Best CPU for Game Server Hosting: Palworld & Enshrouded 2025

So, you’re the hero trying to host a lag-free Palworld or Enshrouded server for your mates. Awesome. But when your epic base-building session grinds to a halt because of server lag, that hero status fades fast. The culprit is often an underpowered CPU struggling to keep up. Choosing the best CPU for game server hosting isn’t about raw power… it’s about the right kind of power to keep your world running smoothly. 🚀

Why Your CPU is the Server's MVP

AMD Ryzen 7 5700 8-Core 16-Threads 3.7GHz (4.6GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 65W Desktop Processor / 20MB GameCache / 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Desktop Processor / Discrete Graphics Card Required / 100-100000743BOX

R3399.00In Stock

Intel 14th Gen Core i3-14100F Desktop Processor 4(4P+0E) Cores up to 4.70GHz LGA1700 Series Chipset 58W / Discrete Graphics Card Required / BX8071514100F

R2049.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core 32-Threads 4.3GHz (5.7GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 170W Desktop Processor / Zen 5 Architecture / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / Cooler Not Included / 100-100000719WOF

R17299.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D 6-Core 12-Threads 4.0GHz (4.5GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 65W Desktop Processor / 102MB 3D V-Cache / AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Desktop Processor / No CPU Cooler Included / Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics / 100-100001904WOF

R6399.00In Stock

Intel 14th Gen Core i3-14100 Desktop Processor 4(4P+0E) Cores up to 4.70GHz Unlocked LGA1700 Series Chipset 60W / BX8071514100

R3449.00In Stock

Intel 13th Gen Core i7 13700KF Desktop Processor 16 (8P+8E) Cores up to 5.40 GHz Unlocked LGA1700 Series Chipset 253W / <span style="color: red;" >Discrete Graphics Card Required</span> / BX8071513700KF

R9499.00In Stock

Before you splash cash, let's quickly cover what your server's CPU is actually doing. Unlike your gaming PC's processor which focuses on rendering graphics for one person (you), a server CPU is the master administrator. It tracks every player's position, every Pal's action, and every physics calculation in the game world.

For games like Palworld and Enshrouded, this often comes down to strong single-thread performance. The main game loop runs on a single core, so a faster clock speed on that core directly translates to a more responsive server. More cores help, especially with more players, but a high clock speed is non-negotiable.

Core Count vs. Clock Speed for Game Servers

Finding the best CPU for game server hosting means balancing cores and speed. Think of it like this:

• Clock Speed (GHz): This is how fast a single worker can complete a task. Higher is better for the main game logic, reducing the time between actions and keeping latency low.
• Core Count: This is how many workers you have. More cores allow the server to handle more players and background processes simultaneously without slowing down the main task.

For a small server of 4-8 players, a modern CPU with 6 cores and high boost clocks is the sweet spot. For larger communities, you’ll want 8 cores or more to ensure a smooth experience for everyone. Finding the right balance is key, and you can browse a wide variety of CPU processors online to compare specs.

Top CPU Contenders for Your 2025 Server Build

The classic rivalry between Intel and AMD offers excellent choices for anyone setting up a game server in South Africa. Each has its strengths, and the best processor for your game server depends on your budget and player count.

### Team Blue: Intel's Clock Speed Kings

Intel has a long-standing reputation for incredible single-core performance, making their CPUs a fantastic choice for game servers that rely on high clock speeds. A modern Core i5 or i7 can often outperform rivals in raw server responsiveness thanks to high boost frequencies. If you want to prioritise a snappy, low-latency experience for a core group of players, exploring the latest Intel CPU options is a brilliant starting point.

AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D 6-Core 12-Threads 4.0GHz (4.5GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 65W Desktop Processor / 102MB 3D V-Cache / AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Desktop Processor / No CPU Cooler Included / Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics / 100-100001904WOF

R6399.00In Stock

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core 16-Threads 4.7GHz (5.2GHz Max Boost) Socket AM5 120W Desktop Processor / Zen 5 Architecture / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / Cooler Not Included / 100-100001084WOF

R10499.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Processor / 20x (8P + 12E) Cores / 20x Threads / Up to 5.5GHz Turbo Boost / LGA 1851 Series Chipset 159W / Integrated Intel® Graphics / CPU Cooler Not Included / BX80768265K

R6999.00In Stock

Intel 11th Gen Core i7-11700K Rocket Lake up to 5.0GHz 16MB Cache LGA 1200 95W BX8070811700K Desktop Processor / Intel SpeedStep Technology / Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) / Intel® UHD Graphics 750 / Require 500 Series Chipset MB (Z590,B560,H570)

R7399.00In Stock

Intel 13th Gen Core i7 13700KF Desktop Processor 16 (8P+8E) Cores up to 5.40 GHz Unlocked LGA1700 Series Chipset 253W / <span style="color: red;" >Discrete Graphics Card Required</span> / BX8071513700KF

R9499.00In Stock

Intel 14th Gen Core i3-14100 Desktop Processor 4(4P+0E) Cores up to 4.70GHz Unlocked LGA1700 Series Chipset 60W / BX8071514100

R3449.00In Stock

### Team Red: AMD's Multi-Core Muscle

AMD's Ryzen series changed the game with impressive multi-core performance at competitive prices. This makes them ideal for servers that need to support a larger number of players or run other applications alongside the game. The efficiency of the Zen architecture also means they often run cooler and consume less power… a nice bonus for a machine that might be on 24/7. An AMD CPU is a powerful, versatile heart for any server build. ✨

Pushing the Limits: High-End CPUs for Large Servers

Planning to host a massive community server with 20, 30, or even more players? This is where you need to bring out the big guns. Standard consumer CPUs will start to buckle under the strain of tracking so many simultaneous connections and in-game events.

For this level of performance, an AMD Ryzen 9 processor is a monster choice. With its high core and thread counts, it can effortlessly manage large player loads, complex world states, and server-side mods without breaking a sweat. On the other side, Intel’s flagship Core i9 series delivers the blistering clock speeds needed for the main game thread. Exploring the architecture of the latest high-end chips like the Intel Core Ultra 9 shows the direction of top-tier performance for the most demanding server tasks.

The Verdict: Your Perfect Server CPU

Ultimately, the best CPU for your Palworld or Enshrouded server comes down to your ambition.

• Small Crew (4-10 Players): A modern 6-core Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is more than enough.
• Growing Guild (10-20 Players): Step up to an 8-core Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 for a smoother experience.
• Community Hub (20+ Players): Invest in a top-tier Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 to guarantee a lag-free world for everyone.

Don't let lag ruin another game night. Giving your server the right CPU is the single best upgrade you can make.