CPU Hierarchy Tracker
CPU Hierarchy Tracker 2026
Updated Sept 8 2026 | Indie Kings
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Methodology note: Tiers and workload scores are curated by Indie Kings from published spec sheets and widely reported testing consensus (including GamersNexus MegaCharts as one reference point among several). Street prices are Sept 2026 US estimates and move fast — verify before you buy. Scores are 1 to 5 per category, where 5 is best in class.
Tier key: 1 = Flagship, 2 = High-end, 3 = Upper mid-range, 4 = Mid-range, 5 = Budget / value, 6 = Legacy / entry.
Brand:
Focus:
| CPU | Brand | Tier | Cores/Threads | Boost Clock | Gaming | Productivity | Value | TDP | Socket | Street $ | Buy |
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Tip: pick your focus tab to re-sort by that score. Then set max budget and min cores to narrow the list. 8 cores is enough for virtually all current games; more cores mainly help rendering and heavy multitasking.