Is a 24-Core Processor Overkill or Ideal for Gaming?
As gaming technology advances, so do the processors that power modern games. In recent years, high-core-count CPUs, including tetracosa-core (24-core) processors, have entered the consumer market. These powerful CPUs are designed for demanding workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific computing—but are they good for gaming?
Many gamers wonder if investing in a 24-core processor will improve their gaming experience or if it’s an unnecessary expense. In this article, we’ll break down how core count affects gaming performance, compare 24-core CPUs with traditional gaming processors, and help you decide whether a 24-core CPU is worth it for gaming.
Understanding CPU Cores and Gaming Performance
Before we analyze whether a tetracosa-core processor is good for gaming, we must understand what CPU cores do and how they impact performance.
What Are CPU Cores?
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) consists of multiple cores, each capable of executing tasks independently. The more cores a CPU has, the more tasks it can handle simultaneously. Here’s a general breakdown:
- 2-4 cores (Dual-core / Quad-core CPUs) – Suitable for basic tasks and light gaming.
- 6-8 cores (Hexa-core / Octa-core CPUs) – Ideal for most modern games and gaming + streaming.
- 12-16 cores (High-end CPUs) – Great for gaming and content creation.
- 24+ cores (Workstation CPUs) – Designed for professional workloads but questionable for gaming.
How Many Cores Do Games Use?
Most modern games rely on 6 to 8 cores for optimal performance. Some AAA games benefit from 12-core processors, but beyond that, performance improvements become negligible. This is because:
- Single-core performance matters more in gaming – Many games still rely on strong single-threaded performance (higher clock speeds) rather than excessive core counts.
- Game engines aren’t optimized for 24 cores – Most game developers target mainstream CPUs with 6 to 12 cores, meaning additional cores beyond this often go unused.
- Diminishing returns on FPS gains – Even the most CPU-heavy games rarely benefit from more than 16 cores, making a 24-core processor unnecessary for gaming alone.
Pros of a 24-core CPU for Gaming
1. Future-Proofing for Upcoming Games
While most current games don’t utilize more than 8-12 cores, future game engines may take better advantage of higher core counts. As gaming technology advances and multi-threading improves, having a 24-core CPU could be a long-term investment.
2. Great for Multitasking While Gaming
If you’re someone who streams, records and runs multiple applications in the background, a 24-core CPU can provide seamless multitasking performance. This is useful for:
- Streaming on Twitch or YouTube while gaming.
- Running multiple background apps like Discord, Chrome, and music players.
- Recording gameplay in high resolution without affecting FPS.
3. Strong Performance in CPU-Heavy Games
Some strategy and simulation games, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, Total War: Warhammer, and Civilization VI, benefit from additional CPU cores. While most games won’t use all 24 cores, these CPU-intensive titles may see slight performance gains.
4. Ideal for Workstations That Also Game
If you use your PC for professional workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, software development, or virtual machines, a 24-core CPU makes sense. You get a powerful workstation that can also run games without issue.
Cons of a 24-Core CPU for Gaming
1. Minimal FPS Gains in Most Games
The biggest drawback of a 24-core processor for gaming is that it does not significantly improve FPS in most games. Since most games are optimized for 6 to 12 cores, having extra cores beyond that often makes little difference in performance.
For example, comparing an 8-core gaming CPU (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) to a 24-core workstation CPU (Threadripper 7960X) in games:
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D (8 cores) → Higher FPS due to better single-core performance.
- Threadripper 7960X (24 cores) → More power, but lower FPS in most games due to lower clock speeds.
2. Lower Clock Speeds Can Hurt Gaming Performance
Most 24-core CPUs have lower clock speeds than gaming-focused CPUs. Since gaming performance depends on single-core speed, a CPU with fewer cores but higher frequencies will generally perform better in games.
For instance:
- Intel Core i9-14900K (8 P-cores, 16 E-cores, 6.0 GHz boost) → Great for gaming.
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X (24 cores, 5.1 GHz boost) → Better for productivity but lower gaming performance.
3. Expensive Without Justifiable Gains
A 24-core CPU costs significantly more than a high-end gaming processor, but the FPS improvement is often negligible. For example:
CPUCore CountPriceGaming Performance
Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8 Cores ~$450 Best gaming CPU
Intel Core i9-14900K 24 Cores (8P+16E) ~$600 Excellent gaming & productivity balance
AMD Threadripper 7960X 24 Cores ~$1400 Overkill for gaming
A 24-core CPU is a massive investment, and unless you need it for professional tasks, it’s not worth it for gaming alone.
4. Higher Power Consumption and Heat Output
A tetracosa-core processor consumes more power and generates significantly more heat compared to traditional gaming CPUs. This means:
- Higher electricity costs.
- More heat output → Requires high-end cooling (AIO liquid cooling recommended).
- A larger power supply unit (PSU) is needed.
If you’re only gaming, a lower-power CPU with fewer cores is more efficient and practical.
Best Alternatives to a 24-Core CPU for Gaming
Instead of a 24-core CPU, here are some better options for gaming:
Use CaseBest CPU ChoiceWhy?
Gaming Only Ryzen 7 7800X3D Best gaming performance, high FPS.
Gaming + Streaming Intel Core i7-13700K Great balance of cores and speed.
Gaming + Content Creation Intel Core i9-14900K / Ryzen 9 7950X Strong for both gaming and creative work.
Workstation + Gaming AMD Threadripper 7960X Only if you need extreme multitasking.
Final Verdict: Is a 24-Core CPU Worth It for Gaming?
For pure gaming, a 24-core CPU is overkill. While it offers great multitasking and workstation performance, it does not significantly improve FPS compared to an 8- or 12-core high-performance gaming CPU.
However, if you also do heavy content creation, 3D rendering, or professional workloads, a 24-core processor can be a solid investment. But for most gamers, a high-clock-speed 8-core or 12-core CPU will deliver better gaming performance at a lower price.
Final Recommendation: For gaming, stick to a high-performance 6-12 core CPU. A 24-core CPU is unnecessary unless you need it for workstation tasks.
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