I Finally Found And Tested The Best CPU For Dota 2 [2022]

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Sidrah Ramzan

Content Writer | Chief Editor at Maximum Tech

A computer scientist by qualification, Sidrah is also a certified copywriter with 7+ years of experience working in the tech industry.

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• I Finally Found And Tested The Best CPU For Dota 2 [2022] - January 30, 2022
• Can You Use Alcohol Wipe On CPU? [A Surprising Answer] - December 21, 2021

Do you know that the processor of your PC has an extremely important role when playing games like Dota 2?

I remember playing it initially on Intel dual-core processors, but then the times changed.

Now, we all want to have some aggressive twitchy action on a smooth performing processor along with HD integrated graphics, right?

Being a hardcore gamer myself, I have always loved the strategy-based play so got down to research and test the best CPU for Dota 2.

For that, I invested 19 hours testing and researching 28 different processors. I also consulted fellow expert gamers who are obsessed with the game. I asked them what PC builds and CPUs they use to play Dota 2.

Interestingly, there are a lot of cool processors available out there. But I have narrowed it down to the top 6 CPUs.

Personally, I believe that the best CPU for Dota 2 is AMD Ryzen 5 2600 but our choices may vary. Check out this guide to understand exactly why.

Now, if you are hunting for the perfect processor to play your game, look no further as this guide will help you just right!

Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of chips and cores.

The Best CPU For Dota 2 – A Comparison Table

Image	Processor	Features	Price
Best Overall Value	AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Processor	Base Clock: 3.4 GHz Max. Boost Clock: 3.9 GHz Core Count: 6 Thermal solution: Wraith Cooler Integrated graphics: No	Check Latest Price
Premium Choice	Intel Core i7-7700K	Base clock: 4.2 GHz Max. boost clock: 4.5 Ghz Core count: 4 Thermal solution: No Integrated graphics: Yes	Check Latest Price
Best Budget Choice	Intel® Core™ i5-9400F	Base clock: 2.9 GHz Max. boost clock: 4.1 GHz Core count: 6 Thermal solution: Yes Integrated graphics: No	Check Latest Price
Guaranteed Smooth Performance	AMD Ryzen 3 3100	Base clock: 3.6 Ghz Max. boost clock: 3.9 GHz Core count: 4 Thermal solution: Yes Integrated graphics: No	Check Latest Price
Next Step from Pentium	Intel Core i3-10100	Base clock: 3.6 Ghz Max. boost clock: 4.3 GHz Core count: 4 Thermal solution: Yes Integrated graphics: Yes	Check Latest Price
The One with Radeon Graphics	AMD Ryzen 5 5600G	Base clock: 3.9 GHz Max. boost clock: 4.4 GHz Core count: 6 Thermal solution: Yes Integrated graphics: Yes	Check Latest Price

Best Overall Value

10/10Our Score

Are you interested in building a PC in a compact case? If yes, this processor is perfect for you! The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 offers 6`15W TDP and a base frequency of 3.4GHz. We have included this processor in our list because AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is one the best CPUs available today. 

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It not only offers a high core count, but also a pretty good gaming performance. Besides, this processor comes at a very decent price!

After playing a bit with this processor, I must say it is definitely a compelling option for anyone looking to upgrade their PC. Needless to say, that apply to us gamers too!

Here’s a little sneak peek of how I played Dota 2 with this processor.

Nice, huh?

The graphics looks stunning, and that’s of course partially due to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti GPU that definitely accelerates the performance.

Also, this processor comes packed with 12nm FinFET Zen+ design architectural improvements, and has a higher multi-core boost.

Premium Choice

9.5/10Our Score

Caution: Expensive Item Ahead

Now Intel Core i7-7700K retails at a seemingly higher price, BUT it is speedy, has hardware support (with 4K streaming and HDR), and incredibly performance! Intel Core i7-7700K is a high-end desktop processor that comes with 4 cores and 8 threads.

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The base clock is at a whooping 4.2GHz and the processor has a power rating of 91W. What makes it the best processor for playing with integrated graphics is its support for Intel Optane caching tech.

As we are all aware, Intel Optane memory provides speedy access to your frequently used files, applications, and games.

Therefore, Intel Core i7-700K owners receive responsive, accelerated user experience.

I had no issues at all running DOTA 2 at 130 FPS with this processor.

Cool, huh!

Best Budget Choice

9/10Our Score

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a mid-range desktop processor that comes with 6 threads and 6 cores. The clock base is 2.9GHz and the power rating stands at 65W. We highly recommend this processor because it actually does more than the price it comes in. This processor is great for video editing - and is excellent FPS for gaming. 

