Central Processing Unit, Processor, CPU - no matter what you call it, it's the single most important component of your gaming system. Sure, graphics are important, but if you don't have a decent processor you'll never be able to play modern games.

As games grow increasingly complex, processors must scale in complexity to meet that demand. Of course, this doesn't mean you need to buy the most expensive processor on the market! Instead, you'll need to select a processor that meets two requirements: minimum performance and priced within your budget.