Our processors collection covers desktop Intel CPUs for building a new gaming PC or replacing the chip in an existing one. The range includes Intel Core i9 and Core Ultra models, so you can choose a high-core-count chip for gaming and heavy multitasking, or a more modest Core Ultra 5 for a sensible mid-range build.
The processor sets the ceiling for how smoothly your PC handles busy games, streaming and background apps, and it decides which motherboard you can pair it with. Each product page lists the full model name, so you can check it against your other parts before you buy. Once the CPU is sorted, you can browse other PC components to finish the build.
Choosing between Core i9 and Core Ultra
Core i9 chips sit at the top of Intel's desktop range and make sense if you game, edit video or run several demanding programs at once. Core Ultra is Intel's newer naming, and the Ultra 9 and Ultra 5 models give you a choice between maximum performance and a lower-cost step into a current platform. If you mainly play games and keep a few apps open, a Core Ultra 5 is often plenty, and you can put the savings towards a better graphics card.
Look closely at the letters after the number. Models with an F in the name have no integrated graphics, so you need a separate graphics card to get a picture on screen. That suits most gaming builds, where a dedicated card does the heavy lifting anyway.
Will it fit my motherboard?
A processor only works in a motherboard with the matching socket, and sockets differ between generations. The Core Ultra 9 285, for example, uses an LGA 1851 socket, so it needs a board built for that. Check your motherboard's manual or manufacturer page for supported CPUs before ordering, and make sure any BIOS update the board needs is sorted too.
A new processor pairs well with a screen that can keep up, so take a look at our PC and gaming monitors. For something to play on it, browse PC games, and round off the desk with keyboards and gaming mice. Free UK delivery and Reward Points on every order.