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The only problem is that this CPU does not come with embedded graphics. So if you are doing image processing or CAD, you’d need a graphics card. But other than that, the i5-9400F is just as fast as the i5-9400 for a lesser price!

So, now the most important question is:

Can it run Dota 2?

You bet!

This is one of the best processors for Dota 2; not only does it beat the system requirements for processor speed, but it is also available at an affordable price.

It’s also a great CPU for programming.

Guaranteed Smooth Performance

8.5/10Our Score

Many gamers call this processor the best in-game! This 3rd generation, quad-core processor delivers a smooth performance of 100+ FPS. What makes Ryzen 3 3100 the best CPU for Dota 2 is that it comes packed with 4 cores, 8 processing threads, DDR-3200 support, and advanced Socket AM4.

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AMD Ryzen 3 3100 4-Core retails for a ridiculous price, so it is the best fit for content creators and budget gamers. The sore point here is that, unlike its Intel equivalents, this processor has no integrated graphics.

The best part about this processor is its power consumption. Desktop processors often consume a lot of electricity – and can heat up pretty quickly. Thanks to the Wraith Stealth cooler in Ryzen 3 3100, it maxes out at 61.3 °C.

Next Step from Pentium

8.2/10Our Score

Retailing for an attractive price, this 10th generation processor offers excellent performance for lightly threaded games. This one comes with 4 cores and 8 threads. The great part about Intel i3-10100 is that one comes with integrated graphics (Intel UHD 630).

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Before comparing it with other processors, please remember that this CPU is entry level and is built as the next step up from a Pentium.

The intel i3-10100 comes with an iGPU and is built with hyper-threading. And in case you’re wondering – yes, hyper-threading definitely helps gaming!

Plus, guess what the holding performance is?

9600k!

Besides, this one runs cool. When I tested it, it showed perfect stability at 3600 MHz (XMP) and seamless gaming at 1080p.

The only sad part is that although this processor is pretty good as a game-focused CPU, it happens to be slower than its predecessor (Core i3-9100). And I noticed that when playing some CPU-intensive games, such as “Call Of Duty: Warzone“.

The One with Radeon Graphics

8/10Our Score

Retailing at a price that’s higher than most of the other processors for Dota 2 on our list, this processor is a slightly expensive option. But wait till you check out the specifications; 1080p gaming, 4.4GHz max. boost, DDR4-3200 support, and advanced socket AM4 platform! 

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Featuring six cores and twelve threads, AMD Ryzen 5 2600G runs at 3.9 GHz.

The best part?

I managed to overclock it to 4.8 Ghz, and it was still stable at high FPS.

Despite being quite powerful, this one is still a budget-friendly, gaming-focused high-end processor that comes with more than average integrated graphics.

Layered with the awesome Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics engine, this processor is a serious threat to Intel chips.

If you are aiming to get a cheap gaming PC built, or want a processor that will drive low-lift day-to-day computing, this one is the perfect fit for you. It handles multitasking, too.

Playing Dota 2 with it is a breeze, and it gives awesome performance. No lagging or freezing whatsoever. Plus, it’s among the best processors for Minecraft on the market as of 2022.

How To Choose The Best Processor For Dota 2?

We have already shared everything about the best processors for Dota 2, but that doesn’t mean you have to necessarily buy a processor from the list above.

If you wish to look more into the market, it is best to check the software and hardware requirements of Dota 2 in the video below. It demonstrates the best settings for low-end PCs and even laptops.

Before making your purchase, consider the following important factors.

System Specification

Now Dota 2 doesn’t require high-end components and any low-end modern graphic card processor works just fine with it (3 Ghz being the limit). Heck, you can even play Dota seamlessly on an Amd FX 8350.

Check out the table below that provides the minimum system requirements as per the official game manufacturer:

It is playable at 30-45 FPS, and works better if the FPS is higher. I mentioned above the I was able to obtain 130 FPS using the Intel Core i7-7700K CPU.

See, this game came out in 2013 and back then we had the Intel Core i5 family to depend on. Therefore, it only requires a minimum RAM of 4GB, but we recommend you to go for at least 8GB.

Apart from that, it works fine on any decent dual-core CPU. In the start, we did not have much variety when it came to processors, but now, the introduction of AMD Ryzen processors has changed everything.

Gaming Level

My suggestion?

If you plan to move on to more demanding games in the future, upgrade to the highest-level processor now. Also, if gaming is your passion and priority, then we strongly suggest you to strongly consider investing in a decent GPU and not only focus on the CPU. It’s true that a CPU affects FPS, but the GPU is quite important as well.

