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Best Budget CPUs [Ranked After Months Of Testing]

Here are my picks for the Best Budget CPUs after thorough testing and consideration of various factors.

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Lately, budget CPUs seem to be rocking the stage, and for good reason. Their low price bracket, remarkable price-to-performance ratio, and formidable performance have made them the go-to option for most gamers. That said, given the sheer number of options available, finding the right CPU that meets your requirements can be challenging. Well, I tested all the top-budget CPUs in the market to bring you the best options

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  • 50+ CPUs tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
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Here are my top selections, all compared to each other: 

CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Intel Core i5-12400F
Core i5-13400F
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Ryzen 7 5700X
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
Intel Core i5 Core 12400F Desktop Processor 18M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz
Intel i5-13400F Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Radeon Graphics
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core, 16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Award
Best AMD Budget CPU
Best Budget Intel CPU
Budget CPU For Gaming And Streaming
Best Budget Gaming CPU
Best Budget CPU For Video Editing
What We Liked
Great Price-to-Performance ratio, Low power comsumption
Extremely competitive price, DDR5 Support
10 cores, Higher boost frequencies, Compatible with DDR5
Solid Overclocking Potential, Integrated Vega Graphics
8 full-power cores, Great overclocking potential, Power-efficient
What We Disliked
No DDR5 support, Lacks iGPU
Limited overclocking
Increased power consumption, No overclocking 
Lacks PCIE Gen 4.0 Compatibility
Outdated I/O
Socket
AMD AM4
LGA 1700
LGA 1700
AMD AM4
AM4
Cores
6
6
10 (6P + 4E)
6
8
Threads
12
12
16
12
16
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
2.5 GHz
2.5 GHz (P-cores)
3.9 GHz
3.4 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.4 GHz
Up to 4.4 GHz
Up to 4.6 GHz (P-cores)
Up to 4.4 GHz
Up to 4.6 GHz
TDP
65W
65W
65W
65W
65W
Overclocking
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
Award
Best AMD Budget CPU
What We Liked
Great Price-to-Performance ratio, Low power comsumption
What We Disliked
No DDR5 support, Lacks iGPU
Socket
AMD AM4
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.4 GHz
TDP
65W
Overclocking
Amazon
Newegg
CPU
Intel Core i5-12400F
Looks
Intel Core i5 Core 12400F Desktop Processor 18M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz
Award
Best Budget Intel CPU
What We Liked
Extremely competitive price, DDR5 Support
What We Disliked
Limited overclocking
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.4 GHz
TDP
65W
Overclocking
Amazon
Newegg
CPU
Core i5-13400F
Looks
Intel i5-13400F Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz
Award
Budget CPU For Gaming And Streaming
What We Liked
10 cores, Higher boost frequencies, Compatible with DDR5
What We Disliked
Increased power consumption, No overclocking 
Socket
LGA 1700
Cores
10 (6P + 4E)
Threads
16
Base Clock
2.5 GHz (P-cores)
Boost Clock
Up to 4.6 GHz (P-cores)
TDP
65W
Overclocking
Amazon
Newegg
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Radeon Graphics
Award
Best Budget Gaming CPU
What We Liked
Solid Overclocking Potential, Integrated Vega Graphics
What We Disliked
Lacks PCIE Gen 4.0 Compatibility
Socket
AMD AM4
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base Clock
3.9 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.4 GHz
TDP
65W
Overclocking
Amazon
Newegg
CPU
Ryzen 7 5700X
Looks
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core, 16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Award
Best Budget CPU For Video Editing
What We Liked
8 full-power cores, Great overclocking potential, Power-efficient
What We Disliked
Outdated I/O
Socket
AM4
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.6 GHz
TDP
65W
Overclocking
Amazon
Newegg

Last Updated:


  • July 27, 2024: We have changed the formatting to improve readability.

Building a PC on a limited budget? Here are our other tested round-upson other components:

Best Budget CPUs

Here are my picks for the Best Budget CPUs.

  1. Best AMD Budget CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600
  2. Best Budget Intel CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F
  3. Budget CPU For Gaming And Streaming: Intel Core i5-13400F
  4. Best Budget Gaming CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
  5. Best Budget CPU For Video Editing: Ryzen 7 5700X

AMD Ryzen 5 5600

Best AMD Budget CPU

Ryzen 5 5600 - Best AMD Budget CPU
Ryzen 5 5600

Socket: AMD AM4 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 3MB | Base Clock: 3.5 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • Great Price-to-Performance ratio
  • Low power comsumption

Cons

  • No DDR5 support
  • Lacks iGPU

At its core, the Ryzen 5 5600 is a 6-core, 12-threaded chip with a modest base clock speed of 3.5 GHz, boosting up to an impressive 4.4 GHz. Plus, we have 2 MB of L2 and 32 MB of L3 cache; all of this meant that the Ryzen 5 5600 managed 60+ FPS in most titles I threw at it (1080P) while paired with the GTX 1660 Super. Despite dialed-back speeds compared to the 5600X, the chip has the same 65W TDP. The included Wraith Stealth cooler is rated to handle this 65W of heat, but if you plan on overclocking, I recommend a decent air cooler. I tested it with the Deepcool AS500, and the Ryzen 5 5600 barely pushed 60°C during my gaming session.

