While buying for a CPU, many criteria must be considered, including clock speed, number of cores, and, most significantly, compatibility with the motherboard and other components. When it comes to selecting your ideal CPU in 2023, there are a myriad of options to choose from. Most gamers and content makers do not require high-end or even cutting-edge PC components.
With increased rivalry and technological advancements, firms such as AMD and Intel have been inventing cheap CPUs that can handle the latest games or intensive jobs.
In this post, we’ll look at a number of Processors that can run any game on your PC without breaking the bank.
Get your game on with these 10 budget CPUs of 2023
The CPUs in this list are from the low-cost market. While some processors are designed specifically for gaming, others are more suited to streaming.
10) AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor
It is one of the most popular Ryzen 5 series CPUs because to its rapid FPS performance on a budget. This component has six cores and 12 threads, allowing it to handle multitasking and gaming with ease. It also has PCIe Gen 4 capability and high-speed DDR4 memory. All of these aspects combine to make the Ryzen 5 3600 an excellent choice.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
|
Architecture | Zen 2 |
Core count | 6 |
Thread count | |
Base clock | 3.6 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.2 GHz |
Cache | 32 MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 65W |
Integrated graphics | None |
Pros
- Improved gaming performance compared to the previous generation
- Budget-friendly
- Supports existing AM4 motherboards
Cons
- Overclocking has no significant gains
- No integrated graphics
- Underperforming for heavy multi-tasking and productivity
9) AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Processor
In terms of specifications, AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is nearly equal to its previous-generation processors and subsequent variants. It’s the greatest AMD CPU for gaming and content creation on a budget. Its Zen 3 chip also has a six-core 12 thread processor that can handle any type of gaming while also providing more than adequate horsepower for content creation.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
|
Architecture | Zen 3 |
Core count | 6 |
Thread count | 12 |
Base clock | 3.5 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.4 GHz |
Cache | 32MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 65 watts |
Integrated graphics | None |
Pros
- Excellent budget-friendly processor
- Performs great in day-to-day tasks
- Good upgrade choice for Ryzen 3000
- Supports existing AM4 motherboards
Cons
- No integrated graphics
8) Intel Core i3-12100F
This Intel CPU has four cores and twelve threads and benefits from the enhanced Alder Lake design, which improves single-core and multi-core performance. It is currently one of the best processors available for under $200.
As a result, gamers seeking for a solid, low-cost, high-performance processor should consider this.
Intel Core i3-12100F | |
Architecture | Alder Lake |
Core count | 4 (4P + 0E) |
Thread count | 8 |
Base clock | 3.3 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.3 GHz |
Cache | 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 89 W |
Integrated graphics | None |
Pros
- Supports DDR4 and DDR5
- Great gaming performance
- Low power consumption
- Supports memory overclocking
Cons
- No integrated graphics
- No Turbo Boost 3.0 (only 2.0)
7) AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
This CPU is one of the most popular budget-friendly APUs on the market and will not break the bank. It is a six-core, 12-threaded CPU built on the 7nm FinFET process node from TSMC. The chip’s base clock is 3.9 GHz and can be clocked up to 4.4 GHz. It also has a powerful Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics engine that delivers good frame rates even at 1080p.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G |
|
Architecture | Zen 3 |
Core count | 6 |
Thread count | 12 |
Base clock | 3.9 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.4 GHz |
Cache | 16MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 65W |
Integrated graphics | Radeon™ Graphics |
Pros
- One of the best price-to-performance ratio
- Zen 3 Architecture
- Overclockable
- Great iGPU
- Strong gaming performance
Cons
- No integrated graphics
- PCIe 3.0 connectivity
6) Ryzen 5 5600X
With a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.6 GHz, this CPU features six cores and 12 threads. It can also be overclocked, and with the right cooling, it can reach clock speeds of up to 4.85 GHz. If combined with a powerful GPU, the chip can handle any game at medium to high settings at 1080p.