Again, if you are only interested in playing Dota 2, you won’t really need a GPU – as it works just fine with 120 FPS.

Here’s an interesting video demonstrating the best hardware and video settings for Dota 2 for maximum FPS.

Budget

Look, Dota 2 itself is well-optimized and budget friendly, and therefore runs just fine on a number of CPUs and GPUs. But choosing the perfect processor depends entirely on your budget range.

You can get it under $200 and the prices can go as high as $1000. So, set a budget first, and then sit down to build a PC for Dota 2 that doesn’t cost you a fortune.

Again, I advise you to think about other games that you want to play. Chances are that they will be more resource-intensive than Dota so look at the bigger picture.

With that being said, you can still play Dota with a processor under $300, for example. No issues on that.

HQ Graphics

Dota 2 works just fine on CPUs without graphic cards. But if you want to play it with integrated graphics, it is best to go for 7th or 8th generation processors.

Some of the best options available are the intel i7 generation. These chips are particularly popular because they include Intel “Iris” plus graphics 650 which allows you to play Dota 2 on maximum settings.

Resource Consumption

Dota 2, itself, is not a very resource consuming game and works well at gt 710. But if you wish to play other games as well, it is best to go for processors with RX 580 (or higher) and GTX 1050 (or higher).

I suggest you read our guide on the best CPU for GTX 970 as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Now let’s discuss some of the most frequently asked questions:

What PC should I buy for Dota 2?

You can get an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 for Dota 2. It comes with 6 CPU cores, processor technology of 12 nm FinFET, wraith stealth thermal solution, and runs at 65W.

How do I lower my CPU usage Dota 2?

You can lower your CPU usage for Dota 2 by simply disabling the sound card when you play the game. Doing so can save up to 40% of CPU usage when you play Dota 2.

Can Dota 2 run without GPU?

Yes, Dota 2 can easily run without GPU. You should have no issues running it via integrated graphics or any low-end video card.

Is Dota 2 a heavy game?

No, Dota 2 is not a GPU heavy game. It takes around 95% CPU usage and around 30% GPU usage.

Can i3 run Dota 2?

Yes, you can play Dota 2 on I3. The only requirement is to have a stable internet connection.

Which graphic card is best for Dota 2?

Any NVidia GTX 750 (or above) graphics card works best for Dota 2. If you are going for AMD processors then RX 470 (or above) works great.

Can Intel HD Graphics 5500 run Dota 2?

Yes, Dota 2 is available on both Mac and Linux. The specifications are the same; it requires 4GB RAM, 8GB Hard Drive Space, nVidia GeForce 8600/9600GT, ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600, OpenGL 2.1. OpenAL Compatible Sound Card.

How many GB is Dota 2?

Dota 2 is 15 GB. So this is the minimum free space you need on your system along with enough room for further updates. So, for playing Dota 2, it is recommended to use a hard drive with a minimum space of 20GB.

Can I play DOTA with 4GB RAM?

Yes, you can. 4GB RAM is the minimum requirement for playing Dota 2. However, we recommend going for 8GB to get better gaming experience.

Can Intel HD Graphics 3000 run Dota 2?

Yes, Dota can run on Intel HD Graphics 3000. But it is one of the weakest cards so it will barely run the game, and works at an average speed of 30 FPS.

What is the best resolution for Dota 2?

The best resolution for Dota 2 is 1920X1080. It works just fine on whatever your monitor’s default resolution is but it is best to work on 1920×1080 or above.

Is Dota 4K?

Dota 2 supports 4K and offers awesome resolution when being played on HD display.

Final Verdict

Our testing and research conclude that the most suitable CPU for Dota 2 in terms of overall value is AMD Ryzen 5 2600.

Best Overall Value

10/10Our Score

Are you interested in building a PC in a compact case? If yes, this processor is perfect for you! The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 offers 6`15W TDP and a base frequency of 3.4GHz. We have included this processor in our list because AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is one the best CPUs available today. 

Check Latest Price

Dota 2 is quite processor-friendly, and works well at 1920×1080. But when making your purchase, you also have to consider what other purposes will your processor be used for.

If the use is unrelated to HQ graphics, then you can get an excellent processor under $200. However, if you wish to play other games and/or work around image processing, then the best CPU for Dota 2 will generally come around a budget of $500.

Personally, I believe that AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is the best option because not only does it offer excellent gaming performance but also works well with a variety of multi-threaded applications – and retails for just $199!

But hey, we have shared an extensive list, and it is up to you to choose the best option. Let us know what processor you are using!