There is a common saying by experts “Don’t waste your money on the best CPU around if you don’t need it, and don’t skimp on your CPU only to regret it later.” The CPU is the most essential part of any computer, be it a laptop or desktop. The CPU determines your PC’s computing power and longevity. With an old Gen or pale CPU, the computer will provide compromised performance, so the investment might seem unworthy in the long term. In the case of laptops, having a good CPU is even more crucial as the same can’t be upgraded or replaced later.

New generations and variants of CPU are coming out every year, so from a layman’s point of view, it is difficult to understand which one is the best for you. As there is a lot of widespread confusion about which CPU to buy and what parameters should be checked while buying, in this article, we will debunk all confusion. No matter which brand of CPU you are going to buy (Intel, AMD, or any other) and the year you are reading it, the below points are crucial & fundamental points to consider.

There are two crucial points of view from which any CPU should be judged, i.e., Technical Specifications and Computation Requirements.

Technical Specifications

Here are a few things to consider when it comes to the technical specs of CPUs.

Generation: Going for the latest generation CPU is always recommended even though it may be a bit expensive. That’s because it will ensure the longer life of your PC or laptop. Opting for a CPU that’s a generation older is also not a bad idea if you have a budget constraint. Do remember however that the latest gen CPUs are equipped with new drivers, more features, latest technology and will be more compatible with the latest versions of software and hardware components. Also, due to the increased focus on green technology, new generation CPUs are designed to consume lesser power than past ones.

In 2022 if Intel CPUs is your choice, then opt for the 12th Gen for the best performance and longevity. On AMD’s side, the Ryzen 5000 series is an excellent choice for sheer performance and longevity. If budget is an issue, then the 11th Gen Intel CPU can be a good choice.

Clock Speed: In simple terms, while talking about the Clock Speed of a CPU, the higher it is, the better. Do note however that you should not compare two CPUs of two different generations based on their clock speed. You can compare two CPUs of two different brands of the latest generation based on their clock speed performance, and it is recommended to go with the one with operates higher clock speed. Also, a very high clock speed is not always required, especially for routine office computing. According to your computation requirement, if having a cutting-edge operating frequency does not give you any extra boost, then it is recommended to save some bucks and buy a CPU with a lower clock speed.

Cores & Threads: All CPUs feature multiple cores and threads these days due to the requirement of present-day software applications. Most applications these days operate optimally with multi-core setups as cores increase the amount of work accomplished at a time. On the other hand, multiple threads or hyperthreading increases throughput and speeds up the overall computation. Typically look for a 4-core and 8-thread CPU in 2022, and 8+ Cores and 10+ threads are recommended for individuals or businesses considering a long-term investment. One machine we recommend here is the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 Laptop 14-ek0072TU, which comes with a 12th Gen Intel i5 CPU and has 10 Cores & 12 Threads. Plus, it has 16 GB RAM, which makes it a good choice if you are looking for outstanding performance & longevity.

Computation Requirement

Each CPU variant is made with a specific type of user in mind, so determine which type of user you are.

Routine Computation: This implies running office applications, business apps, basic software development suits, coding, academic computation, browsing, streaming, etc. You don’t need to spend a lot on such needs. Buyers on a budget with this type of computation need will find many affordable options to choose from. 12th generation Intel i3 or i5 CPUs are excellent for such tasks, and similarly, AMD’s Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 5000-series CPUs will provide great value and performance in this segment.

Business Computing: Though most office employees need essential computation devices, some need more power for multitasking and a diverse range of work responsibilities. That’s why such professionals need dedicated business solution laptops. For that purpose, the latest-gen Intel CPUs are the best in 2022. 12th Gen Intel i5 or i7 CPUs are to go with if you buy a laptop for a business professional with a diverse work profile. Check out the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G9 Mobile Workstation PC with 12th Gen Intel Core i5 1235U (4.4 GHz 10 Cores & 12 Threads) CPU. It has 16 GB DDR5 RAM and offers 13+ Hours of battery backup.

Creative Professionals: if you’re a video editor, sound engineer, musician, animation artist, VFX designer, etc. then you need a powerful and robust CPU along with a decent GPU. The applications used by such professionals are usually CPU heavy. Tasks like pixel rendering, animation, visual effects, sound mixing, video encryption, etc., are CPU-heavy and deal with large paging files, for which they also need lots of RAM.

These professionals must be willing to shell out a decent amount of money for seamless performance and compatibility. If you are looking for such laptops for your business, then check out the HP ENVY Laptop 16-h0026TX. It comes with a 12th Gen Intel i9 CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (6 GB GDDR6) GPU, and UHD (3840 x 2400) display.

Gaming: Laptops are an excellent solution for portable gaming but have a different need from the machine. For gaming, not only do you need the latest Gen high-end CPUs, but you also need a powerful GPU, lots of RAM, and a higher frequency display. For gaming, look for gaming segment laptops like OMEN by HP, as they also have state-of-the-art cooling & ventilation systems for optimum performance. If you are looking for a laptop as a portable gaming solution, then ensure you have a decent budget and look for the latest gen powerful CPU from Ryzen 7 or Intel i7 segment.

Data Science & Workstation Computation: This is a far more advanced kind of computation. A Data Science workstation is used for complex data analytics, machine learning computation, deep learning algorithms, etc. Workstations are also used for complex scientific research and for running real-time simulations. If your computation requirement falls into this category, then opt for Mobile Workstation laptops only, as any other laptops will not be able to satisfy the needs. For mobile Workstations, check out the HP ZBOOK POWER 39.6 CM (15.6) G9 MOBILE WORKSTATION PC. It comes with a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900H 5 GHz (14 Cores 20 Threads) CPU, 32 GB RAM DDR5 RAM, and dual GPU (Intel Iris-X & NVIDIA RTX A2000 LGPU 8 GB).

So there you have it. We hope that by now you have understood which type of CPU is good for different types of use cases. Happy buying!

Check out the HP Business Laptops and Mobile Workstations powered by the latest gen CPUs on the HP Online Store.