Buying Guide
The Best Budget CPUs
Seven low-cost processors compared on cores, cache, platform and included coolers, across AM5, AM4 and Intel LGA1700 and LGA1851.
By The PC Journal editorial team
13 min read7 products evaluated
A budget CPU only saves money if the board and memory around it are cheap too. An AM4 chip keeps DDR4 useful, AM5 opens a path to newer CPUs, and Intel's LGA1700 supports both memory types.
We compared seven processors on cores, cache, platform and whether a cooler is included, using manufacturer specifications.
Quick Picks
Our 7 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Budget AM4 Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Six cores with a cooler in the box on a DDR4 platform.
Best for: Builders reusing DDR4 or an AM4 board.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget AM5 Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
A bundled cooler on a platform with future CPU upgrades.
Best for: New builds that want an upgrade path.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Intel Pick
Intel Core i5-14400F
Ten cores on LGA1700 with DDR4 support.
Best for: Intel builds with a graphics card.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
Intel Core i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for: Buyers who want six performance cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Best Without a Graphics Card
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G
Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Best for: Builds that will add a graphics card later.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (opens in a new tab)
Cheapest Six-Core
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The lowest price here for six cores.
Best for: The tightest budgets.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Budget AM4 Pick1 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Builders reusing DDR4 or an AM4 board.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600 at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-12400F at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Core i5-12400F, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. It also offers DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. On price it sat third of 7, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Core i5-12400F, at the time of writing. The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Best Budget AM5 Pick2 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the six-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Stealth cooler included.
Best for
- New builds that want an upgrade path.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The cooler saves money on a first AM5 build. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.1GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 8600G comes next at 5GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600, the Core i5-12400F, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 8600G, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F and Ryzen 5 8600G, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses DDR4 memory.
It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. Only the Ryzen 5 8600G came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 7 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Best Budget Intel Pick3 of 7
Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Intel builds with a graphics card.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 7 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. Like the Core i5-12400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 5 8600G uses an AM5 socket. Like the Core i5-12400F, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory.
It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. When we checked, only the Core i5-12400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 8600G cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 7
Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Buyers who want six performance cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 18MB: the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores). It matches the Core i5-14400F and the Core Ultra 5 225F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14400F; the Ryzen 5 5500 goes with an AM4 socket.
On price it sat fourth of 7, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600 and the pricier Core i5-14400F, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Solid Alternative5 of 7
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. It matches the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks third of 7 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 5600, which has an AM4 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 7600 and Ryzen 5 8600G, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses DDR4 memory.
You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing. It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 10
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (65W)
Best Without a Graphics Card6 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8600G pairs six cores with Radeon 760M graphics.
Best for
- Builds that will add a graphics card later.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It can run a PC without a graphics card until you buy one. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on L3 cache (16MB). Its 5GHz boost clock ranks second of 7 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600, the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 7600, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-12400F uses an LGA1700 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 7600 and Core Ultra 5 225F, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses DDR4 memory.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. It was priced above the Core i5-14400F and below the Ryzen 5 7600 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon 760M integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Cheapest Six-Core7 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- The tightest budgets.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game is a problem.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. It matches the Ryzen 5 8600G on L3 cache (16MB). Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600 leads at 5.1GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600, the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 8600G at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 5600, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket. It also offers a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core Ultra 5 225F was closest. L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 5600 covers it better at 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The lowest price here for six cores
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in a Budget CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
The socket decides your upgrade path
The socket fixes which motherboards and future CPUs you can use. AM5 has had several CPU generations; AM4 has no newer chips coming.
If you plan to upgrade later, a current platform is worth a small premium.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
Match the CPU to your graphics card and monitor
At 1440p and 4K the graphics card sets most frame rates, so a mid-range CPU is often enough. At 1080p with a high-refresh monitor, the CPU matters much more.
Spend on the part that limits your games, not on the bigger number.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose a Budget CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Builders reusing DDR4 or an AM4 board | Ryzen 5 5600 | Six cores with a cooler in the box on a DDR4 platform |
| New builds that want an upgrade path | Ryzen 5 7600 | A bundled cooler on a platform with future CPU upgrades |
| Intel builds with a graphics card | Core i5-14400F | Ten cores on LGA1700 with DDR4 support |
| Builds that will add a graphics card later | Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon 760M integrated graphics |
| The tightest budgets | Ryzen 5 5500 | The lowest price here for six cores |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | 32MB | 5.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | 16MB | 5GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Core i5-12400F, Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 5 8600G, Ryzen 5 7600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate cooler?
Usually yes. Only some chips, such as the Ryzen 5 7600 and 5600X, include a basic cooler; unlocked high-end models do not.
What memory should I pair with it?
AM5 and LGA1851 use DDR5; AM4 uses DDR4. For AM5, a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is a common pairing; check the board's memory support list.
Is AM4 still worth buying into?
For an upgrade to an existing AM4 system, yes. For a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 gives a longer upgrade path.
What does the rated power figure mean?
It is AMD's default TDP or Intel's base power. Chips can draw more under boost, so size the cooler for sustained loads, not the label alone.
What does X3D mean on a Ryzen CPU?
It marks AMD's 3D V-Cache chips, which stack extra L3 cache on the processor. Games that are limited by the CPU tend to run faster on them.
Will a new CPU work in my current motherboard?
Only if the socket matches and the board's BIOS supports it. Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Bottom Line
Pick the Ryzen 5 7600 for a new AM5 build with a cooler included, or the Ryzen 5 5600 if you already own DDR4. The Core i5-14400F is the Intel choice, and the Ryzen 5 8600G covers a PC that starts without a graphics card.