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01Best CPU for Valorant at 240Hz
With the best CPU for Valorant, you’ll be able to get the aces you’ve always wanted.
It may come as a surprise, but Valorant is far more CPU-intensive than GPU. So, if you want to rush your enemies with high framerates, your PC needs to have a gaming processor that is capable of running Valorant without any issues. According to RIOT Games, you need an i5-9400F or a Ryzen 5 2600X to run Valorant at 144+ FPS. But these processors won’t be able to maintain high FPS throughout the match, and that’s where we come in.
We have researched several CPUs that have the performance to run Valorant at competitive-level FPS. Plus, we also talked to our in-house CPU expert, Jack Howarth. With Jack’s help, we evaluated the performance, thermals, power consumption, overclocking support, and value for money of different CPUs, and finally, we were able to round up the best CPU for Valorant.
Best CPU for Valorant at a glance
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.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
3.6GHz
Boost speed
4.6GHz
Cache
32
TDP
95W
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
3.6GHz
Boost speed
4.6GHz
Cache
32
TDP
95W
We’ve got a few different CPUs on this list, each of which is best in a slightly different category, including our picks for the best CPU for Valorant at 240Hz and a budget-friendly friendly pick. One thing you might notice is that all the chips we’ve gone for actually exceed the minimum requirements needed for Valorant. Going above the minimum level of power needed ensures you’ll get consistently smooth gameplay and make sure that you’re not being held back by your PC rig. Let’s get into it.
Best CPU for Valorant at 240Hz
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.
- A beast in high FPS gameplay
- Plenty of overclocking room
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM
- Power consumption is high
The best CPU for Valorant at 240Hz is the Intel Core i5-13600K. Valorant is a truly competitive game, and if you want to rank up and be really good at it, then you need to play at a high FPS and high refresh rate. This way, your quick reactions and reflexes will not be limited by your PC. Well, this is where the Core i5-13600K comes in.
The processor is one of the best CPUs for gaming. In fact, it’s so powerful that it can run Valorant at 240Hz-tier FPS without breaking a sweat. It has 14 cores, and 6 of those P-cores can clock at up to 5.3GHz, which is very impressive. Plus, the CPU doesn’t even cost that much. It is not exactly a budget option, but it is a relatively good deal.
Another reason why the i5-13600K is highly recommended for those chasing high framerates is its overclocking potential. The CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so you can really feed it more power and get even more juice out of it. On the topic of power, make sure you also get the best CPU cooler for i5-13600K because the processor has high power requirements. It is rated to draw around 181W at max turbo. All in all, if you’re after the best CPU for Valorant at 240Hz, there is no better option than the i5-13600K.
Best budget CPU for Valorant
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
3.6GHz
Boost speed
4.6GHz
Cache
32
TDP
95W
- Pocket-friendly
- Solid gaming performance
- Comes with a cooler
- Not the most future-proof
For the best budget CPU for Valorant, there is no option better than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. The CPU packs 6 cores clocking at a boost speed of 4.6GHz. Combine that with the 32MB of L3 cache, and the overall performance of the Ryzen 5 5600X turns out to be perfect for Valorant. You can play at 1080p and enjoy high FPS gameplay without any worries.
But that’s not the most impressive part of the Ryzen 5 5600X; that title goes to its price tag and overall platform cost. First up, the CPU alone has a very affordable cost, and since it’s based on the AM4 platform, you can use DDR4 RAM and an AMD 500-series motherboard with it, both of which are cheaper than their successors.
In addition to that, the CPU comes bundled with the Wraith Stealth CPU cooler, saving you quite some money on a separate cooler. Keeping all of this in mind, along with the performance, which, by the way, can also be overclocked, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X turns out to truly be the best budget CPU.
Best high end CPU for Valorant
Intel Core i9-13900KF
Cores
24 (8P + 16E)
Threads
32
Base speed
2.20GHz (E), 3.00GHz (P)
Core speed
4.30GHz (E), 5.40GHz (P)
Cache
36MB
TDP
125W (Base), 253W (Max Turbo)
- Unmatched 4K gaming performance
- Can handle all productivity benchmarks
- Will last for several years to come
- Needs high-end cooling
When it comes to the best high-end CPU for Valorant, the Intel Core i9-13900KF is a true winner. It is the flagship processor of Intel’s latest Raptor Lake line-up, and as you can guess, it offers quite some jaw-dropping performance. From its 24 cores and 32 threads to a boost clock speed of 5.80GHz, the i9-13900KF is a beast.
The processor even has 36MB of cache, a very good number for gaming. In a nutshell, as far as Valorant is concerned, it is one of the best CPUs for 4K gaming. Plus, you can even overclock it for more performance, although there is no point given it already runs every single AAA title and CPU-intensive task without breaking a sweat.
The “F” prefix means there is no integrated GPU, but it shouldn’t be a problem because your gaming PC will already have a dedicated graphics card. All in all, apart from its expensive pricing, the only negative surrounding the i9-13900KF is its power consumption. The CPU is a true monster, and it drinks power like one. Make sure you have a high-end 360mm AIO as well as a top-notch PSU to go along with this processor.
Is Valorant GPU OR CPU intensive?
Valorant is more CPU intensive than GPU. So, for high FPS and good experience, you need the best CPU for Valorant that can handle the game.
How do you reduce your CPU usage while playing Valorant?
You can reduce your CPU usage while playing Valorant by updating graphics drivers, closing background tasks, and configuring Windows Defender Firewall to run Valorant as an exception.
