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The best CPU for Overwatch 2 will help you keep frame rates steady, an increasingly important performance factor in reaction-based shooters nowadays.
Overwatch 2 isn’t the most graphically intensive game out there, and you’re going to be able to play the game on pretty standard hardware with the best graphics settings set up. If you’re still struggling to get a decent FPS, you might also want to consider upgrading to a the best GPU for Overwatch 2, one which will thankfully carry over to other games like Apex Legends and The Finals.
Best CPU for Overwatch 2 at a glance
We’d recommend a few different CPUs that cover budget options, those with integrated graphics, and also top-tier CPUs that will net you extraordinary frame rate gains over the competition.
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D – Best Overall CPU for Overwatch 2
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.2GHz
Boost speed
5.9GHz
Cache
104MB
TDP
120W
- 3D V-caching nets many gains in FPS
- Really power efficient
- Widely recognised as a top-tier gaming CPU
- Relatively low boost clock speed
- Fairly expensive
The first CPU we’re going to be recommending for Overwatch 2 is going to be the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, a CPU that we consistently recommend as one of the best CPUs for gaming.
Released last year, the 7800X3D quickly became a household name (within gaming) thanks to the powerful cache management provided by the 3D V-Caching technology. The efficient organisation of memory has allowed for a drastic increase in frame-rates, and it also doubles up as a powerhouse for productivity too.
Alongside that, there’s also significant gains in power-efficiency over Intel’s counterpart processors. There’s one eight core processor laced with 16 threads, and while it’s only going to reach 5GHz, you won’t find this an issue in Overwatch 2.
If you pair with with capable DDR5 RAM, and the AM4 motherboard it deserves, expect to see really solid performance in game capable of churning out way more than 60FPS in Overwatch 2 at the highest resolutions.
2. Intel i5-13600K – Best Intel CPU for Overwatch 2
Intel Core i5-13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost.
- Future-proof compatibility
- Fairly inexpensive
- Fast clock speeds
- High energy consumption
- Only mid-range performance
Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs are extremely versatile having compatibility with previous and current generation sockets, and DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. This means it’s even easier to upgrade your gaming PC without having to strip everything from the bones up.
The Intel i5-13600K is exactly one of those components bridging the gap between old and new, but sits firmly on the side of current quality. Having 14 cores and 20 threads, it’s clockable between 3.9GHz and 5.1GHz. On top of that, there’s 20MB cache that’s going to help you increase your frame rate gains in Overwatch 2.
It’s not too expensive either, with an MSRP of $329 that’s consistently discounted now that it’s two years into its lifespan. Compared to its AMD competitors though, it’s going to run at a TDP of up to 181W, which is a significant increase over the generally accepted 120W threshold.
3. AMD Ryzen 7 8700G – Best budget APU for Overwatch 2
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base Clock
4.2GHz
Boost Clock
5.1GHz
Graphics Component
AMD Radeon 780M
TDP
65W
- Cost-effective
- Extremely power efficient
- Budget friendly
- Not a massive upgrade
- Redundant if you have a GPU
I’m gonna suggest something pretty unconventional, maybe controversial, as an option for Overwatch 2: Consider using a CPU with an integrated graphics chip. I’d recently been using the AyaNeo AM01, a mini PC with a Ryzen 7 5700U inside, and though modern gaming was nowhere near as smooth as what you’d expect from a full size gaming PC, it was still a budget friendly experience worth writing about.
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G only released earlier on in 2024 and features clock speeds up to 5.1Ghz. alongside that, there’s eight cores and 16 threads as you’d expect from Zen 4 architecture CPUs. It’s a really solid option, especially if you’re not happy spending anywhere between $300 – $1,000 on a graphics card you might not even need.
The AMD Radeon 780M is baked into the Ryzen 7 8700G, powered by RDNA 3 architecture and sporting performance levels you’d expect from a GTX 1650, or an equivalent graphics card. The 8700G is capable of running AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 at minimum graphics settings, so you’re going to be able to comfortably say that Overwatch 2 is going to run just fine with one of the best APUs for gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frame rate should you aim for in Overwatch 2?
When playing any competitive shooter, 60FPS is the bare minimum you’re going to want, though striving for anything over 120FPS is really where you’re hoping to sit.
