We asked long-time Friend of RPS and tech know-it-all Jeremy Laird to write us a series of columns that would make hardware-buying the simplest of matters for even the most technophobic of our readers. A mere three months later, he got around to starting. So, here is his breakdown of what’s going on in the world of processors right now, ultimately boiling down to the only three CPUs you need to consider buying if you’re upgrading or building a new PC. Take it away, Lord Laird…

Greetings hallowed RPS’ers. I’m Jeremy. I’ve been a PC hardware hack for the best part of a decade. And I’m the go-to guy the shameless RPS crew hit up when they’re on the scrounge for a new CPU or simply can’t sort their SSD controllers from their SATA ports. That’s about as friendly as it’s going to get. It’s my job over the next few months to knock the sorry RPS collective into shape when it comes to PC hardware with a gaming slant.(more…)