The Ryzen offers a decent package of 6 cores and 12 threads, and for most users’ needs, it should be good for a few years. You have the option of upgrading to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, or say, the 5950X, but you’ll miss out on the latest I/O (PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory) until you upgrade the platform.

WARNING: There are no integrated graphics in the Ryzen 5 5600, so you’ll need a dedicated graphics card for display.

Buy It If

AMD Ryzen 5 5600
AMD Ryzen 5 5600

✅ You want a power-efficient CPU: With a TDP of 65W, the Ryzen 5 5600’s power consumption is definitely on the lower side.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ An iGPU is important: Much like most other 5000 series CPUs, the Ryzen 5600 does not come with integrated graphics.

❌ You want better future-proofing: AMD’s shift to the AM5 architecture limits upgrade options from the Ryzen 5 5600, especially considering its incompatibility with DDR5 memory modules.

What Makes It The Best AMD Budget CPU?

The Ryzen 5 5600 is bundled with an attractive price tag and decent performance that makes it a standout budget product in all prospects. Furthermore, its lower TDP of 65W and impressive boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz also contribute to making it the Best AMD Budget CPU.

Performance: 8/10 Value: 9/10
Features: 7.5/10 Future Proofing: 7.5/10

Intel Core i5-12400F

Best Budget Intel CPU

Core i5 12400F - Best Budget Intel CPU
Core i5 12400F

Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 7.5MB | Base Clock: 2.5 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • Extremely competitive price
  • DDR5 Support

Cons

  • Limited overclocking

The Core i5-12400F arrives with 6 cores and 12 threads, along with a rather underwhelming base clock speed of 2.5 GHz that pushes up to 4.4 GHz at boost. It showed an average FPS of 100+ in almost every title in my 1080P gaming tests, paired with the 3060 Ti, which just speaks of its fantastic value. While its base TDP is a modest 65 watts, the maximum turbo power shoots up to 117 watts, which is no joke. If you want to run it at limited speeds, the stock cooler will do. But, if you want to unlock its full potential, I recommend a good air cooler, such as the Arctic Freezer eSports Duo I used to test it.

The Core i5-12400F runs on the LGA1700 platform which supports the best I/O available today, and you can get a supporting motherboard as cheap as $80. Upgrade pathway up to the 14th generation is possible, but even so, you’ll be good with the i5-12400F for a few years before the need to upgrade arises.

Editor`s Note
Image

Despite the absence of E-cores, the Core i5-12400F held up quite well and didn’t break a sweat in any title during my 1080P gaming benchmarking.

– Nauman Siddique

Buy It If

Intel Core i5-12400F
Intel Core i5-12400F

✅ You prioritize DDR5 Compatibility: Unlike the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, the Core i5-12400 boasts compatibility with DDR5 memory modules, making it slightly more future-proof. 

✅ You plan to upgrade later: The Core i5-12400F is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket, which means upgrades up to the 14th generation will be possible.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You aim for extensive overclocking: As evident by the lack of the K-suffix on the Core i5-12400F, no CPU overclocking is possible. 

What Makes It The Best Budget Intel CPU?

Intel’s implementation of the Golden Cove architecture, in conjunction with the remarkable multi-core performance, gives the Core i5-12400F the lead it needs over most other budget processors in the market. That, combined with its competitive price tag, prompted me to choose it as the Best Budget Intel CPU.

Performance: 8.5/10 Value: 9.5/10
Features: 9/10 Future Proofing: 9/10

Intel Core i5-13400F

Budget CPU For Gaming And Streaming

Core i5-13400F - Budget CPU For Gaming And Streaming
Core i5-13400F

Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores: 10 (6P + 4E) | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 9.5MB | Base Clock: 2.5 GHz (P-cores) | Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz (P-cores) | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • 10 cores
  • Higher boost frequencies
  • Compatible with DDR5

Cons

  • Increased power consumption
  • No overclocking 

The i5-12400F’s successor is my choice here, as its added E-cores lead to an 11.1% performance boost and make it a great choice for streaming at the same time. I streamed various titles at 1080P resolution with OBS while using the CPU, and FPS remained in the 120s or more in most titles I tested. While it maintains the same impressive 65W TDP, the maximum boost power climbs to 148 watts. For the base speeds, the included stock cooler will do, but to squeeze the most performance, get an air cooler with at least 4 heat pipes or a 120mm AIO cooler such as the Enermax Liqmax III 120 I used in my testing.

