Buying Guide
The Best Budget CPUs for a Gaming PC
Six low-cost processors for a budget gaming PC, weighed on platform cost, boxed coolers and integrated graphics as much as the chip itself.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A budget gaming PC works best when the processor is cheap enough to leave money for the graphics card. Board and memory costs count too, which is why AM4 and DDR4 still appear here, and two chips with integrated graphics let you play lighter games before buying a card.
We compared cores, boost clock, L3 cache, rated power and platform from manufacturer specifications. Gaming results depend on the graphics card, resolution and game, so we make no frame-rate claims.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Budget Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 5600Six cores and 32MB of L3 with a cooler on cheap AM4 boards.
Best for: Most budget builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Cores for the Money
AMD Ryzen 7 5700XEight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform.
Best for: Gaming plus multitasking.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Without a Graphics Card
AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRadeon 760M integrated graphics on AM5.
Best for: Starting before buying a GPU.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Intel
Intel Core i5-12400FSix performance cores with DDR4 and DDR5 support.
Best for: Cheap Intel builds.
Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Clock Speed
AMD Ryzen 5 5600XA 4.6GHz boost on six cores with a boxed cooler.
Best for: Older AM4 boards.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Cheapest With Graphics
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GIntegrated Radeon graphics on AM4 with a boxed cooler.
Best for: Very tight budgets.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Budget Pick1 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Most budget builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 5600G on boost clock (4.4GHz).
It also comes with 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. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-12400F the next step up. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 8600G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8600G has it.
Key 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 i5-12400F
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
Most Cores for the Money2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Gaming plus multitasking.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600X on boost clock (4.6GHz).
Its 8 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5600 comes next at 6 cores. You also get PCIe 4.0 support. 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.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 5600G the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Best Without a Graphics Card3 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G
The Ryzen 5 8600G pairs six cores with Radeon 760M graphics.
Best for
- Starting before buying a GPU.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600G at 16MB. Nothing else here matches its 5GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 7 5700X comes closest at 4.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Core i5-12400F, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G on core count (6 cores). An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core i5-12400F uses an LGA1700 socket. You get DDR5 memory here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5600X and its 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. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600X and the pricier Ryzen 5 5600G, at the time of writing.
Key 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 5600 at the time of writing
Best Budget Intel4 of 6
Intel Core i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Cheap Intel builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. Its 18MB L3 cache ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G (16MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600G on boost clock (4.4GHz).
On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 5600X, which has an AM4 socket. It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 5600 has DDR4 memory instead.
It also comes with six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5600 and below the Ryzen 5 5600X at the time of writing.
Key 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
The catch
It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 65W.
Best AM4 Clock Speed5 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is for AM4 owners: it drops into existing boards after a BIOS update and keeps your DDR4.
Best for
- Older AM4 boards.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It includes a Wraith Stealth cooler but has no integrated graphics. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 4.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 8600G, the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 5600G on core count (6 cores). It also offers PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. 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. Its price falls between the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 8600G, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- 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
- PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
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
The catch
The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 8600G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8600G has it.
Cheapest With Graphics6 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
The Ryzen 5 5600G pairs six Zen 3 cores with Radeon integrated graphics and a boxed cooler.
Best for
- Very tight budgets.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It runs lighter games without a graphics card on cheap AM4 boards and DDR4 memory, and a card can be added later. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 8600G at 16MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Core i5-12400F at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 5600X on rated power (65W). 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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 7 5700X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 16MB
- Max boost
- 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- 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 integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB)
The catch
If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 5600 for six cores and 32MB of L3 with a cooler on cheap AM4 boards; the Ryzen 7 5700X for eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform; the Ryzen 5 8600G for radeon 760M integrated graphics on AM5.
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
The Ryzen 5 5600 tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Ryzen 5 5600G sits lowest at 16MB; 3 picks share the top figure. Start with the Ryzen 5 5600 if L3 cache decides it.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 6 picks boost clock spans 4.4GHz (the Ryzen 5 5600G) to 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8600G). The Ryzen 5 8600G is the pick for boost clock.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Core count
Across these 6 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 5600G) to 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 5700X). If core count is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 5700X sets the ceiling at 8 cores.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G list DDR4; the Ryzen 5 8600G lists DDR5; the Core i5-12400F lists DDR4 or DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 4, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 8600G, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G have it; the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Core i5-12400F go without.
How to Choose a Budget Gaming CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most budget builds | Ryzen 5 5600 | Six cores and 32MB of L3 with a cooler on cheap AM4 boards |
| Gaming plus multitasking | Ryzen 7 5700X | Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform |
| Starting before buying a GPU | Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon 760M integrated graphics on AM5 |
| Cheap Intel builds | Core i5-12400F | Six performance cores with DDR4 and DDR5 support |
| Older AM4 boards | Ryzen 5 5600X | A 4.6GHz boost on six cores with a boxed cooler |
| Very tight budgets | Ryzen 5 5600G | Integrated Radeon graphics on AM4 with a boxed cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 5600 leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | 16MB | 5GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600G | 16MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 7 5700X compare with the Ryzen 5 8600G on boost clock?
Between the top two, it is 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8600G against 4.6GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X, a 9% difference. The Ryzen 5 5600G closes the ranking at 4.4GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 on core count?
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5600?
What it brings is boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.4GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in boost clock and core count cost little extra by tier.
What makes the Ryzen 5 8600G the Best Without a Graphics Card?
The label rests on radeon 760M integrated graphics on AM5. It gives up L3 cache (16MB against 32MB) to the Ryzen 5 5600, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at starting before buying a GPU.
Do the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 8600G differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G use AM4; the Ryzen 5 8600G uses AM5; the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X apart?
The Ryzen 5 5600: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 7 5700X: eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform. The Ryzen 5 8600G: Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the default budget pick on inexpensive AM4 boards. The 5700X adds cores, the 8600G and 5600G run without a graphics card, the i5-12400F covers Intel, and the 5600X suits older AM4 boards.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for a Gaming PC
- Related guideGood CPUs for a Gaming PC: Four Mid-Range Picks
- Related guideThe Best PC Gaming Gear Under $100
- Without a budget limitThe Best CPU for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Budget CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
- ExplainerCPU Name Suffixes Explained: K, KF, F, X, X3D and G
- Check compatibility: motherboardsM.2, SATA and PCIe Lane Sharing: Why a Port Can Go Dark
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming CPUs, Checked Against the Specs
- Topic hubAll processors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles