CPU / Processors

Ready for a CPU upgrade? JW stock CPUs from Intel & AMD for your all processing needs.

For office use, we simply recommend people start by looking at an i3 or Ryzen 3. These chips are more than capable of multitasking your way through office software, calendars, browsers and supporting your professional life.

The next upgrades would be an Intel i5 or Ryzen 5, allowing you to play games or perform multi-tasking to a very high standard.

The Intel Core i7 or Core i9 and the Ryzen Threadripper are generally for people performing a large amount of media editing or demanding tasks. 

There are "X" and "K" versions of some CPUs. This letter indicates the CPU is unlocked, allowing the user to overclock the chip at their own risk.

Our staff is here to help you select the right processor without spending more than you need.

CPU FAQ

What CPU do I need?

As a rule of thumb, office users should look at the Intel G range, Intel i3 range and AMD Ryzen 3.

For standard gaming or for those wanting a bit more power from the system, the Intel i5 and Ryzen 5 series is an excellent option, even the lowest models in these series will perform quite well. These will also suit people using photoshop or small amounts of 3D work.

For people performing video editing, rendering, media work, 4k gaming and heavy tasks, we suggest you consider at least an i5, but probably an Intel core i7 or AMD Threadripper or above.

How do I know what socket I need?

If you are purchasing a new system. On the product page or specification of the respective CPU, you should see an option "Sockets Supported" and a code next to it, such as 1151.

With this information, you would select a motherboard that also offers compatibility for the same socket. 

If you are purchasing a new CPU for an old motherboard - you can either look up the model of the motherboard online and view the socket.

If you are unable to physically locate your motherboard's model number. Click Start > Run> Type "Dxdiag" and view the information under System Manufacturer and System Model, which will tell you what motherboard you have.

Is overclocking worth it?

It depends on what you value as a PC owner.

Unlocked processors that are overclocked are generally paired with an upgraded cooler. Overclocking pushes more power through the chipset - so it runs warmer.

For those that would like an easy to set up, easy to maintain and trouble-free computing experience. Overclocking is probably more trouble than it's worth.

Overclocking requires an understanding of the BIOS, core multipliers, how to monitor temperatures, how to benchmark and how to troubleshoot issues. With this information, OCing really only suits people who are enthusiastic about custom PCs in general - not everyday users.

For people looking for the most bang for their buck. Choosing an i5 or AMD CPU and overclocking can achieve great results. For example, an Intel i5 9600k is 4.6GHz stock - these are commonly OC'd to over 5GHz, which is faster than the more expensive Intel i7 9700k.

People looking to maximise performance, benchmarking or perform demanding tasks such as video rendering will definitely benefit from overclocking.