The Core i5-13400F offers a good set of specifications to last you for a good few years before an upgrade becomes necessary. It comes with the latest I/O that was introduced with the Alder Lake lineup, and you can upgrade to the 14th generation down the line.

PRO TIP: Make sure to estimate the power consumption of your entire build and invest in a PSU with suitable wattage; consider the fact that this CPU can utilize up to 148 watts at full potential.

Buy It If

Core i5-13400F
Core i5-13400F

✅ You need plenty of cores on a budget: The i5-13400F boasts an impressive 10 cores, setting a new standard for Intel’s Core i5 series.

✅ You want exceptional gaming performance: Thanks to its specification upgrades, it showcases a generational leap in performance, toppling over its predecessor i5 by a huge margin.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You’re concerned about power consumption: All of that added performance has resulted in an inevitable increase in the CPU’s maximum power draw, which now comes in at 148W.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For Gaming and Streaming?

All in all, the Core i5-13400F surpasses its predecessors in every scenario possible. Between high boost frequencies to a hybrid core architecture comprising 10 cores, the Core i5-13400 prevails in every aspect, making it the Best Budget CPU For Gaming and Streaming.

Performance: 9/10 Value: 10/10
Features: 9/10 Future Proofing: 10/10

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Best Budget Gaming CPU

Ryzen 5 5600G - Best Budget Gaming CPU
Ryzen 5 5600G

Socket: AMD AM4 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 3MB | Base Clock: 3.9 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • Solid Overclocking Potential
  • Integrated Vega Graphics

Cons

  • Lacks PCIE Gen 4.0 Compatibility

Built on a 7 nm process, it houses 6 cores and 12 threads, with 16MB of L3 cache and 3MB of L2 cache. It features respectable clock speeds, with 3.9 GHz at the base. It houses a fairly capable iGPU, which did well in some light 720P gaming in my tests. For serious gaming, though, I recommend a dedicated GPU. We get a 65W TDP rating with this APU. So, again, I would recommend you just use the included stock cooler or invest in a low-to-mid-range air cooler if you want to push the clocks on it.

For a value-oriented CPU, its 6 core-12 thread configuration is decent, as it’s still capable of handling most titles. What concerns me is that you don’t even get PCIe 4.0 support in an era where PCIe 5.0 is being popularized. Moreover, you’ll need to spend a considerable amount if you want to shift to AM5.

PRO TIP: FPS falling below 60 in a particular title? Try using AMD FSR or Nvidia DLSS for a boost.

Buy It If

Ryzen 5 5600G
Ryzen 5 5600G

✅ You want an iGPU: If you’re aiming for light gaming or just want to boot up your PC as you wait for your dedicated graphics card, you’ll be happy with its decent integrated graphics.

✅ You want to overclock: It also offers overclocking abilities to push the CPU further, which makes it an even better package.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You need PCIe 4.0 support: Compared to the non-APU Ryzen 5000 lineup, there’s no PCIe 4.0 support, and any PCIe 4.0 devices you have will run at 3.0 speeds.

What Makes It The Best Budget Gaming CPU?

Packing integrated graphics, compelling clock speeds, and remarkable overclocking potential under its belt, the 6 core 12 threaded Ryzen 5 5600G doesn’t disappoint in any category. It made the Best Budget Gaming CPU for its incredible value and previously mentioned attributes.

Performance: 8/10 Value: 9/10
Features: 7/10 Future Proofing: 7.5/10

Ryzen 5 5700X

Best Budget CPU For Video Editing

ryzen 7 5700x - best budget cpu for video editing
Ryzen 7 5700X

Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 4MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • 8 full-power cores
  • Solid overclocking potential
  • Power-efficient

Cons

  • Outdated I/O compared to LGA1700

The Ryzen 7 5700X emerges as another excellent budget-friendly offering from AMD’s side. Coming in with a total of 8 cores, its excellent for rendering workloads. Moreover, with the RTX 3080, it delivered an average of 90-100 FPS in my 1080P gaming tests (including an average of 80+ in Cyberpunk 2077). Despite its 8-core design, its power rating is just 65 watts. And, as with the other Ryzen chips that come with stock coolers, the CPU will run fine at stock setting with them. For overclocking, consider a good air cooler; I used the Noctua NH-U12A, and, running the CPU at boost, the cooler kept it in the 50°Cs during my gaming tests.

With 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen 7 5700X should keep your gaming and video editing tasks running smoothly for years. But, the I/O capabilities are outdated (including no DDR5 support), and your best bet is to upgrade to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D if performance starts becoming a concern.

Buy It If

✅ You want overclocking potential: The Ryzen 7 5700X has been left with a lot of headroom for overclocking, allowing users to push it past its stock frequencies.

