Intel for Gaming

Intel technology powers gaming rigs around the world

Gamers of all levels—casual to competitive—power their rigs with Intel^® Core™ processors and related technology. Intel’s innovative, core-packed CPU architecture can deliver extra performance when the game action demands it, even while you multi-task.

Many recent-generation Intel processors are unlocked and overclockable,¹ with custom Intel utilities to help you tune performance for your favorite games. And there’s broad support for the latest connectivity and communications protocols,² whether you're attaching a high-res gaming monitor or upgrading to a faster wireless data network.

Lenovo offers a wide array of Intel gaming laptops and Intel gaming desktops—you’ll see Lenovo Legion and Lenovo LOC rigs in game rooms and gaming events around the world. So let's take a deeper look into all the ways Intel processors are helping today's video gamers, from new players to expert competitors.

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The details here were accurate when written and based on all of Intel’s current offerings at the time. However, processor technology always evolves. And Lenovo may not offer PCs with every available Intel processor. Always read the specifications of any PC you’re considering to confirm it has what you want.
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Intel Core processors: Gaming performance when you need it

Intel has won wide acclaim, including from gamers, for its performance hybrid processor architecture. It’s a mid-2020s innovation that segments the company’s most advanced chips into specialized sections for different tasks—a group of Performance cores (P-cores) for the most demanding work and a bigger set of Efficient cores (E-cores) for everything else.³

What do Intel’s specialized P-cores and E-cores mean for video game players?

• Intel P-cores deliver each chip’s fastest base and boost¹ speeds. They can draw more power when needed to help optimize the virtual action in today’s most advanced game titles.
• Intel E-cores are built for mass task execution and low power use. They help ensure you’ll have threads ready for things like streaming and sharing, while still prioritizing gameplay.
• Learn about Intel^® Core™ laptop processors (14th Gen)
• Learn about Intel^® Core™ desktop processors (14th Gen)

Coordinating it all is Intel^® Thread Director, a built-in feature found in all of the company’s performance hybrid CPUs. It monitors processor performance in real-time and intelligently distributes each application thread to the core that can handle the work best, based on complexity, necessity and other factors.⁴

Plus, Intel has recently been increasing the available Intel^® Smart Cache (L3) on many Intel^® Core™ models. It’s a kind of memory that resides on the processor to enable faster access to critical data—helping ensure you’ll get fast FPS rates for smooth gameplay. The latest Intel CPUs also include support for speedy DDR5 memory, which offers more bandwidth than its predecessor, DDR4, to send a constant supply of fresh game data to your processor cores.⁵

Why use Intel processors in my gaming PC?

As we’ve seen, Intel’s hybrid-core CPU architecture helps make gaming better. Intel^® Thread Director sends your most critical tasks, like changing visuals, to the high-frequency P-cores that are purpose-built for intense workloads, while less important tasks go to the hyper-efficient E-cores. But there’s more to Intel-powered gaming rigs than this P-core/E-core magic.

Here are four features that Intel says make its CPUs the best processors for gaming. [NOTE: Always check the specs; Lenovo gaming PCs are built with a variety of Intel processors and each Intel chip may offer these features (or not) in different capacities and configurations.]

Intel for Gaming: Boost power when you need it

Gamers love getting a power boost when the on-screen action grows intense. And Intel processors offer features that make the boost process virtually automatic.

• Intel^® Turbo Boost Max 3.0—Believe it or not, some P-cores on a hybrid-core Intel processor may be faster and run cooler than other P-cores on the same chip, due to variations in the manufacturing process. Intel^® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 takes advantage of this by tracking which P-cores are performing best and using them for your most demanding tasks.⁶
• Intel^® Thermal Velocity Boost—The cores of a processor may also vary in operating temperature. Intel^® Thermal Velocity Boost watches the "thermal headroom" on the various CPU cores so that each new request--which gamers issue by the thousands--goes to the core(s) that can complete it fastest without overheating.⁶

Intel for Gaming: Wireless connectivity at near-wired speeds

Many gaming accessories are better when they're cable free, even though cabled connections might be faster for some devices (see next item). Fortunately, Intel-powered gaming PCs offer blazing fast wireless connectivity, whether you're attaching a compatible keyboard/controller or a headset and speakers.