Ryzen 5 5600X |
|
Architecture | Zen 3 |
Core count | 6 |
Thread count | 12 |
Base clock | 3.7GHz |
Boost clock | 4.6GHz |
Cache | 32MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 65W |
Integrated graphics | None |
Pros
- Great gaming performance
- Excellent value for money
- Supports overclocking
Cons
- Overclocking has no significant gains for gaming
5) Intel Core i5-12400
The Intel Core i5-12400 has a great price-to-performance ratio. It has six cores and 12 threads, therefore it will provide adequate gaming performance for under $200. In some multi-core performance tests, the Intel Core i5-12400 outperforms the Ryzen 5 5600 in single-core performance, making it a good budget-friendly CPU for gaming.
Intel Core i5-12400 |
|
Architecture | Alder Lake |
Core count | 6 |
Thread count | 12 |
Base clock | 2.5 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.40 GHz |
Cache | 18 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 117 W |
Integrated graphics | Intel® UHD Graphics 730 |
Pros
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Low TDP
- Strong gaming performance
Cons
- No overclocking
4) Intel Core i5-13400F
This is the successor to the popular Core i5 12400, however it is from the 3rd-generation Raptor Lake series, making it speedier while costing about the same. With DDR4 memory compatibility and lower-cost H610 motherboards, this Intel CPU boasts a fantastic price-to-performance ratio and is a good choice for budget gamers.
Intel Core i5-13400F | |
Architecture | Intel 13th gen Raptor Lake |
Core count | 10 (6P+4E) |
Thread count | 16 |
Base clock | 2.5 GHz |
Boost clock | 4.6 GHz |
Cache | 20 MB Intel Smart Cache |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 148 W |
Integrated graphics | None |
Pros
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Strong gaming performance
Cons
- 148W TDP makes it very power-hungry
3) AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, part of the Ryzen 5000G CPU series, is a step up from the prior Ryzen 4000G processor series. It has eight cores and 16 threads, making it AMD’s greatest APU on the market. The chip is an excellent choice for gamers who do not have a GPU, since the octa-core GCN 5th generation onboard graphics processor is capable of running most AAA titles in 1080p fluently.
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G |
|
Architecture | Zen 3 |
Core count | 8 |
Thread count | 16 |
Base clock | 3.8GHz |
Boost clock | 4.6GHz |
Cache | 16MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 65W |
Integrated graphics | Radeon™ Graphics |
Pros
- Solid value for money
- Smooth gaming performance on integrated graphics
Cons
- Eight cores will be overkill for some people
2) AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
This is one of the greatest gaming CPUs on the market, with an excellent price-performance ratio. This CPU outperforms the previous-generation 5700X by more than 35% while being 35% more power efficient. It can easily handle multitasking and the most recent AAA games, making it an ideal choice for gamers looking to create future-proof Computers on a budget.
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
|
Architecture | Zen 4 |
Core count | 8 |
Thread count | 16 |
Base clock | 4.5GHz |
Boost clock | 5.4GHz |
Cache | 32MB |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 105W |
Integrated graphics | AMD Radeon™ Graphics |
Pros
- Similar gaming results compared to high-end processors
- DDR5 and PCle 5.0
- Solid single-core performance
Cons
- No DDR4 compatibility, DDR5 is required
1) Intel Core i7-12700K
This is a powerful processor based on the Alder Lake design. It’s an excellent pick for gamers searching for a mid-to-high-tier CPU that outperforms the i5-12600K. The Intel Core i7 12700K has 20 threads and 12 cores, ensuring outstanding performance in the latest AAA titles.
Intel Core i7-12700K |
|
Architecture | Alder Lake architecture |
Core count | 8 |
Thread count | 20 |
Base clock | 2.7GHz |
Boost clock | 5.0GHz |
Cache | 25 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
Maximum turbo power (MTP) | 190W |
Integrated graphics | Intel® UHD Graphics 770 |
Pros
- Integrated GPU
- DDR5 and PCle 5.0
- Solid value for money
Cons
- No DDR4 compatibility, DDR5 is required
Because of its powerful and efficient performance, which is enabled by its 3.80 GHz base clock frequency and 5.0 GHz boost clock frequency, it is a fantastic CPU for gamers and streamers.
Leave a Reply