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Shop a Wide Variety of Intel Processors

Whether you are buying a prebuilt PC or designing your ideal gaming computer from scratch, you will undoubtedly find yourself comparing computer processors, also known as CPUs. Intel processors are a great place to start. As one of the primary manufacturers of processors, Intel makes high quality, reliable options that you will see in some of the top machines in the world by Microsoft, Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and more.

Choosing Your Intel CPU

The processor is one of the most important parts of any computer. Some processors can even handle graphics processing and display without the need for a dedicated graphics card.

Processors are available from the two major brands, and while they serve the same purpose, they are not interchangeable. Motherboards require a particular socket in order to use a CPU, and matching a processor to the proper socket is key to component compatibility.

While other components such as RAM and data storage help to determine the overall power of your PC, ultimately, the CPU is the limiting factor in PC performance. You could have the most powerful graphics card on the market, but if your CPU doesn't match the other components in your build, your performance will always be limited.

Intel processors have a wide range of available sockets, including LGA sockets and chipsets. This makes Intel based systems incredibly customizable and viable for almost any build. Intel CPUs are excellent processors for gaming or streaming because of their robust features and power.

The Most Popular Intel Processors

At Micro Center, we are proud to offer the best CPUs from Intel. If reliable performance is your goal, you can’t go wrong with the Intel Core i3 or Intel Core i5 processors. These come in 6-core, 8-core, 10-core, and 12-core options to suit your specific needs. If speed and performance are critical to your laptop or desktop processor, go for a higher core processor in the i7 or i9 option.

These two processors also come in the Alder Lake (12th generation) and Rocket Lake (11th generation) CPU architectures, and knowing the difference between the two will help guide you towards the appropriate processor. Alder Lake is the newer of the two, and uses the Golden Cove Core architecture, whereas Rocket Lake uses the Cypress Cove Core architecture.

The Most Powerful Intel Processors

For high performance processing power, consider the Intel Xeon or Intel Core i9 options. The Xeon is a popular choice for high performance computing, offering optimized performance for data centers and high capacity workload systems. Recommended for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, edge computing, workstations, and more, the Xeon is a quality enterprise option.

The Intel Core i9 is another excellent choice for those who need exceptional performance. These Intel processors are among the highest performing Intel CPUs for desktops and laptops.

Integrated Graphics

Some Intel CPUs come with integrated graphics - these are great for those who want a built in graphics option. F-series Intel processors - those that have an F at the end of the name - do not have integrated graphics, and require use of a discrete graphics card.

CPU Motherboard Combos

When building a computer, finding a compatible CPU and motherboard can be a hassle. CPU Motherboard Combos can help to ease the stress of purchasing components by highlighting compatibility between the two. Another benefit of Intel CPU Motherboard Combos is that they come at a reduced cost, saving you money for other areas of your build. If you have more questions about component compatibility or need some help with your next build, you can always use Micro Center's Custom PC Builder tool or computer build guides available from Micro Center.