• Intel^® WiFi 6—Compared to earlier protocols, Intel^® WiFi 6 delivers more bandwidth with less latency, speeding upload and download times and making game-streaming smoother. And it supports more simultaneous connections (ideal as we fill our spaces with more and more wireless devices)
• Intel^® WiFi 6E (Gig+)—Commercial wireless signals are only allowed on certain frequencies, and Intel^® WiFi 6E (Gig+) marked an expansion into the higher, 6 GHz band. When used with compatible devices, this can ease data traffic congestion and help move big workloads faster.²
• Intel^® WiFi 7—As this is being written, select Intel^® Core™ processors are starting to support Intel^® WiFi 7—said to handle even more connections with less latency than earlier versions. [Device manufacturers must choose to include WiFi 7-compatible components.]²

Intel for Gaming: Thunderbolt 4 for peripherals

If you've got one of the latest high-performance gaming monitors or store your games on a speedy, external SSD, you know that advanced cable connectivity is still important. And as we enter the mid-2020s, you can't get much more advanced than Thunderbolt™ 4.

Thunderbolt™ 4 delivers both power and data. And it combines both PCIe and DisplayPort™ signals in one cable. This expands the kinds of devices you can connect and helps deliver the wide data streams demanded by today's fastest displays, drives and other add-ons.

Intel for Gaming: Multiple PCIe 5.0 lanes—the fastest yet

While cables and wireless routers move data between your PC and other devices, it's the PCIe lanes that keep it moving between the processor, graphics card, RAM, etc., on the motherboard. Here again, Intel is delivering.

PCIe 5.0 technology is twice as fast as PCIe 4.0 that came before it, and recent Intel processors feature multiple PCIe 5.0 lanes along with a ready set of still-dependable 4.0 ones.⁷ For gamers, this can mean faster data transfer to your graphics card's VRAM, or faster read/write operations with your storage drive. It also helps future-proof your gaming rig for new components you might attach later.

See what we mean? Intel processors are ready for top-flight gaming just like they support today’s other advanced computer needs. But remember that this list of features applies to the Intel CPU line-up in general—it’s up to you to check the specs of any PC you’re considering to confirm how it’s equipped.

Which Intel processor is right for your game?

The Intel^® Core™ processor line-up includes models for all kinds of gamers. There's sure to be a game-ready Intel chip for you—whether you're shopping for a high-end mobile gaming rig to use at esports events or a desktop gaming PC to explore the fun for the first time.

But which Intel^® Core™ chip is right for you as a video gamer? Here's how Intel breaks it down:

• Intel^® Core™ i5 processors for gaming: The Core™ i5 family is ideal for beginners and mid-level gamers who want deep virtual immersion and smooth gameplay on today's most popular titles.
• Intel^® Core™ i7 processors for gaming: The Core™ i7 family is popular with extreme gamers who play the industry's most demanding games while also multi-tasking, such as streaming and recording.
• Intel^® Core™ i9 processors for gaming: The Core™ i9 family is aimed at gamers who crave raw power and elite-level performance, and they can deliver the Core series' top boost speeds when needed.

Intel also offers Intel^® Core™ i3 processors. These chips can support video gaming, too, but may not meet the requirements of some games.

Lenovo Gaming PCs with Intel Processors

Lenovo is a worldwide leader in PC gaming thanks to two stand-out brands, Lenovo Legion and Lenovo LOQ. And you’ll find Intel processors featured prominently throughout both line-ups.

Lenovo Legion gaming PCs are renowned for their power and pushing the boundaries of gaming technology. They’re popular with high-intensity players, and you’ll spot Legion rigs at competitive gaming events around the globe. The Lenovo LOQ family includes more accessible options. But they still pack a punch, so they’re perfect for gamers of all levels who might be looking to save.

Lenovo Legion gaming PCs

The Lenovo Legion brand's popularity with demanding gamers is tied to its top-of-the-line specs and immersive gaming features:

• High-performance gaming laptops and desktops designed for serious gamers
• Cutting-edge hardware, including the latest processors and graphics solutions
• Sleek designs with available custom RGB lighting and advanced cooling systems
• Integrated and discrete graphics options; high-refresh displays on mobile models
• Robust build quality with a focus on durability and long-term reliability

View Legion desktops with Intel processors or Legion laptops with Intel processors.

Lenovo LOQ gaming PCs

Lenovo LOQ gaming PCs promise to deliver solid performance and reliable gaming experiences but without breaking the bank:

• Reliable gaming laptops for budget-minded gamers who still demand quality
• Efficient processors and steady graphics—ideal for entry-level and casual gaming.
• Compact and lightweight designs that make it easy to take gaming on the go
• Practical features such as extended battery life and versatile connectivity options.

View LOQ laptops with Intel processors or LOQ desktops with Intel processors.

As you can see, there’s an Intel^® Core™ processor for gamers of all levels. From the elite-level Core™ i9 series to the high-performance Core™ i7 line and the workhorse Core™ i5 family, Intel CPUs are packed with game-friendly features and capabilities. Which one is for you?

NOTE: Earlier “Intel Technology” articles have included Intel Graphics and Overclocking Intel Processors.