Buying Guide
The Best Budget CPUs for the RX 9060 XT
Four processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
The RX 9060 XT is a 1080p and 1440p card that does not need a top CPU. Every pick has six or more cores and cost $200 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The highest core count here (10 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
The top of this price range, adding Radeon integrated graphics.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (10 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding Radeon integrated graphics. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
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 has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600G at 16MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.2GHz, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600G; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 socket. It also offers a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core Ultra 5 225F was the next step up.
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 cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F
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
Highest Core Count2 of 4
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 put core count first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 20MB: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5600G comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
Its 10 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes next at 6 cores. Its 125W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5500 leads at 65W. An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket.
It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 5 9600X; the Ryzen 5 5600G goes with DDR4 memory. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Ryzen 5 9600X, at the time of writing.
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 Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W)
Largest Game Cache3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (20MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600G on core count (6 cores). An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5600G uses an AM4 socket. It shares DDR5 memory with the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Ryzen 5 5600G goes with DDR4 memory.
On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Ryzen 5 5600G, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600G pairs six Zen 3 cores with Radeon integrated graphics and a boxed cooler.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
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 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 5500 at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.4GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 socket. 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 9600X. If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & 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 9600X (32MB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 5500 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Core Ultra 5 225F for the highest core count here (10 cores); the Ryzen 5 9600X for the largest L3 cache here (32MB).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 5 5600G ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Budget CPUs for the RX 9060 XT
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5600G to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 9600X. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 20MB.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second for less money.
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5600G to 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600G list DDR4; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 9600X list DDR5. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600G have it; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 9600X go without. Settle this first, then compare prices.
How to Choose a Budget CPUs for the RX 9060 XT
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core Ultra 5 225F | The highest core count here (10 cores) |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 9600X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Ryzen 5 5600G | The top of this price range, adding Radeon integrated graphics |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 20MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600G | 16MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick and the Ryzen 5 5600G the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 5 5600G |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 32MB, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 20MB. The Ryzen 5 5600G is at the other end of this group with 16MB.
Is the Ryzen 5 9600X ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 5.4GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 10 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 5 5600G worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds boost clock (4.4GHz against 4.2GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Core Ultra 5 225F the Highest Core Count?
It earns the label for the highest core count here (10 cores). It suits anyone who put core count first.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600G use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Ryzen 5 9600X uses AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for the highest core count here (10 cores) and the Ryzen 5 5600G for the top of this price range, adding Radeon integrated graphics if those matter more to you.
Look for a chip that supports PCIe 5.0 if you may upgrade the GPU later.