosing a perfect CPU for your needs depends on the nature of work that you will perform on it.
Can I use a gaming PC as a workstation?
You can use your gaming PC as a workstation, but remember that a workstation is developed to handle multi-tasking and higher productivity workloads easily. A gaming PC is designed to handle graphic-intensive tasks and run your favorite games smoothly.
What is the best CPU for office use in 2021?
AMD’s Threadripper 3995WX is known as the best highest-end workstation CPU. It offers excellent rendering performance and competitive performance for carrying out GPU-intensive tasks. It comes with 64 cores and 128 threads that are helpful to handle productivity tasks efficiently. Moreover, it also offers an eight-channel memory interface.
What is the best budget CPU for office Use in 2021?
AMD Threadripper 1920x is known as the best budget CPU for office use. It comes with 12 Cores and 24 Threads. It can be beneficial to handle your day-to-day professional tasks easily. It offers a base frequency of up to 3.5 GHz and a 4.0 boost frequency. It is an ideal CPU for multitasking, and you can expect the best performance at this price point. It offers excellent value for the money.
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