✅ You want a power-friendly CPU: It runs cool as a cucumber with a 65W TDP rating.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You’re looking for the latest I/O: The Ryzen 7 5700X is limited to PCIe 4.0 and DDR4 memory, compared to Intel’s LGA1700 CPUs offering PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For Video Editing?

The Ryzen 7 5700X rocks a power-efficient 8-core design that works in favor of delivering a moderate experience, making it the Best Budget CPU For Video Editing from my side.

Performance: 8.5/10 Value: 8.5/10
Features: 8/10 Future Proofing: 7.5/10

Comparison Table

Here is how my selections compare against each other: 

Best Budget CPUsNo. of coresNo. of threadsBase frequency (GHz)(Full-power cores)Boost frequency (Full-power cores)Total L2 cache (MB)Total L3 cache (MB)Base TDP (W)
Ryzen 5 56006123.54.433265
Core i5-12400F6122.54.47.51865
Core i5-13400F10162.54.69.52065
Ryzen 5 5600G6123.94.431665
Ryzen 7 5700X8163.44.643265

Gaming Benchmarks Of The Best Budget CPUs

Important CPU Key Terms

  1. Cores: A single CPU core represents a processing unit that is responsible for executing instructions at a particular speed. The number of CPU cores directly affects the processor’s performance and price.
  2. Threads: Often referred to as virtual cores, threads are instructions assigned to a CPU core for execution. Modern CPUs make use of features such as multi-threading to properly utilize these threads in order to gain substantial performance.
  3. Multi-Threading: Multi-threading refers to the process of using cores to execute two or more threads simultaneously. Intel and AMD use separate terms for this process: Hyper-threading for Intel and Simultaneous Multi-Threading for AMD. 
  4. Cache: CPU Cache is high-speed storage that effectively reduces the time required to access data from the main memory. L1, L2, and L3 Cache are all variations of CPU Cache, each differing in speed. The access speed progressively decreases with each Cache level, resulting in lower speeds.
  5. Clock Speed: The clock speed of your processor represents the number of executions it is capable of executing within a second. A processor’s boost clock speed refers to the maximum speed it is capable of reaching.
  6. TDP: Measured in Watts, the TDP of your system is an accurate representation of the heat your CPU generates. The Thermal Design Power or TDP of your system allows users to gauge the type of cooler your processor needs to maintain adequate temperatures.
  7. Overclocking: The process of giving more power to the CPU in order to achieve higher clock speeds is known as overclocking. Overclocking your CPU might increase performance; however, you need to have a compatible CPU and a cooler that can withstand the higher power draw.

Tips To Buy Best Budget CPUs

Here are some of the most important aspects I took into consideration when coming up with my list of the Best Budget CPUs.

  • Intel vs AMD: When choosing the Best Budget CPUs, both Intel and AMD prevail in their respective categories. AMD’s non-x 5000 series GPUs compete directly against the 12th-generation ones from Intel, which means choosing between the two will mostly come down to personal preference and availability in your region. 
  • Overclocking: The overclocking capabilities of your processor play a considerable part in influencing the overall buying decision. Processors that come with an unlocked multiplier allow users to go beyond the stock speeds of the processor, which results in a performance increase. Some of the budget CPUs in our list come with an unlocked multiplier, providing users with decent overclocking headroom.
  • Frequency: Simply put, your CPU’s clock speeds determine its capability to process instructions. Faster frequencies allow your processor to interpret instructions quickly, resulting in a faster overall experience as a result. Thankfully, all of the CPUs in my list boast adequate clock speeds that allow them to perform flawlessly in most cases.
  • Supported Chipsets: When choosing the best Budget CPUs, it is important to ensure that the CPU you end up going with is compatible with your selected motherboard. For instance, Intel’s latest 13th-generation processors utilize the LGA 1700 socket, meaning they are compatible with motherboards based on the 700-series and 600-series chipsets. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What percent of your PC budget should be for the CPU?

Around 10-30 percent should be allotted to the CPU alone; however, most of your budget allocation will boil down to personal requirements.

Which CPU is more budget-friendly, Intel or AMD?

Both Intel and AMD have budget offerings that compete in the same price category; however, Intel might have a slight advantage thanks to their i3 series of processors.

Is a good CPU needed for video editing

Investing in a good CPU will always pay off when it comes to video editing. Between lower render times and faster editing speeds, a capable processor gives users a smooth experience that enhances the video editing experience.

Recent Updates


  • March 24, 2024: Further text changes to improve readability. Core i5-12600KF was replaced by AMD’s Ryzen 7 5700X as it offers better performance for video-editing applications, with 8 full-power cores, at a similar price-point.
  • August 30, 2023: A few text changes to improve readability. No products were changed.

 
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